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Karakorum Range

Karakorum Range

Karakorum means black in Turkish .This splendid and magnificent collection of dark brown and black metamorphic rocks. The range is about 400 km in length and 200 km in depth with the largest concentration of lofty pinnacles and mountain in the world .It is bounded by Shyok river in the east and Karamber Ishkuman and Gilgit river in the west .In the north east it is bounded by Shaksgam river and in the south west by the Shyok and the Indus River .Karakorum is specially characterized by its crevice rocks , vertical features and steep slopes giving great challenges to the climbers, adventurers,trekkers and photographers from all over the world.

Karakoram is is also home to the most dense collection of highest peaks,Four peaks above 8000 m i.e. K-2,Gasherbrum I and II and broad peak are situated in a radius of just twenty kms around the famous glacial junction CONCORDIA .The 360 view offers a panorama of peaks nowhere to be match able on the earth.

It is the most heavily glaciated part of the world outside the polar regions. The Siachen Glacier at 75 km and Biafo Glacier at 68km rank as the world’s second and third longest. Other glaciers include Boltoro, Batura, Hisper,Rimo, Chogo Lungma, Panmah, Khurdopin, Saropo Laggo are the prominent one .The snow line in this range varies between 4200 to 4500 m.

Himalaya Range

Himalaya Range

The greater Himalaya ranges ,comes from Sanskrit word meaning “Snow Land”,runs west to east making an Arc of nearly 2400 Km , from the Indus river valley in Northern Pakistan to the Brahmaputra river valley in Northern India and Tibet.The range varies in width from 400 km in the northern Pakistan to 150 km in the eastern Tibet.

The Himalayas are the most youngest mountain ranges on the planet and consist mostly uplifting Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks . The higher regions are snowbound and heavily glaciated and source for several large recurrent rivers. Contemporary theory of plate Tectonic their formation is a result of continental collision along the boundary between the Indo Australian Plate and Eurasian Plate.

The Western Himalayas is situated between Kashmir valley and Northern Pakistan dominated by Deosai Plains 4100m and covering an area of 3000 sq km In the east to Indus River in the north and west and is dominated by NANGA PARBAT massif with highest peak rising at 8125m Pakistan’s 2nd and world 9th Highest peak the Killer Mountain famous for its unique Rupal face which rises to 4600 m straight above its base.

Hindukush Range

Hindukush Range

Hindukush rises South west of Pamirs First region extend from Wakhjir pass separates Hunza from wakhan and up to Dorah Pass. The second region lies beyond the Dorah pass in Afghanistan.

The third region of 240 km lies in Pakistan and extends into Swat and Kohistan. On the east it is separated from Karakoram by Indus River.

Few glaciers exist but not of much significance but Highest Peak is Tirich Mir 7708 m Other Prominent peaks are Istr-o-Nal 7403, Saraghar 7349m, Noshaq 7492m Darban Zom 7219m and Shingeik Zom.

K2

K2

K2 also recognized as Savage Mountain, Mountaineers Mountain, mount Godwin Austen, Chagori and Sarikoi is the second-highest mountain on Earth, after Mount Everest. With a peak elevation of 8,611 m , K2 is part of the Karakoram Range, and is located on the border between Baltistan, in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan, and the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang, China. It is more hazardous to reach K2 from the Chinese side; thus, it is mostly climbed from the Pakistani side.

The peak has now been climbed by almost all of its ridges., K2 is a much more difficult and dangerous climb, due in part to its more inclement weather and comparatively greater height from base to peak. The mountain is believed by many to be the world's most difficult and dangerous climb, hence its nickname "the Savage Mountain". second-highest fatality rate among the "eight thousanders" for those who climb it. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. K2 has never been climbed in winter.

Broad Peak

Broad Peak

Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world at 8,047 meters, is located in the Karakoram Range in Northeastern Pakistan. The mountain is located along the western Baltoro glacier between K2 and Gasherbrum IV.

Broad Peak is part of the Gasherbrum massif in Baltistan on the border of Pakistan and China. It is located in theKarakoram mountain range about 8 kilometres from K2. It has a summit over 1.5 kilometres long, thus "Broad Peak".

