BALTISTAN:

Baltistan covering an area of 26,000 square kilometer, comprises 5 valleys: Skardu, Khaplu, Shigar, Kharmang and Rondu. The Baltistan is the part of Northern Areas of Pakistan. These valleys are very important from the mountaineering, trekking and mountain related adventure activities. The northern territory of Baltistan contains four peak above 8000 meters, such as K-2 (8611-M) (Second highest mountain in the world), Gasherbrum-I (8068-m), Broad Peak (8048-m), and Gasherbrum-II (8035-m), and many other above 7000 meters peaks, such as Masherbrum, Gasherbrum-IV, Muztagh Towers, Latok, Baintha Brakk, Chogolisa, Baltoro Kangri, and many more.

 Since time began, Baltistan has remained isolated from the rest of the world. It was first mentioned in the annals of an AD 747 Chinese military expedition to aid Ladakh against a threatened invasion from Tibet. Fascinated, the ancient Chinese geographers named it the “Tibet of the Apricots”, because of the abundance of this fruit that grew there, and still does. Long a Buddhist country, Islam was embraced in the fifteenth century and during the Mughal era it was annexed to India. But when Aurangzeb died it soon reverted to its isolated, independent ways, only to come under a succession of local rulers, Dogra, Sikhs and Afghans, finally coming into the Kingdom of Kashmir. At independence in 1947, However, Baltistan chose to join Pakistan, and now the Baltistan is the Part of Pakistan.

Within fifteen minutes of taking off from the Islamabad Airport, in PIA scheduled flight, we will be in a virgin world snaking through mountain passes and following emerald ribbons of rivers, the plane will be often lower than the level of the treacherous road. Every turn will brought a breathtaking new vista, and as we will leave habitation behind, we will enter a forest of peaks and nature of such staggering perfection that it flooded one simultaneously with a soaring joy and a stark realization of the absolute insignificance of man. Leaving the plain, the most immediate impression is that of disorientation. The valley and the rock and the desert plains have no likeness to any other landscape, as if the Sahara had been dropped down between massive walls of rock. There are no perspectives. So complete is the circle of mountains everything narrow and the eye is ever confused. Lying within this ring of 5000 meters high mountains that glimmer through the haze in varying shades of purple, grey, and ochre, the jade river Indus snakes sinuously between the ribboned, wind-blown sand dunes close beneath a 200 feet high island of massive rock. It’s here that Skardu straggles along the plateau.

From Islamabad most of the Climbing expedition teams, trekking parties and other visitors like to travel on Karakoram Highway. Not until 1978, with the completion of the 170 kilometers long Gilgit-Skardu Road, did Baltistan have any permanent access to the rest of the world, even in 1980s the citizens retained their self-sufficiency and independence, aloof from the twentieth century and its wonders. So formidable in the scale of its colour and texture, savagery and desolation is the Indus gorge out of Skardu that not even Balti’s ventured to cross it. The road to Skardu is one of the most dramatic roads in the world, following the narrow, dark, bleak, and stupendously high ravine of the Indus for mile after mile. Never a blade of gross relieves the monotony of the hostile rock. Only the jade green river, tumbling and foaming in stretches of white water, relieves the grey, brown, sere, and unrelenting walls of boulders- strewn rock, and cliffs. Like its larger sister, the Karakoram Highway, it represents one of the world’s major feats of civil engineering construction and already Skardu, long a Mecca for the high altitude mountaineers, have become a major tourist resort as the coaches, cars, and jeeps flood down the road across more than 20 bridges to the town.

No diminutive this, though Baltistan, crowned by the Majesty of K-2, at 8611 meters the world’s second highest mountain, sit an average high of 4500 meters. No relief map or guide book can lead you through this wilderness of lost horizons. There are none. The horizon merge in a tumultuous maze in which west and east, north and south, lurch giddily from one side of the eye to the other in utter confusion.

