A guidebook to 3 high-altitude treks in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains, plus 2 shorter routes on the flanks of Nanga Parbat in the neighbouring Himalaya. With the exception of the Fairy Meadows trek, all the routes are strenuous and are recommended for experienced trekkers.

The guide includes 3 treks of 12 days each (excluding rest days): Biafo to Hispar via Snow Lake; a K2 Base Camp Trek; and a crossing of Gondogoro La. The Nanga Parbat routes visit Fairy Meadows (3 days) and Diamir or West Face (5 days).

• Route description illustrated with 1:100,000 mapping and elevation profiles
• Advice on planning and preparation, including trek operators
• Safety considerations
• History of mountaineering and exploration in the Karakoram
• Offers views of 5 of the world’s 8000m peaks

All the author's royalties from this guidebook (~£5 per book) will be matched by Cicerone and donated to the Juniper Trust.

CONTENTS
Map Key
Overview map
Route summary tables
Preface
INTRODUCTION
The thrill of the Gilgit-Baltistan areas
Preparations and practicalities
Climate and trekking seasons
Visas
Access and permits
Trek operators
Cost of trekking in Pakistan
Getting to Pakistan
Getting around in Pakistan
The trek access points: Gilgit and Skardu
Accommodation
Food and drink
Equipment
Maps
Money
Language and dialect in the Gilgit-Baltistan areas
Customs
Safety
Medical considerations and emergencies
Insurance
High-altitude problems
Using this guide
All about the Karakoram
People and population
Gilgit
Skardu and Baltistan
Religion in the Gilgit-Baltistan areas
Culture and architecture
Timeline of exploring and climbing history in the Gilgit-Baltistan areas
Pakistani high-altitude climbers and porters
Other adventure activities
The landscape of the Karakoram
Geology
Glaciers
Rivers
Mining
National Parks in the Gilgit-Baltistan areas
Plantlife
Wildlife
Birdlife
THE TREKS
Getting to Askole – the starting point for the treks
Askole – gateway to the Karakoram
Trek 1 Snow Lake and the Biafo and Hispar Glaciers
Day 1 Askole to Namla via Kesar’s Polo Ground
Day 2 Namla to Mango
Day 3 Mango to Baintha
Day 4 Baintha to Napina
.Day 5 Napina to Sim Gang
Day 6 Sim Gang to Hispar La via Snow Lake
Day 7 Hispar La to Khani Basa (Baktur Baig)
Day 8 Khani Basa (Baktur Baig) to Jutmal
Day 9 Jutmal to Shikam Baris or to camp before Pumari Chhish Glacier
Day 10 Pumari Chhish Glacier camp to Bitenmal
Day 11 Bitenmal to Falalinghish
Day 12 To Hispar village and beyond
Trek 2 K2 Base Camp Trek
Day 1 Askole to Joila
Day 2 Joila to Paiju
Day 3 Paiju to Hoborse
Day 4 Hoborse to Urdukas
Day 5 Urdukas to Gore 2
Day 6 Gore 2 to Concordia
Day 7 Excursion from Concordia
Day 8 Concordia to Gore 1
Day 9 Gore 1 to Hoborse
Day 10 Hoborse to Paiju
Day 11 Paiju to Joila
Day 12 Joila to Askole
 
Trek 3 Gondogoro La via Concordia
Day 8 Concordia to Ali Camp
Day 9 Ali Camp crossing the Gondogoro La to Huisprung
Day 10 Huisprung to Dalsan
Day 11 Dalsan to Saitcho
Day 12 Saitcho to Hushe
Nanga Parbat treks
Trek 4 Fairy Meadows and Rakhiot Base Camp trek
Day 1 Tato to Fairy Meadows
Day 2 Fairy Meadows to Beyal via Base Camp
Day 3 Beyal to Tato and transport to Rakhiot Bridge
Trek 5 Trek to Diamir Face or West Face of Nanga Parbat
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Agents in Pakistan and abroad
Appendix C English to Urdu glossary
Appendix D Further reading
Acknowledgements

Seasons

Late spring, summer and early autumn is the best time for walking in the mountains, but do expect it to be hot. During the rest of the year snow could cause problems.

Centres

Gilgit and Skardu are the main access points for the Karakoram. The three Karakoram treks start from Askole.

Difficulty

With the exception of the Fairy Meadows trek, all the routes are strenuous. In general, expect long hours of hiking on trails covered with unstable rocks and scree, minimal shade and high temperatures during the day. Crampons are needed for some of the glacier travel.

Must See

K2, the second highest mountain in the world, along with other 8000m giants (Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I and II and Broad Peak) and many 7000m+ peaks, embedded in long glaciers, located in a region with a rich cultural, religious, political and historical past

December 2025

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