K2 Base Camp Trek

21 Days
Max Guests : 40

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K2 base camp trek, synonymous with Baltoro Glacier Trek and Baltoro Concordia Trek, is one of the world’s most famous mountain treks, located in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is a challenging and demanding trek that involves trekking and hiking along Baltoro (5th longest glacier at 63km) and Godwin Austin.

trekking-to-k2-basecamp-k2-base-camp-expedition

K2 Base Camp trek provides one of the most unique and the most spectacular views of the northern mountains. K2 base camp trek gives you the opportunity to witness the following magnificent peaks which range from 5000 to 8000 meters: Gasherbrum 2 (8,035 m), K2 (world’s second highest peak at 8,611 m), Broad Peak, Masherbrum, Gasherbrum 3, Gasherbrum 4, Uli Biaho, Urdukas Peak, Mustagh Tower, Crystal Peak, Trango Towers, Biale Peak, Mitre Peak, Lobsang Spire, Marbel Peak, Cathedral Peak.
This collection of the mighty peaks is also referred as the “Throne Room of Mountain Gods” for its breathtaking 360, panorama view of the mountains.

Difficulty of K2 Base Camp Trek
Although considered a challenging trek, K2 base camp trek does not require any technical or mountaineering skills to cross, rather it is a high altitude walk where one goes back down from Baltoro Glacier to Concordia. The increase in altitude is incremental, and to help with the walk acclimatization is required.
The participants will walk at an average of 6 to 8 miles every day that can take between 5 to 6hours. The walking trail consists of rubble, stone, and the participants do not walk on ice.

Best Season for the K2 Base Camp Trek
There is only one distinct trekking season for the K2 Base Camp Trek: Summer. The months of July, August and September are the best to undertake the trek. However, it is also to possible to the trek in May, June and October.

Highlights – K2 Base Camp Trek

K2 base camp trek has a lot to offer. Given below are main highlights of K2 base camp trek:
Base Camps of K2 and Broad Peak
Concordia – Throne Room of the Mountain Gods
Trek up to Godwin Austin glacier via Baltoro Glacier (5th longest and world’s largest outside polar region)
Gilkey memorial
View 8,000 m peaks including Gasherbrum 2 (8,035 m),
Broad Peak (8,051 m) and K2 (8,611 m) from Goro II,
Concordia & base camps.
Views of other peaks between 5,000m to 8,000m including
Gasherbrum 3 and 4, Masherbrum, Mustagh Tower,
Bakhordas Peak, Mitre Peak, Crystal Peak, Marbel Peak, Biale
Peak, Lobsang Spire, Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, Cathedral
Peak, Urdukas Peak etc.
Views of Glaciers (e.g. Biafo, Vigne, Liligo, Dunge, Muztagh,
Biango, Yermanendu, Mandu and more), glacial lakes, waterfalls and streams
Indus, Panmah and Braldu rivers
Valleys of Skardu and Shigar
Balti porter life, Askole jeep safari etc
Meet mountaineers at base camps
Sightseeing in Skardu and Islamabad

Price Includes

Air fares
3 Nights Hotel Accomodation
On Trip Transport
2 Meals / day

Price Excludes

Driver Service Fee
Guide Service Fee
Room Service Fees

Itinerary

Itinerary – K2 Base Camp Trek

Altitude: 540 m
Accommodation- Islamabad

Our guide(s) will receive you from the airport. Soon you will be transferred to hotels. On this day, our participants can relax and recover from their long journey.
Pickup information
it is very easy to spot our guide, holding orange placards with our company’s logo and your name on it. You must arrive at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad. International flights normally arrive at midnight or in the afternoon. You must give us the details of your flights, both inbound and outbound at least five days prior to your arrival in Pakistan. Our staff/guide will receive you at the gates of international arrivals unless you are taking a connecting flight from another city of Pakistan. The guide/staff will transfer you to our partner hotel. In case you do not require airport transfer, please inform us in advance.
After lunch and some rest at the hotel (ideally if you are arriving in the morning between 9am to 12pm), our guide/representative will brief you about trek.