KHAPLU VALLEY:

At 2355 meter, this historic town lies on the south side of the Shyok River, among innumerable trees on a fertile alluvial plain. The Khaplu is the District Headquarter of the Ganchee District. Facilities include a rest house, shops, and a few hotels and telephone. It is about 103 kilometers east of Skardu and can be reached by bus, van, jeep and car. The ever changing landscapes follow the sandy valley floor, black mountains reflecting in the waters of the Shyok River. On the slopes, little communities have carved their terraced fields and homes out of the mountainside, diverting the waters along a network of ancient irrigation aqueducts.

The capital of this valley, distinctively Tibetan in its people and architecture, is spread out along the greenest and broadest bowl of the valley, an arena that for the non-trekker is the key point to of the entire visit to Baltistan. For only in Khaplu, so high and close together are the regions other valleys, do you catch sight of “raison d’ etre” for any visit to Baltistan, its mountains. Here, in the early morning, as the sun slopes above the eastern horizon, its rays burst in a dazzling shower of diamonds on the scintillating peak of mighty 7821 meters high Masherbrum.

Khaplu town is the historic base of many voyages of exploration to the mountains in the region of the Karakoram. G.T.Vigne, after whom one of the glaciers south of Concordia is named. had ascended the Saltoro valley from Khaplu in 1838 in his search for the Saltoro Pass. Some 70 years later the great Tom Longstaff, accompanied by Arthur Neve and A.M. Slingaby, repeated the journey and found the pass at the head of Bilafond glacier; they then crossed and descended to the Siachen glacier. And it was from Khaplu that James Waller in 1935 with John Hunt and four others reached the Kondus valley and made an attempt to climb Saltoro Kangri (7742-m). Waller returned in 1938 with Graham Brown and two others, ascended the Hushe valley and pitched a base camp at the junction of the two torrents draining the Masherbrum and Gondogoro Glacier, from there they attempted to ascend Masherbrum (7821-M) from the South. These valleys and glacier areas had also benn visited from Khaplu by the Workmans in 1911 and 1912.

Khaplu today is still the gateway to many adventurous treks, most of which lead to the north side of the Shyok River. The river is crossable from Khaplu by a jeep. The other bridge is located some 10 kilometer east of Khaplu, a little beyond Surmo where the Shyok valley floor narrows down considerably. The walk to Surmo along the river bed is quite easy. The Saling Bridge and Surmo bridge are the only other ways to approach the valley of Hushe, Saltoro, Dansum, etc. It incorporates many famous passes such as Masherbrum La and Gondogoro la.

Shigar is the gateway to many adventurous treks that lead over famous glaciers and the base of numerous high peaks. The wide Shigar valley is formed by the confluence of the Braldu and Basna rivers, about 33 kilometers upstream from Shigar. It is watered by several great glaciers such as the Baltoro, Biafo Chogo Lungma, Panmah and Chogtoi; and this vast region contains 5 of the world’s highest peaks, K-2, the Gasherbrum group, Broad Peak and Masherbrum are some of them. It incorporates many famous passes such as, Sokha La, Skam La, Hisper Pass, Naushik La, Braldu La, Sim La, Muztagh Pass and Gondogoro la. Once frequented by local people and traders. Some of passes have become strictly technical ascent or have gone out of use due to the melting, cracking or other changes in the pattern of the glaciers.

The best way to reach the town from Skardu is to hire a Car, Jeep or van. There are clean and comfortable hotels, rest house and camping site for stoplovers.

PEAKS IN BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN:

8000 METER PEAKS IN BALTISTAN:

01:  K-2 (8611-M)

02:  Gasherbrum-I/Hidden Peak (8068-M)

03: Broad Peak (8047-M)

04: Gasherbrum-II (8035-M)

K-2 (8611-M)
 

Gasherbrum-I (8068-M)

Broad Peak (8047-M)

Gasherbrum-II (8035-M)

7000 METER PEAKS IN BALTISTAN:

LOBSANG GROUP:

01- Muztagh Tower (7284-M)

02- Muztagh Tower (7279-M)

LATOK GROUP:

03- Baintha Brakk (M) (7285-M)
04- Latok-I (7145-M)
05- Latok-II (7108-M)
06- Latok(I-W) (7100-M)

