LATEST
K2 Summer Expeditions 2026 β€” Now Accepting Bookings New Trek Added: Batura Glacier β€” Gilgit Zone Government Verified & Registered Agency Β· Skardu, GB 24/7 Customer Support Β· WhatsApp: +92 341 153 7783 Best Price Guarantee on All Packages Winter K2 Expedition Season Β· December – February K2 Summer Expeditions 2026 β€” Now Accepting Bookings New Trek Added: Batura Glacier β€” Gilgit Zone Government Verified & Registered Agency Β· Skardu, GB 24/7 Customer Support Β· WhatsApp: +92 341 153 7783 Best Price Guarantee on All Packages Winter K2 Expedition Season Β· December – February

Iqbal Top Trek (Kande/ Kanday)

Iqbal Top Trek (Kande / Kanday)

Ghanche District, Baltistan β€” 4,200m

Iqbal Top is one of the most magnificent yet accessible viewpoint treks in the Karakoram. Located directly above Kande or Kanday Village , this high ridge trek offers a panoramic view of Nanga Parbat, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I & II, Masherbrum (K1), and Laila Peak from a single summit vantage point.

Because Iqbal Top can be reached in just 2 to 3 days of trekking from the roadhead at Kande or Kanday, it serves as an ideal short trekking itinerary or an acclimatization trek before tackling high-altitude routes like K2 Base Camp or Gondogoro La.

Key Trek Specs

Attribute Details
Max Elevation 4,200m (Iqbal Top Ridge)
Location Kande / Hushe Valley, Ghanche District, Gilgit-Baltistan
Trek Grade Moderate Alpine Ridge Trek
Permit Status Open AreaΒ  (No Trekking Visa, No NOC Permit & NoΒ  Licensed Guide isΒ  Required)
Primary Base Skardu β†’ Khaplu β†’ Kande / Kanday Village (2,900m)
Best Season June to October
DAY 01 | Arrival in Islamabad

β›° 540m

Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Pre-trek briefing on logistics, permits, and gear checks.

🏠 Hotel in Islamabad

DAY 02 | Islamabad to Skardu (or Drive to Chilas)

Take a scenic morning flight over the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges to Skardu (weather permitting). If flights are canceled due to mountain weather, begin the overland drive along the Karakoram Highway to Chilas.

🏠 Hotel in Skardu or Chilas

DAY 03 | Chilas to Skardu (Overland Reserve / Acclimatization)

β›° 2,230m | ⏱ 8–9 hours drive

If driving overland, complete the journey along the Indus River into Skardu. If arrived by air on Day 2, spend the day exploring Kharpocho Fort, Katpana Cold Desert, or Shangrila Lake.

🏠 Hotel in Skardu

DAY 04 | Skardu to Khaplu & Kande or Kanday Village

β›° 2,900m | ⏱ 4–5 hours drive

Drive in 4x4 vehicles past Serena Khaplu Palace and follow the Shyok River up into the Hushe Valley to Kande / Kanday Village. Meet local porters, organize camp gear, and prepare for tomorrow's ascent.

πŸ• Camp / Guest House in Kande or Kanday Village

DAY 05 | Kande or Kanday Village to High Camp

β›° 3,700m | ⏱ 4–5 hours trek

Begin the steady ascent directly above Kande or Kanday Village. The trail zigzags through steep alpine pastures and summer grazing grounds, offering views back down into the Shyok and Hushe river valleys.

πŸ• Camp at High Camp

DAY 06 | High Camp to Iqbal Top Summit Viewpoint & Return to Kande or Kanday

β›° 4,200m | ⏱ 5–6 hours round-trip trek

Ascend the remaining ridge line to reach the summit of Iqbal Top (4,200m). Enjoy a 360-degree panorama encompassing K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrum massifs, Masherbrum, and Laila Peak. Descend back past High Camp to Kande or Kanday Village.

πŸ• Camp / Guest House in Kande or Kanday Village

DAY 07 | Kande or Kanday Village to Khaplu & Skardu

β›° 2,230m | ⏱ 4–5 hours drive

Drive back down the Hushe and Shyok valleys, stopping at Khaplu Palace and Chaqchan Mosque before returning to Skardu. Afternoon free for relaxing or shopping in Skardu Bazaar.

