Muztagh Ata Expedition (7,545-M)
Best time for Climbing Muztagh Ata is from June to September
Muztagh Ata 7545m lies just south of Kongur Tagh, the highest peak of the Kunlun Shan, together they form a somewhat isolated group, separated from the main chain of the Kunlun, and also separate from the Pamir Mountains to the west. (Both peaks are sometimes regarded as being in the “Chinese Pamir”, and are more closely connected to the main Pamir group than the main Kunlun group.) Not far to the north and east of this group are the lowlands of the Tarim Basin and the Taklamakan Desert. The Karakorum Highway passes very close to both peaks.
History
The Swedish explorer and geographer Sven Hedin made the first recorded attempt to climb Muztagh Ata 7545m, in 1894. Additional attempts were made in 1900, 1904 and 1947, the last by the strong team of Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman who came very close to the summit but were turned back due to cold and deep snow.
The first ascent of the peak was in 1956 by a large party of Chinese and Russian climbers, via the west ridge, which is now the standard route.
Since the first ascent, many ascents of Muztagh Ata have been made. In 1980, a party led by Ned Gillette made a ski ascent/descent of the standard route, the first ski ascent of a mountain over 7,500 m (24,600 ft). An ascent of the much harder south-east ridge was made in 2000. and led by Ned Gillette made a ski ascent/descent of the standard route, the first ski ascent of a mountain over 7,500 m (24,600 ft). An ascent of the much harder south-east ridge was made in 2000.
Dates & Cost – Muztagh Ata Expedition
| MUZTAGH ATA EXPEDITION | Cost (USD) | Cost (EUR) |
| Muztagh Ata (30 Days) – ALL INCLUSIVE | US$ 3,050 | € 2,710 |
| Muztagh Ata Expedition (32 Days) – ALL INCLUSIVE | US$ 3,210 | € 2,845 |
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: 540 m.
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 Karimabad (Hunza) 5-6 hours 240 km. En-route stop at junction point of three great mountain ranges meet, the Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush, at Thalichi for photography from Nanga Parbat 8,126 m and at Rakaposhi view point for photography and refreshment.
Altitude: 2,400m.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Sost 2-3hrs, 87 km. En route visits of Attabad Lake, Borith Lake, Gulkin village, Gulmit village, Passu white Glacier, Passu village, Hussani village and Hussani suspension bridge. Enjoy the magnificent views of snow capped mountains.
Altitude: 2,800m.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After custom formalities, we drive over the Khunjerab Pass (4,733m) to China on the Karakoram highway. Today we’ll journey through the Khunjerab Pass at 4733 M the highest border crossing on a paved road in the world. The Pakistani side is marked with barren deserted gorges with no sign of human life. The Chinese side, however, is an open, grassy, high altitude plateau, with herds of yaks, sheep & low-humped Bactrian camels tended by the Tadjik people. That evening we’ll meet our Chinese hosts.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(Bus 100 kms)In the morning, free time, in the afternoon we drive to Karakul Lake. Then, we will have time to take a walk along the lake and take photos to the lake and the massive Muztagata Mountain, the “Father of the Ice Mountains”. Here the glaciers and snowfields are overwhelming. The high wind swept the plateaus between the parallel ranges that constitute the Pamirs, the “Roof of the World”(called the Onion Mountains in early Chinese records), are the home of a branch of the nomadic Kirghiz people known as the KaraKirghiz. Pack-camels amble between their encampments of round ad-lib (yurts covered in thick felts of goat or camel hair.) We’ll photograph the great rolling grasslands and the mountains beyond. And visit with the local nomadic people and spend the night in a yurt, the round tent-like homes common to central Asia.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning we drive 10kms to Subashi and meet our camels and start the walk to base camp. With the camels carrying the team’s equipment, we trek over a level plane and then climb steadily through barren hills to base camp, approximately a 4-hour walk. Drifts of alpine flowers clothe the slopes as base camp is approached and screeching marmots call a welcome (Incl: B.L.D O/N Camping)
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
17 Days in Muztagh At Base camp for climbing
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast in the early morning remove base camp and after loading the camels trek back to Shubash. After arrival there in early afternoon pick up by bus and Drive along the China-PK highway to Kashgar, upon arrival, resting and free time. In the evening XGTC (Abbreviation of our company) will treat you on a lavish banquet, hopefully in celebration of many a summit ascent!
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning driving back the border town of Tashkurgan inhabited predominantly by Tadjik people.
Then Traverse the 4733-meter Khunjerab Pass to Sost, It’s a long day and you should have your passports ready for the numerous inspections on our way from Tashkurgan to Sost.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Karimabad 78 km via Attabad Lake, arrive and transfer to hotel. After refreshment visit Baltit Fort 700 Years old and Baltit village, afternoon visit Altit Fort 900 Years old and Altit village . Evening enjoy water channel walk from Karimabad to towards Hyderabad village.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Naran 355 km via Babusar Pass 4173 m. En-route stop at various viewpoints for photography and refreshment.
Accommodation: Hotel:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Islamabad 5-6 hours, en-route visit Taxila museum and historical sites.
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
- Arrangement of Official Briefing/Debriefing.
- Assist import/export permit from Ministry of Tourism.
- Cargo handling and storage in Skardu office.
- First aid medicine kit (basic)
- Satellite phone for emergencies
- D3V sleeping tent, Toilet Tent and Shower Tent.
- 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.