Spantik

The short answer to this question is yes. Pakistan has had its share of political troubles but in recent years the British Foreign Office relaxed its advice for travellers. The Balti people are some of the friendliest most hospitable mountain people in the world. Don’t expect to find the troubles of the past, gone are the famous Balti strikes and it is wonderfully clean both on the mountain and in the city.

You are not travelling in any risky zones, so no measures are necessary for this expedition. If we have to travel through certain sections of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) then police might accompany you at some places, though this is due to protocol rather than necessity.

We stay 3 nights in a safe, modern and centrally located hotel.

While in the cities or up to the road head you will find there is mobile reception and you can use mobile networks. After that, the guide will have a satellite phone and this will be the only source of communication.

Food on the trek is excellent and designed to stimulate your appetite and keep you going, despite frequent altitude-induced loss of appetite.

The meals on the mountain are freshly cooked and nutritious, as well as varied. Local ingredients are used, and if you have any dietary requirements do let us know beforehand and the local team will do their best to cater to your needs.

Alongside well-balanced meals, with the aim to give you carbohydrate-loaded meals to give you plenty of energy for the trek, tea and coffee, as well as drinking water, will be provided with the meals and in camp.

You can expect the trek menu to consist of the following, or similar:

Breakfast:  Paratha (local breads), jam, honey, porridge and cooked eggs.

Lunch:  crackers, cheese, sardines, biscuits.

Afternoon tea: pakora, samosa, French fries.

Dinner: Soup, rice, daal, vegetables (potato, cabbage, peas, cauliflower, carrot, etc), chapatis and salad. Fresh meat, usually chicken, will only be available towards the start and end of the trek. At other times tinned meat is used.

Dessert: custard, jelly and tinned fruit.

Snacks of sweets, chocolate bars and nuts will also be available, but you can of course bring any of your favourite snacks with you to top these up. Choose high-energy goodies to give you a boost on those longer days!

Absolutely, please inform the office of any allergies or intolerances and we will ensure that these are taken into account on the trek and the local teams have all of the information necessary.

Filtered, bottled water is provided in the towns on your first and last days. During the trek, drinking water is sourced from streams or springs, and this glacier water, though fresh, is additionally purified by boiling and by treating the water with purification chemicals.

Drinking water is available at the campsites and so before leaving each morning you’ll have the opportunity to refill your bottles and bladders. There are also opportunities to replenish at stops en route during walking days at suitable streams or glacier flows. Your expedition leader will, in consultation with the local guide, determine if the water you source will need treating or boiling.

We would advise having sufficient water bottles/camelbaks to carry 3 litres of water.

We stay at safe, centrally-located hotels. Our choice of hotels offer comfortable rooms, classy on-site restaurants and quiet areas just a stones throw away from the bustle of Islamabad’s city centre and many of the cultural sites which feature on any visitor’s list of things to see. We’ll arrange visits to some of these cultural highlights when in town, as well as a visit to Rawalpindi, the twin city of Islamabad.

All accommodation is included in the price of the expedition as per the itinerary.

We are happy to make any arrangements scheduled outside of the trek dates: these may include personalised tours, extra hotel rooms, private airport pick-ups, early arrivals and late departures. We can also arrange private rooms. Please indicate your requirements on your application form or speak to the office beforehand and we will assist with the relevant arrangements and advise on any additional costs.

It will be necessary to share a tent with one of your team members at all stages of this expedition. The primary reason for this is that most altitude related symptoms manifest themselves at night (further information is included below under ‘Health and Safety), therefore having a tent buddy to keep an eye on you is hugely reassuring.

Tent share is organised according to gender and, where possible, age groups, but chat to us if you have any concerns. If you are climbing with a friend or partner then you will be able to share tents and if you’re a group we’ll ask you to make your own arrangements. If you have joined the team by yourself then it is likely you will be sharing a tent with your pre-assigned room buddy unless prior arrangements have been made. We use high quality, spacious 3-man tents throughout the expedition, and these will be shared between 2 people to provide extra space for your comfort.

