Ski Touring in Karakorum Pakistan

Day 1 – Arrival in Islamabad Arrival at Islamabad International Airport. Transfer to hotel and meet the expedition team. Evening expedition briefing covering: Ski equipment Avalanche safety Glacier travel Route planning Weather and mountain safety Overnight: Islamabad Day 2 – Islamabad → Gilgit Morning flight from Islamabad to Gilgit, subject to weather and flight operations. Transfer to hotel and rest. Overnight: Gilgit Day 3 – Gilgit → Naltar Valley Drive by 4x4 toward Naltar Valley. Spend the day at Naltar Ski Resort for skiing, equipment testing and preparation for the backcountry section. Overnight: Naltar/Gilgit Day 4 – Naltar → Hunza Return toward Hunza and continue to Karimabad. Explore the historic Hunza Valley and make final preparations for the expedition. Overnight: Hunza Day 5 – Hunza → Shimshal Drive by 4x4 from Hunza into the remote Shimshal Valley. Shimshal is one of the principal access points for high-altitude ski touring in the Karakoram. Overnight: Shimshal Altitude: approximately 3,100m Day 6 – Shimshal Acclimatization & Ski Training Acclimatization day around Shimshal. Conduct ski touring training, avalanche-awareness briefing and equipment checks. Short touring session depending on snow conditions. Overnight: Shimshal Day 7 – Shimshal → Zardgarben Begin the ski-touring approach toward the upper Shimshal Valley. Skin uphill through snow-covered terrain and alpine valleys. Overnight: Zardgarben Camp Day 8 – Zardgarben → Shpodeen Continue toward higher terrain, progressively gaining altitude. Practice efficient skinning and ski transitions while acclimatizing. Overnight: Shpodeen Camp Day 9 – Shpodeen → Boesam Valley Base Camp Continue toward the upper valley and the Boesam Valley Base Camp. The route involves rugged alpine terrain and may include glacier/moraine travel depending on seasonal conditions. Overnight: Boesam Valley Base Camp Altitude: approximately 4,400m Day 10 – Acclimatization & Ski Touring Rest and acclimatization at Base Camp. Conduct a moderate ski tour around the surrounding slopes to assess snow stability and identify suitable ski lines. Overnight: Base Camp Day 11 – Ski Touring Day Full day of backcountry ski touring. Climb suitable slopes using skins and descend on skis where conditions permit. Overnight: Base Camp Day 12 – High-Altitude Ski Touring Another dedicated ski-mountaineering day. The team explores higher terrain and, depending on conditions, attempts a suitable summit or high ski line. Overnight: Base Camp Day 13 – Rest & Weather Assessment Recovery day. The expedition leader assesses: Avalanche conditions Snow stability Weather Route conditions Team fitness Overnight: Base Camp Day 14 – Ski Touring / Summit Ski Descent Begin an extended ski tour toward a suitable high point. Where conditions and technical difficulty allow, descend the selected route on skis. Overnight: Base Camp Day 15 – Ski Touring Exploration Final full day of ski touring in the upper Shimshal region. Explore additional slopes and mountain terrain according to current conditions. Overnight: Base Camp Day 16 – Boesam Base Camp → Shpodeen Begin the return journey. Descend through the upper valley toward Shpodeen, using skis where terrain and snow conditions permit. Overnight: Shpodeen Day 17 – Shpodeen → Zardgarben → Shimshal Continue descending toward Shimshal. Return to the village and enjoy a well-earned evening after the expedition. Overnight: Shimshal Day 18 – Shimshal → Hunza Drive back from Shimshal to Hunza. Afternoon at leisure in Karimabad. Overnight: Hunza Day 19 – Hunza → Gilgit → Islamabad Drive to Gilgit Airport and fly to Islamabad, subject to weather and flight operations. Transfer to hotel. Overnight: Islamabad Day 20 – Departure Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward flight. End of Expedition