🏠 Hotel in Skardu

DAY 08 | Skardu to Islamabad (or Drive to Chilas)

β›° 540m / 1,265m

Fly to Islamabad (weather permitting). If flights are grounded, begin the return drive along the Karakoram Highway to Chilas.

🏠 Hotel in Chilas or Islamabad

DAY 09 | Chilas to Islamabad / Reserve Day

β›° 540m

Complete the overland drive to Islamabad or use this reserve day as a buffer for mountain flight delays.

🏠 Hotel in Islamabad

DAY 10 | International Departure

Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward international departure flight home.

✈ Airport Transfer

Foot

  • Walking/ hiking boots.
  • Gaiters. A pair of knee high gaiters used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground.
  • Wool Socks and liner socks.
  • Sandals (for use around camp and river crossings).
  • Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used on arrival to camp.

Clothing

  • Gore-Tex shell jacket and trousers. For use if it rains or snows during the trek.
  • Light trekking trousers. Minimum two pairs of trousers.
  • Long sleeve, light colored polypropylene shirts. Minimum two shirts.
  • Microfleece.
  • Mid to heavyweight fleece jacket (Polartec 200 to 300).
  • Sleeveless/ gilet or body warmer type fleece. This will help keep your core warm while not bulking when layering up. Gilet fleece can be used in combination with base layers, other fleeces and down jacket to provide maximum warmth and insulation.
  • Lightweight synthetic long underwear for both top & bottom.
  • Light to mid weight fleece pants (Polartec 100 to 200).
  • Medium weight down jacket (recommended

Hand Wear

  • Fleece gloves.
  • Warms mittens and/or gloves

Head Wear

  • Warm wool or fleecy hat/balaclava.
  • Sun hat or baseball cap.
  • Bandana or scarf. Very useful for the often dusty jeep rides and for protection on hot days
  • Light weight climber’s headlamp for use at night around the camp. Bring extra batteries and spare bulbs.
  • High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Most effective for blocking sunlight are the wrap around type or side covers

Personal Equipment

  • 4 season sleeping bag (maximum overnight low -15C).
  • Fleece or silk liner for your sleeping bag. A liner protects your sleeping bag from getting dirty and helps by adding extra insulation to keep you warm at night.
  • Thermosets self-inflating pad and/or foam mat.
  • Backpack. Recommended size is 50 liters or larger as you need to have enough space to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing as well down jacket for days on the glacier. It is also a good idea to bring a pack cover to keep the contents dry.
  • Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized. Or even better are fold dry bags such as from Expend.
  • Two 1 liter water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best) and Camelback type water carrier 2 liter capacity. Β·

Pee bottle. Highly recommended as means you do not have to get up to find toilet tent at night! For men you can use an old water bottle for women take a look at She Wee at http://www.shewee.com/ Β· Sunscreen and lip salve with an SPF 30 or better.

  • Insect repellent.
  • Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Acqua or Acqa Mira). You will be provided with boiled water at camp however if you refill water bottle at a water tap or steam during the day you should use water purifiers.
  • Hand sanitizer. We suggest you keep this in your day pack for use after a toilet break during the trek or before eating any snacks.
  • Favorite snack food.
  • Paperback books, iPod and cards.
  • Trekking poles (Black Diamond with β€œFlick Lock” are best). Having two poles is mandatory as required for your safety on steep and loose sections of the trail and for walking through deep snow higher up.
  • Umbrella. You are likely to get some rain on this trek and also useful for providing shade when hot. Β· Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
  • Insurance certificate
  • Baby wipes (optional)
Q1: What permits are needed for the Iqbal Top Trek?
A: As part of the open zone in Ghanche District, foreign trekkersΒ  do not require a Trekking Visa, an official NOC / Restricted Area Permit issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department.
Q2: How difficult is the Iqbal Top Trek?
A: The trek is rated Moderate. While it does not require crossing glaciers or technical ice fields, it involves a steep sustained uphill ascent over short distances. Good hiking conditioning and trekking poles are recommended.
Q3: Can Iqbal Top be combined with other treks in the Hushe Valley?
A: Yes. Because Kande lies on the road to Hushe, Iqbal Top is frequently added as a 2-day prelude or warm-up trek before doing the Masherbrum Base Camp, Laila Peak Base Camp, or Charakusa Valley treks

Fill up the Form

Inquiry Form

Affiliated with & Licence

Affiliated 1
Affiliated 2
Affiliated 3
Chat with us on WhatsApp
Scroll to Top