Broad Peak Expedition – Pakistan

General overview

At 8,047m (26,401’), Broad Peak is the world’s 12th highest mountain and one of the ‘easiest’ 8,000 meter peaks. It is located on the border of Pakistan and China and has been summited ten times less than Mount Everest and is adjacent to K2. This 52 day expedition provides some of the best of the views in the Karakorum.

Expert leader, Dan Mazur, has led dozens of successful Himalayan expeditions including Broad Peak, K2, and Everest. The trip includes travel within the Karakorum, food, accommodations, staff, personal climbing Sherpas, and group equipment. Test yourself at high elevation and experience one of the world’s most astonishing landscapes.

Itinerary

• Day 1 – Arrive Islamabad. Meet our staff at airport. They will bring you to the hotel.
• Day 2 – Guided sightseeing and shopping in Islamabad (508 metres / 1,667 ft.).
• Day 3 – Fly to Skardu, transfer to Skardu hotel.
• Day 4 – Skardu sightseeing. Hotel. (2,230 metres / 7,316 feet)
• Day 5 – Skardu – Briefing at Department of Tourism. Final preparations. Hotel.
• Day 6 – Drive by Jeep to Askole, a lovely little farming village. Camp. (3,039 metres / 9,970 feet).
• Day 7 – Trek to Jhola. (3,170 metres / 10,400 feet). We enter Karakoram National Park and trek past a slope filled with garnets and cross a lovely bridge.
• Day 8 – Trek to Paiyu. (3,666 metres / 12,028 feet). Trek to this famous forest in the Baltoro Valley.
• Day 9 – Rest Day in Paiyu. On this day, porters will bake all of their bread for the upcoming trek.
• Day 10 – Trek to Khuburtse. (3,800 metres / 12,467 feet). a fabulous campsite near a lake on the edge of the Baltoro Glacier.
• Day 11 – Trek to Urdukas. (3,950 metres / 12,959 feet). Camp amongst grass and lovely giant boulders, with amazing views of the Great Trango Towers.
• Day 12 – Goro II. (4,300 metres / 14,108 feet). Camp on the flat stones on the surface of the Baltoro Glacier with lovely views of the mightiest peaks all around, like Masherbrum, Cathedral, etcetera.
• Day 13 – Concordia. (4,550 metres / 14,928 feet). Concordia must be the most famous campsite in all the Karkakoram. Incredible views of K2, Mitre Peak, Gasherbrum 4, and many more.
• Day 14 – Walk to Broad Peak base camp (4,850 metres / 15,908 ft.) and camp on the Godwin Austen Glacier.
• Day 15 – Day In base camp: Sherpa Prayer Ceremony (Puja): our Nepali Sherpas conduct a colourful ceremony, putting up prayer flags. Gear Check and Ice Training near basecamp. Leader and Sherpas recheck all of your gear, and we review and practice fixed rope climbing technique and glacier travel.
• Day 16 – Walk up to K2 basecamp (5,400 metres / 17,700 ft.) visit Gilkey Memorial. Return to Broad Peak base camp.
• Day 17 – Walk to Broad Peak camp 1 (5,600 metres / 18.368 ft.). Return to basecamp.
• Day 18 – Rest in base camp.
• Day 19 – Walk to Broad Peak camp 1. Sleep there.
• Day 20 – Explore route to camp 2. Return to camp 1 and sleep.
• Day 21 – Easy walk to camp 2 (6180 metres / 20,270 ft.). Sleep there.
• Day 22 – Explore route to camp 3, return to camp 2 and sleep.
• Day 23 – Descend to basecamp.
• Day 24 – Rest in base camp.

• Day 25 – Walk to camp 1 . Sleep there.
• Day 26 – Walk to camp 2 . Sleep there.
• Day 27 – Walk to camp 3 (6950 metres / 22,796 ft.). Sleep there.
• Day 28 – Descend to base camp.
• Day 29 – Rest in base camp.
• Day 30 – Rest in base camp.
• Day 31 – Walk to camp 1. Sleep there.
• Day 32 – Walk to camp 2. Sleep there.
• Day 33 – Walk to camp 3. Sleep there.
• Day 34 – Attempt Summit.
• Day 35 – Extra day for additional summit attempt.
• Day 36 – Descend to Camp 1.
• Day 37 – Descend to base camp. Pack up and prepare for departure.
• Day 38 – Follow the Upper Baltoro Glacier to Ali Camp (4,800 metres/15,748 ft.)
• Day 39 – Cross the Gondogoro La (5,585 metres / 18,323 ft.). Descend to Huisprung (4,600 metres / 15,088 ft.). Camp near a lovely lake.
• Day 40 – Trek down the Gondogoro Valley to Saitcho (3,350 metres / 10,991 ft.)
• Day 41 – Last day of trekking to Hushe Village (3,050 metres / 10,0007ft.). Drive beside the Hushe River and follow the Shyock and Indus rivers to Skardu (2,230 metres / 7,316 ft.).
• Day 42 – De-briefing at Tourism Department. Showers, laundry, shopping. Hotel
• Day 43 – Islamabad / Chilas. Hotel
• Day 44 – Final paperwork, shopping, farewell dinner in Islamabad. Hotel
• Day 45 – Fly Home (Extra days may be added for additional summit attempts).

Good to know

Leadership

Leadership: Dan Mazur is a relaxed, friendly, well-organised, and highly skilled professional with over 20 years of experience leading people to the summits of Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Shishapangma.

Sherpas: We employ some of Nepal, Tibet, and the Karakorum’s best local mountaineers and Sherpas to assist team members in realizing their summit goals. Our friendly and loyal high altitude climbing staff has supported teams to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalayas.

Training

Prior to winter snow, walking, climbing, camping, and experience at altitude is recommended. The trip includes climbing training. We will teach you everything you need to know about glaciers near base camp. Team members should be fit and in good health. Please see our questions section for fitness training advice.