General

Spantik Expedition 2024-25 (Karakoram)

Spantik Expedition registration is now open. We are offering Spantik Expedition departures (guided and non-guided) for mountaineers and alpinists from around the world.

Including Spantik Peak, we also offer other peaks and few of them are given in the table below.

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Spantik Expedition – Dates and Cost – 2024-25

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Why dates in July/Aug?

We highly recommend and have planned the climb in August, based on past experience. There are many factors linked to a successful climb of Spantik  in the Chogolungma Glacier area. Based on facts and past experiences, we have the following observations:

  1. Spantik’s South-East Face is in Baltistan/Arandu Valley side while North-West Face is in Hunza/Nagar Valley side. It is exposed to the winds from the valleys on both sides.
  2. Spantik region in the Karakoram (unlike the rest of the Central Karakoram) does get affected by the moonsoon rains. The weather patterns are no more suitable for June/July climbs.
  3. The parties who began the expedition in June in the last 2 years were mostly unsuccessful. All parties were presented by a very small good weather window towards the very end of the expeditions when climbers were tired and exhausted, waiting for the good window.
  4. Apricot Tours previously started the expedition between June 20th to June 25th. After our June 2022 expedition to Spantik, we decided to delay this by one month to maximize our climb success rate.
  5. Our new dates are also more favourable because of availability of “experienced” guides and “strong” High Altitude Porters & Rope Fixers. The guides and porters get free from other expeditions and some are are already acclimatized and fit for the job.

 

Spantik Expedition – Holiday Information

What's Included in Full-board Service?

*inclusions are given below

  1. High Altitude Climbing Leader from Pakistan
  2. Rope fixer(s)/porters for group equipment according to the table below. WordPress Tables Plugin
  3. Lodging above base camp
  4. Group climbing gear/equipment (tent, rope, ice crew, snow-bar, EPI gas, cooking pots, stoves, gas, etc)
  5. Meals above base camp during climb ((high altitude food/snacks)
  6. High Altitude Porters for "Group Equipment"
  7. All meals during trek to base camp and at base-camp (B,L,D)
  8. High Altitude Porters for "Group Equipment"
  9. All hotel accommodation according to itinerary 
  10. Lodging at base camp 
  11. Full base camp with dinning tent, mess tent & bathroom
  12. All internal/domestic transport
  13. All domestic flights
  14. 50kgs (110 lbs) personal baggage
  15. Permit & royalty fee
  16. Group emergency equipment/satellite phone service with fixed calling charge
  17. Staff insurance (guide, cook, kitchen staff, assistant(s) & porters etc)
  18. Experienced cook from Pakistan
  19. Kitchen staff
  20. Porters for all expedition supplies
  21. Solar power at base camp
  22. Electricity generator (backup for high voltage devices)

What's Included in Base Camp Service?

*crossed out items below are not included in Base Camp service.

  1. High Altitude Climbing Leader from Pakistan
  2. Rope fixer(s)/porters for group equipment.
  3. Lodging above base camp
  4. Group climbing gear/equipment (tent, rope, ice crew, snow-bar, EPI gas, cooking pots, stoves, gas, etc)
  5. Meals above base camp during climb ((high altitude food/snacks)
  6. High Altitude Porters for "Group Equipment"
  7. All meals during trek to base camp and at base-camp (B,L,D)
  8. All hotel accommodation according to itinerary 
  9. Lodging at base camp 
  10. Full base camp with dinning tent, mess tent & bathroom
  11. All internal/domestic transport
  12. All domestic flights
  13. 50kgs (110 lbs) personal baggage
  14. Permit & royalty fee
  15. Group emergency equipment/satellite phone service with fixed calling charge
  16. Staff insurance (guide, cook, kitchen staff, assistant(s) & porters etc)
  17. Experienced cook from Pakistan
  18. Kitchen staff
  19. Porters for all expedition supplies
  20. Solar power at base camp
  21. Electricity generator (backup for high voltage devices)

What's not Included in both Base Camp Service & Full-Board Service?

