General
Yawash Sar II Expedition (2024-25)
The Yawash Sar II Expedition was a daring and difficult mission to climb the hitherto unclimbed Yawash Sar II (6,176m) in Shimshal, Pakistan’s isolated Ghidims Valley. Led by renowned climber Andrzej Bargiel, who became the first person to summit the mountain on April 30, 2024, the team crossed rough terrain, set up camps on the North Ghidims Glacier, and faced the steep southwest face. Combining tricky climbing and a hazardous ski descent, this trip showcased the peak’s untamed beauty as well as the enormous challenges of high-altitude exploration in the Karakoram Range.
Dates & Cost – Yawash Sar II Expedition
Summers are ideal for the Yawash Sar II Expedition. The start and end dates in the table below are your arrival and departure dates from Pakistan. The months mentioned below are the ideal months for trekking in the Hindukush region of Pakistan. We have guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs for the trek are given below.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Jun-2024 | 18-Jul-2024 | US$ 3,800 | Limited Space | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| 20-Jun-2025 | 18-Jul-2025 | US$ 3,800 | 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)
Itinerary – Yawash Sar II Expedition
The itinerary for the Yawash Sar II Expedition is given below.
Day 04: Day off to acclimatize
Day 21: Return to Basecamp
Day 25-26: Days off in Karimabad
Day 27: Travel to Gilgit by jeep (5hrs)
Day 28: Fly to Islamabad
Day 29: Fly to home country
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. |
Overview – Yawash Sar II Expedition
The expedition was a risky mountaineering and skiing expedition in the isolated Ghidims Valley of northern Pakistan’s Shimshal area. In the spring of 2024, a Polish team set out to make the first ascent of this unclimbed peak, following Krzysztof Wielicki’s attempt in 2019. After traveling across the arduous terrain via Boesam Pass, they set up a base camp at 4,400m and Camp 1 at 5,160m, where the North Ghidims Glacier divides into two flows.
Mountaineers Andrzej Bargiel and Jedrzej Baranowski began their summit attempt. Bargiel noted for his historic ski descent of K2 in 2018, went solo when Baranowski stopped due to acclimatization issues. Bargiel crossed difficult snowfields and avalanche trails, eventually reaching the peak by late morning.
The descent was an impressive exhibition of ski mountaineering skill. Bargiel then descended the perilous west-northwest ridge, which required an Abalakov rappel, before skiing back to Camp 1. The team returned to base camp the same day and resumed their journey to Shimshal. This expedition successfully integrated technical climbing, ski mountaineering, and modern drone technology, achieving a key milestone in high-altitude exploration and emphasizing the attraction of the Karakoram’s unexplored peaks.
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
