Masherbrum Expedition (7,821-M)
Best time for Climbing Masherbrum is from June to September
Masherbrum Peak 7821-M (also known as K1) is the 22nd highest mountain in the world and the 11th highest in Pakistan.
It is the highest peak of the Masherbrum range, a subrange of the Karakorum Mountains. It is a large and striking peak, which is somewhat overshadowed by the nearby 8000m peaks of the main range of the Karakorum which includes four of the fourteen Eight-thousanders, namely K2, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II. The meaning of the name “Masherbrum” is not entirely clear. It may come from mashadar (muzzle-loading gun) plus brum (mountain), from the resemblance of the double summit to an old muzzle-loader. It may also come from masha (queen or lady), giving “queen of peaks.” Other meanings have also been suggested.
Location
The Masherbrum range lies to the south of the Baltoro glacier and the main range of the Karakorum lies to the north of the Baltoro. The main range is the continental divide of Asia. Rivers to the south flow into the Arabian Sea. Rivers to the north flow to the Yellow Sea.
The Baltoro Glacier is the route most commonly used to access the 8000m peaks of the Karakorum, and many trekkers also travel on the Baltoro. Masherbrum also lies at the north end of the Hushe valley, which serves as the southern approach to the peak.
History
In 1856, Thomas Montgomery, a British Royal Engineers lieutenant, noticed a tall mountain in the Karakorams and called it K1 (denoting peak 1 of the Karakorum). To the local people of the area, it is known as Masherbrum.
Masherbrum was reconnoitered in 1911 by the intrepid Dr. William H. Workman and his wife Mrs. Fanny Bullock Workman. It was first attempted in 1938 from the south; the attempt failed just short of the summit.
After two more failed expeditions, in 1955 and 1957, Masherbrum was first climbed in 1960 by George Irving Bell and Willi Unsoeld, part of an American-Pakistani expedition led by Nick Clinch. They succeeded in climbing the southeast face route that had stymied the earlier parties.
The Himalayan Index lists three additional ascents and six additional failed attempts on Masherbrum. The ascents include two by additional routes, the NW Face and the NW Ridge/N Face
Dates & Cost – Masherbrum Expedition
| Masherbrum EXPEDITION | Cost (USD) | Cost (EUR) |
| Masherbrum Expedition (40 Days) – ALL INCLUSIVE | US$ 5,110 | € 4,930 |
| Masherbrum Expedition (45 Days) – ALL INCLUSIVE | US$ 5,270 | € 5,095 |
Welcome at Islamabad airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which includes famous Faisal Mosque, Shakar Parian, Pakistan monument, Damen Koh, Lok Versa, Museum, Rawalpindi old bazaar, Raja Bazaar.
Altitude: 540m.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Naran 6-7 hours 239 km, after lunch continue drive to Chilas 3-4 hours 113.3 km via Babusar Pass 4,173 m.
Babusar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,173 m (13,691 ft) above the sea level. The pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley, Pakistan. The pass connects the Kaghan Valley via the Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakorum Highway. It’s one of the famous hair pinned roads in the world.
Altitude: 1,265m.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Skardu along with Indus River 8-9 hours, 290 km. En-route stop at junction point of three great mountain ranges meet, the Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush and stop at Thalichi for photography from Nanga Parbat 8,126 m.
Altitude: 2,228m.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we take the spectacular drive by jeeps to Jhola Camp 8-9 hours via Askoli village.
It is a spectacular drive from Skardu to Jhola; the jeep road crosses the Braldu River three times and passes the villages of Dassu, Apligon, Pakora, Hoto Chongo, Thongal and Askoli.
Altitude: 3,100m.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Paiyu 6-7 hours 16.6 km.
This is an undulating walk, difficult at times, with the first views of dramatic mountains ahead. There is a rest stop by some tamarisk trees beside the stream flowing down from Paiyu Peak, where we saw ibex tracks and fox spore. The trail climbs to a vantage point from which you see the snout of Baltoro Glacier and, in the far distance, a magnificent panorama of the Cathedral and Trango Towers and left of them, the unmistakable triangle of K2 .
Altitude: 3,450m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Urdukas 15.9 km, 7-8 hours. Another stunning day on our journey to K2 Base Camp. View of Paiyu Peak 6,610 m, Uli Biaho 6,417 m, Great Trango Tower 6,286 m, Lobsang Spire 5,707 m and the Cathedral Towers.
Altitude: 4,050m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Free day for local exploration and Porter will prepare their food for further trek. We enjoy a slow start today taking in our stunning surroundings. We take a short acclimatization trek during the day and in the evening sing and dance with the porters.
Altitude: 4,050m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek to Masherbrum base camp 7-8 hours. Have a spectacular view of Masherbrum 7,821 m.
Altitude: 4,500m
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
30 days in Masherbrum base camp for climbing)
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3 Days trekking down to Jhola from Masherbrum Base Camp.
Accommodation: Camping:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive back to Skardu 8-9 hours.
Altitude: 2,228m:
Accommodation: Hotel:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we fly to Islamabad. Afternoon is free for exploring. Note: If our flight is cancelled due to bad weather, we will start the drive to Islamabad travelling for 9 hrs along with Indus River to reach Chilas.
Altitude: 540m
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a free day in Islamabad for exploring, sightseeing and shopping. Note: If our flight on day 18 cancelled we will spend 11-12 hours driving from Chilas to Islamabad via Babusar Pass 4173 m.
Altitude: 540m
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Islamabad airport for return flight.
- All domestic flights and road transfers
- All hotel accommodation (twin sharing room)
- All trekking accommodation during trek and at base camp
- All camping site and bridge fees
- Government fees (climbing permit fee) and paperwork
- Waste management fees (government requirement)
- Arrangement of Official Briefing/Debriefing.
- Liaison with Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad for climbing permits and documentation
- Assist import/export permit from Ministry of Tourism.
- Cargo handling and storage in Skardu office.
- Electricity generator
- First aid medicine kit (basic)
- Satellite phone for emergencies
- D3V sleeping tent, Toilet Tent, Shower Tent and store tnet.
- Kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery, fuel and related community gear.
- Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
- International airfare and airport taxes.
- Visa fee for Pakistan and personal insurance of the clients.
- Tips for drivers, porters and staff
- Single Supplement
- Transfers to and from airports for participants making individual air arrangements
- Optional excursions or deviations from the scheduled tour
- Sleeping bag and all personal expenses such as telephone charges, liquor or soft drinks,
- Room service, gratuities for personal services, items of a purely
- Any other service that is not mentioned in the list above.