Mountain Passes on Our Itineraries
Passes mark the high points of many of our trips. Some are crossed by road, others only on foot after days of trekking.
Pass days in the itineraries
02: Islamabad to Skardu
Morning flight to Skardu (weather permitting) or drive via Chilas/Babusar Pass if flight is cancelled. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
02: Fly or drive to Skardu
Morning flight to Skardu, which depends on the weather; if it does not operate, the group travels by road via Chilas and the Babusar Pass. Overnight in a hotel in Skardu.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
12: Reserve day at Concordia
A buffer day for weather and acclimatisation before the pass. Overnight in tents.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
14: Cross the Gondogoro La to Khuspang
A very early start, as early as 2 or 3 a.m., while the snow is firm. The group moves roped together across the crevassed upper glacier, and the team fixes ropes on the steeper snow sections. On a clear morning the crest of the pass looks back over K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and Chogolisa. The descent on the Gondogoro side is steep and slow before the trail reaches Khuspang. Overnight in tents.
02: Islamabad to Skardu
Flight to Skardu, or overland drive via Chilas/Babusar Pass if flight is cancelled. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.
11: Karpogoro to Hispar La Base Camp
Trek to the base of Hispar La, entering the true Snow Lake basin. Overnight in tents (4,750m).
13: Cross Hispar La to Kani Basa
Cross the Hispar La pass (5,151m), the highest point of the trek, and descend to Kani Basa. Overnight in tents.
20: Naran to Islamabad
Drive via Babusar Pass back to Islamabad. Overnight stay in Islamabad.
Fairy Meadows Trek & Hunza Tour
02: Islamabad to Chilas
After breakfast, we will leave for Chilas via Kaghan Naran and Babusar Pass. Overnight stay in a hotel at Chilas.
Fairy Meadows Trek & Hunza Tour
08: Karimabad to Khunjerab Pass
After breakfast, we will drive for a day excursion to Khunjerab Pass (5000m) en route. We stay short at Attaabad Lake for photography and continue our journey to Khunjerab Pass and drive back to Gulmit. On Arrival, Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at Gulmit
Fairy Meadows Trek & Hunza Tour
10: Chilas to Islamabad
After breakfast, we will drive via Babusar pass to Islamabad. We start early in the morning to cover the 12 hours-long drive. Short stay in Naran for lunch. By evening, we shall reach Islamabad. Overnight stay at Islamabad.
07: Dalsanpa to Khuspang (Gondogoro base camp)
After breakfast trek Khispang. Down onto the glacier, our path follows the center of the ice river, sometimes walking on moraine and sometimes snow and ice. We got our first views of the Gondogoro La and passed the stunning spire of Lila Peak. A long day, walking beneath the beautiful spire of Lila Peak. (Tent)
By road and on foot
- By road: the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), the Shandur Pass, the Babusar Pass and, on the bike tours, the Lowari and Chackor passes.
- On foot: the Gondogoro La, the Hispar La (5,151 m), the Mazeno Pass and the Haramosh Pass.