Karakoram Trek – 5 Base Camps (24 Days)
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Trip Dossier – Karakoram Trek – 5 Base Camps (24 days) This dossier contains the following 1. Highlights of the trek 2. Dates and Cost 3. Holiday Information (Inclusions/Exclusions) 4. Important Notes 5. Itinerary 6. Social Responsibility 7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 8. More Options Highlights HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Five Base Camps of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II, Trango Towers Gondogoro La Pass (5,585m). View four 8,000m peaks (K2, Gasherbrum I & II, Broad Peak) and other peaks (Gasherbrum 4, Laila, Gondogoro Peak etc) from one point. Circular/Circuit trek to scenic Hushe Valley Concordia – Throne Room of the Mountain Gods Trek along Vigne and Gondogoro glaciers from Concordia after trek to Godwin Austin glacier via Baltoro Glacier (5thlongest and world’s largest outside polar region). Art Gilkey memorial View 8,000 m peaks including Gasherbrum 2 (8,035 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m) and K2 (8,611 m) from Goro II, Concordia & base camps. Views of other peaks between 5,000m to 8,000m including Gasherbrum 3 and 4, Chogolisa, Masherbrum, Mustagh Tower, Bakhordas Peak, Mitre Peak, Crystal Peak, Marbel Peak, Biale Peak, Lobsang Spire, Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, Cathedral Peak, Urdukas Peak etc. Views of Glaciers (e.g. Biafo, Vigne, Liligo, Dunge, Muztagh, Biango, Yermanendu, Mandu and more), glacial lakes, waterfalls and streams Indus, Panmah, Braldu, Hushe and Shyok rivers Valleys of Shigar, Hushe and Ghanche Balti porter life, jeep safari etc Meet mountaineers at base camps Sightseeing in Skardu and Islamabad www.apricottours.pk Dates & Cost 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 Karakoram region of Pakistan. We have at least 12 guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs are given below. Start Dates End Dates Deposit Registration Price (USD) (Arrival in Pakistan) (Departure from Pakistan) (Advance) Links 01-Jun 24-Jun US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 10-Jun 03-Jul US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 20-Jun 13-Jul US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 01-Jul 24-Jul US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 10-Jul 02-Aug US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 20-Jul 12-Aug US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 01-Aug 24-Aug US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 10-Aug 02-Sep US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 20-Aug 12-Sep US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW 01-Sep 24-Sep US$ 2,690 US$ 350 BOOK NOW Start Dates End Dates Price (USD) Deposit Registration www.apricottours.pk Holiday Information What's included Inclusions: • Government trekking permit fees/paperwork • Licensed professional guide (government requirement) • Airport transfer on first and last day • All domestic flights and transfers • 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) • All camping site fees and bridge fees • 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 What's not included Exclusions: • Travel Insurance (recommendations only) • Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents o"ered) • International airfare • Personal equipments (list provided on registration or request) • Tips for guides, porters, sta" etc • Miscellaneous (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc) www.apricottours.pk Important Notes Why register and pay early? 1. It may not be possible for us to book domestic flights to Skardu for you if you do not register early since there are only two flights to Skardu from Islamabad daily. In case of unavailability of seats on the flights, participants will have to drive by road for 26 hours to reach Skardu (in two days) via Karakoram Highway. You will have to arrive early to join the group in Skardu. This will cost more since it will require special and additional arrangements, for example, extra stays and meals, car rental, etc. 2. The given prices for the treks are early bird discount offers and are subject to change. There will be an increase in prices every month after January. Service providers including (but not limited) to hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season. Our trekking holiday 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. The given price for the trek is not negotiable unless you have a large private group. Price discrimination We strongly believe that foreign tourists should not pay more than locals. The reason for what may seem to be price difference is purely because of the additional and necessary services included as you will find under holiday information. Refund policy Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable, as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements. In case of visa rejection, a refund/partial-refund (if