Adventure Tour- Baltoro Concordia K2 Trek

The apex of this trek is the junction of the Goodwin - Austin and Baltoro Glaciers, a spectacular setting called Concordia (4720 m.), the one surrounded by such famous peaks as K-2 (8611 m.), Gasherbrums - II (8068 m.), Broad Peak or Falchan Kangri (8047 m.) and Hidden Peak (8068m.), amongst others.

Day 1: Islamabad - Arrive in Islamabad. Meet and transfer to the hotel. We will begin at the old city of Rawalpindi, at the Raja (King) Bazaar. A stop in the silver and gold bazaars will allow us to catch traditional craftsmen at work. We will then continue on the main street linking the Twin cities - Murree Road - before arriving at the gleaming new capital. We pass shining new buildings and thousands of park areas - a full 50 percent of the 350 square mile site is set aside for parks. We will then stop at the Shakar Parian, "Sweet Hills" to catch a bird's eye view of Islamabad. Our next stop will be Shah Faisal Mosque which is the landmark of Islamabad. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Chilas - After breakfast drive to Chilas. Lunch will be served at a suitable location. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Arriving at Besham we are at the bottom edge of Indus Valley with alluring view of the Lion River and the famous road known as the Karakoram Highway (KKH) which also is dubbed as an eighth wonder of the world. The stretch of our journey from Besham to Thakot is just a little glimpse of the wonders and awe inspiring values that this road has in store for its travellers, who take their journey in the upstream direction. The journey continues from Besham to Chilas or vice versa on Karakoram Highway (KKH), along the narrow gorged Indus formed by the Karakoram Range, providing a scenic wonderland. The landscape changes after almost every mile. Along the road there are scores of sites and scenes which deserve careful study and observation and there are things which cannot be described by words alone. KKH passes through Komila, Dassu and Shatial where a bridge opens the way to the once remote valleys of Darel and Tangir. These valleys hide a wealth of old forts, graves, tombs and mosques with beautiful wood carvings. At Shatial by the roadside, one will see one of the most exquisite rock carvings from 5th century A.D. Chilas was on the ancient caravan trail over the Babusar Pass into India and on the Indus trail of Besham, and many rock engravings were left by travellers in this area. Chilas is standing under the shadow of world famous Nanga Parbat. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 3: Skardu - After breakfast drive to Skardu with a pack lunch, and upon arrival transfer to the Hotel. Perched at a height of 7500 feet, Skardu is located amidst an impressive landscape; towering mountains, deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, creeping glaciers and quiet lakes constitute this rugged beauty. Skardu is in the heart of a dangerous frontier land. To its north lies the Xinjiang province of China; to the south Kashmir, to the West Gilgit, and to the east the district of Ladakh in India. Skardu is a trekker and mountain climbers' paradise. Nowhere in the world can you find such a collection of lofty peaks and glaciers. The Baltoro Glacier, the best known, is the spectacular conjunction of the Godwin Austen and Baltoro glaciers called Concordia, lying in the heart of the most heavily glaciated region outside the polar areas. Within a radius of twelve miles rise six peaks over 20,000 feet. This is the centre of densest concentration of lofty peaks on earth. Some of these magnificent mountains in the Karakoram Range are: Masherbrum 25,600, Mustagh tower 23,690, K2 28741, Broad Peak 26,400, Gasherbrum IV 26,810, Sia Kangir 24,350, Golden Throne 23,989, Mitre Peak 19,718, Chogolisa 25,110 and Hidden Peak 26,470. The PIA flight from Islamabad takes you through this beautiful range of mountains and lands you at 8000 feet in the middle of desert. In Skardu, one is immediately struck by the just a position of sand dunes and snow-capped peaks. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 4: Askole - After breakfast drive to Askole. Askole was founded about 500 years ago. According to local legend, by a prince from Nagar, who, fearing he would be killed by his brother the King, fled across the Hispar Pass and discovered the flat, watered land of the Askole Valley 3,000 metres above sea-level. The people are Shia Muslims and speak Balti. Lunch, dinner and overnight in the Tents.