K2 GROUP

07- Skyang Kangri (I) (7357-M)
08- Skil Brum (7350-M)
09- Skyang Kangri (II) (7345-M)
10- Summa Ri (7286-M)
 

BROAD GROUP

11- Broad Peak (N) (7387-M)
 

GASHERBRUM GROUP

12- Gasherbrum-III (7952-M)
13- Gasherbrum-IV (7925-M)
14- Gasherbrum (E) (7772-M)
15- Gasherbrum (N) (7500-M)
16- Un named Peak (7310-M)
17- Gasherbrum (V) (7133-M)
18- Gaserbrum (V-MD) (7120-M)
19- Gasherbrum (SW) (7069-M)
20- Gasherbrum-VI (7004-M)

SIA GROUP

21- Sia Kangri (7422-M)
22- Sia Kangri-II (7325-M)
23- Sia Kangri-IV (7315-M)
24- Sia Kangri-III (7273-M)

CHOGO LUNGMA GROUP

25- Spantik (7027-M)
 

MASHERBRUM GROUP

 
26- Masherbrum (E) (7822-M)
27- Masherbrum (W) (7806_M)
28- Yermand Kangri (7163-M)
29- Mandu Peak (E) (7127-M)
30- Mandu Peak (W) (7081-M)
 

CHOGOLISA GROUP

31- Chogolisa (SW) (7668-M)
32- Chogolisa (NE) (7654-M)
33- Baltoro Kangri (7300-M)
34- Baltoro Kangri (II) (7270-M)
35- Baltoro Kangri (IV) (7265-M)
36- Ice Dom (7150-M)

SALTORO GROUP

37- Saltoro Kangri (I) (7742-M)
38 Saltoro Kangri (II) (7705-M)

EAST OF HUSHE VALLEY GROUP

39- K-6 (W) (7100-M)
40- Link Sar (7041-M)
41- Link Sar (N) (7000-M)

Muztagh Towers

Masherbrum (7821-M)

6000 METER PEAKS IN BALTISTAN:

Latok Group:

01- Baintha Brakk (SE) (6960-m)
02- Latok-III (6946-m)
03 Baintha Brakk-II (6600-M)
04 Baintha Brakk-III (6500-M)
05 Latok-IV (6456-M)
06 Latok (IV-SE) (6450-M)
07 Uzun Brakk (6422-M)

08 Bullah (6294-M)
 

Payu Group:

09- Choricho (M) (6756-M)
10- Choricho (III) (6643-M)
11- Choricho (II) (6631-M)
12- Payu (6610-M)
13- Uli Biaho (I-SW) (6417-M)
14- Uli Biaho (I-NE) (6408-M)
15- Choricho (IV) (6400-M)
16- Uli Biaho-II (6353-M)
17- Uli Biaho Tower (6109-M)
18- Haina Blak Tower (6000-M)
19- Unnamed Peak (6000-M)
20- Unnamed Peak (6000-M)

TRANGO GROUP:
 

21- Kruksum (S) (6650-M)
22 Kruksum (N) (6600-M)
23 Trango Ri (II) (6545-M)
24 Trango Ri (I) (6452-M)
25 Kruksum (E) (6300-M)
26 Trango Ri (III) (6300-M)
27 Trango Ri (IV) (6300-M)
28 Great Trango (I) (6286-M)
29 Nameless Tower (6239-M)
30 Great Trango (II) (6237-M)
31 Great Trango (III) (6231-M)
32 Munk (6150-M)

LOBSANG GROUP:
 

33- Biale (6729-M)
34- Black Tooth (6719-M)
35- Biange (6431-M)
36- Lhunkgka Ri (6307-M)
37- Unnamed Peak (6300-M)
38- Biange Peak (6271-M)
39- Lobsang (6225-M)
40- Un named Peak (6100-M)
41- Un named Peak (6085-m)
42- Un named Peak (6050-M)
43- Un named Peak (6050-M)
44- Un named Peak (6040-M)
45- Un named Peak (6024-M)
45- Un named Peak (6020-M)
46- Un named Peak (6007-M)
47- Un named Peak (6001-M)
48- Un named Peak (6000-M)

