The Baltoro
 | Attention, it’s not allowed to fly in Baltoro without a permit. Please don’t fly without a permit at the risk of problems with the authorities but above all so as not to risk the permanent closure of the airspace. The area is tense because it is located on the Pakistan/China border. |
The flight allows you to fly over K2 (8611m), Broad Peak (8047m), GIV (7925m) and surrounding peaks in Baltoro. Four 8000m peaks frame the valley, K2, Broad Peak, GI and GII. Certainly the easiest place to successfully fly at very high altitude and why not exceed 8000m! In any case, the flight in the Baltoro cannot leave anyone indifferent and remains etched in your mind for life. The position of the base camp allows an easy and accessible landing from the various mountains around, it is not necessary to cross to reach the base camp. This is not the case between Paju (Tour de Trango) and Concordia where the poses are engaged and uncertain.
Warning : The flight is committed by being at high altitude and the lack of oxygen. The wind above 7000m can be strong. The breeze on the ground can reach 20km/h. The minimum level required is to be able/know how to fly 100km in cross country and have a good physical condition to walk every day.
– The base camp is in tents
– The takeoff is between 600m and 700m higher. The climb on foot is done on a steep slope of stones with no path. (2 to 3 hours of slow walking)
Tip: take an umbrella that can be used for both sun and rain.
Option:
– If the weather permits, the return can be made via the Gondogorola pass (5700m) in 3 days. Take crampons in this case.
– If the weather permits, the return can be made in 1 flight to Askolie instead of walking. Be careful, the flight begins without touching down for 35km to Paju.
– Rising shoe
– Warm pants
– Big down jacket
– Big glove or sleeve glove
– Radio
– Sticks
– Cereal bar
– HELICOPTER FLIGHT AND RESCUE INSURANCE
– Sleeping bag
– Tent
– Personal affairs
– Auxiliary batteries
– Solar panels to recharge the auxiliary battery, telephone, GPS etc.
– Power strip
– Multi USB charger
Option :
– Base camp tent and mattress for rent (weight to be added to personal luggage): 100€
– Carriers to climb on take-off: from 10 to 20€ per climb
– Meals on the road and at base camp
– Nights
– Trekking
– Flight and Trekking permit
– Generator, around 3 hours per day(or solar panel depending on current regulations)
– 50kg maximum of personal luggage for trekking. (Around €7 per kilo additional round trip)
– Mandatory tips for porters/guides/cooks
– PATO insurance: rapid helicopter rescue (provided you have up-to-date personal insurance)
– Official invitation letter (required to obtain the visa)
– Briefings and courses on the particular weather of Baltoro, the dangers of flying at high altitude, how to make a successful flight, the thermals of the area, the winds etc.
– Every day the weather and possible flight depending on weather conditions
Option :
– internet at base camp, buy a sim card and charge it (around €6 per go per month)
– oxygen: one 1.5L bottle, 1 regulator, oxygen refill: €600
– The visa for Pakistan
– Nights and meals outside the scheduled dates
– Personal expenses, drinks
– A late departure or arrival in the group may result in additional costs
Provisional program:
Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad
Day 2: departure around 6 a.m. from Islamabad for Skardu by plane if the weather permits or by bus (15 hours by bus)
Day 3: preparation of the material
Day 4: jeep for Askoli
Day 5: trek to Jula
Day 6: trek to Paju
Day 7: trek to Urdukas
Day 8: trek to Goro 2
Day 9: trek to base camp
Day 10 to 24, 15 days: flight in Baltoro
Day 25: trek to Goro 2
Day 26: trek to Urdukas
Day 27: trek to Paju
Day 28: trek to Askoli and jeep to Skardu
Day 29: bus or plane to Islamabad
Day 30: Reserve day
Day 31: return plane
Option : It is possible to stay up to 7 more days at base camp. Cost 400€
Additional information: It is possible to speed up the outward or return trek using paragliding provided you are already acclimatized. Everyone is free to stay as long as they want in Baltoro but leaving alone may incur additional costs. I recommend staying at least 15 days in Baltoro to optimize the chances of flying to the different peaks. It is possible to acclimatize by flying and/or mountaineering in the Hunza valley (Karimbad) in the preceding weeks. This solution makes it possible to limit the use of oxygen in the Baltoro. The required flight level is less demanding than in the Baltoro.
All options are possible at the last minute except for oxygen which must be planned in advance. Be careful, obtaining a visa for Pakistan takes a long time. Allow 1 to 2 months.
All prices are given as an indication, the final price will be given depending on the duration and options.
Price for 30 days Islamabad/base camp/Islamabad: €7,500
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Date 2024: July 1 to July 31 |
Possibility of a Karimabad (2 weeks) AND Baltoro pack for €8,800 for example
Possibility of being supervised by a paragliding instructor, high mountain guide or doing tandem. Price based on demand
For more information, contact me
The service offered is only a travel logistics and not a supervised activity. Everyone must be responsible and autonomous for the flight. We decline all responsibility in the event of an accident while paragliding. We decline all responsibility in the event of loss or breakage of equipment during the trek. The material must be adequately protected. Do not forget that it is often mules that transport the material.
