Tour Description

Pakistan is one of those destinations where photography begins long before reaching the mountains. From the first images of Islamabad to the long journey towards Skardu, the landscape changes continuously, and as we approach the Karakoram, we enter a spectacular and still relatively little-known world. The Indus Valley, villages perched on mountain slopes, roads carved into the rock and, finally, the great mountain ranges of the Karakoram create a photographic setting where landscapes, people and everyday life naturally come together. We will not be looking only for spectacular images, but also for those moments when light, atmosphere and the presence of people tell the story of a place.

This tour is built around high-altitude landscapes, morning and evening light, and encounters with local communities. The Karakoram offers an impressive scale of landscape: immense valleys, glaciers, rock walls and peaks rising above 7,000 metres, all changing dramatically with the light. We will have time for sunrises and sunsets, for observation, and for returning to a location when photographic conditions call for it. Between the great mountain landscapes, we will encounter villages, people, portraits, markets and details of a culture that has preserved much of its traditional identity.

Trekking is what allows us to truly enter this landscape. The journey into the mountains is not simply a succession of kilometres, but a slow passage through territories that change from day to day. We will walk through narrow and wide valleys, along mountain trails and through isolated villages, gradually ascending towards the high-altitude world of the Karakoram. The approximately 17 days of the journey include both the approach to and return from the Skardu area, as well as the trekking itself, allowing enough time for both acclimatisation and photography. The overland journey between Islamabad and Skardu and back is also part of the experience. It is longer than flying, but offers a much richer perspective on Pakistan and on the way the landscape transforms as we enter the north of the country.

This is a tour for those who want to combine two passions: photography and mountains. It is not an expedition where the goal is to reach the destination as quickly as possible, but a journey where every stage can become a photographic story. We will walk, climb, wait for the light, photograph and continue our journey. And in the end, what remains is not only the image of spectacular mountains, but the story of a journey through one of the most impressive and least explored mountain landscapes in the world.

“Travel as a photographer” with Mihai Moiceanu.

Itinerary:

• Day 01 – Arrival in Islamabad – Arrival in Islamabad. Day for settling in and resting. Overnight at a hotel.

• Day 02 – Islamabad to Skardu – Transfer to Skardu. Overnight at a hotel in Skardu.

• Day 03 – Skardu, 2,228 m – Group briefing, equipment check and completion of administrative formalities and permits. Overnight at a hotel in Skardu.

• Day 04 – Skardu to Askole, 3,000 m – Private 4x4 jeep transfer through the Braldu Canyon, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a tented camp in Askole.

• Day 05 – Askole to Jhola, 3,200 m – Warm-up trekking along the Braldu River Valley, 5–6 hours. Overnight in a tented camp in Jhola.

• Day 06 – Jhola to Paiju, 3,450 m – Trekking towards the gateway to the Baltoro Glacier, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a tented camp in Paiju.

• Day 07 – Paiju to Urdukas, 4,050 m – Entering the majestic Baltoro Glacier and trekking to Urdukas, 7–8 hours. Overnight in a tented camp, with spectacular direct views of the Trango Towers.

• Day 08 – Urdukas – Acclimatisation and Photography Day – Full day based in Urdukas. This is the main acclimatisation stage at altitude and a day dedicated to photographing the granite towers under changing light conditions.

• Day 09 – Urdukas to Goro II, 4,380 m – Trekking across the glacier into the wilderness of the Karakoram range, 6–7 hours. Overnight in a tented camp on the glacier.

• Day 10 – Goro II to Concordia, 4,600 m – Trekking towards Concordia, the “Throne Room of the Mountain Gods”, 4–5 hours. First sunset photography session, focusing on K2 and Broad Peak. Overnight in a tented camp.

• Day 11 – Concordia – First Photography Day – Broad Peak Base Camp.

• Day 12 – Concordia – Second Photography Day – Abruzzi Glacier area.

• Day 13 – Concordia – Third Photography Day – Reserve day for weather conditions or viewpoints overlooking the Concordia junction.

• Day 14 – Concordia to Ali Camp, 4,800 m – Trekking along the upper Vigne Glacier towards the base of the pass, 5–6 hours. Early rest in preparation for the night crossing.

• Day 15 – Ali Camp to Dalchangpa, 4,150 m, via Gondogoro La, 5,585 m – Alpine departure during the night, at approximately 1:00 AM. Technical crossing of Gondogoro La followed by a steep descent towards Dalchangpa, 8–10 hours. Overnight in a tented camp.

• Day 16 – Dalchangpa to Saicho, 3,350 m – Relaxed descent through the green alpine meadows of Saicho, 4–5 hours. Overnight in a tented camp.

• Day 17 – Saicho to Hushe to Skardu – Short trek to the village of Hushe, approximately 2 hours, followed by a private 4x4 jeep transfer back to Skardu, 5–6 hours. Overnight at a hotel.

• Day 18 – Skardu to Islamabad – Return transfer from Skardu to Islamabad, either by domestic flight or overland via the Karakoram Highway, depending on flight availability. Overnight at a hotel.

• Day 19 – Islamabad – Reserve day in Islamabad. Overnight at a hotel.

• Day 20 – Departure for home

Price: $ 3500/person

Single supplement: 200 $ (available only in Islamabad).

Initial deposit: $ 1,000/person

Payment deadlines:

• Deposit payment: by 15.03.2027

• Final payment: by 15.05.2027

Group size: 8 participants
Minimum number of participants: 4 people. If the group has fewer than 4 participants, the PhotoTOUR may still take place, but the price will be recalculated according to the final group size.

Companions: the price for companions is the same as for participants.

Accommodation:

• 3-star hotel, shared twin room in Islamabad and Skardu

• Mountain tented camp, shared two-person tent.

Meals:

• Breakfast in Islamabad and Skardu.

• Three meals per day during the mountain trek.

Transport:

• local transfers by minibus; mountain transfers by 4x4 vehicles

Price includes:

• Accommodation with breakfast in Islamabad and Skardu.

• Accommodation in mountain tented camps with three meals per day, based on double occupancy.

• Porter service, maximum luggage allowance of 20 kg.

• English-speaking local guide.

• 4x4 vehicle transfers at the beginning and end of the trekking route.

• Assistance during the crossing of Gondogoro La Pass at 5,585 m.

• Gondogoro La Pass crossing fee.

• Photography guidance and instruction by Mihai Moiceanu.

Price does not include:

• Meals other than those specified as included.

• International flights.

• Medical and travel insurance.

• Travel cancellation insurance.

• National park and ecological fees, USD 150 + USD 190.

• Pakistani visa fee.

• Islamabad to Skardu and return transfer. This can be arranged either by domestic flight, approximately USD 375/person, or by rented minibus, approximately USD 175/person.

• Glacier equipment, including 4-season mountaineering boots, crampons, harness, ascender, safety lanyard, descender and locking carabiner. This equipment is mandatory. It can be rented in Skardu if you do not have it or prefer not to bring it with you.

• Tips

Payment method:

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account opened at Banca Transilvania. To secure a place on the tour, the initial deposit payment is required. Payments can be made in USD or in Romanian lei, calculated at the official exchange rate of the National Bank of Romania on the day of payment + 3% currency risk coefficient. After registration, participants will receive an email with detailed information about the photo tour.

Note: By submitting the registration form, you agree to the terms and conditions of this website, which form an integral part of the contract between the tourist and the agency.