K2 GROUP:

49- Un named Peak (6940-M)
50- Un named Peak (6859-M)
51- Angel (6858-M)
52- Un named Peak (6820-M)
53- Un named Peak (6800-M)
54- Un named Peak (6700-M)
55- Un named Peak (6640-M)
56- Un named Peak (6406-M)
57- Nela peak (6394-M)
58- Un named Peak (6379-M)
59- Un named Peak (6350-M)
60- Moni Peak (6300-M)
61- Marble Peak (6256-M)
62- New Cristal Peak (6252-M)
63- Cristal Peak (5913-M)
64- Un named Peak (6100-M)
65- UN-named Peak (6060-M)
66- Steste Peak (6001-M)

BROAD GROUP:

67- Un named Peak (6934-M)
68- Un-named Peak (6913-M)
69- Un named Peak (6806-M)
70- Un named Peak (6806-M)
71- Un named Peak (6805-M)
72- Un named Peak (6700-M)
73- Un named Peak (6450-M)
74- Un named Peak (6444-M)
75- Un named Peak (6394-M)
 

GASHERBRUM GROUP:

76- Un named Peak (6984-M)
77- Gasherbrum(V-NW) (6980-M)
78- Gasherbrum (V-N) (6950-M)
79- Un named Peak (6936-M)
80- Gasherbrum Twins (6912-M)
81- Gasherbrum (V-E) (6900-M)
82- Un named Peak (6753-M)
83- Un-named Peak (6600-M)
84- Un-named Peak (6550-M)
85- Un named Peak (6218-M)
 

SOUSBAN GROUP:

 
86- Ganchen (6462-M)
87- Susban Brakk (6413-M)
88- Hikmul (6300-M)
89- Un named (6123-M)
90- Un named Peak (6066-M)
91- Gama Soka Lumbu (6282-M)
92- Un named Peak (6000-M)

KHOSER GUNGE GROUP:

93- Khoser Gunge (6401-M)
 

MANGO GUSOR GROUP:
 

94- Mango Gusor (6288-M)

MASHERBRUM GROUP
 

95- Biarchedi (I) (6810-M)
96- Biarchedi (II) (6781-M)
97- Biarchedi (III) (6710-M)
98- Biarchedi (IV) (6650-M)
99- Serac Peak (6614-M)
100- Hunch Back (6400-M)
101- Biarchedi (V) (6362-M)
102- Un named Peak (6350-M)
103- Urdukas Peak (I) (6320-M)
104- Un named Peak (6300-M)
105- Urdukas Peak (II) (6280-M)
106- Un named Peak (6279-M)
107- Un named Peak (6251-M)
108- Un named Peak (6250-M)
109- Biarchedi (VI) (6236-M)
110- Un named Peak (6200-M)
111- Un named Peak (6170-M)
112- Urdukas Peak (III) (6130-M)
113- Un named Peak (6100-M)
114- Un named Peak (6095-M)
115- Biarchedi ((VII) (6010-M)
116- Un named Peak (6030-M)
117- Mitre Peak (6025-M)
118- Un named Peak (6000-M)
 

CHOGOLISA GROUP:

119- Kaberi Peak (6950-M)
120- Khumul Gri (6851-M)
121- Kondus Peak (6750-M)
122- Khumul Gri (II) (6706-M)
123- Un named Peak (6700-M)
124- Khumul Gri (III) (6674-M)
124- Tasa Brakka (6600-M)
125- Un named Peak (6600-M)
126- Un named Peak (6600-M)
127- Pioneer Peak (6550-M)
128- Khumul Gri (VI) (6350-M)
129- Laila (6096-M)
 

DANSAM GROUP:
 

130- Dansam (6666-M)
131- Un named Peak (6450-M)

EAST OF THALLE VALLEY GROUP:
 

132- Honboro (6459-M)
133- Un named Peak (6100-M)
134- Un named Peak (6000-M)
 

EAST OF HUSHE VALLEY GROUP:
 

