Trek the Charakusa Valley in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
The Charakusa Valley is a special part of Pakistan, and this is a great trek if you want to explore a beautiful part of the Karakoram. The superb valley of Charakusa is full of isolated towers and superb granite spires which remain out of the world. This trek leads into the heart of the one of the most isolated and pristine mountain valleys in Pakistan.
Nestling at the head of the Charakusa Glacier, hidden from the giants of the Baltoro Glacier, lies one of the most impressive areas in the Karakoram. Here rise fairy tale mountains, the sort most people only dream of. Perfect granite, massive rock walls and easy access combine to produce one of the greatest mountains showcases on the planet.
Highlights of the Charakusa Valley Trek
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Charakusa Valley Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive to Islamabad
Arrive at Islamabad International airport and transfer to the hotel. Participants will enjoy leisure time to relax and recover from the journey on this day. In the afternoon you can enjoy a city tour (visit Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa museum etc).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Distance: 40 minutes
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Day 2 Fly to Skardu
Fly from Islamabad airport to Skardu (1-hour scenic flight). Free day for sightseeing and necessary purchasing from Skardu Bazar. Visit Manthal Rock Budha, Kharpocho fort, Organic village and Skardu Bazar. Or In case of flight cancellation due to weather, drive from Islamabad via Karakoram Highway with short stops at various touristic spots.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Karimabad (2,400m / 7,874’)
Distance: 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Drive to trailhead at Hushe
After breakfast at the hotel drive to the Hushe Valley. Passing through small villages with diverse cultural heritage of the Ganche district. You will have short stops at the meeting point of Shayok & Indus Rivers, Thorgo Pari, and Sailing. Check into the hotel and have free time in the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hushe (2,950m / 9,678’)
Distance: 3-4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Trek to Saicho
After breakfast you will leave the last inhabited village of Hushe Valley and trek to Saicho Campsite. An easy and short trek with free time in the afternoon for natural exploration.
Overnight Location: Camping at Saicho (3,400m / 11,150’)
Distance: 4 hours, 9.5km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Trek to Spangsar
After breakfast at the campsite, trek to Spangsar. Today you will traverse through the Wali Changkhalil and cross the Charakusa glacier.
Overnight Location: Camping at Spangsar (3,850m / 12,631’)
Distance: 4-5hours, 7km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Arrival at K7 Base Camp
Down onto the glacier, your path follows the center of the ice river, sometimes walking on moraine and sometimes on snow and ice. You get your first views of K7 and the stunning spire of Nayser Brakk.
Overnight Location: Camping at K7 Base (4,350m / 14,272’)
Distance: 4 hours, 7km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Free day at K7 Base Camp
Free Day at K7 Base Camp to explore the area. You can enjoy the splendid view of K7 and many other peaks.
Overnight Location: Camping at K7 Base (4,350m / 14,272’)
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Descend to Saicho
Trek back to Saicho from K7 Base Camp.
Overnight Location: Camping at Saicho (3,400m / 11,150’)
Distance: 6 hours, 13.5km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Trek back to Hushe and drive to Shigar
Trek back from Saitcho to Hushe and then drive to Shigar for your overnight stay. Check into the hotel in Shigar and have free time in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to Shigar fort and fort museum in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Shigar
Distance: 4 hours, 9.5km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Drive to Skardu and flight Islamabad
Drive from Shigar to Skardu airport and fly to Islamabad (1 hour). Transfer to hotel and sightseeing after lunch. If you cannot fly due to the weather, you will travel down to Islamabad by road.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Contingency day in case of delays
If you cannot fly due to the weather, today will continue to travel down to Islamabad by road.
If you fly from Skardu to Islamabad there are plenty of sightseeing & cultural attractions in the capital region. The leader will advise on the options available.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 Departure day
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to the airport for international flights.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Charakusa Valley Trekking Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour is run as a scheduled group tour and you will be trekking with other travellers from around the world. In addition, you can book a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the number of members in your group.
Prices below are per person.
Accommodation on Charakusa Valley Trekking Tour
This tour is based in hotels and campgrounds. Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Islamabad
Spend a night in a comfortable and an excellent-standard hotel in Islamabad. Enjoy the proximity to local amenities.
Hotel in Karimabad
Stay in a Tourist-class in Skardu to enjoy the beautiful mountain views and local hospitality.
Hotel in Hushe
Spend a night surrounded by the beautiful Kashmir mountains, as you stay in a cozy local hotel.
Camping along Charakusa Valley
Spend a night below the starry skies as you stay in well-equipped campgrounds along your trekking route.
Hotel in Hushe
Spend a night surrounded by the beautiful Kashmir mountains, as you stay in a cozy local hotel.
Hotel in Karimabad
Stay in a Tourist-class in Skardu to enjoy the beautiful mountain views and local hospitality.
What’s Included in the Charakusa Valley Trekking Tour?
Meals
11 breakfasts, 11 lunches, and 11 dinners are included.
Accommodations
11 nights in hotels and campgrounds are included.
Transportation During the Tour
This Tour itinerary includes all the ground transportation, starting from airport pickup and ending with airport drop-off. Local flights between Islamabad and Skardu are also included.
Also Included
- Licensed professional local guide
- All the activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Implementation of all sustainable Tourism protocols
- NOC/Trekking Permits/National Park permit fees
- All entry tickets (forts, parks)
- Host family’s participation to involve group members in their daily routine activities
- Cultural lunches
- Cultural evening with traditional music and dance
Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Pakistan Visa (supporting documents will be offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipment (clothes, boots etc.)
- Tips for guiding and supporting staff
- Miscellaneous expenses – drinks and souvenirs etc
Optional Extras
- Extra nights in Islamabad before or after the Tour
- Single room/tent supplement
Frequently Asked Questions about Charakusa Valley Trek
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