Your local ground crew will be setting up your tents for you along the way, on both the trek and the climb. On some occasions they will love to see you give them some help to speed up this process, particularly in bad weather or in case of late arrival into camp.

Yes, your kit is safe in your tent but we do advise to bring locks for your kit bags when flying, which can be used on your bags in your tents to be doubly sure.

The very nature of climbing a 7,000m peak is risky. Although there are risks associated with climbing any mountain, whether it is Kilimanjaro, Mont Blanc or Aconcagua, the risks on a 7,000m peak are considerably greater, primarily due to extreme altitude and weather conditions. Physical, mental and technical preparation will go a long way towards a safe ascent. Furthermore, our Western guide and Balti support crew are trained in the use of medical oxygen, Gamow bags and specialised wilderness first aid – and they carry the necessary equipment and medicine throughout. We also carry satellite phones and radios to ensure proper communications with the outside world and between camps. In fact, we are often the first port of call when other teams have an emergency on the mountain!

CKNP (Central Karakoram National Park) is responsible for sanitation of campsites, plus they collect a fee from all groups to keep the area clean.

All our leaders are in communication with each other by phone and radio. (VHS and/or Motorola.) In the majority of cases of emergency rescue the problems can be attributed to slow acclimatisation or altitude and, if so, the solution is immediate descent to lower altitudes. Our 360 Pakistan crew is very experienced in dealing with any problems that may arise and our leaders have the highest standard of wilderness first aid qualifications and can handle emergencies to the highest level of competency.

All our Guides, Expedition Leaders and High Altitude Porters have attained the highest qualifications and training available in their respective countries to not only deal with emergencies but also to maintain a healthy expedition from day one. For this expedition we will be bringing comprehensively supplied medical kits, emergency oxygen and Gamow bags as well as state of the art communication equipment. On the mountain our Expedition Leaders carry sufficient medical equipment to deal with localised first aid scenarios and at basecamp we have sufficient supplies to deal with longer lasting medical problems such as antibiotics to treat infections.

The likelihood of getting altitude related problems are dramatically reduced on this expedition due to our carefully designed acclimatisation strategy. We have years of experience in dealing with altitude and its related problems and have devised an ascent strategy which caters for a broad spectrum of individual altitude adaptation.

Still, it is important to understand there are different types of altitude sickness and that, at times, altitude related problems can happen and we must be able to recognise the symptoms if they occur.

The most common of this is high altitude sickness – AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). Symptoms for this can include headaches, nausea and vomiting.
This sounds quite dramatic but generally this is just the process your body naturally goes through to adjust to the higher altitudes and the reduced partial pressure of the atmosphere. For some people the acclimatisation process takes a little longer than others.

For our guides this is all part and parcel of ascending a 7,000m peak and, although we assess each client’s personal situation carefully, we also further consider the compounding effects of dehydration brought on by excessive vomiting and loss of appetite.

In most cases AMS can be avoided by the following: drink plenty of water, walk slowly, stay warm and eat well – and listen and talk to your guides.
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the various effects that altitude can cause. During your pre-climb briefing, we will describe altitude sickness to you in detail, and advise you how to cope with it.

The most important thing is not to fear it, but to respect it and to know how to deal with it and more importantly tell your guides how you feel. Our guides have seen every condition that the mountain produces, and they will always know how to deal with problems.

The severe forms of altitude sickness, HACE and HAPE, are extremely unlikely to occur on this expedition. However, our Leaders and Guide team are fully trained in recognition of the onset of these problems and will deal with them at the first sign of their development.

We recommend you come armed with a course of Diamox or other high-altitude drug on this expedition, though we do not recommend that take you these as a prophylactic during the trek or climb. We view Diamox as a treatment drug rather than a preventative medicine. Most adventure medics give similar advice, however we do appreciate this can be confusing, as many GPs (who aren’t necessarily mountaineers) do suggest taking it as a prophylactic.