  1. Personal HAP (High Altitude Porter) from Pakistan - USD 1,400 (includes wages, kit allowance (est. USD 650), royalty fee, meals, accommodation, etc). 
  2. Supplemental Oxygen (1 cylinder recommended/optional) for climbers - USD 990 for brand new cylinder and USD 650 for used cylinder 
  3. Oxygen set for climber - includes regulator, mask, hoses, carriage to high camps - USD 980
  4. Summit bonus for personal HAP of USD 200
  5. International airfare
  6. Personal climbing equipment for any 7,000m peak, clothing & sleeping equipment
  7. High Altitude Porters for "Personal Equipment". Only "group equipment" covered for full board.
  8. Mountain climbing rescue and evacuation insurance policy - mandatory
  9. Personal equipment cargo to/from Islamabad
  10. Pakistan visa fee
  11. Tips/gratuities to staff, cook, assistant(s) of US$ 390 in total
  12. Extra hotel nights before/after the climb
  13. Trip cancellation insurance
  14. All expenses incurred in the event of early wind-up/summit (extra hotel nights, meals at hotels, evacuation)
  15. Charges incurred due to delays beyond the control of Apricot Tours (Force majeure)
  16. Personal communication (phone, fax, e-mail) between Pakistan and home country.

 

Spantik Climb Route/Map

The route/map for Spantik peak climb is given below.

spantik climbing route map

 

Highlights – Spantik Expedition

  • Competitive prices for a seven thousander peak in the wild mountains of Pakistan
  • Field office and permanent staff for logistical arrangements to and from the mountain
  • Itinerary based on our mountain guide's indigenous knowledge and vast experience
  • Spectacular mountain vistas during the expedition
  • Apricot Tours is a fully licensed native adventure company
  • Fixed departures are normally guided by our Pakistani High Altitude Climber(s) (HAC)
  • Private groups are always one of our top priorities
  • We cater to both guided expeditions and non-guided (alpine style) climbing
  • We cater to both "base camp services" and "full board services"
  • Nepalese Sherpas available upon timely request (at least 6 months prior to arrival in Pakistan)
  • The following High Altitude Support available at extra cost
    a. Pakistani High Altitude Porter (HAP) - Will carry 20 kg of personal equipment between camps
    b. Nepalese Private Sherpa (personal guide/porter) - Carries up to 20 kg (44lbs) of your personal equipment, climbs with you, melts water, cooks, and will be with you every step of the way.
    c. Personal equipment carriage service - Sherpa carries up to 10kg (22lbs) of personal equipment up and down the mountain between camps

 

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 540 m

Our guide(s) will receive you from the airport. Soon you will be transferred to hotels. On this day, our participants can relax and recover from their long journey.

Pickup information
It is very easy to spot our guide, holding orange placards with our company’s logo and your name on it. You must arrive at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad. International flights normally arrive at midnight or in the afternoon. You must give us the details of your flights, both inbound and outbound at least five days prior to your arrival in Pakistan. Our staff/guide will receive you at the gates of international arrivals unless you are taking a connecting flight from another city of Pakistan. The guide/staff will transfer you to our partner hotel. In case you do not require airport transfer, please inform us in advance.

After lunch and some rest at the hotel (ideally if you are arriving in the morning between 9am to 12pm), our guide/representative will pickup all our guests around 6pm for briefing and remaining payments at our office followed by a dinner. If you are coming late, we will manage remaining payments and briefing in Skardu.

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Day 02: Briefing in Islamabad

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 540 m

On this day the participants of Spantik Expedition will spend a free day in Islamabad for Briefing purpose and logistical arrangements.

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Day 03: 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. Incase of flight cancellation, overnight stay in Chilas.
Skardu

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Chilas
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Day 04: 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 town. The participants will also have an option to take a tour to 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 expedition incase of any delays.

