Four of the world's fourteen 8,000 m peaks. One glacier highway. A night crossing over a 5,585 m pass with crampons on your boots and K2 behind you.
This is the trek mountaineers dream about, and it is not for first timers. We built in the acclimatization and buffer days most short itineraries skip, because standing at K2 Base Camp should feel like a triumph, not a race.
Fast Facts
- Duration
- 21 Days
- Grade
- Extreme
- Max Altitude
- 5,585 m
- Best Season
- Late June to August
- Stay
- Hotels & camping
- Departure
- Islamabad
Trip Highlights
- K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and Masherbrum in a single panorama
- Sunrise from Gondogoro La
- Camping at Concordia
- The full length of the Baltoro Glacier
- Exit through the green Hushe Valley
Day by Day
Day 1
Arrive in Islamabad. Expedition briefing and full kit check.
Day 2
Fly to Skardu, about one hour, weather permitting. If flights are grounded we drive the Karakoram Highway and use the reserve days.
Day 3
Skardu. Final permit formalities, supplies and a gentle acclimatization walk.
Day 4
Jeep through the Braldu Valley to Askole, around 3,000 m. Six to seven hours of pure drama.
Day 5
Trek to Jhola. First taste of glacial rivers and big skies.
Day 6
Trek to Paiju, with your first look at the snout of the Baltoro Glacier and the Trango Towers.
Day 7
Rest and acclimatization at Paiju.
Day 8
Step onto the Baltoro Glacier and trek to Khoburtse.
Day 9
Trek to Urdukas, a grassy perch facing Trango and Cathedral Towers.
Day 10
Trek to Goro II, camping on the glacier itself.
Day 11
Reach Concordia, around 4,600 m, the throne room of the mountain gods.
Day 12
Walk via Broad Peak Base Camp to K2 Base Camp, around 5,000 m, and the Gilkey Memorial. Return to Concordia.
Day 13
Rest day at Concordia. Crampon and rope practice for the pass.
Day 14
Trek to Ali Camp at the foot of Gondogoro La.
Day 15
Midnight start. Cross Gondogoro La on fixed ropes with sunrise over K2, then descend to Khuspang.
Day 16
Descend through the Gondogoro Valley to Saicho.
Day 17
Final trek to Hushe village. Overnight in Hushe.
Day 18
Drive to Skardu. Hot showers have never felt this good.
Day 19
Fly to Islamabad, weather permitting.
Day 20
Reserve day for weather, flights or the pass.
Day 21
Departure from Islamabad.
What's Included
- Expedition leader and local support crew
- Camping equipment and trekking meals
- Group transport and agreed expedition logistics
- Pass crossing support arranged with the expedition team
What's Not Included
- Personal trekking and technical gear such as crampons and harness
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Emergency evacuation and rescue costs
- Personal expenses and unforeseen contingency costs
Important Information
- Suitable only for fit, experienced trekkers with prior high altitude experience.
- Gondogoro La requires fixed rope support, a night start and appropriate equipment. The pass is crossed only when the team leader judges conditions safe. If not, the group returns along the Baltoro.
- Skardu flights are frequently delayed by weather. Reserve days exist for this reason.
- Permit requirements for the Central Karakoram and Gondogoro La are confirmed at booking.
Before you go
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