We pride ourselves on designing all our itineraries with acclimatisation front and centre and this expedition has been carefully designed to allow for your body to adjust to the altitude gradually, safely and comfortably. However, if you find that you are still having problems adjusting to the altitude (see our FAQ on Altitude Sickness) then your expedition leader or medic will recommend the correct course of action regarding taking Diamox.

It is far preferable to take Diamox if and when needed during the course of the expedition. If you are already taking it and then start having altitude related problems you are left with few options but to descend to a more comfortable altitude which sadly often means that the summit is not attainable.

Furthermore, Diamox is a diuretic, meaning you will have to drink a lot of fluid to prevent dehydration. Of course, the upshot of this is you’ll have to pee more which means you’ll probably be having to get up more in the night and take cover behind rocks during the day. Another quite common side-effect is that it can cause your extremities to “buzz and tingle” including your fingers, toes and lips which can feel quite unsettling. Other side-effects can include dizziness and light headedness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Although all these side-effects are manageable when you have symptoms of altitude sickness, we personally believe it is counter-intuitive to take it unless necessary.

Of course, it is totally up to you, this is just our recommendation and we’re not doctors. If you do decide to take Diamox on the advice of your doctor then please do let your leader know in situ so they are aware of this. We also suggest you take the drug for a couple of days a few weeks before travelling so you can experience the symptoms before taking them during the trek.

We advocate a little bit of self-help on the trek. If you have a blister developing, for example, then please stop, take off your boot and treat it before it becomes a problem.

We would recommend your own first aid kit should contain:

Diamox, or other high-altitude drug, enough for the duration of the expedition; a basic blister kit, plasters, antiseptic, sun protection, your own personal medication (your luggage might not get to camp before you and so you may not be able to take your medicine according to the regime you are used to), basic pain relief (paracetamol/aspirin/ibuprofen,) and a personal course of antibiotics – two different types are preferable, as back up. Foot powder in your socks every morning is great for preventing blisters.

Generally, the best approach to packing your first aid kit is to include such basic medications as if you would on a family or personal holiday.

Your 360 Expedition Leader and/or a local porter (we call the ambulance man!) will carry a very comprehensive first aid kit which contains a wide range of supplies and medications. They are fully trained to use whatever is needed for any emergency that may arise. We advocate keeping this in mind when packing your own first aid supplies and keeping your own FA kit as compact and light as possible.

None are currently required for entry, but the following vaccinations are recommended for travel to Pakistan:

• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Polio

This list is not absolute and inoculation requirements can change frequently so it is important you visit your GP or local travel clinic for the latest recommendations and to ensure you are up to date on necessary vaccinations. A health certificate regarding COVID-19 may be required.

If a climber needs to leave early for whichever reason, medical or personal, the Expedition Leader and guide team will deal with the matter with utmost competency and discretion. Further arrangements will be made with the assistance of our 360 teams in Islamabad and Europe to arrange every detail of the journey back off the mountain. Additional costs (transport, hotels, flights etc.) might be incurred by the climber but our 360 team will be able to assist in every detail of your departure.

Please review the kit list for this expedition. While all items are required there may be times when some of the items on the gear list may not be used (such as warm weather or changing conditions). The lists are created by the guides to so that climbers are prepared to summit in any conditions. The equipment list will also advise our recommended brands to consider using, based on our experience. Give the 360 office a call if you have any questions!

Your guides will check your equipment whilst in Skardu or Islamabad and will advise as to what is suitable or not. A quick trip to the local gear shops may be needed to buy or rent any last essential items.

Our leaders usually start the trek wearing long, lightweight trekking trousers and wicking (non-cotton) shirts. Long trousers are recommended to act as sun protection. Shorts can also be worn on the initial few days of the road trip and for the walk to BC as the temperature can be warm. Ensure that you apply sun protection frequently. Sunglasses are worn for most of the trek into BC as well as sun hats.