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Day 05: Drive to Arandu Village

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 2,720 m

The participants will begin the jeep safari towards Hyderabad, the passage will go through the Shigar valley. The journey will be followed on the sides of Braldu river before taking a left trun in to the basha river gorge. Arandu will be the last village on our route; the participants will start walking after leaving jeeps behind. However at times the participants may begin their walk before arrival in Arandu but it depends on the road conditions. Overall it will take you between four hours to six hours in covering the distance.

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Day 06: Trek to Chogo Brangsa camp

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 3,400 m

The participants will begin the jeep safari towards Chogo Brangsa camp, the passage will pass by the snout of Chogolungma glacier . The journey will have slope as well, as the participants will climb to an elevation of about 700 m on the first day of trekking . Overall it will take between five hours to six hours in covering the distance.

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Day 07: Trek to Bolocho camp

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 3,820 m

The participants will start the trek on early as they will have a long trekking day on this day. They will be trekking on the northern edge of the Chogolungma glacier towards Bolocho glacier. The participants will climb an elevation 400 m on this day, however the route is long so it will take six hour(s) to seven hour(s) to reach Bolocho campsite.

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Day 08: Trek to Spantik BC

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,360 m

The participants will start the trek on early as they will have a long trekking day on this day as well. They will be trekking on the Chogolungma glacier leaving the valley behind towards Bolocho glacier. The participants will climb an elevation 550 m on this day and the participants will have trek on the glacier ice and also for the campsite the participants will have to climb a 200 m as well,  it will take six hour(s) to seven hour(s) to reach Spantik BC.

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Day 09: Acclimatization at the Spantik BC

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,360 m

On this day the participants will acclimatize while sorting out their equipment's. While, the team of Apricot Tours will set up the base camp and the porter's will trek back as well.

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Day 10-25 : Climbing Days

The participants will have 16 days to climb the peak.

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Day 26: Departure from Base Camp

On this Day

The team along with the staff of Apricot Tours will leave base camp and trek back down. They will trek back down by Chogolungma glacier. The duration of the trek will be 8-9 hrs as on the next day the participants will be trekking back to Aarandu Valley.

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Day 27: Trek to Arandu Village

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 2,720 m

This will be the last trekking day our expedition as the participants will trek back to Arandu village and will camp in the village. The trekking duration will be of 6-7 hours depending upon the pace of the members.

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Day 28: Drive to Skardu

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 2,250 m

The participants will drive back to the hotel in Skardu along with the team of Apricot Tours.

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Day 29: 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.

The domestic flights sometime get cancelled due to weather conditions. In case of flight cancellation, you will drive to Raikot or Chilas for overnight. It takes 10 hours by a vehicle.

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Day 30: Contingency day for flight cancellations

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 538 m

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.

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Day 31: Fly to 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 should you register very early?

1. Team building: It takes time to formulate a good team. We go through all incoming applications and formulate the best team of mountaineers (on the basis of experience). Although our vet process is not very strict, our top priority is always the safety of fellow climbers. We will not accept all applications only to maximize the number of the mountaineers.

2. Logistics: Our climbing adventures involve a lot of logistics. This includes reserving/assigning high altitude porters, guides and other staff in advance. It also involves a lot of procurement (equipment, food etc). This is not possible during the last hours. During winters expeditions, most of the supplies are transported to base camps two to three months prior to the expedition because winters in the mountains of Pakistan are very harsh and it becomes almost impossible to for porters to walk through the trail with heavy supplies.

3. Permit: Pakistani government tourism laws require tour operators to submit applications for climbing (along with all documents e.g. passport copies, photos, CVs etc) at least 70 days prior to arrival in Pakistan. 

4.Domestic Flights: We might not be able to get you on the domestic flight to Skardu if you do not pay your deposit on time. Domestic flight seats are sold very fast way ahead of time because there are only two flights to Skardu during peak season. This is a very serious concern. 

5. Price changes: The given prices are early bird discount offers and are subject to change. There can be increases in price after January. Service providers including (but not limited) to hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season (May to September). Our prices will not change once you have paid the deposit so the price when you book is the price you will pay. Register yourselves early to avoid increase in holiday prices.

