Lela Peak Expedition Trek & Tours is on the registered tour operator list published by the Directorate of Tourists Services (DTS) Gilgit-Baltistan, with licence reference DTS-GB-018. That’s all the official list records: the name and the number. It doesn’t say which treks or climbs the company runs, which valleys it works in, what it charges or where it’s based, and we don’t guess. If you’re considering this company, contact it yourself and get every detail confirmed in writing before you pay.
The name will send many readers straight to a mountain. Our Hushe Valley page lists Laila Peak, at about 6,096 m, among the peaks above the valley in Ghanche District. “Lela”, “Laila” and “Leila” are the spelling variants you see all the time in Karakoram names. We don’t know whether the company takes its name from that peak, or whether it organises trips there — so ask.
What we can usefully do is explain the setting. This page covers Hushe and Ghanche, the difference between trekking near a 6,000 m peak and climbing one, the permits involved, and the questions to put to any operator before a trip on the Hushe side of Baltistan.
What the official listing confirms
DTS sits within the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology & Museums Department, and its Registered Tour Operators list is where this entry comes from. Our last check of that list was on 27 August 2026.
- It confirms: the business name as printed, and that it was on the DTS list with reference DTS-GB-018 when we read it.
- It doesn’t confirm: that the company is trading today, which routes or peaks it offers, its prices, staff, safety record or customer reviews.
The department’s FAQ says tour operators must hold a tourism department licence, comply with safety standards, provide trained and licensed guides and follow department guidelines; see tour operator regulations. A listing isn’t a recommendation from us. This site doesn’t sell tours, take bookings or endorse operators.
Hushe Valley and Ghanche at a glance
Ghanche is a Baltistan district east of Skardu, along the Shyok River, and Hushe Valley is its named attraction. The valley runs north from Khaplu towards Masherbrum. According to our Hushe page:
- Hushe village, the last settlement, sits at about 3,050–3,200 m. Khaplu is about 2,600 m.
- Getting there: about 103 km from Skardu to Khaplu on a paved road (2.5–3.5 hours), then about 60 km of rough jeep track to Hushe (2.5–4 hours). You need a proper 4×4.
- Peaks above the valley: Masherbrum (K1), K6, K7 and Laila Peak.
- The big pass: the Gondogoro La, about 5,585 m, which links Hushe with Concordia and the Baltoro Glacier.
- Season: June to September.
Most people overnight in Khaplu on the way up, which also helps with acclimatisation. Hushe men have worked as cooks, porters and guides on Karakoram expeditions since the 1960s, and the village is still one of Baltistan’s great mountaineering communities.
Trekking near a peak vs climbing it
This is the distinction that matters most if a name like “Lela Peak” drew you here. Our guide to applying for trekking and mountaineering permits sets it out:
- Trekking means walking a route, such as an approach to a base camp, a pass crossing or a valley circuit, without trying to climb a peak.
- Mountaineering means attempting a named peak. That involves a climbing permit and a royalty and, under the department’s guidance, a registered tour company and insurance.
A 6,000 m peak can sound modest next to K2 — but our Hushe page is clear that climbing permits for peaks such as Laila, K6 or Masherbrum are separate from trekking arrangements and are priced by peak height. We don’t publish the amounts, because they’re revised by official notification.
One more thing. The peaks in our mountains section come from the official list used for Gilgit-Baltistan mountaineering permits, and the site doesn’t currently have a record for a Laila Peak. That doesn’t mean the peak can’t be climbed. It means you should ask your operator exactly how the peak is listed, which permit category applies, and confirm it in writing. If your trip includes something described as a “trekking peak”, the permit guide recommends the same check.
Treks from Hushe
Our Hushe page lists these as the main walks from the village. Lengths are typical — not fixed.
| Trek | Typical length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saicho meadow | 1–2 days | The easiest taste of the valley, with Masherbrum views |
| Masherbrum Base Camp (about 4,300 m) | 4–6 days return | Moderate, with some rough moraine |
| K6 Base Camp / Charakusa | 3–9 days | K6 Base Camp is the shorter option |
| Gondogoro La (about 5,585 m) | Part of the K2 circuit | Fixed ropes, crampons and a certified guide |
Unlike the Baltoro, where you walk for days before a big peak appears, Hushe puts you under them from day one. That makes Hushe a good base for shorter treks. For the Baltoro side and the Gondogoro La exit, see K2 Base Camp.
Permits and rules on the Hushe side
The department FAQ says trekking and mountaineering must be registered with the tourism department, restricted areas need a permit before activity starts, and a licensed guide and porter are mandatory there. See trekking and mountaineering regulations.
