PAYU PEAK (6610M)
The Payu Peak (6610 m-21, 686 ft) is a mountain located in the central Karakorum (or Karakoram) in Pakistan, on the north side of the Baltoro glacier at the western end of the Baltoro Muztagh. It is named after a mountain range, the Payu group, which includes the Uli Biaho peak, Uli Biaho Tower and Choricho. In 1974 there was an attempt at ascension of a Pakistani-American expedition under the leadership of Nicholas B. Clinch, in which a Pakistani member was mortally injured.
In July the same year, a spanish team (Alberto Inurrategui, Jeauna Vallejo and Mikel Zabal) tried to reach the summit by the South
face but was injured by a stone fall a few meters before the pilar. In the following year, a French expedition under Jean Fréhel attempted the first ascent.Finally, in 1976 a Pakistani mountaineer group succeeded in climbing the Paiju Peak. Bashir Ahmed, Manzoor Hussain and Nazir Ahmed Sabir reached the summit on July 20, 1976. The group was accompanied by the American climber Allen Steck until shortly before the summit “.
ITINERARY
Day 01 : Arrive in Islamabad received and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of Rawalpindi & Islamabad Rawalpindi is a lively, bustling city with the crowded streets and colorful bazaars, thorough it lacks the grand monuments.
Day 02 : Morning Fly to Skardu or drives to Chilas we may have to make a two day drive to Skardu via Chilas on the Karakorum Highway.
Day 03 : Rest day or Drives to Skardu the capital of tradition says that the town was once called Iskandaria and that it was one of the cities Fronded by Alexander the great. We will drive through the narrow gorge of the Indus River to Skardu.)
Day 04 : To Askole. We board jeeps for the adventurous ride to the trailhead (about six to seven hours). Shigar valley, known for its numerous fruit orchards. We’ll enjoy views of Mango Gusor (20,362) And Bakhor Das (19,054) As we drive along the roaring Braldu River. Arrive at Askole, where we camp. Overnight at 3050m. Here we also meet our porters.
Day 05 : Begin trek Jula. The early morning set up our first day trek with porters. Walking along the Braldu River we pass the village of Askole after about three hour. Walk brings us to Korofan(10,170′) on the other Two hours walking we will camp at Jula.
Day 06 : Paiju. This is an undulating walk, with Occasional scrambles across the rock. Excitement mounts as we prepare to have the first views of the great mountains ahead. The trail climbs to advantage point from where we can see the snout of the Baltoro Glacier. Visible in the east is the magnificent panorama of Cathedral Towers and of Cathedral Towers and Broad peak (26,400,). Paiju camp (11,750) is situated in a grove of willow and poplar trees and has a freshwater stream running through it.
Day 07: Trek to Payu Peak Base camp.
Day 08-34: Climbing Activities
Day 35: Trek back to Baldumal
Day 36: Trek back to Askoli
Day 37: Drives to Skardu – Afternoon De-briefing at Ministry of Tourism Office, Skardu
Day 38: Skardu – Islamabad Flight to Islamabad otherwise we drive to Chilas through KKH.
Day 39: Islamabad In case of flight it will be free day to explore the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Otherwise we drive to Islamabad from Chilas for 12 hours.
Day 40: Onward Transfer to airport for international departure flight.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
| No. of Days: | 40 |
| Season: | June- September |
| Grade: | Challenging |
| Zone: | Permit Needed |
| Region: | Karakoram |
| Max Altitude: | 6545M |