Preparing for High-Altitude Trekking in Pakistan
Our treks reach between 3,300 m and 5,650 m, and our expeditions go far higher. This guide covers what to prepare and what the itineraries already build in.
Fitness and experience
The programmes themselves indicate the level: the Rakaposhi base camp trek is recommended even for novice trekkers, while the Snow Lake and Great Karakoram Traverse routes cross glacier passes over 5,100 m and spend weeks in tents. Choose a trek whose length and highest point match what you have done before.
Altitude, tent nights and rest days by trek
| Programme | Highest point | Days | Tent nights | Rest / buffer days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Expedition | 8611 m | 51 | 13 | 2 |
| Gasherbrum III Expedition | 7,952 m | 40 | 13 | 2 |
| Khusar Gang Expedition | 6400m | 18 | 2 | 1 |
| Nangma Valley Rock Climbing | 5850 m | 29 | 3 | 0 |
| Beautiful Hushe valley Trek | 5650m | 25 | 15 | 4 |
| Great Karakoram Traverse | 5500m | 32 | 23 | 5 |
| Nanga parbat Mazeno Pass Trek | 5390 m | 17 | 11 | 2 |
| Snow Lake Trek | 5,151 m (Hispar La) | 21 | 13 | 3 |
| K2 Base Camp Trek | 5,150 m (K2 Base Camp) | 18 | 9 | 2 |
| K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek | 5,150 m (K2 Base Camp) and the Gondogoro La crossing | 18 | 13 | 2 |
| Laila Base Camp & Haramosh La Trek | 4800m | 14 | 8 | 0 |
| Rush Lake Trek & Hunza Tour | 4694 m | 15 | 6 | 2 |
| Spantik Base camp Trek | 4300m | 15 | 6 | 1 |
| Mashabrum Base camp Trek | 4200m | 16 | 6 | 2 |
| Rakaposhi/Diran BC Trek & Hunza Tour | 4,000m | 14 | 4 | 2 |
| Fairy Meadows Trek & Hunza Tour | 3,300 m | 12 | 0 | 3 |
What you bring yourself
- A sleeping bag: listed as not included on the trek programmes.
- Climbing gear: listed as a member expense on treks and expeditions.
- Personal travel insurance covering trekking at altitude: listed as not included, together with helicopter rescue fees.
Medical advice
Talk to a doctor or travel-health clinic about altitude illness, vaccinations and any medication well before you travel. Rest and acclimatisation days are built into most of our trek itineraries, but they do not replace personal medical advice.