K2 Base Camp Trek

0
21 Days
Availability : April - August
Islamabad
Gilgit Baltistan
Min Age : 18
Max People : 16
Tour Details

At the heart of the Karakorum, the glacial junction known as Concordia is dominated by huge, encircling peaks. Just 10 kilometres from the precipitous face of K2 (8611m / 28,251ft) and nearer still to Broad Peak (8047 m / 26,401ft) and the stupendous Gasherbrum IV, this is unquestionably one of the most spectacular places on earth. Following generally good trails, our week-long approach to this remote spot takes us from the village of Askole into a wilderness of rugged valleys and towering peaks. Each day the scenery becomes more impressive as we trace a route across the moraines of the vast Baltoro Glacier, overshadowed by the sheer granite walls of the Trango Towers to our left and the shapely summit of Masherbrum to the right. Including the option to walk from our camp at Concordia to K2 Base Camp, this universally acclaimed trek is well within the capabilities of keen hill walkers.

Departure & Return Location

Islamabad (Google Map)

Departure Time

3 Hours Before Flight Time

Price Includes

  • Air fares
  • 3 Nights Hotel Accomodation
  • Tour Guide
  • Entrance Fees
  • All transportation in destination location

Price Excludes

  • Guide Service Fee
  • Driver Service Fee
  • Any Private Expenses
  • Room Service Fees

Complementaries

  • Umbrella
  • Sunscreen
  • T-Shirt
  • Entrance Fees
Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan

Arrive in Islamabad. A representative of Karakorum Adventure will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport. This representative will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to the hotel in Islamabad. Discover the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi is an old British -era settlement and Islamabad is the capital city and administrative centre built sometime after the partition of India in elevation in 1947. The cities are Located at about 1,500 feet in elevation in the hot and steamy plains of Pakistan’s upper Punjab. You may wish to explore Rawalpindi by wandering among its many and varied bazaars or visit the imposing Shah Faisal Mosque superbly situated at the foot of the Margalla Hills. This mosque is one of the largest in the world, with room for 15,000 worshippers inside and 85,000 in the courtyard. This day we will attend a trek briefing at the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Breakfast included. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 2Drive to Chilas

Today following the upstream course of River Indus, we will make photo stops at Shatial rocks with ancient graffiti’s on it. After a long day aboard, we arrive at Chilas and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Full Board, All meals included.

Day 3Drive to Chilas

Morning dive from Chilas to Skardu through Indus gorge. Arrival in Skardu and transfer to the hotel. PM. at leisure. Overnight in Skardu.
Full Board, All meals included.

Day 4Explore Skardu

We have a free day in Skardu if we have flown the previous day. We have free time explore the town and visit the historic fort of Skardu situated 40 feet high on the northern hillside of main Skardu city. The fort lock from east and north angles by mighty Indus river, so it possesses tremendous strategical advantage and significant geographical position from the military point of view. Therefore it is locally called “Kharpocho” which means Strong Fort. We’ll explore its narrow bazaars and in the afternoon visit Turquoise blue Sadpara Lake by bus or a jeep which is about four miles south of the town.
If by road drive to Skardu first 2 hours along the Indus river and then we turn northeast towards Skardu near Jaglot by crossing Alam Bridge over Indus. The drive through the Indus Gorge is guaranteed to knock your socks off! The view after crossing the Raikot Bridge of Nanga Parbat is without any parallel. Standing at around 1,000 m. you see a mountain which rises to above 8,000 m! This is the largest land escarpment in the world. This is also where the three greatest mountain ranges meet; Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakorum. Mashabrum Hotel Skardu. Approx. 8/10 hrs
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 5Drive to Askole

We will travel by jeep with our crew and supplies along the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole. Village in Shigar have changed little in over five hundred years; farms with fields of barley, wheat and vegetables surrounded by stone walls and stands of poplar, willow and apricot trees. The apricot is a very important crop in the north, having a multitude of uses to the Balti and Hunzakut people. Villagers greet us as we pass through on the rugged dirt and stone road that leads to Baltoro. As we approach, the landscapes become desert-like and once within the sheer valley of the Braldu, it is necessary to cross the river several times by suspension bridges. At various points, the road may have collapsed due to erosion and we will transfer the gear across on foot to a vehicle on the other side. The journey may take anywhere from six to twelve hours, with patience, we will arrive at our first camp of the trek. In Askole the villagers grow their own cereals, vegetables and fruit and own large herds of sheep, goats and dzos. Overnight in tents. Approx. 8 hrs.
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 6Trek to Jhula

After the considerable organisation of equipment, supplies and porter loads for the journey ahead, we commence trekking towards Jhola. The valley opens out to reveal the Biafo Glacier flowing for more than fifty kilometres from the Hispar La pass to the Braldu. We have our first taste of moraine walking as we cross the snout of the glacier and descend to our lunch spot beside the river at Korofon. We also experience the harsh, stark environment that forms the base of these great mountains. Our route takes us to the confluence of the Braldu and Dumordo Rivers where the infamous flying fox or ‘jola’ is located. It is still there, however, a footbridge has now been built making the passage much easier by every perspective. (Consider individual passage of 50 to 70 people with loads, compared with walking straight across a steel bridge!). In past years it was necessary to make a high traverse across a rocky face and descend steeply to the riverside of the Dumordo to gain the flying fox. There is now a safe and pleasant pathway above the river. It is this valley, fed by the Panmah Glacier, which was once a passage between Baltistan and Yarkhand across the West Mustagh Pass (5370m) into China. Once across, we descend beside the river to the Braldu and then follow along its banks to our camp at Jhola. Overnight in tents. approx 7/8 hrs
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 7Trek to Paiju