Mountain has a few summits: Broad Peak main height of 8051 m, Rocky Summit 8028 m, Broad Peak Central 8011 m, Broad Peak North 7490 m, Kharut Kangri 6942 m.

Gasherbrum

Gasherbrum

Gasherbrum often claimed to mean “Shining wall” is a remote group of high peaks in the Karakoram, located at the northeast end of the Baltoro glacier in Karakorum range of the Himalaya The massif forms a semi-circle around its own South Gasherbrum Glacier contains three of the world ‘s 8000 m peaks . The peaks are sharp rock pyramids with rugged ridges and steep, towering walls. The highest peak, Gasherbrum I, is also known as Hidden Peak, a name given it by William Martin Conway in 1892 in reference to its extreme remoteness. Three of the Gasherbrum massif's high peaks are over 8,000 meters. Gasherburm I is the world's eleventh highest peak, Broad Peak is the twelfth highest, and Gasherbrum II is the thirteenth highest.

In 1856, Thomas George Montgomery, a British Royal Engineers lieutenant and a member of the Great Trigonometric Survey of India, sighted a group of high peaks in the Karakoram from more than 200 km away. He named five of these peaks K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5 where the K denotes Karakoram. Today, K1 is known as Masherbrum, K3 as Broad Peak, K4 as Gasherbrum II and K5 as Gasherbrum I. Only K2, the second highest mountain in the world, has kept Montgomerie's name.The Group contains GI 8068 m, Broad Peak 8047m,GII 8035,GIII 7952,GIV7925,GV 7147,GVI 7001.

Minglig Sar

Minglig Sar

Minglig Sar (6050m) is located in the Shimshal Valley in Hunza neighboring the Chinese southern most mountain range Kun Lun. Shimshal Lake lies at the base of the mountain near the Shimshal Pass (4735m).

This exciting trip takes you through the Shimshal gorge in the immediacy of Wakhan Corridor and high pasturelands of the mysterious Pamirs on the dividing line between South Asia and central Asia. You will see large herds of yaks, sheep, goats and sometimes ibex grazing on these high grasslands. The trek to Minglig Sar starts from Shimshal Valley (3000m) to Wuch Furzeen (3365m) which is 7-9 hours walk. From Wuch Furzeen to Shuijherav (4350m) is 6-8 hours walk. It takes 3 hours to reach Shimshal Pass from Shuijherav. Shimshal Pass is the most pleasant camp sites near the crystal icy lake. It is possible to climb Minglig Sar from here in one day but requires good physical fitness, acclimatization and obviously good luck with weather. In our journey we will come across steep passes, glaciers, lakes and beautiful valleys. The famous historical Shimshal Pass was the route of Hunza raiders on trade carvans traveling over the Karakoram Pass between China and India in ancient times. One of the great attractions and the highlight of this climb is that from the summit with some luck one can have a glimpse North Face of K2 far on the south eastern horizon.

Rush Peak

Rush Peak

This is a beautiful trek to Rush Lake at 4694 m with the gradient of Rush Peak (5200 m). Rush is one of the highest alpine lakes in Pakistan. It is located about 15 km north of Miar Peak and Golden Peak Rush Lake and Rush Peak can be reached via Nagar and Hopar and via the Hopar Glacier (Bualtar Glacier) and Miar Glacier. The trek to Rush Lake can be reached without the need for a long and difficult climb. Yet Rush Peak itself is a highpoint on a broad ridge that can be reached with relative ease. This ridge is almost 20km long and separates the glaciated valley of the Barpu from the steep sided Hispar Valley. It starts close to the town of Nagir and rises gently South Eastwards to culminate in a series of very steep unclimbed 6000m peaks.

Rush Lake and Rush Peak lie about half way along this ridge where the crest changes from a broad feature to an impregnable series of crumbing rock pinnacles. The scenery is spectacular with all the giant peaks of Hunza-Nagar visible. Across the Hispar valley there is a wall of four peaks from 7025 to 7885 m high. This trek is for those who have a taste of easy trekking and soft adventure in the beautiful regions of the earth. Rush Lake Trek in Nagar Valley will provide great pleasure and adventure for trekkers.