costs incurred) will be considered. In such cases, a valid proof of visa rejection must be submitted to our office within 72 hours of rejection. The deposit in non-refundable for Pakistani nationals in all cases. Balance: Pay the balance amount on arrival in Pakistan on the first day. Currency All foreign tourists are charged in US Dollars (USD) Single Supplement Separate hotel rooms (single supplement) will cost additional US$ 390. This includes all hotel nights. This payment should be made with the balance amount. Separate tent (single tent) will cost additional US$ 160. This includes cost of additional porterage. This payment should be made with the balance amount upon arrival. www.apricottours.pk Itinerary Day 01: Arrive at Gandhara International Airport, Islamabad On this Day Accommodation: Standard hotel Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner GPS Data Altitude: 540 m A member/guide of the Apricot Tours Pakistan will welcome you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. Following day the participant may relax or can explore old areas of Rawalpindi City. Rawalpindi has as heritage of Victorian Era, one can experience beautiful architecture of old houses. Participants will see traditional craftsmen doing their jobs in gold and silver bazaars. The participants will also have time to visit famous spots of Islamabad including the famous landmark of Islamabad which is Shah Faisal Mosque. A welcome dinner will be served in evening with other trekkers joining the Karakoram trek group. Day 02: Fly to Skardu, Karakoram On this Day Accommodation: Standard hotel Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner GPS Data Altitude: 2,498 m The participants will wake up early to catch their early morning flight from Islamabad airport to Skardu. If weather allows, the participants will experience the best views from the airplane. As they will witness massive congregation of mountains of Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush. They will also have view of Indus River gorges which is the 3rd longest in Asia. It is also one the world‟s deepest gorges. The participants will experience the magnificent view of Nanga Parbat the Killer mountain on their east and K2 can also be seen in the same direction before landing at Skardu airport. Local staff with jeeps will arrive at the airport in order to transfer participants to their hotel. Skardu which is administrative capital of Baltistan is also the gateway to one of the most famous and high rising peaks of the world. Following day the participants will have enough time to take a tour of the town, they can buy souvenir from bazaar. A variety of gemstones collection can be found in Skardu Bazaar. Furthermore participants can also visit Kharpocho Fort. It‟s built on top of the mountain. It gives a bird eyes view of the valley. In case of flight cancellation, the participants will travel by road on the Karakoram highway to Skardu. They will enjoy the beautiful views from Karakoram Highway on their journey. It is a complete thrill and exciting journey as participants will experience the engineering on this marvelous road as well as Indus River gorges on the other side of the road. The participants will pass through the historic ancient city of Taxila, which was once the cradle of Gandhara Civilization. As the journey continues the participants on their way will pass through lush green hillstations of Abbotabad, Shinkiari and Mansehra. On Thankot Bridge the participants will meet the Great Indus. The passage will go through the settlements of Besham, Dassu, Sazeen, Kumaila and Shatiyal to arrive at Chilas. On the way they will see historically written scriptures and rocks carving which were once left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient travellers of the 5th century A.D. After crossing the Raikot Bridge, the participants will see Nanga Parbat standing high touching the sky at around 1000m. It is highest Himalayan Mountain in Pakistan. The participants will also see the conflux of three greatest mountain ranges of the world; Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalaya. Day 03: Spend free day in Skardu On this Day Accommodation: Standard hotel Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner GPS Data Altitude: 2,498 m This day of Karakoram Trek will be required to complete the journey on the Karakoram Highway from Chilas to Skardu. Alternatively, the participants will enjoy a free day or join sightseeing. During sightseeing, our staff will take care of further government documentation required in Skardu. This can www.apricottours.pk sometimes take two days. We have contingency days towards the end of the trek incase of any delays. Day 04: Drive to Askole village On this Day Accommodation: Tent Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner GPS Data Altitude: 3,015 m On this day of Karakoram trek the participants will get up early and experience the stunning sunrise view against the Karakoram Mountains.