Gondogoro Peak

Your guide meets you at the airport, holding the company sign, and takes you to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to recover from the flight and sort kit. The capital sits at the foot of the Margalla Hills and is a gentle place to start.

Night at Hotel, 540 m.

The morning flight to Skardu is one of the great mountain flights, with Nanga Parbat standing clear of the cloud on a good day. You land at the head of the Indus valley in the heart of Baltistan. The afternoon is free to walk the bazaar and settle in.

Night at Hotel, 2,228 m.

A free day in Skardu. Walk up to Kharpocho fort for the view over the Indus and the town, or take a short trip to Sadpara lake. Your team handles the last permits and checks the porter loads while you browse the bazaar for anything you still need.

Night at Hotel, 2,228 m.

An early start from Skardu crosses the Shyok river and runs for about six hours up the lower Hushe valley through small villages and fruit trees. Meltwater streams cross the road, and Masherbrum rises at the head of the valley.

Night at Hushe, 3,050 m.

The path climbs above Hushe through fields of corn and turnips, flowering shrubs and a few scattered trees. Tall rock peaks stand on both sides, and the valley opens out near the river. Saicho is a green camp with great views.

5 hours on foot. Night at Saicho, 3,348 m.

A short stage along the eastern side of the Gondogoro glacier, with growing views of the ice and of Masherbrum beyond. You scramble along the edge of the glacier for an hour or so before reaching camp.

4 hours on foot. Night at Dalsampa, 4,150 m.

You walk out onto the middle of the glacier on moraine and clean ice. Gondogoro La and Gondogoro Peak itself come into view up the valley. Khuispang is a spectacular camp, and the base for the climb.

6 hours on foot. Night at Khuispang, 4,590 m.

A day of rest and gentle acclimatisation. Laila Peak is a beauty from camp and Trinity Peak stands across the glacier. Your guide runs a short kit check and a rope session for the climb.

Night at Khuispang, 4,590 m.

Gondogoro Peak lies to the north of Khuispang and is climbed in around ten hours from camp, with days set aside to wait for the best weather. The ascent is technically straightforward on snow and is a perfect first Karakoram peak. The summit looks out over Masherbrum, Hidden Peak, Chogolisa, Trinity Peak and Laila Peak. After the summit you return to Khuispang to rest.

Night at Khuispang, 4,590 m.

The ropes and crampons are packed away and the walk is a long easy descent. The rock and ice give way to the green of the Hushe valley, with grass, flowers and the first trees.

8 hours on foot. Night at Saicho, 3,348 m.

A short morning walk to Hushe, with its two storey stone houses and fields of barley. The jeeps then take you down the valley to Skardu for a hot shower and a good dinner.

4 hours on foot. Night at Hotel, 2,228 m.

A free day to rest and explore the bazaar. It is also a spare day in hand before the flight.

Night at Hotel, 2,228 m.

The flight south follows the Indus with the great peaks of the Karakoram beside you. The evening is free in Islamabad.

Night at Hotel, 540 m.

A free day to explore the capital or to rest after the mountain. Many groups finish with a celebration dinner.

Night at Hotel, 540 m.

Your guide transfers you to Islamabad airport for your flight home.

540 m.