Sustainability &
Climate Action
Women’s Empowerment
& Girls Education
Community Engagement &
Development
Cultural Heritage
Protection
We believe travel can do more than open your eyes to new landscapes and cultures. It can create meaningful change, support communities, and leave a positive imprint on the world. Every journey we craft carries a deeper purpose — one that connects travelers with the people, places, and causes that truly matter. Learn More
Selected journeys are guided by women or contribute profits to girls’ education and organizations helping women rebuild their lives.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.
Prices are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.
Single Supplement Optional.
The Thalle La Trek in Baltistan, Pakistan is a rewarding 11-day adventure through high-altitude passes, glacier-fed valleys, and remote mountain trails. Designed for trekkers who want both challenge and cultural discovery, this journey combines stunning Karakoram landscapes with the warmth of Balti hospitality.
With Venus Trails — a women-owned and community-driven travel company, you’ll not only trek across the Thalle La Pass (4,600m) but also support sustainable tourism, local communities, and women empowerment in Pakistan.
Arrive in Pakistan’s capital and meet your Venus Trails guide. The day is kept flexible so you can rest and recover after your flight. In the evening, enjoy a group orientation where your guide introduces the trek and answers any last-minute questions. Dinner will be shared with fellow travelers, setting the tone for the adventure ahead.
Travel Distance: 40 km
Travel Time: 45 min
Main Attraction: Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, Daman-e-Koh
Accommodation: Hotel IN Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Weather permitting, take a breathtaking flight over Nanga Parbat (8,126m) into Skardu, the historic gateway to the Karakoram. If flights are canceled, drive along the legendary Karakoram Highway through valleys, rivers, and towering cliffs. Arrive in Skardu and settle in at your hotel, surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes.
Travel Distance: 620 km (if by road)
Travel Time: 45 min flight / 1214 hrs drive
Main Attraction: Flight over Nanga Parbat or Karakoram Highway journey
Accommodation: Hotel in Skardu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day exploring Skardu while adjusting to the altitude. Visit Kharpocho Fort, perched high above the town, offering sweeping views of the Indus River. Wander through Skardu Bazaar, where traditional Balti culture is visible in daily life. The slower pace helps prepare you for the trek ahead while giving insight into Baltistan’s history.
Travel Distance: Local sightseeing
Travel Time: 3-4 hrs
Main Attraction: Kharpocho Fort, Skardu Bazaar
Accommodation: Hotel in Skardu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel east to Khaplu, once the seat of the Yabgo Dynasty and a major stop on ancient trade routes. The drive follows the Shyok River, passing villages and apricot orchards. On arrival, visit Khaplu Fort, now a heritage hotel and museum showcasing Balti architecture. Overnight in this picturesque valley at the edge of the Karakoram.
Travel Distance: 100 km
Travel Time: 4 hrs
Main Attraction: Khaplu Fort
Accommodation: Hotel in Khaplu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Khaplu behind and enter the remote Thalle Valley, where your trek begins. The road winds through narrow valleys and opens to high meadows surrounded by snowy peaks. At Thalle village, meet local porters and prepare your gear. Overnight in camp beneath clear skies, with a briefing for the trek ahead.
Travel Distance: 60 km
Travel Time: 3 hrs
Main Attraction: Scenic drive into Thalle Valley
Accommodation: Camp in Thalle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your trek begins with a gradual ascent along riverbanks and alpine meadows. The trail includes a few rocky sections and river crossings before reaching Azalan Camp, surrounded by grazing pastures. Walking at a steady pace allows for proper acclimatization, and in the evening, the wide-open sky makes for excellent stargazing.
Travel Distance: 10-12 km
Travel Time: 6 hrs trekking
Main Attraction: Alpine meadows, river crossings
Accommodation: Camp at Azalan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the most challenging but rewarding part of the trek. You ascend gradually toward the Thalle La Pass (4,600m), where sweeping views of the Karakoram peaks unfold. After taking time at the top, descend carefully into the Raseppi Valley. This evening at camp, celebrate the accomplishment with your team.
Travel Distance: 11-13 km
Travel Time: 6 hrs trekking
Main Attraction: Thalle La Pass (4,600m)
Accommodation: Camp at Raseppi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend into the lush Shigar Valley, once a crossroads of trade caravans and home to Balti rulers. The walk is easier today, with varied landscapes of stone villages, fields, and orchards. By afternoon, you reach Shigar and check into a comfortable lodge, where warm showers and soft beds await.
Travel Distance: 8-10 km
TrekkingTime: 4 hrs
Main Attraction: Shigar Valley
Accommodation: Hotel in Shigar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
If weather allows, fly back to Islamabad, enjoying spectacular views of K2 and Nanga Parbat en route. If flights are canceled, retrace the journey by road via Chilas along the Karakoram Highway. Both options provide one last chance to soak in the mighty landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Travel Distance: 620 km (if by road)
Travel Time: 45 min flight / 12-14 hrs drive
Main Attraction: Karakoram mountain views
Accommodation: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day exploring Islamabad or head out to the ancient ruins of Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and key center of Buddhist learning. Wander through monasteries and archaeological sites that date back over 2,000 years. This cultural visit offers a gentle closing to your adventure.
Travel Distance: 60 km round trip to Taxila
Travel Time: 3-4 hrs sightseeing
Main Attraction: Taxila UNESCO World Heritage Site
Accommodation: Hotel in Islamabad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward flight. Your journey through Baltistan and the Thalle La Pass concludes with lifelong memories of adventure, culture, and mountain beauty.
Wishing you a safe journey!
The Thalle La Trek is graded as moderate to challenging, with daily walks of 5–7 hours. No technical climbing is required, but good fitness and stamina are essential.
The highest point is Thalle La Pass at 4,600m. Our itinerary is designed to allow for safe acclimatization.
Some trekking experience is recommended. You should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and at altitude.
We have a backup plan to drive via the Karakoram Highway, with an overnight stop in Chila.
All meals are included. Expect a mix of local Balti dishes and nourishing camp meals prepared by our crew. Vegetarian options are available.
Yes. Venus Trails is a women-owned company, and we prioritize creating safe, respectful, and empowering travel experiences.
Mobile coverage is limited in the mountains. We encourage travelers to embrace the digital detox. Emergency communication will always be available through our guides.
For each traveler, Venus Trails plants trees in northern Pakistan, avoids single-use plastics, and follows strict “leave no trace” principles during treks.
