Kutwal Lake and Haramosh La Base Camp Trek by Air
Five days from Lahore or Islamabad to a turquoise lake at 3,200 metres, under the north face of Haramosh.
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Region
- Haramosh Valley
- Trip level
- Moderate
- Departure
- Private trip
Overview
Haramosh Valley is one of the last genuinely quiet corners of the Karakoram. While the crowds queue for photographs at the better known lakes, this valley sits behind a wall of gorges off the Karakoram Highway, reachable only by jeep and then on foot, which is exactly why it still feels like a discovery. The Kutwal Lake trek is the way in.
This five day trek flies you from Lahore or Islamabad to Skardu, spends a first day easing you into altitude with the best of Skardu's classic sights, then turns off the tarmac for the climb into the upper Haramosh basin. The reward is Kutwal Lake, a turquoise sheet of glacial melt sitting at 3,200 metres in a meadow ringed by birch and willow, with the enormous 7,409 metre Haramosh Peak filling the skyline behind it.
On the middle day you climb higher still, past the summer shepherd settlements to Haramosh La Base Camp at 3,950 metres, the launch point for technical expeditions onto the Haramosh La pass. From up there the amphitheatre opens out completely, with Haramosh, Laila and Dobani stacked around you. Trekkers who would rather take it easy can turn back at the upper meadow and spend the afternoon by the lake instead, and nobody misses out.
Everything on the ground is handled: flights, transfers, private vehicles, 4x4 jeeps, hotels, camping equipment, porters, cooks, local guides, permits and park fees. The only thing you carry is a day pack. The trek runs for groups of one to twelve, and a solo trekker pays exactly the same per person rate with no single supplement, which is unusual at this altitude and one of the reasons solo trekkers keep coming back to us.
Trip at a Glance
- Duration
- 5 days and 4 nights
- Route
- Lahore or Islamabad to Skardu by air, then Sassi, Dassu, Kutwal Lake, Haramosh La Base Camp and back
- Starts and ends
- Lahore or Islamabad, by air
- Season
- Mid June to mid September
- Category
- Trekking, Gilgit-Baltistan, Tours by Air
- Travel style
- Private departures, plus small group departures through the season
- Region
- Haramosh Valley and Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Overnights
- Two nights hotel in Skardu, two nights camp or local stone huts at Kutwal Lake
- Group size
- 1 to 12 trekkers. Solo travellers welcome at the same per person rate
- Suits
- Solo trekkers, couples, friends, corporate adventure groups
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Reasonable fitness and some light trekking experience, no technical skill
- Highest point
- Haramosh La Base Camp, 3,950m or 12,960 ft
- Transport
- Return flights, private vehicle in Skardu, 4x4 jeeps on the Sassi to Dassu sector
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner throughout, plus all meals on the trekking days
- Price
- From $975 USD per person. Per person, all inclusive of return airfare from Lahore or Islamabad. Solo travellers pay the same rate, with no single supplement.
Trip Highlights
- Kutwal Lake at 3,200m, one of the most photogenic and least visited alpine lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan
- The day hike to Haramosh La Base Camp at 3,950m, with Haramosh Peak at 7,409m, Laila Peak and Dobani Peak at 6,134m around you
- Two nights camping in the upper Haramosh basin, well away from mobile signal and traffic
- Flying into Skardu from Lahore or Islamabad, with Nanga Parbat and the Indus gorge off the wing on a clear morning
- Golden hour at the Sarfaranga Cold Desert, one of the highest cold deserts on earth
- Upper Kachura Lake, and the climb to the centuries old Kharpocho Fort above the Indus
- A proper 4x4 jeep section from Sassi to Dassu on narrow cliff cut tracks
- Full trek support with guides, porters and a camp crew from the valley itself
- One all inclusive price with airfare built in, and no single supplement for solo trekkers
Photos
From the Kutwal Lake and Haramosh La Base Camp Trek by Air. Swipe or use the arrows.
Day by Day Itinerary
Tap any day to open the full detail.
An early morning flight out of Lahore or Islamabad to Skardu, the gateway to the Karakoram, with an aerial preview of Nanga Parbat and the Indus gorge on the way in. You are met at Skardu airport and taken to the hotel to check in and have a proper breakfast.
Once you have settled, the rest of the day takes in three of Skardu's defining landscapes: a high altitude lake, a centuries old Balti fort and one of the highest cold deserts on earth, with the desert timed for the last of the light. The pace is deliberately gentle, because this day is also doing the quiet work of getting you used to the altitude.
