Blaltoro glacier – Re:Discover Pakistan

The domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu is known for its spectacular mountain scenery when the weather is clear. In particular, Nanga Parbat (8,126m), the world’s ninth highest peak, can sometimes be seen directly in front of you (on the right side window seats (F) during outbound flights and the left side window seats (A) during return flights).

> A Video Showcasing the View of Nanga Parbat From Flight PK451

We generally recommend the Nanga Parbat side, but the view from the other side is quite remarkable as well.
The following is a report of my viewing experiences on both the seat A side (the non-Nanga Parbat side) and the seat F side (the Nanga Parbat side) of PK451, which I recently boarded.

In terms of airlines, both Air Blue and Pakistan International Airlines flights will offer similar views, but it is important to note that the exact scenery you see will differ depending on a number of factors, including the distance and route to Nanga Parbat, the weather, and the captain’s instructions at that time. Please keep that in mind while reading this article.

Detailed timeline of a flight scheduled to depart Islamabad 10:00 a.m.

10:10　Takeoff from Islamabad Airport
10:12　Turn around, heading north.
10:14 （A side) Passing over Islamabad Airport

10:19-20　(A side) Spotted the Tarbela Dam and the Indus River on the left. During the summer season, the color of the Indus River is muddy due to the melted water from glaciers.

10:20　(A side) Tirich Mir (7,708m), the highest peak in the Hindu Kush, begins to come into view. It is the westernmost peak in the Hindu Kush mountain range, so it is easy to identify. Tirich Mir will remain visible for a while. Noshaq (7,492m), the highest peak of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan, is just behind Tirich Mir and seems to be hidden from view.

10:36　(F side) The 8,126-meter summit of Nanga Parbat lies in front of us. Nanga Parbat itself was visible from a bit earlier in the flight. On this day, we flew a route close to the peak of Nanga Parbat.

（F side) 8,126m peak of Nanga Parbat coming in the view

10:37 (F side) The peak of Nanga Parbat stood directly before our eyes.

(F side) The peak of Nanga Parbat is within reach of your mobile phone camera.♪

10:38　 (A side) The Hunza valley and Rakaposhi (7,788m) can be seen in the distance.

10:43 　(A side) The steep mountains of the Karakorum, Baintha Brakk (7,285m), Ogre Ogre II, and Latok group (Latok I, II, III) along the Biafo Glacier are visible.

(A side） The towering mountains of Karakoram

10:44 (A Side) K2 (8,611m), the second highest mountain in the world and Broad Peak (8,051m) begin to come into view. By this time, an in-flight announcement about the descent comes on. As the plane lowered altitude, I was impatient as K2 and other high peaks in the mountains in front of us became less and less visible.

10:45 (A side) K2 and Broad Peak, though only about half of each mountain is visible
10:46 (A side) Started descent. The mountains in the foreground are the peaks of the Shigar Valley, including Peak-B12.
10:46 (A side) The Skardu valley is now spread out in front of us; if seated on the F side, one should be able to see Satpara Lake.
10:47　(A side) I could see the runway of Skardu’s airport, which was built in the desert along the Indus River.

Skardu’s airport, which was built in the desert along the Indus River.

10:50 Turned around for the final approach.
10:52 Landed successfully in Skardu Airport, surrounded by mountains. Most tourists took a picture before disembarking from the aircraft and boarding the bus to the terminal.

Skardu used to have only one flight a day from Islamabad, but now during the summer season, there are also flights from Lahore and Karachi, with six flights a day on domestic routes alone. In addition, international flights from Dubai have also started, and Skardu is rapidly growing as a tourist destination and mountain resort. On a clear day, this flight can definitely be counted among one of the area’s prime tourist highlights!

People often ask me whether I prefer the Nanga Parbat side or the K2 side. To that I would simply say that the Nanga Parbat side (the F side) is the one which allows most people to get the best view the majority of the time (provided, of course, that the weather is good).
The mountains visible from the A-side seats are difficult to recognize without prior study or experience, but for repeated trekkers and climbers to Pakistan, the view on the A-side will also be enjoyable, as they will be able to search for the mountains throughout the flight.

Another question I am often asked is which airline operates more smoothly, Pakistan International Airlines or Air Blue? To be honest, it all comes down to luck.

Image & Text: Mariko SAWADA

Flight Date: 27 April 2025

*The article uses actual time and photos taken during the flight. The view of the mountains on this route may vary depending on the weather and the route taken at that time. We ask that you take this into consideration before booking a flight.

*Contact us, Indus Caravan for more information or to make arrangements for your stay and adventure in Pakistan.

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Category : ◆ Gilgit-Baltistan > - Skardu Valley > ◇ Mountain of Pakistan > ◇ Pakistan Travel Tip > - Karakorum Range
Tag : Tour operator Pakistan , Skardu flight , Pakistan photograhy tour , Skardu , Air blue , Concordia , K2 , Broad peak , Indus Caravan , Baltoro , k2bc , Saiyu Travel , Blaltoro glacier , PK451 , pakistan domestic flight

The following is the continuation of a photo report of Teppei Kamitani’s 2024 season excursion to the Baltoro Glacier—titled “Over the Baltoro Glacier to Broad Peak B.C. and K2 B.C.” Many spectacular drone aerial photographs are included within.

The second part of the blog traces and documents (with photos) the trek to Concordia in the following order: [Urdukas → Goro Ⅱ → Concordia → Broad Peak B.C. → K2 B.C.→ Concordia].