135- K-7 (6934-M)
136- Un named Peak (6858-M)
137- Un named Peak (6568-M)
138- Kapura (6544-M)
139- Un named Peak (6500-M)
140 Changi (6500-M)
141 Drafey Khar (Drifka) (6444-M)
142- Un named Peak (6400-M)
143- Un named Peak (6325-M)
144- Namika (6295-M)
 

KHURDOPIN GROUP:
 

145- Lakpe Lawo Brakk (6593-M)

Trango Nameless Tower (6239-M)

Great Trango Towers

Peaks around Concordia Pakistan

TREKS IN BALTISTAN:

1-BALTORO-GONDOGORO-HUSHE:

Askole- Concordia, K-2 B.C, Gasherbrum B.C, & return by the same route, or cross Gondogoro Pass or Vigne Pass, K-7 B.C, Skardu or vice versa
Restricted Zone: Trekking Permit is required from Ministry of Tourism Islamabad.

2-BALTORO-MASHERBRUM PASS-HUSHE:

Skardu-Askole-Concordia, K-2 B.C, Gasherbrum B.C, Masherbrum Pass, K-7 B.C,-Hushe-Skardu or vice versa
Restricted Zone: Trekking Permit is required from Ministry of Tourism Islamabad.

3-PANMAH GLACIER – SIM PASS:

Skardu-Panmah Glacier-Chring Glacier-Drenmang Glacier-Nobande Sobande Glacier-Simgang Glacier-Chaktoi Glacier-Sim Pass-Simgeng Glacier-Snow Lake& down to Askole via Biafo Glacier or to Nagar via Hispar Glacier, or vice versa.
Restricted Zone: Trekking Permit is required from Ministry of Tourism Islamabad.

4-HISPAR PASS:

Skardu-Askole-Biafo Glacier-Snow Lake-Hspar Pass-Hisper Glacier-Nagar-Gilgit or vice versa
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

5-LUKPO PASS:
 

Skardu-Askole-Biafo Glacier-Snow Lake-Simgang Glacier-Lukpo Pass-Braldu Glacier-Shimshal Pass-Shimshal village-Gilgit or vice versa
Restricted Zone: Trekking Permit is required from Ministry of Tourism Islamabad.

6-SOKH PASS:
 

Skardu-Askole-Biafo Glacier-Snow Lake-Sokh La-Sokh Glacier-Sosbun Glacier-Hikmul Pass-Hoh Lungma Glacier-Arandu-Skardu or vice versa.
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

7-HARAMOSH PASS:

Skardu-Arandu-Chogo Lungma Glacier-Haramosh La-Dache-Sassi-Gilgit or Skarduor vice versa.
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

8-STAK PASS:

Skardu-Stak-Stak Pass-Ganto Pass-Arandu-Chogo Lungma Glacier-Hramosh Pass-Sassi-Skardu or Gilgit or vice versa.
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

9-SOSBUN VALLEY:
 

Skardu-Chakpong-Ho-Sosbun B.C,-Sosbun Brakk B.C,-Hoh Lungma Glacier-Hikmul Pass-Doko-Skardu or vice versa.
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

10-SKORO PASS:
 

Skardu-Askole-Skoro Pass-Shigar-Skardu or vice versa
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

11-THALEE PASS:
 

Skardu-Shigar-Thalle Pass-Bukma-Doghani to Hushe or Skardu or vice versa.
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

12-HUSHE VALLEY:
 

Skardu-Hushe-Masherbrum B.C,-Shaicho-Gondogoro B.C,-K-7 B.C,-Hushe-Skardu or vice versa.
Restricted Zone: Trekking Permit is required from Ministry of Tourism Islamabad.

13-HUSHE-ALING:
 

Skardu-Hushe-Aling Glacier & back to Hushe via same route
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.

14-ACROSS DEOSAI:
 

Skardu-Deosai Plateau-Chillim-Astore-Gilgit or vice versa
Open Zone: No Trekking Permit is required.
 

Trekkers crossing the high pass of Gondogoro

Trekkers towards K2 base camp

Trekker at Concordia

Laila Peak as seen from Gondogoro La

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