Day 2: Fly to Skardu (45 min flight / 10-12 hour drive to Chilas)

Altitude: 2,498 m
Accommodation- Skardu-Chilas
a) Weather permitting, we take a spectacular flight to the high mountain region of Baltistan in the northeast. On a clear day, we should be able to see Nanga Parbat (8124m) and K2 (8611m) towering above all other mountains.(Adverse weather in Islamabad or Skardu may affect our flight plans and make it necessary to drive by the Karakoram Highway to Skardu, a journey of approx two days).

b) In case of cancellation of flight drive.10-12hrs by air-conditioned coach/car to Chilas (480km) on the Karakoram highway. Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Drive to Skardu from Chilas / Rest Day

Altitude: 2,498 m
Accommodation- Skardu-Chilas
A. Overnight Hotel. Preparations for our trek and depending on our time of arrival into Skardu, there may be time to visit the town and possibly an excursion to Kachura Lake situated at the edge of the valley. Skardu is the regional capital of Baltistan, lying at the edge of a broad floodplain that is the confluence of the Shyok, Indus and Basha Rivers.

b) If we are driving the road journey today will be 7-8 hrs to Skardu (275km). On route are spectacular views of Nanga Parbat (8125m) overnight Hotel.

Day 4: Drive to Askoli Approx 7-8 hrs Jeep drive.

Altitude: 3,015 m
Accommodation- Askolie
It takes about six hours to drive from Skardu to Askolie or near Askolie. The drive through the Braldu Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off. Overnight in tents

Day 5: Trek to Jola
On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 3,103 m
Distance: 20 km
Time: 5-8 hours

Day 5: Trek to Jola

Altitude: 3,103 m
Distance: 20 km
Time: 5-8 hours

After the considerable organization of equipment, supplies and porter loads for the journey ahead, we commence trekking towards Jola. The walk from Askoli to Jola is on an easy gentle plain and can be done in 6 to 8 hours. We cross the snout of the Biafo Glacier on the way. The first sight of the pinnacles of the Paiyu Group is stunning. Overnight in tents

Day 6: Trek to Paiyu

Altitude: 3,418 m
Distance: 19.8 km
Time: 6-7 hours

we follow the Braldu and the Biaho rivers to a river’s edge campsite. On the way, we have to cross the Domurda River coming out of Choktoi and Panmah Glaciers. This crossing is done on a ‘garari’ or on a bridge upstream. Depending upon the time it takes for the crossing, the walk can take 8 hours or more. The Masherbrum Group may be glimpsed to our right via the Xiangang Valley. The range is a vast array of peaks that extend almost the full length of the southern side of Baltoro. Walking conditions are hot and dry and care must be taken to prevent sunburn.

Day 7: Paiyu

Altitude: 3,418 m
Acclimatize and Rest Day
Rest day Wash up, relax, read, climb on a steep ridge behind the camp, sing and dance with the porters! Depending upon the size of the party, goats or a goat will be sacrificed and meat will be distributed to the porters as a form of thanksgiving and to bring us good luck on our next day’s walk on the Baltoro.

Day 8: Trek to Kurbutse

Altitude: 3,788 m
Distance: 14.7 km
Time: 5-7 hours

Trek on Baltoro Glacier. Six to eight hours of walking. A tough day as we climb on the rocky moraines of the Baltoro, but the sight of Baltoro pinnacles and Paiyu Peak is astounding! An earlier alternative campsite is Liligo, but there is no water there. We will cross some gushing streams on the way.

Day 9: Urdukus

Altitude: 3,905 m
Distance: 6.4 km
Time: 4-6 hours

A short 4 hour plus walk on the rocky moraines and ablation valley of the Baltoro. We will cross a couple of icy side glaciers on the way and may have our first sight of Broad Peak and the Gasherbrum. The historical campsite is located on a grassy slope high above the Baltoro and commands one of the most intense mountain views in this world. The campsite was prepared by the Duke of Abruzzi at the beginning of this century.

