Overview
Laila Peak (also spelt Leyla or Lila Peak) is one of the most beautiful mountains in Pakistan – if not the world with its summit forming a perfect needle shape. The peak is synonymous with its west face which drops down the mountains at almost uniform gradient forming a giant ramp Its northern and eastern sides consist of contrasting steep granite. The mountain is located east of the Gondogoro valley and west of the Chogolisa valley in the Masherbrum Mountains of Baltistan. Most people have set eyes on the peak after crossing the Gondogoro La from Concordia and K2 base camp.
Like many peaks of this height in the Karakoram climbed in the 80s and 90s, the first ascents were done illegally without the relevant permits. Climbs therefore received limited initial acknowledgement. The first ascent was by a four man British team including Simon Yates, Sean Smith and Mark Miller who climbed the peak in 1987 via the west face from the Gondogoro Glacier. This was Simon Yates’ first big climb since the epic on Siula Grande in 1985. While technically being an ‘unofficial’ climb it became as official as any ‘official’ climb when Simon Yates dedicated a chapter of his biographical book “The Flame of Adventure” on the climb. This included a number of excellent photos of the climb.
Itinerary
Depart from your own destination, arriving Islamabad the next day and transfer to the hotel for a few hours’ sleep. After an early breakfast we return to the airport for the flight to Skardu, which usually departs mid-morning. Given good weather this is perhaps the most spectacular commercial flight in the world, with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat the ninth highest mountain in the world. The flight however will not operate in poor weather, and you must be prepared for a wait in Islamabad if the flight is cancelled
In case of cancellation of flight (13-14 hrs) drive by coach to Chilas (480 km) on Karakoram Highway. Or Drive to Chilas via the Babusar Pass 4173m. Babusar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.173 m (13,691 ft) above the sea level. The pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley, Pakistan. The pass connects the Kaghan Valley via the ThakNala with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. It’s one of the famous hair pinned roads in the world.
Complete road journey (10-11 hrs) to Skardu (275 km) En-route has good view of Nanga Parbat (8125m) at junction of Indus River and the rapids and fall of Indus River.
Full day for official formalities and final preparation of Expedition at Skardu.
Drive from Skardu to Hushe village (3050m), we continue our journey by comfortabe Jeep, Toyota's to bring us spectacular Indus River and Shyok River. while our jeep ride we crossed various village, each of them them have unique culture however the language are same. En route we cross number of Nallahs which fed by melt waters and some point have spring water as well. Hushe is the highest altitude in the area and last road end village where we stay in Hotel rather to camping.
Three to four hours trek through summer pastures and shepherd huts and along the Gondogoro River, enjoying spectacular views of K6 (7282m), K7 (6934m), and Linksar (7041m) we reach Shaircho. Overnight and meal in camp.
We continue on trekking up to the Gondogoro glacier, passing a camp at Dalsan and once off the glacier pleasant trekking through yak pastures and passing trees (the first we have seen since Paiju) 6-7 hours walking total.
We continue on down the Gondogoro glacier, passing a camp at Dalsan and once off the glacier pleasant trekking through yak pastures and passing trees (the first we have seen since Paiju) take us to the village of Shaisho and on to the road head at Hushe. 7 to 8 hours walking total
Three to four hours trek through summer pastures and shepherd huts and along the Gondogoro River, enjoying spectacular views of K6 (7282m), K7 (6934m), and Linksar (7041m) we reach Hushe village and then drive to Skardu for overnight.
Transfer to airport for flight to Islamabad if the flight operates otherwise drive (9 hours) to Chilas along the Karakorum Highway. Meals and overnight at hotel.
Free day in Islamabad or drive to Islamabad from Chilas for 12 hours.
Transfer to Islamabad international airport and onward to your own destination.
Costs
The Cost Include
- All airports pick & Drops on arrival and departures.
- Air condition Transportation for Briefing & De-briefing in Alpine club of Pakistan / Ministry of Tourism.
- Transportation for sightseeing.
- Both Way domestic flights between Islamabad – Skardu.
- Both ways Air condition coaster / mini bus / car between Islamabad – Skardu.
- 4x4 Jeep / Toyotas between Skardu – Hushe both ways.
- Two nights in Islamabad 3*/4* Hotel accommodation with bed & breakfast.
- Two nights in Chilas best standard Hotel accommodation with full board.
- Three nights in Skardu best standard Hotel accommodation with full board.