The prevailing conditions on the trek will dictate what you will wear. If it is cold when you leave the camp in the morning for the trek to BC or when setting off for higher camps then wear your base layer plus soft shell. As things warm up take advantage of the zipper system which most trekking clothing has to adjust to your own preferred temperature. If you get too warm, take a layer off.

Waterproofs should be to hand, especially during the acclimatisation phase of the expedition. Spantik creates its own weather system and it is not unusual to be caught out in an afternoon snowstorm low down on the mountain. Waterproofs should be Gortex material or similar and be carried with you at all times below ABC.

On summit day it gets cold and temperatures of -30°C are not unusual. Typically, our guides wear 2 sets of base layers (long johns), a fleece mid layer (top and bottom) and a thin down jacket on the torso. Over the top of this they wear a down jacket. In windy conditions a Gortex shell could be considered.

On their hands they’ll wear a thin layer of fleece or silk gloves over which a thicker set of gloves are worn. Over the top of these two layers a large set of mittens (down recommended) are worn. Hand warmers inside the mittens are also advised.

Their heads are covered by a thermal “beanie” hat or a thick balaclava and the hood of their down jackets. On their feet the guides wear one pair of thin inner socks and one pair of thick. Foot warmers recommended. On summit day your guides will also wear snow goggles.

Over the top of your clothing you will also wear a climbing harness and you will be attached to a rope for high passes/summit day.

There are two distinct types of footwear on this trek.

The boots used for the trekking phase to BC should be sturdy, waterproof, insulated against cold temperatures and offer adequate ankle support. (Crampon compatible B2 boots.) In addition, it is highly recommended that your boots are well worn in to prevent the formation of blisters. A range of suitable boots are on the market and further advice as to which brand names are available and their relative pros and cons can be found online or at your local gear store. If you are still stuck then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our 360 office for advice.

Double boots are essential for climbing 7,000m peaks. You will only be using your double boots for the entire mountain phase on this expedition. These boots should have a soft insulating inner bootie and a hard-plastic exterior outer boot with a high insulated exterior gaiter covering both. Either La Sportiva G2 SMs, Scarpa Phantom 8000s, La Sportiva Spantiks or specialized 8,000m boots are such as Olympus Monts are suitable. Temperatures high on the mountain are usually well below -20°C and only double boots can withstand such conditions. Ensure that you have tried the boots on before you leave home and that you can wear a thin and a thick pair of socks in them and still be able to freely move your toes.

Crampons are worn for the majority of the time you spend above BC and for the actual summit day itself. Your crampons should preferably be of the easy “heel clip” variety (rather than the strap systems which can be fiddly). It is not necessary to use specialist technical climbing crampons, standard 12 point all round crampons such as those from Grivel will do the job very well.

They are essential and are worth their weight in gold on summit day. a 4-season down jacket is necessary for the climbing phase of this expedition. We recommend a down jacket with at least 800 grams of down fill.

The weight of your pack will usually not exceed 15 kg. We carefully scrutinise every item carried on “carry days” between camps and encourage a minimalist approach. Our high-altitude porters will be moving camping, kitchen and group equipment between camps.

During the climb you will only be carrying your own sleeping equipment, clothing, down equipment and personal climbing equipment. Some climbers may carry more or less as per their strength and fitness. Additional loads are to be carried by high altitude porters who carry 20kg maximum.

A rucksack is worn by the climber at all times during both the trek in phase to BC and on the mountain itself above BC. A good all-round size to accommodate both phases of this expedition is around 70 L capacity. An enormous array of rucksack types and models exist on the market today. It is worth considering expedition specific rucksacks rather than travel rucksacks. Expedition rucksacks tend to have fewer frills and are of more durable construction and are lighter in weight. It is important that your rucksack has an adjustable waist belt to transfer the weight of your daily load onto your hips and from here onto your legs so that the strongest muscles do most of the carrying and that the shoulder straps are sufficiently padded for extra comfort. Another handy feature would be a compartment in which to fit a Camelbak or water bladder.