- Morning flight to Skardu, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes from Lahore
- Met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in Skardu, around 25 minutes
- After breakfast, drive towards Shangrila for Upper Kachura Lake, roughly 35 km
- Return towards Skardu and climb to Kharpocho Fort, a steep 20 minute walk above the Indus
- Late afternoon at the Sarfaranga Cold Desert for golden hour
- Dinner and overnight in Skardu
Altitude: Skardu, 2,228m or 7,310 ft. Upper Kachura Lake, approximately 2,500m or 8,200 ft. Kharpocho Fort, approximately 2,320m or 7,610 ft. Sarfaranga Cold Desert, 2,230m or 7,316 ft
Today is the gateway to the wilderness. After an early breakfast you pack a day bag, leave your main luggage at the Skardu hotel, and set off west along the Indus on the Karakoram Highway, trading Skardu's wide valley for the gorges that lead into the Haramosh range.
From the riverside village of Sassi you switch into 4x4 jeeps for the climb to Dassu, a rollercoaster of narrow cliff cut track. You lace up at Dassu, meet the porters, and start the trek into the upper basin, following a glacial stream through birch and willow forest up to the wide meadows of Kutwal. The lake arrives in the late afternoon, with Haramosh Peak reflected in it.
- Early breakfast and departure from the Skardu hotel around 06:00
- Drive Skardu to Sassi along the Indus, roughly 135 km and 2.5 to 3 hours
- Switch to 4x4 jeeps at Sassi for Dassu village, roughly 18 km and 1.5 to 2 hours on rough track
- Light lunch at Dassu, meet your porters and run a final pack check
- Trek Dassu to Kutwal Lake via Iskere Meadow, 4 to 5 hours at a moderate gradient through pine and birch
- Arrive at Kutwal Lake in the late afternoon for the first sight of Haramosh Peak in the water
- Settle into camp or the local stone huts, hot dinner and an early night
Altitude: Sassi, approximately 1,400m or 4,600 ft. Dassu village, approximately 2,300m or 7,545 ft. Iskere Meadow, approximately 2,800m or 9,185 ft. Kutwal Lake, approximately 3,200m or 10,500 ft
A full day in one of the Karakoram's most theatrical amphitheatres. After breakfast you leave camp light and climb onto the meadow above Kutwal, where the summer shepherd settlements sit on the grassland. The trail rises steadily towards Haramosh La Base Camp, the launch point for technical expeditions onto the Haramosh La pass, and the views of Haramosh, Laila and Dobani get better the whole way up.
Anyone comfortable with the altitude carries on to base camp. Anyone who would rather not can turn back from the upper meadow and spend a slow afternoon at the lakeshore, the waterfalls and the apricot grove at lower Kutwal. Either way the night is a second one at Kutwal.
- Breakfast at camp, leaving around 06:00 with day packs and a packed lunch
- Trek Kutwal Lake to Haramosh La Base Camp, 4 to 5 hours each way and 7 to 9 hours return with breaks
- Haramosh La Base Camp, with Haramosh Peak at 7,409m, Laila Peak and Dobani Peak at 6,134m in view
- Easier alternative: the lakeshore, the nearby waterfalls and the apricot grove at lower Kutwal
- Hot dinner at camp and a briefing for the descent
Altitude: Kutwal Lake, approximately 3,200m or 10,500 ft. Phari summer settlement, approximately 3,500m or 11,480 ft. Haramosh La Base Camp, 3,950m or 12,960 ft. Haramosh La pass, approximately 4,800m or 15,750 ft, seen but not crossed
A final breakfast at Kutwal, then the descent through the meadows and forest back to Dassu, where the jeeps are waiting. Going down is quicker and gives you a completely different read on the valley you climbed two days earlier.
From Dassu you drop by jeep to Sassi, switch back into the touring vehicle, and take the long but spectacular road along the Indus back to Skardu, timed for a hot shower, dinner and a proper bed.