Biafo Hispar

Biafo Hispar

Snow Lake is located 16,000 feet 4,877 m above sea level, and is approximately 10 miles 16 kmwide. The basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hisparglaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61 mile (100 km) river of ice that is among the world`s longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions.The central Karakoram, first explored and mapped in 1937 and 1939, is perhaps the wildest of all. It is an area of vast glaciers, high mountains and remote passes.

Length of Biafo Glacier is 68 kilometers 42 miles long with a total area of 625 sq. km. It starts from Korofong above Askole village. Hisper Glacier is 52 Kilometers long. It is only the Hisper pass, which separates the Hisper Glacier and Biafo Glacier. However, most geographers consider the two glaciers as one; they call Biafo-Hisper Glacier. If that be so then the 120 kilometers 75 miles long biafo Hispar Glacier probably becomes the second longest glacier in the world. Approaching Snow Lake following a broad highway of Ice, a huge glaciated basin at 4500 meters, there could be a couple of crevasse areas where it will be necessary to rope up. Here we have the opportunity to view Biantha Brak, (7284 m), Snow Lake peak and Simkiang glacier. From here we ascend the Hisper La and camp on the summit, which gives us a panoramic sunset and sunrise views of the whole Biafo - Hispar.

Rakaposhi

Rakaposhi

Rakaposhi At 7788 meters is a mountain in the Karakoram mountain range. It is situated in the Nagar Valley approximately 100 km north of the city of Gilgit. Rakaposhi means "shining wall" in the local language. Rakaposhi is also known as Rakaposhi Peak. Dumani ("Mother of Mist"). It is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highest in Pakistan, but it is more popular for its beauty than its rank might suggest and is said to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the world it soars magnificently, changing color according to the time of the day . In a colloquial sense, i.e. measured from base to summit, Rakaposhi with its uninterrupted ~6000 m vertical rise, s the tallest mountain on Earth. Rakaposhi was first climbed in 1958 by Mike Banks and Tom Patey, members of a British-Pakistani expedition, via the Southwest Spur/Ridge route. Both of them suffered minor frostbite during the ascent.

Spantik

Spantik

Spantik (7027m) is the most beautiful fascinating and golden wall peak lies in Karakuram range that forms the boundary between Baltistan and Hunza. The spectacular easy approach trek along the Chogo Lungma Glacier passes through out scarcity of objective dangers, stunning mountains surrounding far from the usual trekking routes. Spantik Peak is known by various names of its beauty and grandeur. The peak is so majestic and beautiful that the local people call it Queen Mountain. This spectacular trekking trip is a wonderful trekking opportunity in a great range of Karakorum Mountains.

Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat

Nanga Parbat ( 8125m ) is one of the most stunning mountains in the world , western anchor of the Himalayas around which the Indus river skirts before it debouches into the plains of Pakistan. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, and is locally known as 'Deo Mir' ('mir' meaning 'mountain' 9th in world and 2nd highest in Pakistan.

Nanga Parbat An immense, dramatic peak rising far above its surrounding terrain, Nanga Parbat is also a notoriously difficult climb. Numerous mountaineering deaths in the mid and early 20th century lent it the nickname "killer mountain”.

The core of Nanga Parbat is a long ridge trending southwest–northeast. The ridge is an enormous bulk of ice and rock. . The southwestern portion of this main ridge is known as the Mazeno Wall, and has a number of subsidiary peaks. In the other direction, the main ridge arcs northeast at Rakhiot Peak (7,070 m ). The south/southeast side of the mountain is dominated by the massive Rupal Face, noted above. The north/northwest side of the mountain, leading to the Indus, is more complex. It is split into the Diamir (west) face and the Rakhiot (north) face by a long ridge. There are a number of subsidiary summits, including North Peak (7,816 m ) some 3 km north of the main summit. Near the base of the Rupal Face is a beautiful glacial lake called Latbo, above a seasonal shepherds' village of the same name.

