Masherbrum Base Camp Trek from Hushe Valley

A 16-day trip from Islamabad that drives from Skardu through Khaplu to Hushe village, then walks to Masherbrum base camp and back via Dumsum.

About the Masherbrum Base Camp Trek

Driving in a jeep from Khaplu Town, a bridge near Saling gives access to the route leading into the Hushe Valley of Baltistan. About 20km from Saling, the road reaches Macholu village. From here, one can enjoy the spectacular view of the Masherbrum peak. Driving further through a few villages and fording many small streams, the road reaches the small town of Hushe (3250m), about 37km from Macholu. The Hushe village is the last human settlement before marching up to the several glaciers and base of the famous peaks of the Karakoram range, like Masherbrum, Chogolisa, K-6, K-7, and Masherbrum Glacier, Gondogoro Glacier, Chogolisa Glacier, and Charakusa Glacier.

Introduction as published on the Trekking page.

Key facts

Duration: 16 days
Best time: June to End-September
Range / region: Karakoram
Highest point: 4200m
Zone: Permitted
Starts and ends: Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad
Tent nights in the itinerary: 6

Who it suits

The trek part is relatively short within the trip, with six tent nights and a highest point of 4,200 m, which makes it a reasonable first base-camp trek in the Karakoram for fit walkers.

Best time in the programme: June to the end of September.
Hushe village (about 3,250 m in the programme introduction) is the last settlement before the glaciers.
The programme lists a trekking permit from Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism among its inclusions.

Masherbrum base camp or the full Hushe Valley trek?

This trek and our Hushe Valley Trek follow the same plan for their first ten days: Skardu, the jeep drive through Khaplu to Hushe, the walk via Farbesang and Burmbarmma to Masherbrum base camp, a rest day there and the walk back to Dumsum.

Here the trek returns to Hushe on day 11 and reaches Islamabad on day 14, for 16 days in all with a highest point of 4,200 m. The Hushe Valley Trek carries on for nine more days to the K6/K7 base camp in the Charakusa valley and to Khuspang, the Gondogoro base camp, with a highest point of 5,650 m. Choose this trek for one base camp in a shorter trip and a longer published season (June to the end of September).

Day-by-day itinerary

01: Arrival Islamabad
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay in Islamabad.
02: Islamabad to Skardu (By Air)
Early morning flight to Skardu (flights are subject to weather); if unable to fly, we will depart for Skardu by road with an overnight stay at Chilas. Overnight stay in a hotel at Chilas.
03: Chilas to Skardu
In case of flight has operated, we will go for a sightseeing tour of Skardu, and in case of no flight, the day will be used for overland travel from Chilas to Skardu (total drive is 22 – 24 hrs from Islamabad to Skardu). Overnight stay in a hotel at Skardu.
04: Skardu
The day is to finalize the trek arrangements. Overnight stay in a hotel at Skardu.
05: Skardu to Hushe
After breakfast, we drive in jeeps along the Indus and Shyok valleys before turning northwards up the Hushe valley to reach the road head at the little Village of Hushe. (Tent)
06: Hushe to Farbesang
After breakfast, trek to Farbesang. Today, we leave the last inhabited village Hushe. Porters are assembled to carry our luggage for the next section of the journey. We rely on our porters, who have our food and equipment and sustain our grand trek for the remaining portion of our trip. After an easy and scenic walk, crossing the Hushe, Homborok, and Aling Rivers takes us to Farbesang, a beautiful spot on the edge of the tamarisk wood forest. En route, the views of Shabas Peak and Aling, valley, etc. (Tent)
07: Farbesang to Burmbarmma
After breakfast, resume the trek from Farbesang by walking through the dense tamarisk jungle and later cross a bit difficult glacial moraine to arrive at the campsite. Willow bushes and other wildflowers surround the campsite. (Tent)
08: Burmbarmma to Masherbrum Base camp
After breakfast, trek via Masherbrum Glacier and arrive at the small grassy patch below the cliff face, which serves as the base camp for Masherbrum Peak. (Tent)
09: Rest day at Masherbrum Base Camp
Today is a rest day at Masherbrum Base Camp to enjoy and photograph the beauty of the surrounding mountains. This rest stop also allows the porters to bake a supply of Balti bread and chapattis, and, at night, our potters arrange Balti local music night and bonfire. (Tent)
10: Masherbrum Base camp to Dumsum
After breakfast, trek back to Dumsum, a beautiful lash green campsite in front of Aling glacier view. (Tent)
11: Dumsum to Hushe
After breakfast, we will trek back to hushe village. After lunch, we will meet Little Karim and other mountain lions. After the meeting, we will also visit hushe Village. Overnight stay in hotel at Hushe
12: Hushe to Skardu
After breakfast, we will depart for Skardu. En route, lunch will stop at Khaplu. Will also visit Khaplu fort and Chaqchen mosque; the Mir Syed Ali Hamadai founded the mosque in the 17th century. Afternoon drive to Skardu. Overnight stay in a hotel at Skardu.
13: Skardu to Chilas
After breakfast, we will drive for a full day on the Skardu route and KKH arrival in Chilas transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in hotel at
14: 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; we shall reach Islamabad by evening. Overnight stay at Islamabad.
15: Rest day at Islamabad
After breakfast, we will do a full day sightseeing of the twin city Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The rest of the time is reserved for shopping.
16: Islamabad to Flight out
Transfer to airport for flight back home.