Day 5: Jhula - After breakfast trek to Jhula. Today we leave the last inhabited village. For the remaining portion of our journey we rely on our porters who carry our food, equipment and sustain our expedition. After scrambling over another ridge we come across what legend has as an old polo field. Passing through a rock gap we cross the Biafo glacier and push or to the cable bridge (Jhula) which is used to cross the Dumordo River. The camp is placed nearby. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in the tents.

Day 6: Bardumal - Morning trek to Bardumal. After crossing Jhola, we will proceed to Bardumal. Here the trail is comparatively easy, with occasional exposed scrambles across the rock. The first good water is a thin waterfall after about two hours. There are several campsites called Bardumal along a 2 kilometre stretch of sandy river beach scattered with thom bushes and amarisk. The altitude is about 3,200 metres. Lunch, dinner and overnight stay in the tents.

Day 7: Paiju - After breakfast trek to Paiju. Paiyu (meaning 'salt' in balti) at about 3,600 metres, was disgustingly polluted in 1990, but many expeditions still chose this camp for their rest day. This is an undulating walk, difficult at times, which the first views of dramatic mountains ahead. There is a rest stop by some tamarisk trees besides the stream flowing down from Paiyu Peak. Tent platforms are cut beneath the trees beside the stream. The site is always crowded, the place is a real health hazard. There are a couple of shepherds' huts at Paiyu; some of the Askole herds winter here, as it is sheltered and there is less snow here than in the village. Meals and overnight stay in the camp.

Day 8: Paiju - Full day free for acclimatisation. Meals and overnight stay in Camp.

Day 9: Khuburse - After breakfast trek to Khuburse (5-6 Hrs). A short walk from camp we climb up on to the snout of the glacier (easy climb). The glacier itself is covered with rock and scree. The porters pick their way along an established trail which only their trained eyes seem to see. Our experienced guide insures that we find our way to camp at Liligo. Meals and overnight stay in the camp.

Day 10: Urdukas - After breakfast trek to Urdukas. Traversing along the side of the Baltoro glacier we climb up along a ridge, and then drop to a small river which must be waded to cross. Trekking back unto the Baltoro we continue to Urdukas. Paiju Peak, the Trango towers and Uli Biaho towers rise above the glacier, dominating the horizon. (6-8 hrs) Elev. 4062 M. On arrival camp staff will pitch the tents. Meals and overnight stay in Camp.

Day 11: Goro - After breakfast trek to Goro. Crossing the Baltoro we pass under Masherbrum Peak. Throughout the day there are incomparable views of Mustagh towers and of the peaks surrounding Concordia. 6-8 Hours. Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day12: Concordia - A long moraine walk to the point called Concordia at 4687 metres. The 360 degree view is incredible: K-2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV. Sia Kangri, Miter Peak, the Golden Throne and a number of other peaks. 6-7 hrs to 4720 metres. Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day 13: Concordia - Excursion to K2 Base Camp. Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day 14: Concordia - Free day to explore the area .Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day 15: Goro - After breakfast trek back to Goro. Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day 16: Paiju - After breakfast trek to Paiju. Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day 17: Askole - After breakfast trek to Askole. Meals and overnight in Camp.

Day 18: Skardu - After breakfast trek to road ahead and drive by jeeps to Skardu. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel.

Day 19: Islamabad After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport and fly to Islamabad. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel.

Note:- Confirmation of flight to/from Skardu is subject to reservation being made in advance; as well as there being no backlog of people from previous days' cancelled flights; and to there being clear weather. Should any one of these conditions not exist, the group will be transferred by road at an additional cost.(20-22 hours) drive with overnight enrooted. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 20: Islamabad - Morning de-briefing with Ministry of Tourism PM, then fly home.