- Pack camp after breakfast and leave Kutwal Lake by around 08:00
- Descend Kutwal to Dassu, 3 to 4 hours downhill
- Lunch at Dassu, then jeep to Sassi, 1.5 to 2 hours
- Drive Sassi to Skardu on the Karakoram Highway, roughly 135 km and 2.5 to 3 hours
- Evening arrival in Skardu, hot dinner and overnight
Altitude: Kutwal Lake, approximately 3,200m, down through Dassu at approximately 2,300m and Sassi at approximately 1,400m to Skardu at 2,228m
Breakfast at the hotel, then the short transfer to Skardu airport for the flight back to Lahore or Islamabad, and one last run along the spine of the range before the plains come up.
- Breakfast at the hotel and check out
- Transfer to Skardu airport, around 25 minutes
- Flight out of Skardu, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes to Lahore
- Arrival in Lahore or Islamabad, tour concludes
Altitude: Skardu, 2,228m or 7,310 ft
What Is Included
- Return air tickets, Lahore or Islamabad to Skardu and back
- Airport transfers in Skardu
- Private vehicle for all road transfers in the Skardu region
- 4x4 jeeps for the Sassi to Dassu sectors
- Two nights hotel accommodation in Skardu, on Day 01 and Day 04
- Two nights tented camp or local stone huts at Kutwal Lake, on Day 02 and Day 03
- Breakfast and dinner at the Skardu hotel
- All meals on the trekking days, prepared by our camp cook
- Camping equipment including tents, mattresses, dining tent and kitchen setup
- An experienced local trek guide from the Haramosh Valley
- Porters for camping equipment and main loads on the trekking days
- All entry tickets, fort tickets and national park or Gilgit-Baltistan tourism fees
- All applicable taxes and tolls
What Is Not Included
- Lunches on the non trekking days
- Personal sleeping bag and trekking gear, such as a warm jacket, hiking boots, walking poles, headlamp and rain shell
- Personal travel and trekking insurance
- Medical evacuation, rescue or helicopter charges in an emergency
- Personal expenses such as laundry, calls, drinks and snacks not on the menu
- Any additional cost arising from delay caused by weather, landslides, road closures or political conditions
- Tips and gratuities for the guide, porters and drivers
- Anything not specifically listed under What Is Included
Good to Know
The highest point is Haramosh La Base Camp at 3,950m, and you sleep two nights at 3,200m. The Day 01 programme in Skardu is deliberately gentle to help you acclimatise. Mild headaches or breathlessness are common and usually settle. Anyone with a heart, lung or blood pressure condition should speak to a doctor before booking.
This is a moderate trek. If you can walk continuously for 4 to 5 hours on uneven ground with a light day pack, you will be comfortable. Some prior light trekking experience is recommended but not essential, and no technical skill is needed at any point.
Solo bookings run exactly like any other departure, with the same guide, cook and porter team, and at the same per person rate with no single supplement. On the camping nights you get your own tent at no extra charge.
This works well for families who walk together already. The two trekking days are 4 to 5 hours each on uneven ground, so we suggest a minimum age of around 12, and everyone in the party should be comfortable with that before you book. The Day 03 climb to base camp is optional, so a slower walker can stay at the lake for the day without missing the trip. Tell us the ages at the time of booking and we will pace it around your group.
Only a light day pack of 25 to 35 litres with your water, layers, camera and personal items. Porters carry all camping equipment and the main loads, and your main suitcase stays behind at the Skardu hotel.
A warm down or synthetic jacket, because nights at Kutwal can drop to 5 to 7 degrees even in June. Sturdy waterproof hiking boots, broken in. Warm base layers, a fleece and trekking trousers. A rain shell. A sleeping bag rated to zero or lower. Headlamp with spare batteries. Walking poles, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. A personal first aid kit. A reusable bottle and purification tablets. A power bank, because there is no mains electricity at the Kutwal campsite.
Mobile signal is patchy from Sassi onwards and there is none at Kutwal Lake, nor any electricity. Let your family know before you leave Skardu on Day 02.
Skardu flights operate on visual rules and are cancelled in poor weather, which is entirely outside our control. Our contingency is a road return via Naran and Batakundi with one extra overnight, at additional cost. Please keep a buffer day in your plans on either side of the tour.
Both are used. We carry full camping equipment, and local stone huts are also available at lower Kutwal depending on the season and the size of the group. The two nights in Skardu are in a comfortable hotel.
Personal travel and trekking insurance covering high altitude trekking and medical evacuation is strongly recommended and is the responsibility of each traveller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kutwal Lake sits at 3,200m in the upper Haramosh Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. There is no road to it. You drive from Skardu to the village of Sassi on the Karakoram Highway, take a 4x4 jeep to Dassu, and then trek for 4 to 5 hours through forest and meadow to reach the lake.