- Two night in Hushe village Hotel accommodation with full board.
- Trekking Permit
- Documentation.
- Visa facilitation letter.
- Professional guide to transfer expedition to base camp.
- way up 50kg to transfer at base camp for 6000-7000m Expedition.
- Way down from base camp 25kg allow for 6000m-7000m Expedition.
- Necessary base camp staff (base camp manager, Chief, Cook, and Assistance & Waiters.
- Three meals a day and tea – coffee – snacks during the trek and base camp stays.
- Solar panel / generator for light and battery charge at base camp.
- Comfortable foam / mattress while trekking and base camp.
- A north face tent provide as individual member at base camp.
- Hot shower and toilet tents.
- Comfortable chairs and table while trekking and base camp stays.
- Complete camping setup with dinning & kitchen tents while trekking and base camp.
- Imported and local foods during trekking and base camp stay.
- Heating in dinning tent at base camp.
- Medical first aid kit for group and staff.
- Satellite phone for emergency calling at base camp.
- Walkies talkie for base camp communication.
- All camping and bridge crossing fee.
- CKNP west management fee and Gondogoro La rescue fee.
- Assistance for international tickets reconfirmation.
- Farewell dinner will served in Skardu / Islamabad.
- Bamboo Sticks for 6000m -7000m Expedition if require.
The cost doesn't include
- Member international flight tickets.
- Members any Climbing / trekking gears.
- Sleeping bag and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks,
- Room service, gratuities for personal services, items of a purely personal nature.
- Staff tips, We recommend you to give small bonus for our local staff.
- Mini bars while staying in hotels / travelling.
- Member personal insurance.
- Custom clearing charges (import and export of equipment)
- Oxygen, Mask & regulator sets,
- EPI Gas, Ropes, Ice screws, snow bar, cooking pots beyond base camp.
- RECOMMENDATION:- We recommend our clients to deposit helicopter rescue aviation deposit in advance $5000/- the entire money is refundable if not use. In case any emergency happen on remote mountain range then we fly helicopter on time to save life.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE:- It is a strongly recommend that while booking treks and tours with us that travelers/trekkers must be protected by insurance themselves that covers cancellation, accidents, health, emergency evacuation, and loss of items, or damage to baggage and personal effects.
Maps
Equipment List
- KNIFE: A knife should be light, simple and medium sized recommended.
- -20F DOWN SLEEPING BAG A (-20 sleeping bag) require and should be include correct sized compression stuff.
- LIPS LOSE: Several tubes of SPF 30+ lips lose. As with sunscreen,
- JACKETS:- Polar fleece jacket (wool sweater may be used but not recommended). Windproof / waterproof breathable jacket Gore tex or similar. Down jacket (optional but may be very useful during the cold nights and for trekking or mountaineering trips).
- PANTS:- Regular pants (better if they can transform to shorts). Polar fleece pants (optional but may be useful during the cold nights and for trekking or mountaineering trips).
- UNDERWEAR. Long top and bottom (synthetic mid weight thermal underwear better).
- SOCKS. Regular cotton socks. Thick wool socks recommended for trekking or mountaineering trips
- SHIRT. Long sleeve shirts recommended; in the highlands prevent from sunburn (also helpful when traveling to the jungle to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes).
- FOOT WEAR. Light weight boots or shoes for regular traveling.
- HAT. Polar fleece head band, wool hat, or balaclava for the night, and sun hat with brim for the day.
- GLOVES. Thin gloves for regular traveling. Other clothing. Bathing suit and bandanas are optional but may be useful.
- PLASTIC BOOTS. Recommended for mountaineering trips on glaciers and above 6,000m (20,000ft), make sure they fit your crampons and do not hurt your feet.
- LEATHER BOOTS. Recommended for short mountaineering trips usually below 6,000m (20,000ft). They are also good for “Trekking peak” trips to high volcanoes.
- CRAMPONS. 12-point automatic crampons with protective bag recommended.
- GAITERS. Useful for trekking trips as well. • Ice axe. Long glacier Ice Axe recommended for most of our climbing trips. Two short tools are recommended for technical climbs.
- HARNESSES. Sportive sit harnesses.
- CLIMBING HELMET. It will depend of the climbing route, as norm we always recommend its use.
- ASCENDER DEVICE or T-blocks are optional but recommended.
- MASK. Polypropylene or silk masks are recommended for the cold conditions on the high altitude mountains, they can be improved with a neoprene mask.
