Expedition Highlights
- 12th Highest Mountain In the World
- Walking in Concordia and the Baltoro Glacier
- One of the world`s top 8000m plus peaks
- Favorite for climbers to training themselves for technically difficult 8000m plus peaks“.
The first westerner who saw the peak was probably Lieutenant T.G. Montgomerie. He was surveying the mountains in the area and in 1856 he spotted some extraordinary peaks, which he gave temporary names. K for Karakoram + a number for the peak. K1, K2, K3 etc. Montgomerie later found out K1 had a local name; Masherbrum. K2, still goes under that name, even if some have proposed to re-name it Qogori, a name used by some local people. K3, the third peak to be measured by Montgomerie didn’t have a local name.
The summit ridge of the peak is almost 2 km long and therefore British explorer W.M. Conway thought Broad Peak was a suitable name. Conway noted: “a fine breadth of mountain splendour…a huge Breithorn, as it were, filing the space between K2 and the hidden Gasherbrum.” The name won general acceptance as Broad Peak.
Holiday Itinerary
ARRIVE RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD
On arrival transfer the group to hotel/ Guest House, in Rawalpindi Islamabad (the airport is situated mid-way between Islamabad and Rawalpindi). You will meet your guide in the afternoon at the hotel for a trip briefing and gear check.
FLY TO SKARDU (45 min Flight)/ DRIVE TO CHILAS(10-12 Hours Drive)
a) Weather permitting, we take a spectacular flight to the high mountain region of Baltistan in the north east. On a clear day we should be able to see Nanga Parbat (8124m) and K2 (8611m) towering above all other mountains. (It is quite possible adverse weather in Islamabad or Skardu may affect our flight plans and make it necessary to drive by the Karakoram Highway to Skardu, a journey of approx two days).
b) In case of cancellation of flight drive 10-12hrs by air conditioned coach/car to Chilas (480km) on the Karakoram highway. Overnight at Shangrila Indus View Hotel or Panorama hotel.
DRIVE TO SKARDU FROM CHILAS/REST DAY (2340m)
a) Overnight Mashabrum Hotel. Preparations for our trek and depending on our time of arrival into Skardu, there may be time to visit the town and possibly an excursion to Kachura Lake situated at the edge of the valley. Skardu is the regional capital of Baltistan, lying at the edge of a broad floodplain that is the confluence of the Shyok, Indus and Basha Rivers.
b) If we are driving the road journey today will be 7-8 hrs to Skardu (275km). On route are spectacular views of Nanga Parbat (8125m) overnight Hotel.
DRIVE TO ASKOLI (3000M) APPROX 7-8 hrs
Jeep drive. It takes about six hours to drive from Skardu to Askolie or near Askolie. The drive through the Braldu Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off
Overnight in tents.
TREK TO JHOLA (3200M) APPROX 6-8 hrs
After considerable organisation of equipment, supplies and porter loads for the journey ahead, we commence trekking towards Jhola. The walk from Askolie to Jhola is on an easy gentle plain and can be done in 6 to 8 hours. We cross the snout of the Biafo Glacier on the way. The first sight of the pinnacles of the Paiyu Group is stunning.
Overnight in tents
TREK TO PAIYU (3450M) APPROX 7 - 8 hrs
We follow the Braldu and the Biaho rivers to a river’s edge campsite. On the way we have to cross the Domurda River coming out of Choktoi and Panmah Glaciers. This crossing is done on a ‘garari’ or on a bridge upstream. Depending upon the time it takes for the crossing, the walk can take 8 hours or more.The Masherbrum Group may be glimpsed to our right via the Xiangang Valley. The range is a vast array of peaks that extend almost the full length of the southern side of Baltoro. Walking conditions are hot and dry and care must be taken to prevent sunburn.
URDUKUS (4050M) APPROX 3-4 hrs
A short 4 hour plus walk on the rocky moraines and ablation valley of the Baltoro. We will cross couple of icy side glaciers on the way and may have our first sight of Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. The historical campsite is located on a grassy slope high above the Baltoro and commands one of the most intense mountain views in this world. The campsite was prepared by the Duke of Abruzzi in the beginning of this century.
TO GORO II (4380M) APPROX 6-7 hrs
This is a tough day’s walk on the undulating Baltoro. However, the footing becomes easy as the rocks become smaller and smaller as we move up the Baltoro. It takes about 7 hours to get to Goro II. We walk right smack up the center moraine of the Baltoro. As Masherbrum emerges on the right, it takes our breath away and so does Gasherbrum IV right in front of us. Goro is a cold campsite! It has a great view of the Muztagh Tower.
CONCORDIA (4650M) APPROX 4-5 hrs
A special day today as we trek into Concordia and enjoy our first views of K2 (weather permitting!). This location must be considered one of the world's most spectacular camps
as it is totally surrounded by stunning peaks. As we leave Goro II, the Biange Glacier to the north provides a superb view up to Mustagh Tower (7284m), one of the most difficult mountains in the Karakoram to climb. The trail continues along fairly easy rolling slopes of moraine marked by cairns and then passes among ice towers or seracs as we approach the colliding glaciers at Concordia. Mitre Peak (6030m) rises to our right, with Golden Throne (Baltoro Kangri) (7312m) beside it, while the Gasherbrum Group is directly before us. The expanse of Broad Peak (8050m) is to the left and finally K2 (8611m) looms above the ridge towering over the Godwin Austen Glacier twelve kilometres away.
AT CONCORDIA TO BROAD PEAK BASE CAMP Approx 04-05 hours
CLIMBING BROAD PEAK
HIKE TO CONCORDIA (4650m Approx 4-5 hrs
Hike to Goro II (4380m)Approx 4-5 hrs
Trek to Urdukus (4050m) Approx 3-4 hrs
Trek to Paiyu (3450m) Approx 8 -10 hrs
Trek to Jola (3200m) Approx 6-7 hrs
Trek to Askoli (3000m) Approx 3-4 hrs
Drive to Skardu (2340m/7677ft) Approx 5-6 hrs
Fly Islamabad or Drive to Chilas
Rawalpindi/Islamabad
END OF EXPEDITION