The Khaplu & Hushe Valley Tour is a guided trip lasting 3 days in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 3,050 m. It is graded Easy — village walks and short drives — short day walks. 5 fixed departures are open from $420 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.
Khaplu & Hushe Valley Tour — 3 Days of Palaces & Masherbrum
Khaplu was the second kingdom of Baltistan, and it still looks the part: a 19th-century royal palace above terraced fields, the 700-year-old timber Chaqchan Mosque, and an old town of carved balconies and apricot lanes along the Shyok River. Three hours from Skardu, it gets a fraction of Skardu's visitors, which is exactly the point.
This three-day tour pairs the heritage with the mountains behind it. From Khaplu the road runs up the Hushe Valley to the last village, Hushe, at 3,050 m — the home of Pakistan's most famous high-altitude porters and guides, under the huge white pyramid of Masherbrum (7,821 m). You walk the village with people from it, drink tea in a Balti kitchen, and understand where every K2 expedition's strength actually comes from.
Short drives, easy walking, deep country. Local hands, real safety, fair price.
- Duration
- 3 Days - 2 Nights
- Max altitude
- 3,050 m
- Grade
- Easy – Moderate
- Days on foot
- 0
- Best season
- Spring to Autumn ( April - October )
- Group size
- Max 6
Khaplu & Hushe Tour Price
From $420 per person in a group of four to six — private transport from Skardu, two nights in Khaplu, all meals and a local guide. The Khaplu Palace heritage-hotel upgrade is available on request and priced separately.
Fixed Departures
Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip.
| Departure | Dates | Price | Availability | Deposit | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure 01 | 20 Apr – 22 Apr | $420/person | 6 of 6 places | $42 | Book now |
| Departure 02 | 12 Jul – 14 Jul | $420/person | 6 of 6 places | $42 | Book now |
| Departure 03 | 4 Oct – 6 Oct | $420/person | 6 of 6 places | $42 | Book now |
| Departure 04 | 10 Oct – 12 Oct | $420/person | 6 of 6 places | $42 | Book now |
| Departure 05 | 24 Oct – 26 Oct | $420/person | 6 of 6 places | $42 | Book now |
Private & customised groups
These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date.
| Group size | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 Person) | $950 | Private vehicle and guide to yourself, your pace throughout. |
| (2-3 Persons) | $530 | One vehicle, shared — the sweet spot for couples. |
| (4-6 Persons) | $420 | Best per-person rate. Ideal for families — the walking is easy and the days are short. |
Is this trip right for you?
Yes — this is one of the easiest trips to say yes to.
Graded Easy — village walks and short drives.
Good to know
The highest point is 3,050 m. Most people feel nothing worse than short breath up there, and the pace is set to keep it that way.
One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Travel Plan
Itinerary — Khaplu & Hushe
Three easy days along the Shyok: the palace and old town of Khaplu, the timber mosque at dawn, and the run up the Hushe Valley to Masherbrum's doorstep.
Day 1Skardu to Khaplu — Palace & Old Town
2,600 m
Three hours east along the Shyok. Afternoon in Khaplu Palace and the old town's carved lanes, dinner with apricot-orchard views.
Day 2Hushe Valley — Masherbrum's Doorstep
3,050 m
Up the Hushe Valley to the last village, under the white pyramid of Masherbrum. Village walk with a local guide, tea in a Balti kitchen, and the stories of the men who fix ropes on K2. Back to Khaplu.
Day 3Chaqchan Mosque & Return to Skardu
2,230 m
The 700-year-old timber mosque in the early light, a slow morning in the bazaar, then the Shyok road home with photo stops where the river braids silver.
What’s included in the price
Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $420 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.
Included in the price
- All transport from Skardu return
- Driver and local guide
- Two nights' accommodation
- All meals
- Palace and mosque entry fees
Not included
- Flights to Skardu
- The Khaplu Palace hotel upgrade
- Personal spending and tips
Resources
Free guides from our local team, so you arrive ready.
- Trekking gear list what to pack
- Trekking medicine & altitude staying well up high
- Maps, books, visa & permits planning your trip
Why Karakoram Venture
Because the people who take you up this mountain are from it. Our guides grew up in these valleys, and they are our own team — not a booking desk handing you to whoever is cheapest that week. Every one of them holds a guide licence from DTS Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federal DTS, renewed each year, and worked at least five years in the region before applying for it. Most also hold Wilderness First Aid.
Because the safety is real, and we will name it rather than imply it. A satellite phone travels in every camp, we hold established helicopter-rescue contacts for this region, and we tell you exactly which travel insurance to carry. Budget operators cut precisely these things, because you cannot see them on a web page.
Because the price is honest. Local infrastructure is why $420 per person covers the trip from Islamabad rather than a stripped-down base rate. Exactly what it includes — and the handful of things it does not — is set out above.
How to book this trip
More About the Khaplu & Hushe Tour
Booking & Payment
A deposit of 10% of the trip price confirms your dates. Balance is payable on arrival in Skardu.
Book through our website or directly on WhatsApp — we confirm within the hour in season.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel 30+ days before departure: full refund of the deposit. 7-29 days: half the deposit. Under 7 days: the deposit is forfeit.
Transportation Details
Private car or 4x4 from Skardu with driver and local guide. The Khaplu road is paved; the Hushe road is unpaved but straightforward in season.
Accommodation
Two nights in a clean Khaplu guesthouse with mountain views; all meals included. The Khaplu Palace heritage hotel is available as an upgrade, priced on request.
Important Notes
Carry at least 2 recent passport-size photos for verification and documentation.
A valid passport (foreign nationals) or CNIC (Pakistani nationals) is mandatory for booking and travel.
Keep your original passport or CNIC with you throughout the tour for security checks and hotel check-ins.
Foreign nationals need a valid passport and the correct visa; any NOC and trekking/restricted-area permits are arranged by Karakoram Venture.
Special Information
Professional and experienced Tour Manager available from start to end of the trip.
Delicious and fresh daily meals included from Day 1 until departure.
No complimentary meals provided on flights or during transit stops.
Follow updated state travel policies carefully for a hassle-free journey.
Transportation Details
Comfortable and spacious A/C Coaches for long trips and intercity travel.
Sturdy 4x4 jeeps for mountain roads and sightseeing (up to 7 pax per vehicle).
Reliable 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruiser / Prado) for off-road and high-altitude excursions.
Arrival & Departure Guidelines
Day 1: Report at the designated airport on time as per schedule.
Final Day: Depart after successfully completing the full itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see in Khaplu?
The restored 1840 Khaplu Palace, the timber Chaqchan Mosque dating from the 14th century, and an old town of carved Balti houses and apricot orchards above the Shyok River. It was the seat of Baltistan's second kingdom.
How much does the tour cost?
From $420 per person for groups of four to six — transport from Skardu, rooms, meals and guide included. Couples and solo travellers pay more per head; message us for an exact quote.
Why visit Hushe village?
Hushe is the village that supplies the Karakoram's best high-altitude porters and guides — the people who fix ropes on K2. It sits at 3,050 m directly under Masherbrum (7,821 m), and visiting with a local team means kitchens and stories, not just viewpoints.
When can I go?
April to October by road from Skardu. Spring brings blossom to the Shyok orchards, autumn turns them gold; midsummer has the clearest Masherbrum views in the early morning.
Is it strenuous?
No. Drives are two to three hours on decent roads, and the walking is village lanes and gentle paths. The highest sleeping point is around 2,600 m in Khaplu; the Hushe day reaches 3,050 m.
What visa do I need?
A standard Pakistan tourist visa. No permits are required for Khaplu or Hushe village.