6. Pay less deposit: Given below is our deposit schedule for 2020 departures.

  • 8 months before departure (deposit: 35%)
  • 6 months before departure (deposit: 40%) 
  • 5 months before departure (deposit: 50%)
  • 4 months before departure (full payment)

Note: The same deposit time frames above apply to 2021-22 departures.

Refund policy

Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements, organizing logistics, procurement of equipment (e.g. oxygen sets) and supplies (including food), hiring of staff/sherpa etc. 

Balance: All balances are due 120 days prior to arrival in Pakistan unless otherwise specified. Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition. For this expedition, there are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without a summit or progress towards a summit for participants due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of Apricot Tours. Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all the best efforts for a happy return home.

Currency

All international climbers are charged in US Dollars (USD).

Other Notes

  • Deposit should only be paid after filling out the registration form and confirmation/approval from Apricot Tours.
  • Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Apricot Tours must follow a precise refund policy.
  • Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
  • Apricot Tours highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions

 

Photo Gallery – Spantik Expedition

 

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Spantik Expedition – Royalty Fee

The royalty fee/rates assigned by Pakistan’s Tourism Ministry for climbing Spantik Peak in spring, summer and fall start from USD 7,200 after a discount of 40%. The details of royalty fees for three seasons are given below.

Spantik Peak Royalty Fee/Rates – Spring, Summer & Fall

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The royalty fee/rates assigned by the government for climbing Spantik Peak in winters start from USD 600 after a discount of 95% in winters. The details of royalty fees for winters are given below.

Spantik Peak Royalty Fee/Rates – Winter

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The discounts above are being offered since over a decade as part of the government policy to promote adventure tourism.

Overview – Spantik Expedition

Spantik Expedition gives you an opportunity to climb the easiest 7000er in the great karakoram ranges of Pakistan. Spantik Peak (7,027 m) is situated in the Arandu Valley, a valley that is about 90 km jeep ride away from Skardu City. The first successful spantik expedition was led by a German mountaineer Karl Kramer, who ascended the summit of the peak in 1955. It was previously attempted by an American couple (Fanny & William Bullock-Workman) in 1906, who could only reach up to 6700m.

Spantik Expedition participants will arrive in Islamabad; they will be picked up from the Islamabad International Airport and will be transferred to the hotel. The participants will then fly to Skardu, which is the administrative hub of Baltistan, you will get to meet many expedition and trekking groups in Skardu as it is the main town for Karakoram valleys in Baltistan region.

The participants will spend 1-2 days in Skardu City for the group preparations and documentation. The group will also get time to explore the town’s busy baazar along with with the famous Kachura Lake, manthal (Buddha rock carving) and Katpana Desert (one of the very few deserts in the world, where it snows). Once the group preparation & documentation is complete the participants of the Spantik Expedition will drive off to Arandu via Shigar Valley. The campsite is located on the edge of Arandu Valley.

After three days of trekking, and camping at Chogo Brangsa and Bolocho camps respectively the Spantik Peak Expedition participants will arrive at the Spantik BC (4,360m). The participants will rest on the very next day as they sort out their equipment and acclimatize themselves for the climb. The climbing route for the Spantik Peak Expedition is 9km in length which rises at an elevation of about 3000m (south east ridge).

The heights of camp I, II & III are 5100m, 5500m and 6250m respectively and slopes for the climb range from 10° – 30° with small sections of 40°. The participants will have 16 days for the climb. After the climb the participants will follow the same route back to Skardu on jeeps, then flying back to Islamabad for the grand dinner after the success of the expedition. If time allows, the participants of the spantik peak expedition will also explore the twin cities (Islamabad & Rawalpindi) as well. The participants will be dropped off at Islamabad International Airport and they will fly out to their home country.

Apart from expeditions, we also offer trekking holidays. Our most popular trekking holidays are given in the table below.

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Summary
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User Rating
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Company
Apricot Tours Pakistan
Adventure
Spantik Peak Expedition
Price
USD 3548
Product Availability
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