To More Inquiry
$2,290$2,390/
Per Person
The 21-day Jamal Pass Trek plunges you deep into the heart of the Karakoram range, beginning from Islamabad and ending after one of Pakistan’s most remote glacial basins. On this journey you’ll fly to Skardu from Islamabad, transfer to Askole, and then trek steadily through high-altitude terrain to the impressive Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo) at about 4,877 m.
From Snow Lake you cross Jamal Pass (also called Baqir Jamal) — a challenging technical passage requiring ropes on the descent — and traverse into Hu Valley before returning via Skardu.
The route takes you past awe-inspiring glaciers (Biafo & Hispar), crevasse-strewn ice highways, and offers clear views of peaks such as Baintha Brakk (7,284 m) and K2.
This is a true expedition-level trek: remote, strenuous and meant for experienced trekkers. Acclimatisation days, long glacier walks, technical rope sections, and full support logistics are built in. Arrive prepared for high mountain weather, crevasse travel and alpine camps at altitude.
The logistical support includes airport transfers, all domestic road/air transport within Pakistan, hotel stays pre- and post-trek, tented camps on the trek section, full meals, guides, cook and porters.
The ambition of the Jamal Pass Trek is immense: one of the last true glacier basins accessible by trek, one of the longest ice-systems outside polar regions, and the rare chance to traverse a remote Karakoram high pass rarely walked by foreign trekkers.
While physically demanding, this trek yields one of the highest reward-to-effort ratios in the Greater Karakoram: solitude, massive ice flows, huge peaks, and a major sense of achievement.
Because of its remoteness, flexibility in flight schedules (especially to Skardu) and weather contingencies are built into the itinerary.
Included and Excluded
- Airport transfers (arrival in Islamabad & departure) and domestic flights/road transport Pakistan.
- Hotel accommodation (twin sharing) pre- and post-trek, and twin-sharing tents during trek section.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during hotel stay and trekking section.
- Professional licensed guide, support staff (cook, assistants) and porters for trekking equipment and personal luggage.
- All trekking logistics: tents, cookware, communal equipment, and full route organisation.
- Entry permits, campsite fees and logistic support specific to the wage-reach and glaciers.
- Overnight stays in Askole/Skardu, acclimatisation days and contingency buffer days for flight/transfer delays.
- International airfare to/from Pakistan.
- Personal equipment (e.g., down jacket, crampons, ice-axe, harness if required) and specialised mountaineering gear beyond standard trekking.
- greatkarakoramexpeditions.com
- Travel insurance (recommended mandatory) and visa fee.
- Personal expenses: drinks, laundry, phone calls, boutique shopping, personal snacks.
- Staff gratuities (tips for guides, porters, assistants).
- Optional single-supplement for separate tent/hotel room (if requested).
- Weight extra beyond luggage allowance or optional extra services not in the standard itinerary.
Highlights of the Tour
- Traverse the remote Snow Lake basin at ~4,877 m — one of the world’s longest non-polar glacial systems.
- Cross the technical Jamal (Baqir Jamal) Pass, including rope-assisted descent.
- Views of iconic peaks such as Baintha Brakk (7,284 m) and K2 while trekking amidst glaciers.
- Deep glacier travel, ice-highways, crevasse-fields and remote camps far from tourist traffic.
- Full expedition-style support: guides, porters, tents, meals, logistics from Islamabad to Skardu and back.
- Acclimatisation days, long trekking legs, and the sense of being in one of the least-visited mountainous zones of Pakistan.
- Combination of cultural immersion (Skardu, Askole) and wilderness — mixing village life and pure mountain wilderness.
- A “lifetime trek” experience for serious trekkers: remote, challenging, and rewarding.
Itinerary
Meet at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Islamabad. Brief welcome session, check-in and rest. Evening free time to stroll around the city and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Morning flight to Skardu via domestic air-link, followed by check-in at the hotel. Use the afternoon for light sightseeing and gear check.
Explore Skardu city – perhaps visit the bazaar and local viewpoints. Get final trekking brief, relax and acclimatise.
Drive from Skardu into the trekking start zone and reach Askole, the gateway to the glacier region. Camp overnight and prepare for serious trekking ahead.
Trek from Askole to the camp at Namla. The trail enters glacier-fed valleys, dramatic scenery begins, and you settle into camp life.
Continue the trek from Namla up to Shafong. You gain altitude, traverse moraines and perhaps cross ice fields. Camp at Shafong.
Advance to Baintha camp. The terrain becomes more rugged, the glaciers broader and the views more imposing.
Rest day at Baintha to acclimatise. Short hikes, glacier viewing and preparing for the harder sections to come.
Trek from Baintha to Marpogoro. Enter deeper glacier terrain, move camps closer to the heart of the glacier network.
Continue the trek to Karpogoro. The glacier system widens; expect longer walking hours and more challenging terrain.
Trek to the stunning basin of Snow Lake (~4 877 m). Truly remote, mostly glacier travel, dramatic mountain scenery.
Full rest and exploration day at Snow Lake. Use it for photography, short hikes, glacier walks, recover for the pass ahead.
Begin descent: trek back towards Marpogoro. The terrain eases slightly, but still high altitude and remote.
Descend further into the glacier system reaching Hubrok Sokha camp. The mood shifts as you leave high glacial basin.
Move up to the high camp below the pass. High altitude, prepare for the technical crossing ahead.
Today is the major day: crossing the high pass (Jamal Pass) with rope sections and descent into Qur Qur Spangbo valley. This is the technical highlight of the trek.
After the pass crossing, descend into Nagmah camp. Terrain easing, but still long day after the major crossing.
Final major trekking leg into the scenic Ho Valley. Green valleys, rivers, change of terrain from glaciers.
Trek ends and you drive back to Skardu from Ho Valley. Leisure evening in Skardu, reflect on the achievement.
Early morning flight from Skardu to Islamabad. Arrival in Islamabad, check-in at hotel, farewell dinner and rest.
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home. End of the 21-day adventure.
Location Map
Frequently Asked & Question
This trek is designed for physically fit and experienced trekkers who are comfortable with long days, high altitude (over 4,500 m) and remote conditions. Only attempt if you have prior high-altitude trekking experience.
Summer months (June–August) are ideal for this route when domestic flights are operating and glacier travel is most feasible.
It is a technically demanding section involving a steep descent where fixed ropes are required and crevasses may be encountered. Proper equipment and strong guide support are mandatory.
The highest altitude reached is Snow Lake (~4,877 m) and the pass crossing may reach higher. Several consecutive days involve 6-8+ hours of trekking on glaciers or high camps.
Domestic flights to Skardu may be cancelled due to weather. The itinerary includes contingency days and sometimes jeep-drive alternatives. Flexibility is required.
Essentials include high-altitude sleeping bag (down), warm layers, waterproof outer shell, trekking boots suitable for ice/rock, crampons, ice-axe/harness if required, trekking poles, glacier travel gloves, sun-protection, and personal medications.
Book Your Tour
For more details, please fill out the form below. Our team will get back to you shortly.
Join The Newsletter
Get updates on Expedition & treks offers
Leave a comment: