General
Machulo La Trek (2024-25)
The Machulo La Trek is a riveting trek into the heart of Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains, which are known for their breathtaking natural beauty, cultural diversity, and hard terrain. This journey provides explorers, nature lovers, and trekkers with a memorable experience in some of the world’s most stunning scenery.
In addition to this K2 viewpoint holiday, we also offer the following K2 viewpoint holiday options as detailed in the table below.
| K2 View Point Treks | Price (USD) | Euro (EUR) |
| Machulo La Trek - K2 View Point (12 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,600 | €1,600 |
| Barah Broq Trek - K2 View Point (12 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,600 | €1,600 |
| Burji La Trek - K2 View Point (11 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,400 | €1,400 |
| Humbrok Trek - K2 View Point (12 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,600 | €1,600 |
| Iqbal Top Trek - K2 View Point (12 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,600 | €1,600 |
| Shagari Balla Trek - K2 View Point (11 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,600 | €1,600 |
| Satpara-Sermik K2 View Point (11 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,600 | €1,600 |
| Rush Lake Trek - K2 View Point (14 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | US$1,900 | €1,900 |
| View Treks to BASE CAMP of K2 | - | - |
| View all SNOW LAKE TREK HOLIDAYS | - | - |
| K2 View Point Treks | Price (USD) | Euro (EUR) |
Dates & Cost – Machulo La Trek – (12 Days)
Summers are ideal for the Machulo La Trek. The start and end dates in the table below are your dates of arrival and departure from Pakistan. These months mentioned below are the ideal months for trekking in the Karakoram region of Pakistan. We have guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs for Machulo La Trek are given below.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Jun-2024 | 01-Jul-2024 | US$ 1,600 | Limited Space | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| 20-Jun-2025 | 01-Jul-2025 | US$ 1,700 | Available | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
Holiday Information
- Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
- All road transport in Pakistan
- Hotel accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing rooms)
- Trekking accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing tents)
- Hotel meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipments and tools)
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
- Porters for trekking equipments, kitchen (supplies, tools, equipments, crockery, gas) and personal luggage
- Travel Insurance (recommendations only)
- Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipments (list provided on registration or request)
- Tips for guides, porters, staff etc
- Miscellaneous (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
Highlights – Machulo La Trek
Machulo La Trek has a lot to offer. Given below are the main highlights of Machulo La Trek
- Central Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan
- Panoramic view at 4,900 meters, including K-2
- Natural Beauty and diverse landscapes, from highlands to valleys
- A blend of nature, adventure, and culture
- Meet mountaineers at base camps
- Sightseeing in Skardu and Islamabad
Itinerary – Machulo La Trek
The itinerary for Machulo La Trek is given below.
Day 02: Fly to Skardu, Karakoram
On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m
Participants on this morning will take the spectacular flight from Islamabad airport to Skardu airport. You will be able to see Nanga Parbat if clouds allow. After arrival in Skardu, the day is free.
Day 03: Spend free day in Skardu
On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m
After breakfast, the participants will walk to Kharpocho Fort in Skardu, which is located up on a mountain. The Kharpocho fort gives a splendid view of the Indus and Skardu towns. The participants will also have an option to take a tour of Sadpara Lake followed by free shopping time in Skardu Bazaar.
During sightseeing, our staff will take care of further government documentation required in Skardu. This can sometimes take two days. We have contingency days towards the end of the trek in case of any delays.
Day 04: Drive to Machulo via Khaplu
Travel to Skardu to Machulo. Visit Saling Spangtoq, a famous tourist spot in Khaplu, and then drive to Machulo, which is located in the Hushe Valley. The biggest rocks in Hushe Valley are well-known. Gondogoro, Charkusa, Nagma, Nanbroq, and Masherbrum are some of the sub-valleys. This valley is surrounded by multiple hills above 6,000 meters, including Laila Peak, K6, and K7. Murtaza Peak, located 5100m behind K6 Basecamp, is a favorite location for trackers and beginners. The Hushe Valley stretches south from Masherbrum Mountain (at 7,821 meters, the world's 24th tallest) to the Shyok River, near Khaplu. Hushe valley is one of the most beautiful areas in the Ghanche district.
