darakot pass treks
Darkot pass 15,430 ft., open May through October) is a high mountain pass that connects Broghil Valley in Chitral and and Rawat valley of Ghizer District in Gilgit, Pakistan. It is also known as “Darkut”.
The pass is about 10 miles to the east of Koyo Zom (Zum) (6872m), the highest peak in Ghizer district. The border between Chitral and Northern Areas runs through the pass over Darkot Glacier. Eight miles to the south is Darkot village on the River Darkot, a small tributary of Ghizer). To the southwest of Darkot pass is Chitral. Ten miles to the northwest of the pass is Chilmarabad, a village one mile south of the Boroghil pass.
On this trek Darkot to Darkot Pass (4575m), the lateral moraine of the glacier then walks down the middle of the wide flat Darkot Glacier, crossing crevasses and stream for an easy (3-4 hrs) to Chikar Yarkhun Valley.
In all directions are views of Granite Peaks interspersed with glaciers. A glaciated ridge 200m high separates from the Zindikharam Glacier, so you can look then walk to up the Zindikharam to Lalay Rabat, at the top of the Boroghil region. Descent is much steeper on the Darkot side and the glacier is wet and slippery in the morning sun (crampons are recommended for the members). Keep to the right going to the glacier and on the first bowl below the snout, cross to the left bank and join a well-made path the zigzags steeply go up to the bottom of the Yarkhun Valley.
| Day 01 | Arrive Islamabad. |
| Day 02 | Briefing at Ministry of Tourism. Meeting with LO (Liaison Officer) |
| Day 03 | Fly to Skardu (1 hr) or drive to Chilas |
| Day 04 | Day free at Skardu or drive Chilas – Skardu (8-10 hrs) |
| Day 05 | Free Day at Skardu for final preparation |
| Day 06 | Skardu – Askole (6-7 hrs) |
| Day 07 | Trek to Jhula near Domardo River. (8-9 hours) |
| Day 08 | Trek to Paiyu provides good views of Baltoro South, Cathedral Towers and triangle of K2 at far view (5-7 hrs) |
| Day 09 | Day free at Paiyu for acclimatization (3600 m) |
| Day 10 | 10 Trek to Urdukus: To Khuburtze (8-9 hrs): A gradual climb up Baltoro Glacier on The southern edge. The walk mostly along the crest of lateral moraine, with stunning views of Paiyu Peak, Chorichi, Uli Biaho, Trango Towers and so on. A good camp site at 4200 m |
| Day 11 | Goro II: The first hour walk is across difficult side crevasses; however the way is Smoother and easy in the center. Continue opposite of Yermanendo Glacier for 3-4 hrs to the camp site at 4500 meters pitched in the center of the glacier. |
| Day 12 | Concordia: 5-6 hours slightly easy walk, with spectacular views and gigantic mountain panorama, including Mustagh Tower, GB IV, Mitre Peak and the mighty K2. Camp at Concordia at 4700 m |
| Day 13 | 4-5 hours trek to K2 base camp |
| Day 14-49 | Climb K2. No. of days depends on weather, fitness, and experience of the climbers |
| Day 50-56 | Return to Askole or Hushe and drive to Skardu. In case of trek via Gondogoro number of trekking days can be lesser |
| Day 57 | Fly to Islamabad or drive to Chilas. |
| Day 58 | Day free at Islamabad or drive to Islamabad. |
| Day 59 | De-briefing at the ministry of tourism. |
| Day 60 | Fly to destination. |
Equipment List
Equipment List We are providing you with three lists for the Trek. List 1 and 2 contain items and equipments that you must bring. The third list contains optional items you might need on your trekking holiday. Based on your own judgment you can select things that you might need from the third list.
1 – Must Bring Items:
- First Aid Pack (Diamox (Altitude), Dioralite (re-hydration salts), antiseptic cream, blister treatment, throat lozenges, plasters, Imodium (diarrhea treatment), painkillers)
- Hiking Backpack (Day Pack) 32-42 Litres
- Fleece jacket with hood or a warm jumper
- Mittens or gloves
- Gloves (Thermal)
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Hiking boots
- Sleeping bag (-16°C comfort rated)
- Sandals (sports) or old shoes (to cross rivers)
- Sun protection cream (including total block for nose, lips etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Thermarest or any similar mat/pad for sleeping
- Warm hat
- Warm jacket (down)
- Water bottles 1 liter (x2)
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Antibacterial hand wash
- Shirts/T-shirts
- Socks
- Spare laces
- Underwear (normal and thermal)
- Trekking poles (highly recommended)
- Wash-bag and toiletries
- Walking socks (2/3 pairs)
- Baselayer – leggings (Thermal)
- Trekking Trousers
- Baselayer thermal shirts (2 long sleeves, 2 short sleeves)
- Mountaineering equipment (See “List 2” below)
List 2 – Mountaineering Equipments:
- Crampons
- Mountaineering boots that must be compatible with your crampons. Minimum Grade B2.
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Karabiner/Carabiner (screwgate type x 2)
- Climbing helmet
- Prusik loops X two (2) – (4 meters of 6 mm cord makes up 2)
- Sling (120 cm)
List 3 – Optional:
- Buff or scarf
- Small padlock (for locking your bag)
- Camera
- Insect repellant
- Pen-knife (important: pack sharp tools in hold luggage)
- Repair kit (e.g. thread, needle, duct tape)
- Liner (for sleeping bag)
- Travel clothes
- Bottle for Pee
Minimum Group Participants and holiday Status:
Six (6) registrations, or the minimum number of participant bookings, are needed to conduct the “Fixed departures”. Even though we frequently have multiple visitors for each scheduled departure, we think it’s vital to note. On this page, you can verify the status of your travel. Status “available” indicates that we are accepting reservations, while “guaranteed” indicates that we have attracted the necessary number of travellers and that the trip will depart on the specified dates. We will stay in touch with every registered visitor. We will promptly walk you through the process of applying for a visa and booking flights to Pakistan, among other things. Travel papers and a visa In general, a passport with an expiration date later than six months is required to apply for a visa to Pakistan.
We advise you to get in touch with the closest embassy or consulate of Pakistan in your country for more trustworthy and up-to-date information. We anticipate that you will be fully accountable for making sure you have the proper travel documentation. Generally, if you are travelling to non-EU nations, you must make sure your travel document (passport) has two blank pages for each nation you intend to visit. To travel to Pakistan for trekking, you must have a visitor’s visa. Individuals with work visas who are already in Pakistan or overseas need to wait up to 6 weeks for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). The prerequisites and cost for a tourist visa to Pakistan are typically under $200, however you should contact Pakistani consulates in your area for for information.