Our trip costs more for a few reasons, but here are a few of the main points:

1. We offer our staff and porters wages that are higher than average.
2. Our cooks are dedicated to preparing high-quality meals that go beyond the typical Baltoro fare, adding our unique twist to hearty trekking food.
3. Comfortable camp setup: After a long day of hiking, we aim to make our campsites as comfortable as possible, focusing on the little details. Our camps include tables, comfy chairs, a spacious mess/dining tent, a proper toilet tent for privacy, a generator for charging electronics, and endless pots of French press coffee, tea, and plates of cookies upon your arrival at camp. These details create an unparalleled camp-life experience.
4. Each trek has a minimum of two trip leaders – one Western leader and one local leader.
5. Group size: You will NEVER see a Skardu Trekkers Expeditions team with more than 12 people.
6. Safety plans and protocols: A major difference between Skardu Trekkers and our competitors is our professional and comprehensive safety plan, along with the necessary tools to handle any emergency situation. All of our guides are trained in wilderness first aid and risk management.

The Shimshal Pass and Mingling Star Trek involves a certain amount of risk as we venture deep into the mountains of a developing country.

However, member safety is EBT’s top priority. Our experienced ground team does everything possible to ensure a safe adventure, focusing on safety first and injury prevention.

Skardu Trekkers goes above and beyond to be fully prepared for emergencies, bringing all necessary tools to manage any situation.

The reality on the ground in Pakistan is that other local (budget) tour operators often forgo bringing a satellite phone due to its high cost. For us, being unprepared for emergencies is unacceptable. This commitment to safety is a significant reason why clients choose us and continue to return for different adventures year after year.

All guests joining the Shimshal Pass and Mingling Star Trek must apply for a Pakistani Trekking and Mountaineering Visa. This visa is different from the standard tourist visa, so you will not be applying for a tourist visa.

Skardu Trekkers provides all the necessary documentation for the visa application, including the Letter of Invitation (LOI).

Roughly 50% of our clients on the K2 Base Camp Trek are female, hailing primarily from the USA, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Over the years, we have had solo women from more than 20 different nationalities join us on this expedition.

You will always be paired with another solo woman as hotel/tent mates. If there is no other female to pair you with due to odd numbers, you will not be required to share a tent.

As a solo woman, you can feel safe joining the Shimshal Pass and Mingling Star Trek. We prioritize the safety and well-being of all our trekkers, and our experienced team is dedicated to ensuring a secure and supportive environment throughout the journey. We have successfully guided many solo female travelers on this trek, and our staff is trained to provide the highest level of care and attention to all participants. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities.

Northern Pakistan is a very safe part of the world. We often say that you are safer traveling in Northern Pakistan as a woman than walking alone at night in Paris or New York City.