Day 05 - Machulo To Camp I (Khadi Broq)
We will begin our three-hour trip This is a pretty easy trip that follows Machulo's main stream. After 3 hours of walking, we arrived at our first camp, which we called Khadi Broq. Machulo is 2600 meters above sea level. So, after 3 hours of hiking, we will have hit 3800m above sea level. We will be staying in sleeping tents here. Our cook, guide, servants, and managers will make your stay here wonderful.
You can go higher than this camping, but we don't recommend it to avoid altitude problems. As a result, we let you acclimatize by staying here and gradually ascending.
Day 06: Camp II (Qouli Brangsa)
Machulo The second camp track is similarly quite easy to walk, albeit slightly higher than the first. It gradually lifts you to a higher level. The camping spot is very close to where the Machulo people live with their cattle. They make butter and cheese every day. Meeting them and seeing cows, sheep, and local cows (Zomo) was a memorable experience. Camp II is situated at an elevation of 4150 meters.
Day 07: Machulo La K2 View Point
Mountain K2, Gilgit-Baltistan At Camp III K2 viewpoint Machulo La walk, you will stay at a level of 5200m.
The hike is steep, but easy, and takes you through lovely fields. We'll meet some wild creatures (if we're lucky), local animals (Yak, Zomo), sheep, goats, cows, and birds along the trip. Every step closer to the vista offers glances and reveals peaks of Karakorum. A viewpoint is a great spot for camping. K2, G-I, G-II, G-Iv, Broad Peak, Mashabru, Nanagma Valley, Amin Braq, Khaney Valley hills, Siachen Glacier & Valley view, Chorbat Valley (Ladakh Region), Khaplu district are all viewable from there. Hanjour Pasture, Barah Valley, Nanga Parbat, Kargil Region (Kharman Skardu Side), Machulo Town, Indus River, and Shyiok, Saling Valley are all places to visit. 360-degree sweeping views from all four sides. Photography, filming, hiking, and night views of stars in a clear sky, and spring waters are all lovely to see and experience.
Day 08: Trek back to Machulo
Back to Machulo in 6 hours from K2 Viewpoint Machulo la trek.
Day 09: Machulo to Khaplu, Shigar, Skardu
Kharphocho Fort, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan Return to Skardu from Machulo. On the route, explore Khaplu Fort, Shigar Fort, and Upper Kachura Lake in Skardu. Stays overnight in Skardu at a hotel.
Day 10: Fly to Islamabad
On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 538 m
On this day the participants will take a flight from the airport in Skardu to Islamabad airport. You will have a good time to relax at the hotel in Islamabad.
Domestic flights sometimes get canceled due to weather conditions. In case of flight cancellation, you will drive to Chilas overnight. It takes eight to ten hours by vehicle.
Day 11: Contingency day for flight cancellation
This day is allocated for any potential delays in case the domestic flight does not operate the previous day. Our guests will depart early morning from Chilas to Islamabad which can take up to ten hours. However, it will be a free day in case the participants make it to Islamabad on the domestic flight. This time can be utilized for sightseeing in Islamabad.
Day 12: Fly back to your home country
On this Day
Meals included: Breakfast
Our staff will transfer all our guests to the airport on their respective departure timings. The checkout time of all our partner hotels is 12pm.
Why Register Early?
1. Early Bird Discount: The given prices for the holiday are limited-time discount offers and are subject to change. Service providers including (but not limited) to airlines and hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season.
2. Limited Flight Seats: Domestic flight seats to the Karakorams and Himalayas are sold out way ahead of time because there are only two daily flights during peak season. Among other things, the deposit is used to book domestic flights for you in advance.
3. Pay Balance after arrival in Pakistan: In these unusual times, we appreciate that paying the final balance for your trip may cause concern. Our policy is to only receive your final balance once you arrive in Pakistan. The only payment before arrival is the deposit.
4. Deposit valid for 3 years: We understand the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic (Covid-19). As part of our relaxed booking conditions following Covid-19, deposits are valid for 2 years.
