Author: Zulfiqar Ali
Founder & Licensed Mountain Guide
Zulfiqar Ali is the founder of Karakoram Venture and a licensed mountain guide with more than ten years of experience across Pakistan's Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges. A product designer by profession, Zulfiqar leads the Skardu-based Balti team that plans and runs the company's treks, expeditions and tours.
Winter Climbing in the Karakoram: K2's Winter Ascent and Winter in Skardu (2027)
K2 was first climbed in winter on 16 January 2021 at around -40 C. What a winter 8,000 m attempt in the Karakoram really involves, what winter closes, and what Skardu, Shigar and Khaplu are like in the coldest season.
Chogo Lungma Glacier & Arandu: Trekking Baltistan's Quietest Ice Highway
The Chogo Lungma is a roughly 40 km glacier at the head of the Basha Valley, and the trek from Arandu to Spantik Base Camp is the quietest big-glacier walk in Baltistan. Route, itinerary, season, difficulty and history, from a local Balti team in Skardu.
Diran Peak Expedition (7,266 m): Route, History and the 2027 Season
Diran, 7,266 m, is one of the few Karakoram seven-thousanders a fit alpinist can realistically climb. The normal route from Minapin, the 1968 first ascent, the real avalanche risk, season, permits and how we run it from Gilgit-Baltistan.
Istor-o-Nal (7,403 m): The Hindu Kush Giant Hiding Behind Tirich Mir
Istor-o-Nal is 7,403 m and the third-highest peak in the Hindu Kush, hidden behind Tirich Mir in Upper Chitral. The route from Shagrom, the Tirich Glacier base camp at about 4,700 m, the 1955 first ascent, season, difficulty and permits — straight from a local team.
Bagrot Valley: Gilgit's Green Karakoram Valley Under Rakaposhi and Diran (2027 Guide)
Bagrot Valley runs east off the Karakoram Highway 38 km from Gilgit, under Rakaposhi (7,788 m) and Diran (7,266 m). Route, Diran Base Camp trek, season, permits and the honest difficulty.
Malangutti Sar (7,207 m): Shimshal's Quiet Giant — Route, History and 2027 Expedition Guide
Malangutti Sar (7,207 m) rises above Shimshal in the Hispar Muztagh. First climbed in 1985 and barely touched since — the route, the history, the season, the real difficulty, and how we run it with a local team.
Attabad Lake, Hunza: The Complete Guide for 2027
Attabad Lake in Gojal, Upper Hunza: how a 2010 landslide created it, what you actually do there, the best months to go, and how to reach it from Gilgit, Karimabad or Skardu.