Broghil

Broghil

Broghil is located in the extreme north North of Chitral District NWFP. The land of Broghil is bestowed with natural beauty including snow-covered peaks, glaciers, meadows, lakes and trekking routes. By virtue of its strategic location having both internal and international borders, Broghil is one of the most important valleys in the region. Towards the north, the valley is connected with famous Wakhan strip of Afghanistan through the famous “Broghil Pass”. Another important pass “Darwaza” connects Broghil with Afghanistan in the northwest In the southeast direction, the valley is connected with Yasin valley of Gilgit-Baltistan region via Darkot Pass. Towards east, the valley joins the Qurumbar valley through famous Qurumbar pass towards Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan. In the south, Broghil joins the main valley of Yarkhun towards Mastuj and Chitral town. The valley runs narrowly from southwest to northeast along the Broghil River with high mountains on both sides. The stable and somehow open slopes on both sides of the river provide space for settlement and agriculture practices. The valley is comprised of high mountain peaks, wide plains, steep slopes and deep canyons inhabited by “Wakhi” people. It covers a total area of 124,964ha The area mostly comprises of mountainous tracts. The elevation of the area ranges from 3,280m at Kishmanjah village to 4,304m at Qurumbar Lake in northeast. The terrain of the area is undulating comprising of steep mountains, wide stretch grassy plains and narrow valleys. Broghil valley is characterised by snow clad mountains, narrow passes and fairy meadows. There are more than 30 small and large lakes in the valley and the total area covered by peat lands and lakes is almost 3,400 ha. The grassy land of Broghil is especially fascinated in the month July with moderate temperature and greenery. And the festival the event includes yak polo, Yak Race, free style Polo, Buskashi, Horse Race, Donkey Race and Polo, Tag of War and Traditional Wakhani Music. Yak polo and yak race are the special part of the event, which are unique in its kind in the whole world. All these events take place above 13000ft from the sea level.

Tirichi Mir

Tirichi Mir

Tirichi Mir is the highest mountain of the Hindu Kush range, and the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalayas-Karakoram range, located inKhyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, near the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. It is supposed the origin to the name Tirich Mir is "King of Tirich" as Tirich is the name of a side valley of the Mulkhow valley of Chitral which leads up to Tirich Mir. on the other hand etymology originates its name from the Wakhi language. In Wakhi trich means shadow or darkness and mir means king so Tirich Mir means king of darkness. It could have got this name as it causes long shadows on the Wakhan side of its face. The last village in Chitral before reaching Tirich Mir is Village Tirich. It is located in Mulkow. The people there speak theKhowar language. The residents are available for hire as porters and tourist guides and will lead trekker’s part way up the mountain.

The mountain was first climbed in 1950 by aNorwegian expedition consisting of Arne Næss, P. Kvernberg, H. Berg, and Tony Streather. Tirich Mir overlooks Chitraltown, and can be easily seen from the main bazaar. It can also be seen from Afghanistan.

Masherbrum

Masherbrum

Masherbrum is also known as K1 7821m located in the Gilgit Baltistan the 22nd highest mountain in the world and the 11th highest in Pakistan of Masherbrum range which lies to the south of Baltoro Galcier ,a sub range of the Karakorum mountainswhich lies north of Baltoro. Masherbrum the meaning of the name 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." Is large striking peak which is overshadow by K2, Gasherbrum I , II and Broad peak.

Gondogoro La

Gondogoro La

The marathonic trek to Gondogoro la is one of the most adventurerous and technical trek in Pakistan .Gondogorola is 5940 m pass that separates the Hushe valley from the upper Baltoro Glacier but that is not what makes it special .from the pass one of the world’s greatest mountain panorama unfolds before you on clear day four 8000 m peaks of the Karakorum including K-2 will be at your sight and small myriad peaks stretch in to the distance as far as you can see.

The Gondogoro la trek can be started from either Hushe in the east or from Askole in the west which popular route is due to the reason as the approach is long and get maximum time to acclimatize and the other motive is if the weather don’t permit to cross than one should not miss the Concordia and the Baltoro glacier. Those people who are already acclimatized than they can use the Hushe side .Gondogoro la is technical and strenuous trek crampons ,fixed rope, mentally prepare to cross the crevasses and physical fit to reach the pass,any one who is planning must be aware of all these.