Group Size: 6 to 12
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Tour Duration
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13 days
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Trek Duration
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06 days
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Distance
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60 km
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Standard
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Demanding
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Season
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July-September
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Highest Points
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Punji Pass (4680m) and Attar Pass (4650m)
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Start
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Gholtoli Handis – Ishkoman Ghizer District
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Finish
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Ghotulti – Ishkoman Ghizer District
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Zone and Permit
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Open
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Summary
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This traverse of the Hindu Raj Range (Hindukush Range), through unspoiled traditional valleys with spring- fed meadows and superb alpine vistas, crosses a straightforward pass with opportunities for climbs and first ascents.
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Punji Pass (4680m) links Darkot at the Yasin Valley’s head to Ghotulti in Iskhoman. The pass is named after a distinctive cairn (punji in Burushaski) 2.25km west of, and 350m below, the pass, marking the highest possible camp site on the west side of the pass. The pass is also called Iskhoman Haghost by Darkot villagers. It’s also occasionally called the Iskhoman Pass (as is the Asumbar Haghost to the south). This trek is often preceded by the Asumbar Haghost trek (p).
ATAR PASS
Atar, a less well- known but very scenic pass between the Yasin and Iskhoman Valleys in District Ghizer of Gilgit Baltistan, is usually open July to September. Atar is also the name of a large lake, which flows into the Mathantir Gah (in Burushaski, mathan means ‘far’; tir, a ‘valley’). Schomberg explored this route in 1933 and village elders in Ghotulti still remember him. Atar is a longer, but seemingly easier route between Darkot and Ghotulti than the Punji Pass.
Itinerary
Day 1: Islamabad
Arrival at Islamabad and transfer to your hotel (no meals)
Day 2: Islamabad to Gilgit
Fly to Gilgit and then drive to Chatorkhan Ishkoman
Overnight stay at Chatorkhan Ishkoman (Hotel Bam e Dunya Chatorkhan, B)
Note: in case of flight cancellation, drive from Islamabad to Chilas (480 km; 12 to 14 hours)
Day 3: Chatorkhan Ishkoman
Full day to acclimatize and walk around the village
Overnight stay at Chatorkhan Ishkoman (Hotel Bam e Dunya, B)
Note: In case of flight cancellation, drive from Chilas to Chatorkhan Ishkoman (200 km; 6 to 8 hours)
Day 4 Chatorkhan to Handis
2½ hours, 40 km, 446m ascent
Drive in FWDs to Ghotolti (2 hours) and then first camp night at Handis to acclimatize (tents, BLD)
Day 5 : Handis to Holojut
7½ hours, 17.7km, 940m ascent (tents,BLD)
Day 6 : Holojut to Boimoshani
7 hours, 8.9km, 720m ascent, 810m ascent (tents, BLD)
Day 7 : Boimoshani to Upper Darkot
5- 6 hours, 9.6km, 1200m descent (tents, BLD)
Day 8: Bhorki Darkut to Attar Glacier base
6 – 8 hours, 1200 ascent (4600 m Attar Pass) (tents,BLD)
Day 9: Attar Glacier base to Attar Lake
4 – 5 hours, 1500 ascent (tents,BLD)
The descent is steep to Atar Lake, a greenish lake 4km long. The path skirts its south shore with a camp site at its east end.
Day 10: Attar Lake to Handis – Chatorkhan Ishkoman
4 – 5 hours, 1200m ascent (tents, BLD)
Day 11: Chatorkhan to Gilgit
Drive to Gilgit (Ramada Gilgit or Avari Xpresss Hotel, B)
Day 12: Gilgit to Islamabad
Fly to Islamabad (Roomy Signature or Hill View Hotel,B)
In case of flight cancellation, drive from Gilgit to Besham (330 km; 10 to 12 hours)
Day 13: Islamabad
Morning at Islamabad and afternoon transfer to airport
End of tour