Over the Baltoro Glacier, the Trek to Broad Peak B.C. and K2 B.C., Part 1

Day 7: Urdukas to Goro Ⅱ

We left Urdukas at 7:00 a.m. and were up on the Baltoro Glacier within 30 minutes. Today’s route was a continuous up-and-down walk along the moraine of the Baltoro Glacier.
It was a clear day, so even though we were on a glacier, the sunlight made us feel warmer than the real temperature let on. We proceeded deeper into the moraine, wearing light clothing.

The mountain rising high in the front is Gasherbrum IV Peak (7925m)

Gasherbrum Mountains seen behind the glacial lake

Masherbrum (7821m), the 22nd highest peak in the world, designated as K1 according to surveying notation

At 11:45 we arrived at our lunch stop, Goro I (4,100m), where we had ourselves a lavish lunch at a table in the middle of the glacier. On the outward trek, we did not stay here but continued instead on to Goro II.

Arrival at Goro I (4100m). We enjoyed lunch at a table in the middle of a glacier with a luxurious view.

Baltoro Glacier is approximately 100 meters thick, equivalent to 25 floors of a building!

After another 2.5 hours, we arrived at Goro II (4,380m), also a camp on the glacier, at 15:00. After Goro II, we slept on the ice, as the temperature continued to drop in both the morning and evening. It was cloudy on the outward trek, but on the way back to Goro I, we had an excellent view of the Gasherbrum mountains. The -6℃ temperature in the morning, however, was less than excellent. My hands were freezing cold.

At Goro II Camp, treated to a good view of Masherbrum. A glimpse into the tour kitchen and dining room

Day 8 & 9: GoroⅡ to Concordia

Waking up in the morning at the camp on the glacier, the cold air—which now felt stronger than before—imbued us with a sense of determination. Under slightly overcast skies, we departed for our destination, Concordia. Continuing from the previous day, it was just up and down on the glacier moraine. Thankfully, however, the path was quite gentle and flat in many parts, making for an easy walk.

With the morning sun shining through the clouds, we walked through the icy world to reach Concordia

In the afternoon, cold rain began to fall, which was hard on our tired bodies at the end of the day. We continued further into the depths of the mountain to a campsite where we could see K2 in front of us. Finally, we arrived at the Concordia camp, the turnaround point.
Unfortunately, K2 was still obscured by clouds when we arrived and did not grace us with its presence, but we still held on to hope. We stayed at the Concordia Camp for two days, which served also as time to rest.

When we arrived at Concordia, the snow cover had turned the surroundings into a world of silvery white!

Day 10 Concordia to Broad Peak B.C.

In the morning, we woke up to steady snowfall. Visibility was almost zero, making it difficult for the porters and horses to move forward, so we had to temporarily postpone our departure and wait until 9:00 a.m. The sun came out before 9:00 a.m., and a blue sky quickly revealed itself before us. It was time to set out!

Early in the morning it was snowing, with zero visibility, but it cleared up around 9:00 a.m.

Now it was time to depart for Broad Peak B.C.!

The ordinary moraine was covered with snow, making it look almost fantastical

We changed to chain spikes/light crampons after 10 minutes of walking and passed through a serac zone. The route seemed to have changed a bit, and the serac was very gentle—traversable even without spikes. After the ups and downs of the large moraine, we simply walked along the side moraine of the Godwin-Austen Glacier, arriving at Broad Peak B.C. at about 14:00.

Broad Peak B.C. in the middle of Godwin-Austen Glacier

Broad Peak seen from the BC is divided into three peaks. From the back left: Broad Peak North Peak, Broad Peak Central Peak, and Broad Peak Main Peak (8,051m)

K2 (8,611m) at sunrise is a breathtaking sight

Day 11 Broad Peak B.C. to K2B.C and Back

Finally, we set out for K2 B.C. This was a day round trip from Broad Peak B.C. We started at 7:00 a.m. and had a very pleasant 2 ½ hour flat walk up an icy area next to a moraine. Then we trekked up and down the messy moraine to our first destination, K2 Memorial. The K2 Memorial is built on a very steep rock slope, so it was tough to climb up, but we visited and said a prayer for the climbers who lost their lives in the mountains of the Baltoro Glacier, including K2. After descending to the bottom of the rock tower, we had a quick lunch of onigiri (rice balls) and then continued further along the gentle moraine, eventually arriving at K2 Base Camp at 11:30!

Memorial to the many climbers who lost their lives in the mountains of the Baltoro Glacier

We reached K2 B.C. (5,150m). Our guide found the fallen K2 BASE CAMP sign in the moraine and took a commemorative photo

Day 12: Broad Peak B.C to Concordia

At Broad Peak B.C., where we stayed for two nights, K2 came into view around 5:35 a.m., glowing in the morning sun, giving the members a chance to gaze at the world’s second highest peak. After breakfast, we headed back to Concordia.

K2 shining in the morning glow seen from Broad Peak B.C.

A view of the base camp. Members gazed at the world’s second highest peak

As on the outward trek, we walked for 3 hours on gentle moraines, passing army camps. After 1 hour of walking along the moraine & serac belt, we arrived at Concordia. At Concordia, the staff had set up camp in the exact same spot as our previous stay and had prepared a welcome drink and lunch for us. I have nothing but gratitude for them and their consistently prompt work.

Passing through the serac belt again, we return to Concordia

Our camp visible at the foot of Mitre Peak, behind the serac belt

At night, the moonlight illuminated the mountains, creating a beautiful scene

We then said goodbye to K2 from Concordia and retraced our outward route for another 5 days, ending our long trek in Askole. The entire trip took 17 days. At the finish line, the staff congratulated us and toasted us with drinks, in the form of Coke. Some of our members commented that they had never enjoyed a Coke so much in their lives. It must have been because of the overwhelming accomplishment they felt after walking all the way back. Thank you very much, everyone!