On the climb you should aim to carry a very light rucksack. A 60-70L sack is ideal as a rucksack for both trek and climb but for the road journey to BC and for the trek to BC a smaller (around 40L capacity) rucksack can be used.

A rucksack this size is recommended as on the climb you will need to carry the above items plus your own sleeping bag, down clothing, sleeping mat and personal climbing equipment to the higher camps and on the descent. For the climb your porters will carry tents, fixed rope, group cooking equipment, fuel and their own climbing and survival equipment.

Depending on the day, the content of your rucksack for the trekking phase should include: a fleece or light down jacket (for when taking breaks or weather changes) a full set (top and bottom) of waterproofs, sufficient water for the day, snacks, camera equipment, personal medication, mini first aid kit, sun hat, sun-cream, sun glasses, a warm hat and gloves and a head torch. Your day-to-day rucksack will weigh no more than 4-6 kg. For the trek the rest of your gear can go in your kit bag and/or larger rucksack to be carried by the porters.

For the mountain phase the basic content of the rucksack is rearranged to be compatible with the demands of the next phase. It will include additional items such as sleeping bags, down clothing and personal climbing equipment which are to be carried between camps both on the ascent and descent. By this stage your ruck sack will weigh around the 10-15 kg mark.

Your rucksack can be filled to the brim with extra stuff (socks, down jackets etc.) before checking in at the airport to save weight and space in your hold luggage.
Our main expedition luggage will be carried to BC by porters and mules.

High-altitude porters carry around 20kg of team equipment and their own equipment.

Yes. Low-altitude porters on the trek and high-altitude porters for the climb can carry your equipment should it be to your advantage to summit this mountain. If you wish to have a private high-altitude porter you need to inform us well in advance as they may not be available at the last moment.

Sleeping bags should be rated from -20 to -40°C. From the first camp upwards, it is not unusual to experience frosty nights and a good night’s sleep is important to giving you the best chance to climb this mountain. And ensure you get a sleeping bag that has this temperature rating at this comfort zone rather than as its extreme zone.

Our guides take sleeping bags rated to well below -20°C to ensure that they are warm at night. A 4-season sleeping bag can be enhanced by using an inner silk or fleece bag (or similar).

It is important to remember that down sleeping bags work by your own body heating the down that’s inside the bag. Once you have warmed up the bag, the down will retain the heat and ensure that you sleep at a temperature that’s your own body temperature. For best results, wear as little as possible when inside your sleeping bag. Our guides will often only wear a set of thermals in their bag. It is important for the bag to trap the heat and by wearing multiple layers of clothing your clothing will trap this heat and your bag will not function properly.

The cost of equipment, particularly at this level, can be a major deterrent for people coming onto trips in the first place. However, we advocate the use of personal equipment whenever possible. This is particular important for the use of boots and high-altitude clothing. Alternatively, things you don’t currently have can be hired cost effectively from our partners at Outdoor Hire or sourced cheaply through our reliable contacts in Islamabad, though do be aware that only limited sizes may be available.

Pakistan is a conservative Muslim country. Your guide will likely dress in light cotton long sleeve shirts and trousers during the city and trek phase of this expedition to observe local custom.

We are proud of our 360 leader teams, both western and local. They both work hard in different roles and in combination increase the value of your experience immeasurably. Costs could be cut by employing a local leader only but we feel including a western leader is vital for your experience. The training and medical qualifications needed to become a trek guide is much more vigorous and comprehensive in the west than in Nepal. Your western leader knows our comprehensive medical kit inside out and can advise and help you according to the latest updated western protocol should a medical problem occur. Furthermore, they see your travel experience through your eyes. They equally are tourists and very empathetic to your concerns because your concerns are theirs. Should you wish to discuss a medical or personal problem with someone who understands the nuances of your own language than you will find them there for you. Furthermore, they are with you for the entire itinerary, from the second you arrive at the airport, for all city tours, meals and every step of the trek. They will become your source of friendship, guidance and professional decision making and since working in Nepal is equally exciting for them, they will appreciate the wonders you will experience the same way as you.

