On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m

You must spend this day free in Skardu. Its better to get rest at your hotel or do any last minute shopping in Skardu Bazaar while keeping in touch with our office.

We will wait for the final government approval letter. This can sometimes (2% of the times) take two days. We have contingency days towards the end of the trek incase of any delays. On this day again, your physical presence might be randomly requested by the government authority so you must remain in contact with our manager in Skardu on this day who will arrange your meeting. This applies to both local and foreign travelers. The government normally issues approvals towards the end of the day. Your adventure with Apricot Tours starts tomorrow.

Note: All expenses (e.g. hotel, meals, transport) on this day will be incurred directly by our guests and is not part of the adventure package. If you want this to be covered, you can book our all inclusive holiday and join us in Islamabad.

On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 3,050 m
Distance: 127 km drive
Time: 6 hours drive

We make a reasonably early start from Skardu, crossing the Shyok River to begin an exciting 6-hour jeep ride up to Hushe, through a number of small and picturesque villages in the lower Hushe Valley. En route we must cross a number of 'nullahs' or small tributary valleys. These nullahs are fed by meltwaters from the glaciers high above the valley and can become impassable by the afternoon as the hot sun goes to work. Our early start from Khaplu means that we should not have any problems in this respect. Hushe is the highest village in the area at 3050 metres and we set up our camp in a field just below the village with the huge bulk of Masherbrum (7821m) dominating the valley to the north.

On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 3,348 m
Distance: 10 km
Time: 2.5 hours

Today, we begin our approach to Gondogoro Peak, trekking up above the village on a rocky path through very impressive scenery. Immediately above the village is a farmed area with some bare grazing, fields of corn and turnips, flowering shrubs such as oleander and a few sparse trees. Towering rocky peaks line both sides of the valley. The valley opens out and splits, as we turn towards the north-east alongside the river that has its source in the Gondogoro Glacier. We cross the tributary Charakusa River on a wooden cantilever bridge to reach the idyllic campsite at Saitcho. This camp lies at the junction of the Charakusa and Gondokoro valleys and is sited on a sandy, tree-shaded area beside a swift-flowing river. There are excellent views of Namika (6325m), the rock spire of K7 and from the trail leading to the camp there is a sighting of the impressive Charakusa Spire. This is a short and easy day of trekking, good for acclimatization.

On this Day
GPS Data
Distance: 11.9 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Altitude: 3,350m

Today's short stage to Dalsampa skirts the eastern side of the Gondogoro Glacier. We hike up above our camp with increasingly impressive views of the glacier and of Masherbrum beyond. At a point where the glacier cuts directly into the steep valley side, we are usually obliged to drop down almost onto the glacier itself and for a further hour we scramble along its edge (there is a path above the moraine cliffs and this may be used instead, if it is in good condition).

A final scramble up a rocky gulley leads to the campsite at Dalsampa (4150m) tucked into a grassy ablation valley with a couple of tiny lakes and staggering views of a range of rocky summits, culminating in the snow-plastered summit of Masherbrum.

An impressive icefall sits below the peak and guards the access to the Masherbrum La which (theoretically) links Hushe with the Baltoro system to the north. Snow leopards still inhabit this rarely visited corner of the Karakoram.

On this Day
GPS Data
Distance: 6.1 km
Time: 4-5 hours
Altitude: 4,590m

Just above our camp the valley turns more towards the east and we have great views up-valley to the Gondogoro La and to Gondogoro Peak itself, although the latter is tough to pick out against the headwall of the valley. Once again, we have to drop down onto the glacier and this time we head out into its centre. At this point the angle of the glacier is not steep and we are walking on a mix of moraine and sometimes on snow or bare expanses of ice.

This is a great glacier experience, walking between ice pinnacles, some of them capped with boulders, and easily avoiding any crevassed areas. This glacial traverse is not technically demanding and there is usually no need to rope-up. We pass beneath the striking spire of Laila Peak (6096m) and amongst a stunning array of mountain scenery. We gradually cut across to the north side of the glacier at the place called Khuispang, a grassy terrace beside a small meltwater lake.

On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 4,590m

Khuispang is a spectacular place at the heart of the Karakoram. The views of Laila Peak are breath-taking and the huge bulk of Trinity Peak is right across the glacier from camp. Seracs regularly break off high above the complex north-west face of this mountain, causing avalanches which can come right down to the glacier, though, thankfully, not this side of the glacier.

