Mashabrum Base camp Trek

Mashabrum Base camp Trek

This specially designed trip explores the remote wilderness of Eastern Baltistan, featuring an easy trek to the foot of the majestic Masherbrum (7821m) towering over Hushe Valley. The trek includes a free day for enjoying excellent views and local exploration. This pleasant 5-6 day trek to the Masherbrum base camp and back to Hushe village requires a trekking permit from the Gilgit Baltistan Council in Islamabad. The best season for this route is from May to the end of October.

Starting with a jeep ride from Khaplu Town, a bridge near Saling provides access to the Hushe Valley route. Approximately 20km from Saling, the road reaches Macholu village, offering spectacular views of Masherbrum Peak. Continuing through several villages and crossing numerous small streams, the road extends to the small town of Hushe (3250m), about 37km from Macholu. Hushe village is the last human settlement before trekking up to several glaciers and the bases of famous Karakoram peaks, including Masherbrum, Chogolisa, K-6, K-7, and the Masherbrum, Gondogoro, Chogolisa, and Charakusa Glaciers.

Departure/Return Location International Airport, Islamabad
Departure Time Mountain Range: Karakoram
Elevation: 4200m Best Time: June to End-September
Duration: 16 Days Zone: Permitted

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.

Please Note: Gilgit Baltistan flights are subject to weather and backlog, in case of flight cancellation we will travel by road, and one night of Islamabad will be adjusted in overland travel.

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Services included as following

  • Trekking permit from Gilgit Baltistan Tourism  

Hotels:

  • 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)

Transport:                

  • 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

4 x 4 Jeeps:

  • Jeeps from Skardu  to Hushe village-Skardu

Trekking Food:

  • Food (during the Trek (we will serve breakfast, lunch and Dinner)

Porters:

  • 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)

Staffs: 

  • Guide Cook and assist cook wages, camp food, transport, and insurance

Camping Equipment:

  • Mess tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent mattress, chairs, Tables

Kitchen utensils:

  • Complete kitchen utensils (crockery)

General Services:

  • Tips for baggage handling at airports & hotels
  • Fess: (CKNP, Bridge crossing, cable crossing, camping)
  • International flights tickets re-confirmations
  • Custom clearing assistance

Services not included in the given price

  • 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.