Moderate. The main ascent from Dassu to Kutwal takes 4 to 5 hours at a steady gradient, and the optional day hike to Haramosh La Base Camp is a 7 to 9 hour round trip. Reasonable fitness is enough, and technical climbing skills are not required at any point.
PKR 270,000 per person, all inclusive. That covers your return flights to Skardu from Lahore or Islamabad, every transfer and jeep ride, four nights of accommodation, the listed meals, camping equipment, your guide, porters and all permits and park fees. The only things you arrange separately are your personal trekking gear, travel insurance and tips.
Yes. Solo travellers are very welcome and pay the same PKR 270,000 per person, with no single supplement. You get the same guide, the same camp crew and the same programme, and if a group departure is running around your dates we are happy to introduce you to the others before you travel.
Mid June to mid September. The snow has cleared from the upper meadows, the wildflowers are out, and the lake holds its best colour. Earlier than mid June the higher sections can still hold snow, and after September the nights at camp get seriously cold.
Both are used. We carry full camping equipment, and local stone huts are also available at lower Kutwal depending on the season and group size. Nights in Skardu on Day 01 and Day 04 are in a comfortable hotel.
Fit first time trekkers manage this comfortably. For children we suggest a minimum age of around 12, and for anyone unsure we are happy to talk through the daily distances before you book. The Day 03 base camp hike is optional, so a slower member of the group can stay at the lake without missing the trip.
Skardu flights depend on weather. If yours is cancelled we arrange a road return via Naran and Batakundi with one additional overnight stay, at additional cost for the extra night. We recommend keeping a buffer day in your travel plans.
No special permit is required for Pakistani nationals on this route. Entry tickets, national park charges and Gilgit-Baltistan tourism fees are all included in your package. Foreign nationals should contact us in advance so we can confirm current requirements.
Only a light day pack of 25 to 35 litres with your water, layers, camera and personal items. Porters carry all camping equipment and main loads, and your main suitcase stays behind at the Skardu hotel.
Yes. This trek runs as a private departure on any date in the summer season for families, groups of friends and corporate teams, and we can adjust the pace and the Day 03 programme to suit your group.
Send us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability, hold the transport and rooms, and share the booking details. A booking is confirmed once we issue a written confirmation and the advance payment is received. Full terms are on our Terms and Conditions page.
Private, unless a page states otherwise. The group is you and whoever you book with, and the pace, stops and hotels can be adjusted to suit you.
Yes. Every itinerary can be lengthened, shortened or rebalanced. Tell us what matters most to your group and we will build around it.
Yes. We run team trips, offsites and company tours, can invoice against the group booking, and can adjust the programme around a work schedule.
Most are. Each page states the difficulty and any consideration for younger travellers. Tell us the ages at the time of booking so seating, rooming and pace can be planned properly.
No. Travel and health insurance is not included in any of our tours. Travellers arrange their own cover, and we strongly recommend it is arranged before departure, including cover for medical emergencies and evacuation.
Mountain travel depends on weather and road conditions, so the itinerary, timings and order of sightseeing can change. Where a disruption forces extra accommodation, meals, transport or a diversion, those additional costs are payable by the group. This is set out in full in our Terms and Conditions.
Each page lists exactly which meals are included. Where a meal is not listed, it is paid directly by travellers as you go.
Every page carries a What Is Not Included section. As a rule, anything not specifically listed under What Is Included should be considered excluded.
The routes we operate are well travelled and we run them regularly. We follow the guidance of local authorities, adjust plans where conditions require it, and our drivers and guides know these valleys. Ordinary travel precautions apply as they would anywhere.
Some areas require a No Objection Certificate or a permit, and requirements change. Tell us at the time of enquiry if any traveller holds a foreign passport and we will confirm what is needed for that route.
Almost all of them. Everything we run in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is open to foreign passport holders. Our Azad Kashmir trips are the exception: those are open to Pakistani nationals and overseas Pakistanis only, on a CNIC, NICOP or Pakistani passport.
Coverage is patchy in the mountains and drops out entirely in the upper valleys. Expect to be offline for parts of most trips.
Often yes, at additional cost. Ask us when you enquire and we will quote it.
Prefer to talk it through?
Every trip is private and runs on your own dates, at your own pace, with the hotels you choose.
- Call
- +92 300 3687232