This is a day for rest and acclimatization. We will also spend part of this day practicing the straightforward safety techniques required for ascending fixed ropes and walking roped-up on the approach to Gondogoro La.

On this Day
GPS Data
Time: Summit (5,748m): 10 hours

Gondogoro peak is for aspiring mountaineers who want to tackle a first Karakoram trekking Peak with minimal previous crampon and ice axe experience. It is located north of camp Khuispang. The climb to the summit can be done in around 10hrs from base camp.

Ascent of Gondogoro Peak (5,750m) is technically straight forward. The summit gives a panoramic view of Mashabrum, Hidden Peak, Chogolisa, Trinity Peak, and Laila Peak, etc.

If we are able to cross Gondogoro La on time (subject to weather) according to our itinerary, we will have three days for the climb. The exact plan for the three climbing days will be formulated by our climbing guide upon reaching Khuispang camp. His decision to rest, acclimatize, or push for summit will depend on timely crossing of Gondogoro La, weather conditions, health of participants, etc. Those participants who do not wish to attempt the peak at this point can relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery from camp Khuispang, while the remaining participants will attempt the peak. Depending on the overall team spirit of participants, time constraints, and other conditions, our guide will decide whether high camp will be set or a direct summit push (9-10hrs) will be opted for. A direct summit push from base camp starts around 3am and around 1pm, motivated participants can make it to the summit with our guide.

The decision to return to base camp or setting up high camp after a successful summit also depends on our mountain guide who will again consider all the factors mentioned above.

On this Day
The participants will continue hiking down, Since the hike downwards would be a comparatively easy hike so the climbing equipment i.e. ropes, crampons will be packed while descending. The mountainous and rocky terrain will be taken over the lush green landscapes of Hushe Valley.

After lunch, the participants will continue hiking to the edge of the Gondogoro Glacier, upon reaching the edge they will find a trail which will lead them to the beautiful valley of rhubarb and grass.

At the end of the valley there are 02 different routes to the destination. Our guide with the consent of local porters will decide the trails they are being frequently used.

The trek gets easy when the two trails meet. The members will see the huts made of stones by herders and local settlers. On this day the participants will experience the sign of the settlements in the area and will be able to breathe easily due to big trees and lower altitude. Camp will be setup at Saicho (3,350m), a part of sand with little grass along the flowing glacier water steams.

On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m
Distance: 20 km trek + 127 km drive
Time: 5-7 hours trek + 6 hours drive

On this day the participants have to trek down for only 3-4 hours, the river stream of glacier melted water of Charakusa, Ailling, Masherbrum and Gondogoro Glaciers. The participants will start see the signs of residences, shelter, fiels and signs of people living.

The participants will experience the 02 storey shelters of the Hushe village, where the ground floor is for cattles and the first floor is for the family to live. After setting up the camp the participants can explore the beautiful hushe valley and interact with the locals. This would be the last camping day of the Gondogoro La Trek.

Upon reaching Hushe, the participants will depart for Skardu town from Hushe and the journey offers a lot of beautiful scenes of the different small village of the Hushe Valley. The participants will cross a suspension bridge above Shyok River (which flows from Ladakh, India) to get to the other side.

In the past traditional rafts which were made of goat skin fill with air were use to cross the river. The suspension bridge which is use now to cross was built in 1990’s. Upon crossing the bridge, the participants will the reach Khaplu.

The drive from Khaplu to Skardu becomes smooth and the route to be followe is the paved road along the shayok river which leads to the confluence with Indus River. Upon driving along Indus River the Participants will reach Skardu in 4 hours. The participants can have the facilities which they did not have for 02 weeks. The first on that list would be taking a hot shower and secondly having a good meal.

On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 2,400 m

This day is allocated for any potential delays during trekking/climbing. We do not want our guests to miss their return flights/other arrangements due to delays that can be caused by multiple factors including (but not limited to) road blocks.

Note: All expenses in Skardu (e.g. hotel, meals, transportation after hotel drop) on this day will be incurred directly by our climbers/guests and is not part of the adventure package. Your adventure with Apricot Tours ends upon returning in Skardu.