Our Hushe page adds detail for this valley. No fee or permit is needed to visit Hushe village itself. Treks beyond it go through a licensed operator, and the Gondogoro La needs a restricted-zone trekking permit. Sources disagree on exactly which Hushe-side treks need a permit or NOC for foreigners — one more reason to let a licensed operator confirm what your route needs.
Other rules apply on the trail:
- Porters and mules. Porters and mule owners must be licensed, and animals mustn’t be overloaded. See porter and mule hiring regulations.
- Camping. Only in designated areas, with a permit and leave-no-trace practice. See camping regulations.
- Guides. Guides need a tourism department licence; see tour guide regulations.
Season, altitude and safety
July and August are the main trekking months in Hushe; the Gondogoro La is usually crossed from mid-July to early August. September is quieter and often clear, with cold nights. From October to April the valley is freezing and isolated.
Take a rest day in Hushe before you head higher. Treat the Gondogoro La as a serious, technical crossing: use a reputable team with fixed ropes, start before dawn and turn back in bad weather. Signal is patchy in Hushe village and gone beyond it, so leave your plans with someone in Skardu. The upper Shyok is close to sensitive areas, so don’t fly drones without permission and don’t photograph checkposts. The photography restrictions page has the official wording.
Culture in Ghanche
People in Hushe speak Balti. Ghanche marks festivities with two named dances, Mandoq Taimo and Ragi Taimo; see dances of Ghanche. They’re festival dances, not a weekly performance. Try balay — a hearty noodle soup. Dress modestly and ask before taking portraits, especially of women.
Questions to ask Lela Peak Expedition Trek & Tours, or any operator
- Can you confirm your DTS registration and the licence reference DTS-GB-018?
- Which valleys and routes do you work in, and which peak does your name refer to?
- Is my trip a trek or a climb, and which permit category applies?
- If it’s a climb, how is the peak listed, and what are the royalty and permit arrangements?
- Does my route enter a restricted zone or national park, and who arranges the permits?
- Who are the licensed guide and porters, and what’s their experience on this route?
- What technical equipment is provided, and what must I bring?
- How is acclimatisation built into the schedule?
- What insurance is required, and for whom?
- What happens to fees and dates if weather or a cancelled flight changes the plan?
The site’s hiring a tour operator guide and hiring registered operators for international visits explain how to check operators against the official lists.
Where to go next
- Compare other names on the registered tour operators directory.
- Read the Masherbrum and Chogolisa peak records.
- Plan your arrival with Skardu airport access.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lela Peak Expedition Trek & Tours a registered tour operator?
It appears on the DTS Gilgit-Baltistan registered tour operator list with licence reference DTS-GB-018, as checked on 27 August 2026. Ask the company to confirm its registration is current before you book.
Does the company organise Laila Peak expeditions?
The official list doesn’t say, and we don’t publish services we can’t verify. Ask the company which peaks and routes it works on and get the answer in writing.
Where is Laila Peak?
Our Hushe Valley page lists Laila Peak, at about 6,096 m, among the peaks above Hushe Valley in Ghanche District. Similar names can belong to different mountains, so ask an operator to name the valley and height.
Is Lela the same as Laila or Leila?
They’re common spelling variants in Karakoram names. Whether the company’s name refers to that peak isn’t stated on the official list.
Do I need a climbing permit for a 6,000 m peak?
Our Hushe page says climbing permits for peaks such as Laila, K6 or Masherbrum are separate from trekking and are priced by peak height. Confirm the category and current fees with a licensed operator.
Do I need a permit to visit Hushe village?
No. Our Hushe page says there’s no fee or permit for the village itself. Treks beyond it go through a licensed operator, and the Gondogoro La needs a restricted-zone permit.
How do I get to Hushe Valley?
Fly or drive to Skardu, drive about 103 km to Khaplu on a paved road, then take a 4×4 up about 60 km of jeep track to Hushe. Most people overnight in Khaplu.
When is the best time to trek from Hushe?
June to September. July and August are the main months, and the Gondogoro La is usually crossed from mid-July to early August.
What language is spoken in Hushe?
Balti. Ghanche’s district page says Urdu and English are also spoken.
Can I book a trek through this website?
No. This is an independent information resource: no bookings, no payments and no endorsements. Deal with the operator directly.
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Source: Registered Tour Operators (Directorate of Tourists Services, Gilgit-Baltistan), Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology & Museums Department, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. Accessed 27 August 2026. Valley, peak and permit details are from this site’s own guides; confirm current requirements with a licensed operator before you travel.