One of many reasons to choose our expedition company lies in the experience and competence of the team joining the expedition and managing the expedition on the mountain with you. Your Expedition Leaders are professionals and want to ensure that you get the best possible chance of topping out. Plus, you will have continual support right from the word go from a seamless, professional and hugely dedicated office crew, which means that you can concentrate on the climb without distraction and loss of time. Our entire 360 team work hard to make sure that you reach the summit.

When comparing expedition companies, it is important to look beyond the price and consider the inclusions. We offer a Spantik expedition package which contains many more than the expected inclusions and there are no hidden costs. We don’t compromise on the quality of our service by skimping on added luxuries which enhance the expedition experience.

As standard, we provide experienced and qualified western guides, a dedicated world-class Balti team, seamless logistical management both in country and prior to departure, small group sizes, modern climbing equipment and safe client to guide ratios.  Beyond this, it is the host of additional inclusions and services, such as our unique individualised ascent strategy, which makes this expedition truly a life-changing experience.

We employ the services of a professional Basecamp Manager whose sole purpose is to assure the seamless running of the camp facilities and the logistics on the mountain. He does not participate in the ascent but is on 24-hour standby via VHS radio to facilitate the safe running of the expedition and throughout the ascent period. He is in daily communication with the offices in Islamabad and Europe to source weather forecasting, pass on messages and to update the progress of the expedition.

The day starts between 5 and 6 am, with you and your tent mate making a tea or coffee whilst still in your sleeping bag. As you get up you need to pack all your sleeping and climbing gear into your rucksack, before cooking your breakfast on the gas stoves provided. We aim to leave camp before the sun gets too hot and climbing conditions become uncomfortable.  On the way to the next camp we will stop regularly to enjoy the scenery, take photos, chat to the high-altitude porters and keep hydrated. A quick lunch is usually in a safe spot where we can admire the view. Lunch on the climb generally comprises of snacks rather than a three-course meal! There are usually another few hour’s climbing before you arrive at the next camp mid to late afternoon. This leaves an hour or so to explore around the camp and to get sufficient ice or snow to melt into water for both dinner and the next day’s climb.  Although it rapidly gets chilly in the evenings it is usually warm enough to sit around the camps chatting about the day whilst dinner is cooking and a cup of tea is prepared.

You will need to be thoroughly familiar with all the necessary skills needed to climb a mountain of this magnitude. Appropriate time spent on high altitude mountains such as Aconcagua, Mera Peak or Island Peak as well as alpine routes such as Mont Blanc or Pico de Aneto prior to coming to Spantik are a basic requirement to join the expedition. Alpine climbing techniques should NOT be learned for the first time on the mountain.

To climb Spantik it helps to be as fit as possible. Having a good level of fitness will allow you to enjoy the expedition far more and increase your chances of reaching the summit.

Hopefully, by the time you book, you will have a good understanding of your level of fitness and how you cope with altitude and with the discomforts of an expedition of this nature as a whole. This expedition is gruelling and will be physically demanding. We have rated it as P5, T4 for level of fitness needed. Please check our fitness chart and recommended training regime. Several excellent training plans can also be found online to prepare you. We also recommend the thorough advice offered by UpHill Athlete too.

We will have the support of high-altitude porters however there will be a need for climbers to assist them by carrying their own personal equipment between camps. (sleeping bags, spare clothing etc). Tents and other group equipment will be carried by the porters.

Your 360 Guide will be available for trekking and the ascent. We employ both Balti trekking guides, cooks and basecamp managers for the trek into basecamp and for the ascent we allow a 3:1 high altitude porter (HAP) ratio. Overseeing the entire expedition will be your 360 Guide. If deemed necessary, more porters will be employed for the summit push.

