The K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La Pass Trek is the ultimate high-altitude mountain expedition into the heart of the Karakoram range in Pakistan. Starting from the remote village of Askole, the trekking route follows the dramatic Braldu River and ascends the vast Baltoro Glacier, passing legendary Karakoram mountains and giant granite monoliths like the Trango Towers, Cathedral Peaks, and Masherbrum.
Reaching Concordia, known as the “Throne Room of the Mountain Gods,” trekkers stand surrounded by an unprecedented concentration of 8,000-meter peaks. The trail leads directly to the footprint of K2βthe Savage Mountain, Mount Godwin-Austen, and the world’s second-highest peak (8,611m)βoffering close-up views of the famous Abruzzi Spur, Bottleneck, and Gilkey Memorial.
The journey transitions from trekking to alpine mountaineering as you tackle the high-altitude crossing of Gondogoro La (5,585m / 18,323ft). Traversing glaciated terrain with fixed ropes, crampons, ice axes, and harnesses, the summit of the pass delivers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of four 8,000m giants: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak), and Gasherbrum II, alongside Gasherbrum III and Gasherbrum IV. The descent winds through the stunning Hushe Valley, offering views of the iconic, needle-sharp Laila Peak before concluding in Skardu, Baltistan.
Designed for experienced trekkers and high-altitude endurance adventurers, this classic circuit combines world-class mountaineering heritage, immense glacial landscapes, extreme alpine challenges, and unforgettable Himalayan and Karakoram scenery.
Day 1
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport
β° 540m
Our guides will receive you at the international arrivals gate holding a placard with your name. Transfer to your partner hotel. Relax and recover from your long journey. Please share your inbound and outbound flight details at least 5 days before arrival.
π Grand Islamabad / Envoy Hotel or equivalent
Day 2
Fly Islamabad β Skardu
β° 2,498mΒ Β β± Scenic flight
Take the spectacular morning flight to Skardu β on a clear day you can see Nanga Parbat from the aircraft. After landing, the day is free for rest and acclimatization in the mountain air.
π Relax Inn or equivalent, Skardu
Day 3
Free Day in Skardu β Sightseeing
β° 2,498mΒ Β β± Leisure day
Visit the ancient Kharpocho Fort perched high above the Indus River for sweeping views over Skardu town. Option to tour Sadpara Lake and browse the Skardu Bazaar. Staff will complete government documentation during this time (may take up to two days β contingency days are built into the itinerary).
π Relax Inn or equivalent, Skardu
Day 4
Drive Skardu β Askole Village
β° 3,015mΒ Β β± 6β8 hours
Begin the jeep safari through the dramatic Shigar Valley, following the Braldu River to Askole β the last village on the route. Your walking adventure begins here, leaving vehicles behind. Road conditions may alter the exact start point of the trek.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 5
Askole β Jhola via snout of Biafo Glacier
β° 3,103mΒ Β π 20 kmΒ Β β± 5β8 hours
Porters load up and the trek begins. The valley is a gateway to the Biafo Glacier stretching 50+ km. Cross the glacier snout on moraine, descend to lunch beside the Korofon River, cross the BralduβDomordo confluence by bridge and follow the river bank to camp at Jhola.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 6
Jhola β Paiju following the Braldu River
β° 3,418mΒ Β π 19.8 kmΒ Β β± 6β7 hours
Trek the Braldu Gorge with views of Trango Tower and Cathedral Peak. Conditions are dry and hot β sunscreen essential. Several glacier streams require river-crossing shoes. Climb to Paiju camp, the last trees you will see for days.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 7
Acclimatization & Rest Day β Paiju
β° 3,418mΒ Β β± Rest Day
A vital rest and acclimatization day at Paiju. Porters bake bread for the glacier crossing ahead. Optional walk toward Paiju Peak base camp for those who wish to explore.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 8
Paiju β Khoburtse via Baltoro Glacier snout
β° 3,788mΒ Β π 14.7 kmΒ Β β± 5β7 hours
