Ice climbing in the Karakoram is one of the newest and wildest winter adventures on Earth. In winter 2024, Discover Karakoram organised the first ice climbing expedition in the Pakistani Karakoram, when a Spanish French team led by Rafa Vadillo opened four new icefalls in the Hushe valley: Shoma Chan (175 m, WI 4+), Wasoq Left (250 m, WI 3+), Wasoq Right (120 m, WI 4+ above a frozen stream of about 300 m) and Lower Tisar (75 m, WI 4+). The climb was reported by Desnivel, Barrabes and Cumbres magazine. During the trip the team trained our local guides Ali Hassan, Ahmed Fata, Khadim Ali and Karim Hushevi on steep ice. Since then we have hosted ice climbing in Hushe every winter, with walls of about 200 m to 300 m. Hushe village (about 3,050 m to 3,200 m) is the home of our team and the base for every climb: you sleep in a heated guesthouse, walk to the ice in the morning and come back to a warm stove at night, with Masherbrum (7,821 m) above the valley. The season runs from about 15 December to 15 February, and our next fixed group departure starts in Islamabad on 20 January 2027.
| 1 | Departure/Return Location | International Airport, Islamabad |
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| 2 | Mountain Range: Karakoram | Region: Hushe valley, Gilgit Baltistan |
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| 3 | Elevation: About 3,200 m to 4,000 m | Best Time: 15 December to 15 February |
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| 4 | Duration: 14 Days | Fixed departure: 20 January 2027 |
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Day 1 (20 January 2027)Arrive in Islamabad (540 m)Our team meets you at Islamabad airport and takes you to your hotel. Evening briefing about the trip, winter conditions and gear check. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2Fly to Skardu (2,230 m)Morning flight over the snowy Himalaya past Nanga Parbat to Skardu, about one hour. Winter flights depend on the weather; if the flight is cancelled we drive the Karakoram Highway instead. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3Skardu: gear check and preparationCheck and fit ice tools, crampons and harnesses, buy last supplies and visit the frozen Skardu valley. Spare day for flight delays. Overnight in hotel.
Day 4Drive from Skardu to Hushe (3,050 m)About 6 hours by jeep along the frozen Shyok river and through Khaplu into the Hushe valley, home of our guides. Stay in a heated local guesthouse with a traditional wood stove. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 5Shoma Chan icefall (175 m, WI 4+)Short walk from the village to Shoma Chan, a beautiful 175 m icefall first climbed in 2024. Steep pillars and good thick ice for a first day on Karakoram ice. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 6Wasoq Left (250 m, WI 3+)A long and moderate 250 m line in a granite gully, perfect for multi pitch climbing. This is the route where our local guides were trained in 2024. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 7Rest day in Hushe villageRest, dry your gear and enjoy winter life with Hushe families: tea by the stove, walks in the snowy fields and views of Masherbrum (7,821 m). Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 8Wasoq Right (up to 300 m)The big day: a steep 120 m WI 4+ section above a long frozen stream of about 300 m in total, one of the tallest ice lines in the valley. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 9Tisar icefallA demanding approach to the Tisar icefalls, with steep WI 4+ ice on the lower section and longer lines above. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 10Exploration day: new ice in upper Hushe and the Aling valleyFor strong teams, a day to explore and try new, unclimbed ice lines in the Aling valley or upper Hushe. Others repeat their favourite route. Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 11Drive from Hushe to SkarduAbout 6 hours back to Skardu. Hot shower and a farewell dinner. Overnight in hotel.
Day 12Fly to IslamabadFlight to Islamabad (or the Karakoram Highway if cancelled). Overnight in hotel.
Day 13Contingency day in IslamabadSpare day for winter flight or road delays. Overnight in hotel.
Day 14Fly homeTransfer to Islamabad airport for your flight home.
Services Include:| Airport pick up and drop off in Islamabad |
| Hotel in Islamabad on bed and breakfast as per itinerary |
| Hotel in Skardu on full board as per itinerary |
| Domestic flights Islamabad to Skardu and back (road travel by private vehicle if flights are cancelled) |
| Jeep transport Skardu to Hushe and back |
| Heated local guesthouse in Hushe with all meals |
| Experienced local ice climbing guides from Hushe |
| Group ropes, ice screws and anchors |
| Porters or horses to carry gear on longer approaches |
| All local fees |
| First aid kit |
| Wages, food and insurance for all staff |
| International flights to and from Islamabad |
| Pakistan visa fee |
| Travel, medical and rescue insurance that covers ice climbing |
| Lunch and dinner in Islamabad |
| Personal ice climbing gear (ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet, boots) and winter clothing |
| Extra hotel nights or meals caused by flight delays or road closures |
| Excess baggage on domestic flights |
| Drinks, laundry and personal expenses |
| Tips for guides and staff |
| Anything not listed under included services |
Ice Climbing in Hushe Valley, Karakoram (14 Days) on Google Maps:
