Six peaks above 7,000m, run from Skardu by our own Balti team. Permits, oxygen, insured high-altitude porters and a turnaround policy that is actually enforced.
Six peaks above 7,000m, run from Skardu by our own Balti team. Permits, oxygen, insured high-altitude porters and a turnaround policy that is actually enforced.
The Great Karakoram Traverse Trek is a 32 days guided trip in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 5,150 m. It is graded Strenuous — two high passes, long glacier travel — 20–24 days on foot. 6 fixed departures are open from $3,800 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.
The Great Karakoram Traverse Trek is the most ambitious trekking expedition in Pakistan — a 32-day end-to-end crossing of the entire Karakoram Range from Hushe Valley in the east to Hunza Valley in the west, combining the greatest elements of Pakistan's three finest treks into one continuous expedition.
The Complete Route
Hushe to Gondogoro La (5,585m): Begin with the technical Gondogoro La Pass crossing — the only point where four 8,000m peaks are visible simultaneously.
Baltoro Glacier to K2 Base Camp: Descend onto the Baltoro and trek to Concordia and K2 Base Camp (5,150m).
Biafo Glacier & Snow Lake (4,800m): Cross the vast glacial basin of Snow Lake — the world's largest non-polar glacier confluence.
Hispar La (5,151m) to Hunza: Cross the final high pass and descend into Hunza Valley — completing the full Karakoram traverse.
This is a Grade 5 Expert expedition requiring prior glacier experience. All 32 days are spent entirely above 3,000m.
Great Karakoram Traverse Trek — 2026 Fixed Departures
The grand traverse of the central Karakoram: from Hushe over the Gondogoro La at 5,585 m into Concordia beneath K2, down the Baltoro to Askole, then up the Biafo to Snow Lake and over the Hispar La into Hunza. Thirty-two days from Islamabad to Islamabad, all-inclusive at $3,800 per person. This is one of the hardest treks in Pakistan — two high glacier passes, weeks on the ice, real altitude. You’ll cross it with Balti guides who grew up in these valleys, a sat phone in camp and a rescue plan that actually exists. Local hands, real safety, fair price.
Fixed Departures
Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip. 6 dates are currently open, each capped at 10 people. Every date is the same price, $3,800 per person. A $1000 deposit reserves a place. The availability column shows how many places are left on each date.
These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date. Pick the band that matches your group and the price per person is fixed at that rate, across 4 options. The more of you who travel, the less each person pays — from $7,500 for Solo (1 Person) down to $3,800/pp for 7-10 Persons. What each band covers is set out in the table.
Group size
Price
What it includes
Solo (1 Person)
$7,500
Private departure, one trekker.
(2-3 Persons)
$5,400/pp
Small group, shared crew.
(4-6 Persons)
$4,200/pp
Best value mid-size group.
(7-10 Persons)
$3,800/pp
Largest group, lowest per-person price.
Can you do this trek?
Yes, with some training behind you. Plenty of first-timers do this one and finish strong.
Graded Strenuous — two high passes, long glacier travel.
20–24 days on footDays on footthe rest is travel
5,150 mhighest pointWe build in time to acclimatise.
What to expect
The highest point is 5,150 m, so altitude counts here. The itinerary is built around acclimatising and your guide sets a pace that gets you there comfortably.
You’re ready ifyou hike regularly, are happy with long days, and have spent some time above 3,000 m.
Give yourself a little longer ifyour longest recent day was under six hours. Give it a few months of hill walking with a pack and you will be ready.
This might not be your trip ifthis would be your first time at altitude. Start with a shorter Karakoram trek and come back to this one — you will enjoy it far more.
One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Travel Experience
Itinerary — Great Karakoram Traverse Trek
The Great Karakoram Traverse Trek is the most ambitious trekking expedition in Pakistan — a 32-day end-to-end crossing of the entire Karakoram Range from Hushe Valley in the east to Hunza Valley in the west, combining the greatest elements of Pakistan’s three finest treks into one continuous expedition. The Co...
32 days
Arrive in Islamabad for the expedition briefing with our team.
Travel to Skardu (2,230m), our base before the great traverse.
Permits, NOC and final gear checks before we head to Hushe.
By jeep to Hushe (3,050m), the trailhead in the shadow of Masherbrum.
Trek up the valley to Shaicho camp (3,400m).
Continue to Dalsampa (4,200m) as the Gondogoro Glacier opens out.
Climb to Khuspang (4,650m), high camp below the Gondogoro La.
Rest and prepare for the pre-dawn crossing of the high pass.
Cross Gondogoro La (5,585m) at dawn and descend to Concordia.
Acclimatise at Concordia (4,600m), surrounded by K2 and Broad Peak.
Trek to K2 Base Camp (5,150m) and return to Concordia.
Begin the Baltoro descent to Goro II (4,380m).
Continue down the glacier to Urdukas (4,050m).
Leave the ice and return to Paiju (3,450m).
Trek down the valley to Jhola (3,200m).
Reach Askole (3,000m), the trailhead village.
A resupply and rest day before the second glacier system.
Step onto the Biafo Glacier and camp at Namla (3,500m).
Trek up the Biafo to the Baintha oasis (3,900m).
An acclimatisation day before pushing for Snow Lake.
Continue deeper to Marpogo (4,300m).
Reach Lukpe Lawo, the Snow Lake (4,800m).
A day to explore and acclimatise in the great ice basin.
Climb to high camp below Hispar La (5,000m).
Cross Hispar La (5,151m) and descend to Khani Basa (4,600m).
Trek down the Hispar Glacier to Yutmaru (4,200m).
Continue along the glacier to Bitanmal (4,000m).
Leave the ice for Hispar village (3,200m).
Drive through Nagar to Hunza (2,400m).
A recovery day in Hunza, held also as weather margin.
