Trek the peaks of Pakistan: K2 Base Camp

Islamabad

Day 1: Welcome to Islamabad!

Welcome to Islamabad, where you will recover from your journey. Shake off your legs with an optional walk to the beautiful Margalla hills that surround this large capital city. Later in the afternoon, your expert trek leaders will give you a full trip briefing for your upcoming journey. To conclude this day of preparation you will enjoy a group dinner of delicious local foods and get to know your fellow explorers who will be your companions for this adventure.

Skardu - Deosai

Day 2: Onward to the Deosai Plains

After a quick flight to Skardu to recharge with breakfast you will head to the beautiful Deoasai Plains. But the best part will come when you arrive at the turqouise blue waters of Satpara lake. There is nothing like setting up camp on the shores of this majestic lake to spend your first night of your adventure.

Shigar

Day 3: Preparation Day (1 of 2) at Shigar

After a nice, relaxed morning we will drive to our Skardu hotel in the evening. As Skardu is the launching point for most expeditions you will have an abudance of options to get any additional items you might need for the trek ahead. Explore the town, recharge and gear up!

Shigar

Day 4: Preparation Day (2 of 2) at Shigar

One more day in Shigar as you both physically and mentally prep for your coming trek. Make sure to speak to other trekkers, get acclimatized to the altitude and get any last minute items you will want for you trek. 

Enjoy a good meal at a restaurant and take a nice hot shower ready for your adventure to start!

Askole

Day 5: Jeep Journey to Jhola

Once you're prepped and ready to go we have a 7-hour Jeep drive through the beautiful Shigar Valley. With decent road conditions we will pass through the confluence of the Braldu and Dumordo rivers and take in some truly scenic sites. From there we will follow the banks of the Braldu river to set up camp in Jhola.

Paiyu

Day 6: Hike to Paiju and Amazing Views

Our route follows the Braldu River as we alternate between the riverbed and the terraces above. Get your cameras ready - when we get to higher ground there are incredible views of the impressive Paiju Peak. At the highest point you will have clear views of the snout of the Baltoro Glavier and the granite peaks of the Trango Towers and Catherdral Peaks.  

Khuburtse

Day 7: Glacier Crossing on the Hike to Khubertse

Slowly but surely the stunning views of the granite peaks on the north side of the glacier will come into view. Enjoy the experience of crossing the glacier and after a few hours we will follow the rocky trail along the beautiful edge of the mountain from Baltoro to Khuburtse. Soak up the even better views of Grand Catherdral, the Trango towers and the striking Uli Blaho tower and peak. 

Goro I

Day 8: Hike to Goro I and Sleep on the Glacier

As we continue our adventure eastwards we trek beside the Baltoro Glacier. Enjoy the two small side glaciers that we will cross until we see the Trango Towers and the isolated pillar of the Nameless Tower as we reach Urdukas (3900m) for lunch. You might be a little tired but don't worry, 2-3 hours more of walking will bring us to our relaxing campsite at Goro I. Rest your head and warm up as you will now spend your first night on the glacier.

Concordia

Day 9: Abundant Peaks in the Hike to Concordia

Who needs coffee when you can wake up to views of Masherbrum peak (1,821m, 14927ft)? This is the 24th highest peak in the world! After about 3-4 hours we will arrive at Gorro II (4,330m) where you will have a recharging lunch. The final approach to Concordia takes us through incredible mountain scenery as one after another the big peaks come into view. Marvel at the imposing monolith rock of Mustagh Tower (7,284m).

Ahead of us, Gasherbrum IV (7,925m, the 17th highest peak) acts like a beacon drawing us toward it and if you just turn your head to the right you will see the peaks of Gasherbrum II (8,035m 14th highest peak). As we continue our climb up the Baltoro, the aptly named Broad Peak (8,051m) comes into view.

Had enough stunning peaks? Just wait until K2 finally reveals itself the very moment you reach Concordia. Sit back and rest as we set up camp and marvel at the peaks.

Concordia

Day 10: Skills Sessions in Concordia

Have you ever seen five glaciers joined together in one. This immense sea of ice covered stone has views from every direction of the stunning K2. Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Mitre Peak, Chogolisa and Sia Kangri are some of the other peaks you will get to be amazed by. 

Your expert guides will organize skills sessions of simple techniques of roped travel and moving on fixed lines to help you get ready for the Gondogoro-la crossing.

K2 Base Camp

Day 11: K2 Basecamp 5,135m (16,847ft)

Get ready to cross some crevasses and meltwater rivers before reaching easy terrain while following the medial moraine of the Godwin Austen Glavier.  It will take about 3 hours to reach Broad Peak base camp. Here we will have an excellent view of K2 in one direciton and if you turn around you will see the beautiful Concordia framed within the Mitre Peak and the Bulk of Chogolisa.

After refueling with some lunch we will continue to K2 basecamp, where you might even glimpse some expert alpinist getting ready to ascend the daunting peak. After another 203 hours of hiking we will reach the Kilkey memorial where we will have a delicious dinner and set up camp for the night. Sleeping in the shadow of K2!

concordia

Day 12: Descent Back to Concordia

Today we'll trek mostly downhill back to Concordia where we will take some much needed rest in preparation for the Gondogoro-la crossing.  

Your trip leader will brief you about all the challenges and exciting thing to expect on the crossing and we will revisit the skills you learned a few days ago.

Goro I

Day 13: Hike Back to Paiju (Day 1 of 3)

As we hike back, you won't be able to tell if your legs got stronger or the descent is making your trek easier. But make sure to enjoy the scenes as we pass through some of the sites we saw but this time passing back. Get one last look at Goro I.

Urdukus

Day 14: Hike Back to Paiju (Day 2 of 3)

Continue on the journey back as we retrace our steps and see the stunning Urdukus range.

Paiyu

Day 15: Hike Back to Paiju (Day 3 of 3)

We are almost at the end of our trip. Enjoy the day in Paiju and rest those tired legs. Take in the views of Baltoro Glacier and the granite peaks of Trango Towers one last time!

Jhola - Shigar

Day 16: Hike back to Jhola and Drive Back to Shigar

Finish up your trek with a hike to the campsite of Jhola where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Shigar. You did it! The hard part is over and now you can bask in the glory of treking one of the hardest hikes in the world.

Enjoy the mountain town of Shigar and make sure to get any souvenirs that will remind you of these beautiful Nepalese mountains.

Islamabad

Day 17: Sightseeing In and Around Islamabad

After an early morning flight over the majestic mountains you will come to the hustle and bustle of Islamabad. The days are flexible and you will have your pick of options to sightsee around Islamabad. It's a big city and theres so much to see and so much culture to absorb.

If you are tired, then spend some well-earned relaxation in the hotel.

Islamabad

Day 18: More Relaxing and Sightseeing in Islamabad

This day is an important contigency day in case of flight cancelation from the Shigar.  Make sure not to book a flight out on this day just in case.

If we do arrive on time then this day can be spent enjoying the sites and cultural wonders of Islamabad.

Fly Out

Day 19: Farewell K2 and Pakistan!

Try and bag a window seat on your way home to get a bird's eye view of the peaks you explored!