First steps onto the Baltoro Glacier! Tough but breathtaking β continuous up-and-down on glacial moraine. Views of Trango Tower and Uli Biaho. Cross the glacier to Liligo, then follow the rocky edge to camp at Khoburtse.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 9
Khoburtse β Urdukas β Cross Two Small Glaciers
β° 3,905mΒ Β π 6.4 kmΒ Β β± 4β6 hours
Cross two small glaciers to reveal the first jaw-dropping view of the Trango Towers. Camp at Urdukas near the Army post, 100m above the glacier β a spectacular perch with sweeping mountain panoramas. Evening snacks provided.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 10
β° 4,285mΒ Β π 11.9 kmΒ Β β± 6β8 hours
Walk the medial moraine of the Baltoro Glacier with views south to Masherbrum (7,821m). Climb and descend rocky moraine past massive ice seracs. Arrive at Goro II β the confluence of Baltoro and Younghusband Glaciers. Temperatures drop dramatically; Masherbrum and Muztagh Tower dominate the skyline.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 11
Goro II β Concordia β The Throne Room
β° 4,512mΒ Β π 11.7 kmΒ Β β± 5β7 hours
The iconic day of the trek. Walk up the moraine as more and more snowcapped giants fill the horizon. Arrive at Concordia for the first full view of K2 in all its glory β Broad Peak, Mitre Peak, Gasherbrum, Sia Kangri all visible in a single breathtaking 360Β° panorama.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 12
Trek to Broad Peak BC, Gilkey Memorial & K2 Base Camp
β° K2 BC: 5,155m | Gilkey: 5,230m | Broad Peak: 4,844mΒ Β β± 6β7 hours
The crown of the trek. Early morning departure up the Godwin-Austen Glacier. Broad Peak rises to your right as K2 grows ever larger ahead. Pass Broad Peak Base Camp for lunch. Continue to the Art Gilkey Memorial β a moving tribute to the mountaineers K2 has claimed. Plaques and tin engravings cover the rocky outcrop at the foot of the world's most dangerous mountain. Spend the night at K2 Base Camp itself.
π Camp at K2 Base Camp (5,155m)
Day 13
Retrace to Concordia β Rest Day
β± 4β5 hours
Retrace steps back from K2 Base Camp to Concordia. A relatively easy day allowing you to rest and recover your energy for the upcoming Gondogoro La crossing β the most technically demanding section of the trek.
π Camp β twin-sharing dome tent
Day 14
Concordia β Ali Camp β Gondogoro La Preparation
β° 4,800m approx.Β Β β± 5β6 hours
Take a slightly different and less-explored route toward Ali Camp, navigating short detours around crevasses. Walk on rugged ice; crampons roped together in snow conditions. Ali Camp is named after the local porter who first crossed Gondogoro La. This evening, guides teach basic crampon and ice-axe skills for tomorrow's crossing.
π Camp at Ali Camp
Day 15
Cross Gondogoro La Pass (5,585m) β Khuispang
β° 5,585m β 4,600mΒ Β β± Alpine start 2am
Early 2am wake-up. After breakfast, the roped team departs for the Gondogoro La base. Support crew may fix ropes on the ascent. About 3 hours to the summit β where four 8,000m peaks appear at once: K2, G1, Broad Peak, G2. Descend on fixed ropes with crampons. Views of sword-shaped Laila Peak (6,096m) and the Trinity Peaks. Careful foot placement essential on descent. Camp at Khuispang (4,600m) β the junction of Gondogoro and Trinity Glaciers.
π Camp at Khuispang (4,600m)
Day 16
Khuispang β Saicho β Into the Hushe Valley
β° 3,350mΒ Β β± Half day
Pack climbing equipment (ropes, crampons no longer required). Rocky mountainous terrain gives way to the lush green landscapes of Hushe Valley. After lunch, hike to the edge of the Gondogoro Glacier and find the trail through beautiful rhubarb-and-grass valley. Stone herders' huts signal the return of human settlement. Camp at Saicho (3,350m) by a glacial stream.
π Camp at Saicho (3,350m)
Day 17
Trek to Hushe Village β Drive to Skardu
β° 2,498mΒ Β π 20 km trek + 127 km driveΒ Β β± 5β7 hrs trek + 6 hrs drive
Trek 3β4 hours down alongside meltwater streams from Charakusa, Ailling, Masherbrum and Gondogoro Glaciers. Arrive in Hushe β famous for its two-storey stone houses (ground floor for cattle, first floor for the family). This is your last camping night. Explore the valley and interact with locals, then depart by jeep to Skardu via the Khaplu suspension bridge over the Shyok River and along the scenic Indus River road.
