18-Day K2 Base Camp Trek & Gondogoro La Crossing
18-Day K2 Base Camp Trek & Gondogoro La Crossing
About this trek
Starts in Islamabad
Pickup included from anywhere in Islamabad
18 days
For ages 18 to 60
Best suited for the specified ages
Guided in English
Led by experience local guides
Cancellation options
Refund amount depends on when you cancel before the departure.
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Operated by
Discover Pakistan Tours & Trekking
Details
One of the world's great trekking experiences: the K2 Base Camp trek via the Baltoro Glacier, Concordia and a crossing of the Gondogoro La high pass (approximately 5,900m). This is the full circuit, n...
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Highlights
The Baltoro Glacier, one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions- Trango Towers, Uli Biaho and Paiyu Peak towering above the glacier
- Urdukas campsite, one of the most spectacular glacier campsites in the world
- Concordia at 4,700m, surrounded by more 8,000m peaks than anywhere else on Earth
- K2 (8,611m), the second-highest mountain on Earth, seen up close
- Optional excursion to K2 Base Camp from Concordia
- Gondogoro La crossing at approximately 5,900m, one of the highest trekking passes
- The greatest mountain panorama on Earth from the Gondogoro La
- Dalsangpa campsite between two glacial lakes reflecting Masherbrum
- A complete circuit, in via Baltoro, out via Gondogoro La through Hushe Valley
What's Included
Visa invitation letter and trekking permit processing supportReturn domestic flights between Islamabad and Skardu4x4 Jeep transfers from Skardu to Askole and Hushe to SkarduHotel accommodation in Islamabad and Skardu on twin sharing basisAll meals throughout the trek and at basecampsSleeping tents on twin sharing basis, mattresses, mess tent and kitchen tentPorter service of 12.5kg per person for personal baggageServices of expert cook, trek guide, sardar and low-altitude portersItinerary
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport and meet your guide. Transfer to hotel. City tour if flight timings allow. Dinner and overnight stay at Roomy Signature Hotel, Islamabad.
Domestic flight to Skardu. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Free day to rest, explore Skardu city and prepare equipment. Overnight stay in Skardu. Note: if the flight is cancelled, a standby road transfer will be arranged with an overnight stop en route, arriving in Skardu by evening.
Drive by 4x4 Jeep from Skardu to Askole, the last village before the Baltoro Glacier and the official start of the K2 trek. Overnight in tents at Askole.
Begin the expedition trek. Trek from Askole to Korofong (3 to 4 hours), lunch break, then continue to Jhola (3 to 4 hours). Overnight camping at Jhola.
A relatively easy trail through the lower Braldu Valley. Approximately 6 to 7 hours of trekking. Arrive at Paiyu with the first views of the Baltoro ahead. Overnight camping at Paiyu.
A full rest and acclimatisation day at Paiyu. This camp sits below towering rock faces and is one of the most atmospheric rest stops on the route. Overnight camping at Paiyu.
Trek mostly along the crest of the lateral moraine of the Baltoro Glacier with stunning views of Paiyu Peak, Uli Biaho and the cathedral-like Trango Towers rising from the glacier. Urdukas is one of the most spectacular campsites on the trek. Approximately 7 to 8 hours. Overnight camping at Urdukas.
A long day walking on and alongside the Baltoro Glacier. The glacier's scale becomes overwhelming as the peaks on either side close in. Approximately 6 to 7 hours. Overnight camping at Goro II.
The most anticipated day of the trek. Approximately 5 to 6 hours of trekking with a gradually opening panorama of Muztagh Tower, Gasherbrum IV, Mitre Peak and finally the full face of K2 — the second-highest mountain on Earth at 8,611m. Concordia is the meeting point of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers and is surrounded by more 8,000m peaks than anywhere else on Earth. Overnight camping at Concordia.
An optional day excursion to K2 Base Camp for those wishing to stand at the foot of the mountain itself. Approximately 5 to 6 hours return from Concordia. Alternatively, begin the return trek towards Askole via the same route. Overnight camping.
Helpful answers
The trek starts and ends in Islamabad. Book both arrival and departure flights from Islamabad International Airport (ISB). Return domestic flights to Skardu are included.
This is rated moderate to advanced. The daily trekking distances are long and the terrain is glaciated and rocky. The Gondogoro La crossing at approximately 5,900m requires crampons, a 2:00 AM start and strong physical fitness. Prior high-altitude experience is required.
The Gondogoro La crossing is the return route of this circuit. It is the feature that makes this a full loop rather than an out-and-back. If conditions on the day make it unsafe, the guide will make the call and an alternative return via the Baltoro may be arranged.
Yes. All required permits and trekking visa documentation for the full route are arranged and included by the operator. No separate applications or payments are required.
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance with high-altitude mountaineering and helicopter evacuation cover is mandatory. Helicopter rescue is not covered by the operator and costs in this remote area are very high.
Each participant has 12.5kg of personal luggage carried by porters. Anything beyond this incurs additional porter charges. Keep your personal kit to the absolute minimum.
A standby road transfer is arranged automatically at no extra cost. Reserve Day 17 provides an additional buffer for weather delays or flight cancellations.
What to know
- This is a moderate to advanced level high-altitude trek with strong prior experience required
- The Gondogoro La crossing requires crampons and departs at 2:00 AM
- Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover is mandatory
- Porter service of 12.5kg per person is included for personal luggage
- Skardu flights are weather-dependent and frequently cancelled
- Mobile network is unavailable beyond Askole
- This trek operates June through September only
- Staff insurance is included but participant helicopter rescue is not
- The Baltoro Glacier is a working trekking highway with active expeditions
- Travellers with no prior high-altitude trekking experience
- Those without crampons experience
- Anyone without travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation
- Travellers expecting comfortable accommodation
- Those with severe altitude sensitivity
- Original passport with valid Pakistan trekking visa
- Comprehensive travel insurance with high-altitude trekking cover (mandatory)
- Sleeping bag rated to at least minus 20 degrees Celsius
- Mountaineering boots suitable for crampons
- Crampons and ice axe
- Warm down jacket and insulated trousers rated for extreme cold
- Waterproof outer shell jacket and trousers
- Thermal base layers (multiple sets)
- Glacier goggles and UV-protective sunglasses
- Headlamp with spare batteries for the 2:00 AM Gondogoro La start
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