A long, remote glacier walk from Arandu up the Chogo Lungma to the foot of Spantik (7,027m) — the "Golden Peak" of the Nagar Karakoram, and a serious step beyond the easy valley treks.
Spantik (7,027m) is one of Gilgit-Baltistan's best-loved high peaks — known to climbers and locals alike as the Golden Peak for the warm light its rock and snow take on at dawn and dusk. Sitting in the Nagar region of the Karakoram, it is famous in mountaineering circles for the technical "Golden Pillar" on its far side, but for trekkers the draw is simpler: to walk in to base camp and stand beneath a genuine seven-thousand-metre mountain.
Reaching that base camp is not a weekend outing. The popular trekking approach runs from Arandu, a village in the Basha and Shigar country reached overland from Skardu, then follows the long tongue of the Chogo Lungma Glacier up into the high amphitheatre below the peak. It is wilderness travel in the truest sense — days on the move, nights under canvas, and no villages or shops once you leave the road head.
Skardu to Arandu: The journey begins with a long road transfer from Skardu out towards the Basha/Shigar valley to the trailhead village of Arandu. This is where porters and supplies are usually organised before walking begins.
Onto the glacier: From Arandu the trail climbs gradually towards the snout of the Chogo Lungma Glacier and then follows the ice and lateral moraine upstream. Footing on glacier and moraine is uneven and tiring, and the route is broken into several staged camps rather than a single push.
Base Camp (around 4,200–4,360m): After several days the glacier opens into the broad basin used as Spantik Base Camp, above 4,000m, with the Golden Peak rising directly ahead. Trekkers turn around here; climbers continue higher onto the mountain itself.
The return retraces the same glacier and valley back to Arandu and the road to Skardu. Because the walk is long and committing, most itineraries build in spare days for weather and acclimatisation rather than racing in and out.
Graded moderate, this is still a serious undertaking. The days are long, the terrain crosses glacier and moraine, and base camp sits around 4,200–4,360m — high enough that altitude sickness is a real risk if you climb too fast. You should be in good condition, used to carrying a daypack over rough ground, and prepared for cold, exposed camps with no facilities along the way.
Acclimatisation is the single most important thing to get right. Build the walk in gradually, keep spare days in hand, and never push higher if anyone in the group feels unwell — this is remote country and help is far away. Glacier travel carries its own hazards, from crevasses to rockfall and fast-changing weather, which is why an experienced local guide is not optional here.
| Best months | Roughly June to September, with the high summer the most settled |
| Terrain | Long days on glacier ice and lateral moraine; remote and committing |
| Max altitude | Base camp above 4,000m, around 4,200–4,360m |
| Access | Long road transfer from Skardu to Arandu, then on foot up the Chogo Lungma Glacier |
| Costs & permits | Guides, porters and camping support required; confirm current costs and any permits with a local operator |
Read more on the Spantik (Golden Peak) mountain page, browse other treks across Gilgit-Baltistan, find a vetted local agency, or plan a full Skardu itinerary around it.
Most itineraries run around 6–8 days roundtrip from Arandu, including staged camps on the way up and down and spare days for weather and acclimatisation. It is a committing wilderness trek, not a quick out-and-back.
The base camp sits above 4,000m, somewhere around 4,200–4,360m depending on the exact camp used. That is high enough that altitude needs to be taken seriously, so build the walk in gradually.
Yes. This is remote glacier terrain with no villages or facilities once you leave the road head, so an experienced local guide, porters and full camping support are essential. Confirm current costs and any permits with a local operator before you go.
Roughly June to September, with the high summer months usually the most settled for weather on the glacier. Outside this window snow and conditions make the approach much harder.
The trek starts at Arandu village, reached by a long road transfer from Skardu out towards the Basha/Shigar valley. From Arandu the walking begins up towards the Chogo Lungma Glacier.