π Relax Inn or equivalent, Skardu
Day 18
Contingency Day / Rest in Skardu
β° 2,498mΒ Β β± Buffer day
Built-in contingency for any delays encountered during the trek (road blocks, weather, etc). If no delays, enjoy a free day for sightseeing around Skardu β visit Kharpocho Fort, Satpara Lake, or browse the bazaar at leisure.
π Relax Inn or equivalent, Skardu
Day 19
Fly Skardu β Islamabad
β° 538mΒ Β β± Scenic flight
Morning flight from Skardu to Islamabad. If the flight is cancelled due to weather, you will drive to Chilas for an overnight stay (8β10 hours by vehicle). Relax at the hotel in Islamabad on arrival.
π Grand Islamabad / Envoy Hotel or equivalent
Day 20
Contingency Day β Islamabad
β° 538mΒ Β β± Buffer day
Reserve day in case of domestic flight cancellation the previous day. If driving from Chilas, depart early morning (approximately 10 hours). If you flew successfully, enjoy a free day for sightseeing in Islamabad β Faisal Mosque, Lok Virsa Museum, or Daman-e-Koh.
π Grand Islamabad / Envoy Hotel or equivalent
Day 21
Fly Home β Departure Day
β± Breakfast included
Our staff will transfer all guests to Islamabad International Airport at their respective departure times. Hotel checkout is 12pm. Meals included: Breakfast. Safe travels and we hope to see you again!
π Departure β transfer to airport
Foot
- Walking/ hiking boots.
- Gaiters. A pair of knee high gaiters used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground.
- Wool Socks and liner socks.
- Sandals (for use around camp and river crossings).
- Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used on arrival to camp.
Clothing
- Gore-Tex shell jacket and trousers. For use if it rains or snows during the trek.
- Light trekking trousers. Minimum two pairs of trousers.
- Long sleeve, light colored polypropylene shirts. Minimum two shirts.
- Microfleece.
- Mid to heavyweight fleece jacket (Polartec 200 to 300).
- Sleeveless/ gilet or body warmer type fleece. This will help keep your core warm while not bulking when layering up. Gilet fleece can be used in combination with base layers, other fleeces and down jacket to provide maximum warmth and insulation.
- Lightweight synthetic long underwear for both top & bottom.
- Light to mid weight fleece pants (Polartec 100 to 200).
- Medium weight down jacket (recommended
Hand Wear
- Fleece gloves.
- Warms mittens and/or gloves
Head Wear
- Warm wool or fleecy hat/balaclava.
- Sun hat or baseball cap.
- Bandana or scarf. Very useful for the often dusty jeep rides and for protection on hot days
- Light weight climberβs headlamp for use at night around the camp. Bring extra batteries and spare bulbs.
- High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Most effective for blocking sunlight are the wrap around type or side covers
Personal Equipment
- 4 season sleeping bag (maximum overnight low -15C).
- Fleece or silk liner for your sleeping bag. A liner protects your sleeping bag from getting dirty and helps by adding extra insulation to keep you warm at night.
- Thermosets self-inflating pad and/or foam mat.
- Backpack. Recommended size is 50 liters or larger as you need to have enough space to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing as well down jacket for days on the glacier. It is also a good idea to bring a pack cover to keep the contents dry.
- Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized. Or even better are fold dry bags such as from Expend.
- Two 1 liter water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best) and Camelback type water carrier 2 liter capacity. Β·
Pee bottle. Highly recommended as means you do not have to get up to find toilet tent at night! For men you can use an old water bottle for women take a look at She Wee at http://www.shewee.com/ Β· Sunscreen and lip salve with an SPF 30 or better.
- Insect repellent.
- Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Acqua or Acqa Mira). You will be provided with boiled water at camp however if you refill water bottle at a water tap or steam during the day you should use water purifiers.
- Hand sanitizer. We suggest you keep this in your day pack for use after a toilet break during the trek or before eating any snacks.
- Favorite snack food.
- Paperback books, iPod and cards.
- Trekking poles (Black Diamond with βFlick Lockβ are best). Having two poles is mandatory as required for your safety on steep and loose sections of the trail and for walking through deep snow higher up.
- Umbrella. You are likely to get some rain on this trek and also useful for providing shade when hot. Β· Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
- Insurance certificate
- Baby wipes (optional)
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