Day 10: Trek to Goro II

Altitude: 4,285 m
Distance: 11.9 km
Time: 6-8 hours

This is a tough day’s walk on the undulating Baltoro. However, the footing becomes easy as the rocks become smaller and smaller as we move up the Baltoro. It takes about 7 hours to get to Goro II. We walk right up the center moraine of the Baltoro. As Masherbrum emerges on the right, it takes our breath away and so does Gasherbrum IV right in front of us. Goro is a cold campsite! It has a great view of the Muztagh Tower.

Day 11: Concordia

Altitude: 4,512 m
Distance: 11.7 km
Time: 5-7 hours

A special day today as we trek into Concordia and enjoy our first views of K2 (weather permitting!). This location must be considered one of the world’s most spectacular camps as it is surrounded by stunning peaks. As we leave Goro II, the Biange Glacier to the north provides a superb view up to Mustagh Tower (7284m), one of the most difficult mountains in the Karakoram to climb. The trail continues along fairly easy rolling slopes of moraine marked by cairns and then passes among ice towers or seracs as we approach the colliding glaciers at Concordia. Mitre Peak (6030m) rises to our right, with Golden Throne (Baltoro Kangri) (7312m) beside it, while the Gasherbrum Group is directly before us. The expanse of Broad Peak (8050m) is to the left and finally, K2 (8611m) looms above the ridge towering over the Godwin Austen Glacier twelve kilometers away.

Day 12: Concordia – K2 Base Camp – Concordia

GPS Data
Return time K2 BC (5,155m) + Gilkey (5,230m) + Broad Peak (4,844m): 10-12 hours Return time Broad BC (4,844m): 6-7 hours
Our schedule is somewhat flexible according to the prevailing weather conditions and group preference. One of our objectives is to visit K2 Base Camp (approx 5150m) and the Gilkey Memorial, a spectacular full-day trip from camp. The most exciting day of this trek as you walk past Broad peak and get nearer to K-2 and arrive at the strip which is the most popular camping area for nearly all the expeditions to K-2. Here some of the top climbers of the world can be seen busy in preparations for the challenges ahead. Return to your camp at Concordia for overnight (K-2 base camp is too high and trekkers can get seriously ill from altitude if they stay for the night at this altitude, therefore the group must return to Concordia).

Day 13: Hike to Goro II

Altitude: 4,010 m
Distance: 15.9 km
Time: 6-7 hours

We begin the return trek descending first to Goro II where we have magnificent views of the surrounding granite spires and towers. Camp.

Day 14: Trek to Urdukus

Altitude: 3,788 m
Distance: 13.8 km
Time: 5-7 hours

We continue our descent of the Baltoro glacier, today reaching as far as Urdukas where we make camp off the glacier for the first time in several days.

Day 15: Trek to Paiyu

Altitude: 3,418 m
Distance: 14.7 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Crossing the Baltoro to its north side beneath the towers of Uli Biaho we finally climb down its snout to reach a good trail back to the spring oasis of Paiyu.

Day 16: Trek to Jola

Altitude: 3,418 m
Distance: 19.8 km
Time: 5-7 hours

Following the Braldu River downstream, we make the detour into the Panma Valley to the bridge across its tributary to reach Jhola or Korofon.

Day 17: Trek to Askoli

GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m
Distance: 20 km trek + 127 km drive
Time: 5-7 hours trek + 6 hours drive

The final day of trekking to the village of Askole. Here we say goodbye to our porters who will return to their villages.

Day 18: Drive to Skardu

Altitude: 2,498 m
Accommodation- Skardu
Making an early start we drive to Skardu through the relatively verdant Shigar Valley. We check into the hotel and the afternoon is free for sightseeing.

Day 19: Fly to Islamabad or drive to Chilas

Altitude: 540 m
Accommodation- Islamabad- Chilas

a) Weather permitting we will fly to Islamabad today, on arrival transfer to the hotel for overnight.

b) In case of flight cancellation, it is necessary to drive to Chilas and overnight at the hotel on the banks of the Indus.

Day 20: Islamabad

Altitude: 540 m
Accommodation- Islamabad

Extra ‘cushion’ day! *Note: Day 20 will be used as a ‘cushion’ day in case of delays in travel due to weather, route change, health, acclimatization issues during the trek, etc.

Day 21: End of trip in Islamabad

Altitude: 540 m
Accommodation- Islamabad
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.