Begin the long drive south toward Islamabad.
Final transfer to the airport for your flight home.
What’s included in the price
Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $3,800 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.
Included in the price
Local Balti guides and porters
All camping and kitchen crew
All meals on trek
Tents
Mess and toilet tents
Cooking gear
Skardu transfers by 4×4 jeep
Hotel nights in town
Permits and NOC fees
Satellite phone in camp and an emergency rescue plan with established helicopter contacts
Not included
International flights and Pakistan visa fees
Personal trekking gear (boots
Sleeping bag
Down jacket)
Travel and rescue insurance
Tips for crew
Any cost arising from early descent
Weather delays or evacuation
Why Karakoram Venture
Because the people who take you up this mountain are from it. Our guides grew up in these valleys, and they are our own team — not a booking desk handing you to whoever is cheapest that week. Every one of them is certified by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, holds Wilderness First Aid, and has between five and twenty years on high-altitude ground.
Because the safety is real, and we will name it rather than imply it. A satellite phone travels in every camp, we hold established helicopter-rescue contacts for this region, and we tell you exactly which travel insurance to carry. Budget operators cut precisely these things, because you cannot see them on a web page.
Because the price is honest. Local infrastructure is why $3,800 per person covers the trip from Islamabad rather than a stripped-down base rate. Exactly what it includes — and the handful of things it does not — is set out above.
How to book this trip
Four steps from here to the mountains
1Pick your dateA fixed departure above, or private dates you choose.
2Send the requestThe form on this page, or WhatsApp. Name, party size, date.
3Pay $1,000 per personThat holds your place. We reply within 24 hours.
4Balance 30 days beforeThen we take over: flights, hotels, permits, crew.
No card details on this page. Nothing is charged until you confirm.
More About the Great Karakoram Traverse Trek
Booking & Payment
A 25% deposit confirms your seat on a fixed departure
The balance is due 30 days before the trek starts
Payment by bank transfer or Wise. Card payment can be arranged on request
Your seat is held only once the deposit clears
Cancellation Policy
More than 45 days out: deposit refunded less bank charges
30-45 days: 50% of total retained
Under 30 days: no refund — the permit
Porters and logistics are already committed
We strongly recommend trip-cancellation and high-altitude rescue insurance
Permits & Documentation
This trek enters a restricted glacier zone and requires a Trekking & Mountaineering visa (not a tourist visa) plus an NOC — we guide you through both
A valid passport (6+ months) and trekking insurance covering high altitude and helicopter rescue are mandatory
We handle the GB permit and NOC paperwork
You provide passport copies and photos in advance
Health & Fitness Requirements
This is a long
Cold
High-altitude glacier trek — you must be fit and comfortable with multi-day walking on moraine and ice
No technical climbing skills are needed
But good cardio fitness and prior multi-day trekking are expected
A doctor’s clearance is advised if you have any heart
Lung or blood-pressure condition
Important Notes
Carry at least 2 recent passport-size photos for verification and documentation.
A valid passport (foreign nationals) or CNIC (Pakistani nationals) is mandatory for booking and travel.
Keep your original passport or CNIC with you throughout the tour for security checks and hotel check-ins.
Foreign nationals need a valid passport and the correct visa; any NOC and trekking/restricted-area permits are arranged by Karakoram Venture.
Special Information
Professional and experienced Tour Manager available from start to end of the trip.
Delicious and fresh daily meals included from Day 1 until departure.
No complimentary meals provided on flights or during transit stops.
Follow updated state travel policies carefully for a hassle-free journey.
Transportation Details
Comfortable and spacious A/C Coaches for long trips and intercity travel.
Sturdy 4x4 jeeps for mountain roads and sightseeing (up to 7 pax per vehicle).
Reliable 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruiser / Prado) for off-road and high-altitude excursions.
Arrival & Departure Guidelines
Day 1: Report at the designated airport on time as per schedule.
Final Day: Depart after successfully completing the full itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Great Karakoram Traverse Trek cost?
$3800 per person on our scheduled departures. The package page lists exactly what is included; private and custom-group pricing is available on request — just ask.
How long is the trip?
32 Days - 31 Nights, start to finish.
When is the best time to go?
Summer (June - September). We will help you pick the best window for your dates.
How hard is the Great Karakoram Traverse Trek? Do I need climbing skills?
This is a serious high-altitude trek, though not a technical climb — no general mountaineering skills are needed on the route. Expect long days on glacier and moraine, cold camps, and real altitude with no road access once you are in. Come with strong cardio fitness and ideally some prior multi-day trekking. The Gondogoro La crossing itself uses fixed ropes and crampons on the pass, which our guides fix and manage for you.
How high do you go?
The high point is Gondogoro La at 5,585m.
What permits or visa do I need?
Trekking here needs a Pakistan Trekking & Mountaineering visa, which is different from a standard tourist visa, plus trekking permits and an NOC for the national park. We arrange the permits and guide you through the visa paperwork before you travel.
What about insurance, safety and rescue?
We require mountaineering or adventure travel insurance that includes high-altitude helicopter-evacuation cover, valid to this trek’s maximum altitude. Out here heli-evacuation is the emergency option and its cost falls to the client and their insurer, so sort it before you travel. Every expedition carries a satellite phone, and we maintain helicopter-rescue contacts for the region.
Who guides the trek?
Your team is 100% local Balti — guides and porters from the valleys themselves, our own staff, never handed to a third-party broker.
How do I get to the start?
Fly Islamabad to Skardu (about an hour, weather permitting) or drive the Karakoram Highway, then 4x4 jeep to the trailhead. We arrange pickup and all ground transport.
Can I do this as a private or custom trip?
Yes — every itinerary can run as a private departure and be tailored to your dates, pace and group size. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build it around you.
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