K2 Base Camp Trek: 18 Days on the Baltoro Glacier

An 18-day trek from Islamabad to the foot of K2, walking the Baltoro Glacier from Askole to Concordia and returning the same way. The highest point is K2 base camp at 5,150 m.

About the K2 Base Camp Trek

K2 Base Camp Trek is the ultimate mountaineering trek of Pakistan, taking adventurers deep into the heart of the Karakoram Range to the base of K2 (8,611m), the world's second-highest peak. Known among climbers as the "Savage Mountain" due to its extreme difficulty and high fatality rate, K2 stands as the crown jewel of the Baltoro Glacier region. The trek begins from Askole, the last village in the Braldu Valley, and follows the mighty Baltoro Glacier one of the longest glaciers outside the Polar regions passing legendary campsites such as Jhola, Paiju, Khoburtse, Goro, and Urdukas. Trekkers pass beneath a jaw-dropping wall of giants including Trango Towers, Mustagh Tower, Gasherbrum Peaks, and Broad Peak before reaching Concordia the "Throne Room of the Mountain Gods" a vast glacial amphitheatre surrounded by four of the world's 8,000m peaks. From Concordia, a final push leads to K2 Base Camp itself, where expedition teams from around the world prepare for their summit attempts.

Introduction as published on the Trekking page.

Key facts

Duration: 18 days
Best time: Late June to Early September
Range / region: Karakoram / K2
Highest point: 5,150 m (K2 Base Camp)
Zone: Restricted (Permit Required)
Starts and ends: Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad
Tent nights in the itinerary: 9

Who it suits

This is a long glacier trek for fit, experienced trekkers. The itinerary spends nine nights in tents, includes a rest day at Paiju and a reserve day at Concordia, and is published as a restricted-zone trek that needs a permit.

Best time in the programme: late June to early September.
Day 2 flies Islamabad to Skardu if the weather permits; otherwise the itinerary drives via Chilas and the Babusar Pass.
K2 base camp is visited as a day trip from Concordia; the itinerary notes that staying overnight at base camp is unsafe because of the altitude.

Returning over the Gondogoro La instead

Many trekkers ask whether they can come back from Concordia a different way. The K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek follows this route as far as K2 Base Camp, then turns up the Vigne Glacier and crosses the Gondogoro La to finish in the Hushe Valley, so you do not walk back down the Baltoro to Askole.

Choose this out-and-back route if you would rather not take on a roped glacier pass, or want the longer published season into early September. Choose the Gondogoro La route if you want a loop through two valleys and are comfortable with one long, demanding pass day.

Day-by-day itinerary

01: Arrival Islamabad
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay in Islamabad.
02: Islamabad to Skardu
Morning flight to Skardu (weather permitting) or drive via Chilas/Babusar Pass if flight is cancelled. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.
03: Preparation Day in Skardu
Final shopping and gear check, briefing with guide and porters. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.
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.
06: Jhola to Paiju
Trek along the valley floor with views of Paiju Peak. Overnight in tents at Paiju.
07: Rest Day at Paiju
Acclimatization day; last point with greenery before the glacier. Overnight in tents.
08: Paiju to Khoburtse
Trek onto the Baltoro Glacier, crossing moraine and ice. Overnight in tents.
09: Khoburtse to Concordia (via Goro/Urdukas)
Continue along the Baltoro Glacier with stunning views of Trango Towers and Mustagh Tower. Overnight in tents.
10: Trek to Concordia
Arrive at Concordia, surrounded by K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I & II, and Chogolisa. Overnight in tents.
11: Concordia to K2 Base Camp and back
Full day excursion to K2 Base Camp (5,150m) with return to Concordia for overnight, as staying overnight at Base Camp is unsafe due to altitude.
12: Rest/Reserve Day at Concordia
Buffer day for weather or acclimatization. Overnight in tents.
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.
18: Skardu to Islamabad
Flight or overland drive back to Islamabad. Trip concludes.

Included and not included

Listed as included

02 nights hotel in Islamabad (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
04 nights hotel in Skardu (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Pick up from group when arrive and drop to the airport when group departure — Air-condition van from Islamabad to Islamabad
Flight Tickets Islamabad–Skardu (subject to availability)
Sightseeing the capital city of Islamabad
Jeeps from Skardu – Askole – Skardu
Food during the Trek (breakfast, lunch and dinner served by cook staff)
Porters for personal luggage and camping equipment
K2 Base Camp trekking permit and Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) fee
Camping equipment (tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, mattresses)
Experienced trekking guide and support staff
Tips for baggage handling at airports & hotels
Fees: Bridge crossing, cable crossing, camping
International flights ticket re-confirmations
Custom clearing assistance

Listed as not included

Member international flight tickets
Helicopter emergency rescue fees / Members' climbing gears
Member personal insurance
Sleeping bag and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks
Room service, gratuities for personal services, items of purely personal nature
Custom clearing charges (import and export of equipment)
Any unforeseen expenses (like road block extra hotel stay or if members stay more days at Base Camp) will be paid according to the number of days basis.

As listed in the programme's service details; confirm the current inclusions when you plan your dates.

Places on this route

Destination guides for the places this itinerary passes through:

Compare other treks

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Fairy Meadows Trek & Hunza Tour	12	Mid-May to End of November	3,300 m	Open	0
Laila Base Camp & Haramosh La Trek	14	July to Mid September	4800m	Open	8
Rakaposhi/Diran BC Trek & Hunza Tour	14	Mid-May to September	4,000m	Open	4
Rush Lake Trek & Hunza Tour	15	Mid-May to End-August	4694 m	Open	6
Spantik Base camp Trek	15	June to End-August	4300m	Open	6
Mashabrum Base camp Trek	16	June to End-September	4200m	Permitted	6
Nanga parbat Mazeno Pass Trek	17	June to End-August	5390 m	Open	11
K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek	18	Late June to End-August	5,150 m (K2 Base Camp) and the Gondogoro La crossing	Restricted (Permit Required)	13
Snow Lake Trek	21	June to September	5,151 m (Hispar La)	Open	13
Beautiful Hushe valley Trek	25	Mid-June to End-August	5650m	Permitted	15
Great Karakoram Traverse	32	Mid-June to End-August	5500m	Permit needed	23