Duration: 35 Days | Region: Western China – Kunlun Shan Range | Altitude: 7,546m | Best Time: June to August
Organized by PakJourney – Your High-Altitude Adventure Partner in Central Asia
🏔 Overview
Mustagh Ata, meaning “Father of Ice Mountains”, is one of the easiest and most accessible 7,500-meter peaks in the world. Located in Western China’s Xinjiang Province, it rises majestically from the Karakoram Highway beyond the Khunjerab Pass—connecting Pakistan and China.
This massive ice dome is famed for its gentle southwest slopes, making it an ideal high-altitude objective for those transitioning from 6,000m peaks to the world of extreme altitude. The route is also popular with ski mountaineers, making Mustagh Ata the highest skiable peak in the world. With breathtaking views over the Pamirs, Kunlun, and Karakoram ranges, this journey is as culturally immersive as it is physically challenging—passing through Sost, Tashkurgan, Karakul Lake, and Kashgar.
Whether you aim to summit both 7546m and 7130m peaks or simply test your limits at altitude, this is your chance to experience one of Earth’s 50 highest mountains in a truly off-the-beaten-path expedition.
🌟 Trip Highlights
- Summit a 7,546m peak with relatively low technical difficulty
- Experience the rich cultures of Karakoram, Pamirs, and Western China
- Acclimatize at Karakul Lake, trek to base camp, and attempt the main summit
- Visit the historical city of Kashgar—an ancient stop on the Silk Road
- Unique chance to ski above 7,000m (optional)
- Traverse the Khunjerab Pass (4,693m)—one of the highest paved border crossings in the world
🧗 Climbing Information
- Peak Name: Mustagh Ata (Muztagh Ata)
- Elevation: 7,546m
- Location: Kunlun Range, Xinjiang, China
- Climbing Grade: Moderate (F–PD on the Alpine scale)
- Best Time: June to August
- Skills Required: Glacier travel, use of crampons, high-altitude fitness
🗺 Detailed Itinerary
Arrival & Approach
- Day 1: Arrive in Islamabad – Hotel check-in
- Day 2: Drive to Chilas via Karakoram Highway
- Day 3: Drive to Sost, last Pakistani town near China border
- Day 4: Cross Khunjerab Pass – Enter China, drive to Tashkurgan
- Day 5: Drive to Karakul Lake (3,600m), stunning views of Mustagh Ata
- Day 6: Trek to Mustagh Ata Base Camp
Climbing Period
- Day 7–26:
- Establish Camp 1, Camp 2, and Camp 3
- Acclimatization rotations
- Summit attempts on either or both summits (7546m / 7130m)
- Weather-dependent and flexible based on team fitness
Return Journey
- Day 27: Trek down to Subhash – drive to Kashgar
- Day 28: Sightseeing in Kashgar – Explore Silk Road bazaar, mosques, old town
- Day 29: Drive to Tashkurgan
- Day 30–32: Return to Karimabad, Hunza via Sost
- Day 33: Drive to Chilas
- Day 34: Drive to Islamabad
- Day 35: Fly back or continue onward travel
✅ What’s Included
- Climbing permit and border coordination
- All transport within Pakistan and China
- Professional expedition leaders, support staff, cooks, porters
- Accommodations in hotels, guesthouses, and base camps
- Full base camp setup with mess tents and climbing equipment
- Sightseeing in Kashgar and Hunza
- Liaison officer and Ministry briefings
⚠️ Things to Consider
- Requires Chinese visa (PakJourney assists with visa support)
- High-altitude exposure above 7000m
- Weather and snow conditions affect summit chances
- Recommended for climbers with prior 6,000m+ experience