We try to limit the expedition team between 6 to 8 climbers. The only exception to this is if the team are an organised climbing club or a group of friends who wish to climb together.

The best weather is found during the period June to August when it is usually quite fair, dry and stable. Daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm in the valleys (20-30°C) but cool to very cold (especially with wind chill) high on the mountain. Night-time temperatures are cold (possibly as low as -25°C) and you should make sure you have a very warm sleeping bag. A good down jacket and good quality mitts are highly recommended.

The coldest night time temperature at camp 3 might get as low as -25°C with windchill. You will not be climbing in these low temperatures but remain inside your sleeping bag inside your tent.

Detailed flight information will be sent to you upon registration. We are ATOL licensed and ensure the most direct route with a reputable airline. 360 Expeditions carefully consider weight restrictions imposed by various airlines for a 7,000m peak expedition such as Spantik.

On some occasions, climbers prefer to take responsibility for their own flights. If this is the case than we are more than willing to assist you with every detail of the journey to Pakistan. We will, for example, be able to advise you of the weight restrictions imposed by various airlines and recommend quality airlines.

Booking your own air travel allows you to have the flexibility to use frequent flyer miles as well as manage your luggage weight. Please let us know when booking if you wish to make your own travel arrangements to and from Islamabad or if you wish to travel on different dates.

Your Balti Guide will meet you at the airport on your arrival.

You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition. We cannot take you on the mountain without proof of insurance.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip, including medical evacuation and coverage up to the maximum altitude of this expedition.

Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. 360 Expeditions will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.

Yes, you’ll need a visa for Pakistan, and you’ll need to get this at least a month before travel – either from your nearest Pakistani embassy or (the simplest way!) online. Head to the Pakistan visa page here – processing usually takes 7-10 working days, and costs vary between nationalities, though a single entry, 90-day tourist visa for a UK trekker is currently US $60. The 360 office crew can assist you with the various documentation that may be required for some nationalities.

Do remember that your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after the final day of travel and you should have at least two blank pages in your passport.

The 360 Expedition training programs have been devised to be expedition specific. Use these as a guide, but also feel free to contact us for individual advice on how to incorporate the best fitness program with your own lifestyle.

High altitude mountaineering is about slack days of low activity followed by long days where every grain of stamina you have is called upon and every ounce of determination you possess is necessary to reach your goal.

The essential idea in order to prepare for a mountain such as Spantik is to increase the intensity of the exercise you do by small increments over 8-12 months before you leave for the expedition. Concentrate on cardiovascular workouts during the initial weeks by taking short runs when time allows and try to spend at least 2 weekends a month going on long duration walks (longer than 8 hrs) carrying a rucksack of around 15kg and aiming for 800-1000 meters of ascent. As you get stronger, increase this rate of exercise and the duration by walking every weekend and running 5km every second day, for example.

Since this is a mountaineering expedition, we further encourage you to increase your climbing efficiency and use of climbing equipment (crampons, ice-axes) by undertaking winter walks / climbs in the Scottish Highlands, Pyrenees or Alps. This will increase your body’s ability to cope with the extra demands of these activities and also allows you to get familiar with the equipment you will be using on the mountain.

A focused regime will not only prepare your body for carrying minor loads but will harden your body against the big days on the mountain itself. In addition, the weekend walks will help break in your boots and get you used to your equipment for the trekking stage of the expedition. In combination, this will pay dividends when you reach base camp because even though you can’t train for altitude your body will be ready for arduous days and you will be familiar with how to best use your equipment, both adding to you being able to enjoy and appreciate the mountain all the more.

Furthermore, being familiar with moving over ice and glaciated ground will be beneficial when joining this expedition.

Contact the 360 office for further details and to discuss your individual background. This helps us to formulate a training strategy that best suits the demands of your daily life. Additionally, ask our team about pre-acclimatisation on smaller mountains prior to your departure for Spantik.

Several excellent training plans can also be found online to prepare you for this ascent. Check the thorough advice offered by UpHill Athlete.