Included and not included

Listed as included

Trekking permit from Gilgit Baltistan Tourism
02 nights hotel in Islamabad (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
01 night in Hotel Naran (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
03 nights in Skardu (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Pick up from group when arrive and drop to the airport when group Departure Air-condition van from Islamabad –Skardu-Islamabad
Flight Tickets Islamabad-Skardu
Arrange transport on briefing and debriefing occasions
Sightseeing the capital city of Islamabad
Jeeps from Skardu to Hushe village-Skardu
Food (during the Trek (we will serve breakfast, lunch and Dinner)
Carry on member’s personal equipment, foodstuff, camping crew, etc. All porters insurance
16 Kg porter facility for members’ gear. (Above 16 Kg will be separately charged from the member on the spot, as per Porter rate per Kg)
Guide Cook and assist cook wages, camp food, transport, and insurance
Mess tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent mattress, chairs, Tables
Complete kitchen utensils (crockery)
Tips for baggage handling at airports & hotels
Fess: (CKNP, Bridge crossing, cable crossing, camping)
International flights tickets re-confirmations
Custom clearing assistance

Listed as not included

Member international flight tickets
Helicopter emergency rescue fees Members any climbing gears
Member personal insurance
Sleeping bag and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks,
Room service, gratuities for personal services, items of a purely personal nature
Custom clearing charges (import and export of equipment)
Any unforeseen expenses (like road block extra hotel stay or if members stay more days at Base Camp) will be paid according to the number of days bases.

As listed in the programme's service details; confirm the current inclusions when you plan your dates.

Places on this route

Destination guides for the places this itinerary passes through:

Compare other treks

Other trek programmes
Programme	Days	Best time	Highest point	Zone	Tent nights
Fairy Meadows Trek & Hunza Tour	12	Mid-May to End of November	3,300 m	Open	0
Laila Base Camp & Haramosh La Trek	14	July to Mid September	4800m	Open	8
Rakaposhi/Diran BC Trek & Hunza Tour	14	Mid-May to September	4,000m	Open	4
Rush Lake Trek & Hunza Tour	15	Mid-May to End-August	4694 m	Open	6
Spantik Base camp Trek	15	June to End-August	4300m	Open	6
Nanga parbat Mazeno Pass Trek	17	June to End-August	5390 m	Open	11
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek	18	Late June to End-August	5,150 m (K2 Base Camp) and the Gondogoro La crossing	Restricted (Permit Required)	13
K2 Base Camp Trek	18	Late June to Early September	5,150 m (K2 Base Camp)	Restricted (Permit Required)	9
Snow Lake Trek	21	June to September	5,151 m (Hispar La)	Open	13
Beautiful Hushe valley Trek	25	Mid-June to End-August	5650m	Permitted	15
Great Karakoram Traverse	32	Mid-June to End-August	5500m	Permit needed	23