6. Pay Minimum Deposit: The deposits for the holiday are also early-bird discounts and automatically change accordingly:
- 1st October: USD 190
- 1st November: USD 290
- 1st January: USD 350
- 15th February: USD 400
- 1st March: USD 450
- 1st May: USD 490
Note: The same dates above apply to next season's deposits.
Refund Policy for All
Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable (but valid for 2 years) as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements.
Balance: Pay the balance only after arrival in Pakistan on the first day. Payment guidelines will be shared timely.
Currency
All international travelers can pay in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent in Euros (EUR) or Pound Sterling (GBP). Pakistani travelers are charged the equivalent in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).
Single Supplement
Separate hotel rooms (single supplement) will cost an additional USD 290. This includes all hotel nights. This payment should be made with the balance upon arrival.
Separate tents (single tent) will cost an additional USD 180. This includes the cost of additional porterage. This payment should also be made with the balance in Pakistan.
As Featured In:
| Apricot Tours' Social Responsibility |
| 1 foreign trekker = 5 trees |
| Apricot Tours will plant five trees for every foreign trekker who visits Pakistan for trekking to Nanga Parbat. The trees will be planted in the northern areas of Pakistan starting from 2019 as part of our CSR initiative. We aim to contribute to "Goal 13: Climate Action" of UN's Sustainable Development Goals by taking part in the massive government campaign to plant 10 billion trees during the next five years to tackle climate change. Pakistan's adverse climate impacts are very much visible through changing temperatures, prolonged droughts, increased floods and extreme weather conditions especially in Pakistan's mountain regions. Pakistan stands 7th on the list of countries that are mostly likely to be affected by global warming and has one of the highest deforestation rates in Asia. Decades of tree felling have reduced the country's forests to less than 3 percent of its total land area. How planting trees will make a difference? Planting trees will help save energy and money, cool our cities, reduce carbon emissions, reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for species of many kinds, provide clean water and add to the beauty of Pakistan's mountain region by simply being there. Our participants can also donate separately. Details on this initiative can be requested. |
Machulo La Trek – Overview
The Machulo La Trek begins in Skardu, a town recognized as the starting point for the Karakoram’s most stunning hiking routes, and travels through gorgeous roads ornamented with attractive communities such as Khaplu, Machulo, and Hushe. The path concludes in the beautiful Machulo La Pass, which serves as a grand doorway to panoramic panoramas and breathtaking scenery.
One of the trek’s highlights is the Machulo La K2 View Trek, a short but spectacular path that offers trekkers the unique opportunity to see all five of the world’s 8000-meter peaks in one sweeping vista. This portion, which requires only two days of climbing, is well-known for its accessibility and cost, making it a popular choice among a wide spectrum of trekkers. The panoramic perspective encompasses prominent peaks such as K-2, Gasherbrum I, II, III, and IV, providing a sight that many trekkers appreciate.
Beyond the 8000-meter summits, the Machulo La provides panoramic views of other spectacular peaks in the Karakoram range, including “Nanga Parbat,” Amin Braq, K6-K7, K-1, Nangma Valley, Iqbal Top, Haldi Cones, and numerous others. The walk also provides stunning views of the massive glaciers that cover the whole Ghanche area, which adds to the attractiveness of the excursion.
It is vital to remember that the Machulo La is moderate to difficult, necessitating a good level of physical condition and acclimatization. Trekkers must be prepared for the unexpected weather conditions found in hilly terrain, such as high winds, rain, and snow. A safe and enjoyable excursion requires adequate equipment, such as strong hiking boots, warm clothes, and a high-quality sleeping bag.
The route tests trekkers’ stamina and tenacity, but the benefits are immense. In addition to the spectacular natural vistas, hikers may connect with the region’s welcoming population, learning about their distinct culture and customs. From the picturesque Hushe Valley to the majestic Masherbrum Mountain, each step of the Machulo La Trek connects you to Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region’s natural and cultural legacy.
To summarize, the Trek is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that effortlessly combines scenic beauty, cultural immersion, and the exhilaration of conquering difficult terrain. It leaves trekkers with cherished memories and a great appreciation for the breathtaking grandeur of the Karakoram Mountains and Gilgit-Baltistan’s rich culture.
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
