Treks from Askole Compared
Askole, the last village in the Braldu valley, is the starting point for the Baltoro and Biafo glaciers. Several of our programmes begin here, but they lead to very different places.
Programmes that pass through Askole
| Programme | Days | Highest point | Tent nights | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek | 18 | 5,150 m (K2 Base Camp) and the Gondogoro La crossing | 13 | Restricted (Permit Required) |
| K2 Base Camp Trek | 18 | 5,150 m (K2 Base Camp) | 9 | Restricted (Permit Required) |
| Snow Lake Trek | 21 | 5,151 m (Hispar La) | 13 | Open |
| Gasherbrum III Expedition | 40 | 7,952 m | 13 | Permitted |
| K2 Expedition | 51 | 8611 m | 13 | Permitted |
Up the Baltoro or up the Biafo
The Baltoro routes head east to Paiju, Urdukas and Concordia: the K2 base camp trek and the 8000 m and 7000 m expeditions. The Biafo route heads north to Snow Lake and over the Hispar La to Hunza, and the Great Karakoram Traverse links the two.
All of them start with a long jeep drive from Skardu through the Shigar valley.
Itinerary days at Askole
04: Skardu to Askole
Drive along a rugged jeep track through Shigar Valley to Askole (3,000m), the last village before the wilderness. Overnight in tents.
05: Askole to Jhola
Trek begins, crossing the Braldu River and entering the Karakoram wilderness. Overnight in tents at Jhola.
13-16: Return Trek to Askole
Retrace the route via Urdukas, Paiju, and Jhola back to Askole. Overnight in tents each night.
17: Askole to Skardu
Drive back to Skardu by jeep. Overnight in hotel.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
04: Jeep to Askole
Jeep ride through the Shigar Valley and up the Braldu Valley to Askole (3,000 m), the last village on the route. Overnight in tents.
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek
05: Askole to Jhola
First trekking day, crossing the Braldu River into the wilderness of the Central Karakoram. Overnight in tents at Jhola.