To Paiju (3450m) approx 7 – 8 hrs. The route is mainly at Riverside throughout the day, switching up and down somewhat according to the level of erosion and water levels of the Braldu. 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, as we approach camp several small glacially fed rivulets to flow down from the north and the first peaks of the Trango and Uli Biaho group appear on the distant ridgeline. The vast snout of the Baltoro glacier, the fourth longest in Pakistan, is also visible but it’s hard to gather a sense of scale from here. Overnight in tents at Paiju. approx 7/8 hrs
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 8Rest Day Paiju

An important preparatory stage for our crew and porters. Our goats are slaughtered and roti (bread) baked throughout the day for the journey ahead on the glacier. It is a welcome opportunity for us to relax, read and take photos. Perhaps do some washing and simply enjoy being in the mountains.
Full Board, all meals included

Day 9Trek to Urdukas

Making the short approach to the glacier, the great expanse of ice stretching across the Braldu comes into perspective when we see the many porters forming an ant-like trail across it. Ice cliffs tower more than sixty metres above the turbulent waters at the origin of the Braldu River. As a result of its continually changing nature, the glacial moraine may be difficult to trek upon at this stage and our route varies somewhat each time. One should be prepared for a hard day of walking and carry plenty of fluid. Once on the other side, the trail will hug the side and occasionally necessitate a glacier or river crossing. There are now uninterrupted views of Paiju Peak (6610m), Uli Biaho group, Trango Group and Cathedral Group – a majestic, spired collection of mountains that the Karakoram is so well known for. Behind us, the steep grassy slopes make high grazing pastures for ibex and the rocks are home to mouse hares (Pikas) and colourful hoopoe birds which forage for food scraps. Overnight in tents. approx 7/8 hrs
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 10Trek to Goro II

Biango. For the first two hours, we walk along the rest of the lateral moraine. Across the Baltoro glacier, we have exciting views of Paiju Peak, Choricho (6700m), Uli Biaho, Trango Towers, Cathedrals, and Biale (6750m). After crossing the green pastures of Urdukas (approximately 4050m), we cross the side crevasses, then walk on the medial moraine of the Baltoro to Biango campsite. Biango, at 4250m, is part of the Yermanadu Glacier flowing down from Masherbrum Pass (17,594 ft). From here we have a spectacular view of the snowy triangle of Masherbrum (7821 m), the 24th highest peak in the world. Seven to eight hours of hiking.
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 11Trek to Concordia

Trek seven to eight hours to Concordia. As we make our approach, Gasherbrum IV (7925 m) stand guard in the east, with Gasherbrum II (8035 m) peering from its right shoulder, More extraordinary mountain views await us at Concordia, where we see K2 (8611m), Broad Peak (8047 m), Golden Throne (7285 m), Mitre Peak (6560m), and a vast array of other peaks. Six to seven hours walking.
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 12Concordia (optional walk to K2 Base camp)

Day excursion to K2 base camp. We start hiking from Concordia, cross the crevasses of the Baltoro Glacier; walk on the Medial moraine of the Godwin-Austen Glacier to K2 base camp. In the afternoon walk back to Concordia. Overnight in tents. approx 10/12 hrs
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 13Trek back to Urdukas

Trek back to Urdukas. Eight hours trek. Overnight in tents.
Full Board if at base camp, all meals included.

Day 14Trek back to Paiju

Trek back to paiju.seven to eight hours trek Overnight in tents.
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 15Trek back to Jhula

Trek back to Jhula.six to seven hours. Overnight in tents.
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 16Trek back to Askole

Trek back to Askole.Six to seven hours trek. Overnight in tents.
Full Board, all meals included.

Day 17Drive to Skardu

By jeep to Skardu. Meet with jeeps and drive to Skardu, passing through many picturesque villages perched on vertical rocks. This part of Baltistan appears greener and more prosperous than on our drive to Askole. Overnight at Concordia Motel/Mashabrum Hotel, Skardu.
Full board, all meals included.

Day 18Drive to Chilas

Early in the morning departure to Chilas overnight at hotel.
Breakfast is included

Day 19Drive to Islamabad

Drive to Islamabad

Day 20Rest day Islamabad

Rest day in Islamabad and second time Visit Islamabad’s beautiful and famous places

Day 21Departure

Transfer to airport and fly home from Islamabad.

Departures Dates
DatesAdult PriceDepositStatusMore Info
2024
13-July to 02-Aug US$2,000US$250 Open Book Now
20-July to 09-AugUS$2,000US$250 OpenBook Now
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2025
01-Jun to 21-JunUS$2,000US$250 OpenBook Now
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