Generally, deposits are due when you book as we need in turn to book the international flights and permits well in advance. The full balance should be paid four months prior to departure. However, having said that, our aim is to get you to the top of this mountain and we understand that personal financial situations can vary. Please contact our friendly office crew to discuss a suitable payment plan should you find raising the funds to be difficult. We have been in your shoes after all and go by the motto of ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’!

Please read 360 Expeditions’ Terms and Conditions carefully before you depart. 360 Expeditions highly recommend trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions. Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, 360 Expeditions must adhere to a stringent refund policy.

Our local crew work extremely hard to ensure that your expedition runs well. While tipping is not compulsory, once someone sees the hard work the crew provides, tipping will seem the least one can do to say thank you. Tipping recommendations are provided with our joining notes but as a general rule we suggest around $250 per client for the entire local crew to be shared amongst them. Tipping the 360 Leader is entirely at your discretion.

It is also normal to tip each of the porters on the way in/out (usually USD5 per porter for their services) – you might not have the same porters going in as on your return.

The local currency is the Pakistani rupee but the rates to the dollar can be unstable and, in the past, have fluctuated widely. American dollars are readily recognised and are easily converted to the local currency. Upon arrival there will always be a bureau de change at the airport and generally these provide a better rate of exchange than your hotel. For most situations when buying gifts or small goods such as drinks or snacks the use of small denomination US dollars is not a problem, but getting change for a $20USD bill when buying a $1 USD drink may be a challenge. Larger bills are good for tipping your local crew at the end of the expedition and a sufficient amount should be carried with you. Your 360 leader will advise you in the pre-expedition brief as to what is the correct amount to take on the trip with you.

The amount of money you will need depends on how many presents you wish to buy or if you want to purchase soft drinks or snacks on the trek or in town. As a basic rule of thumb, US $100-$200 should be more than adequate for any expedition spending.

Pakistan is a relatively cheap place and, when indulging in the local custom of haggling, goods can be bought for excellent value for money. Your 360 leader will be happy to point out the relative bargains, suitable prices and where to get the best value for money. The only other cash you’ll need to consider taking with you on this expedition is the local crew tips.

You can always call our offices and one of the leaders will contact you as soon as they get off the hill. For this expedition we will be holding a pre-expedition meeting in plenty of time before the expedition is due to take place. This is to aid you with any questions you may have and to meet your team members. We feel it is important that you have already struck up a friendship with your team before leaving rather than setting off from the airport as total strangers.

Reliable phone coverage only exists in towns and on the KKH. Beyond that, we rely on satellite phones which will be available for your use, but will have a charge attached to them.

Your 360 Leader will be sending regular updates to the 360 offices to allow your family and friends to track your progress on social media. The best place to reach a loved one is through our main 360 office, and we will do our best to pass these messages on to the team – though do be aware that our satellite phone is with the guide for emergencies. We do try to organise a daily satellite call with the 360 Leader on the mountain to allow communication between the outside world and to keep our team updated with important developments occurring at home.

There are solar charging facilities at basecamp, and we would also advise bringing your own personal power banks. We recommend PowerTraveller.

You will be able to get 4G in Skardu town, but there is no 4G reception at basecamp, or higher up on the mountain.

Your 360 leader will have a satellite phone with them but this is for emergency use and to keep the office informed of the group’s progress / be in touch should an emergency arise.

Your 360 leader will have a Thuraya satellite phone with them on the expedition, but this is for safety reasons, emergency response and 360 updates to keep the office informed of the group’s progress and to be in touch should an emergency arise.

Some climbers prefer to hire/bring their own personal satellite phones so they can keep in touch with loved ones and update social media. Whereas we encourage the benefits of switching off from the modern world, we do understand that, for some, this is a comfort and a necessity. For Spantik, we would recommend Thuraya as we have found they have the best coverage in this region. This may of course change and so we would advise you research the best option for your personal circumstances, if you did want to take your own sat phone out to Pakistan with you.