Shigar Valley

Gasherbrum II, 8,035 m, at the head of the Baltoro beyond Concordia, is one of the safer 8,000 m peaks, climbed by its south-west ridge after crossing the Gasherbrum icefall. Shared base camp logistics with Gasherbrum I make it a popular pairing.

Broad Peak, 8,051 m, stands opposite K2 at Concordia and is the most often recommended first 8,000 m peak in the Karakoram: a direct snow and ice route up the west face with a long summit ridge. A full-service expedition with an experienced Sherpa or Pakistani high-altitude guide.

The great trek of the Karakoram: up the Baltoro Glacier past the Trango Towers and the Cathedral group to Concordia, where K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums stand round one junction of ice, and on to the K2 base camp and the Gilkey memorial. Fully supported, with acclimatisation days built in.

Khosar Gang stands at 6,046 m above the Shigar Valley, on the left bank of the Braldu about 45 km from Skardu. Its base camp is one of the very few in the Karakoram that can be reached from town in a single day, and the route above it is snow and ice with almost no rock - which is why it is climbed both as a first 6,000 m peak and as an acclimatisation objective before the Baltoro expeditions. Fourteen days built around carrying high and sleeping low, with a snow and ice school at base camp, two spare days held back for weather, and a certified Pakistani guide at one to three climbers on summit day. Permit, Gilgit-Baltistan fees, porters and jeeps are arranged from Skardu and included.

Four days between orchards and granite. Stay at the restored Shigar Fort, walk the old irrigation channels through the villages below it, and drive up the Braldu toward the trailhead where the Trango Towers first come into view.

Shigar and Khaplu Heritage Tour: a 5-day trip in Gilgit-Baltistan covering Fly to Skardu, Shigar, Skardu to Khaplu, Khaplu, Fly back. Private transport, hotel stays and a local guide are arranged by HarryTravel.pk.