21-Day K2 Base Camp Trek in Pakistan with Gondogoro La Crossing

Our adventure begins in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. Guests arriving today will be received at Islamabad International Airport by our representative and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight, recover from jet lag, and meet the rest of the group. In the evening, we will hold a trip briefing covering the route ahead, gear requirements, and what to expect over the coming weeks, followed by a welcome dinner together as a group.

Start point
Islamabad International Airport, Airport Avenue, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan (Arrival)

Meals
Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
• Trip briefing and gear check at hotel

Optional Activities

• Sightseeing in Islamabad
• Visit Twin City of Rawalpindi

Landmarks

• Islamabad
• Rawalpindi

The plan is for our whole group to catch an early morning flight to Skardu (50 minutes), the largest city in Baltistan. If the weather is clear, we can catch some truly epic views of Nanga Parbat and other massive peaks in the area. Once in Skardu, guests will have free time throughout the day to rest and explore the city and the bazaar. Today, we will also finalize our trekking permits at the local government office before coming together for dinner as a group.

Day 2 Alternative: Islamabad to Skardu by Road
Unfortunately, flights in Pakistan do not always run on time. If we are unable to take our flight on the morning of Day 2, it is possible we will have to drive overland to Skardu from Islamabad (18-24 hours). This journey can take a long time, as the road from Gilgit to Skardu is not always in the best condition. Our staff will evaluate the best available options for the group and proceed accordingly - flying is, of course, the best-case scenario. To break up the drive, we would overnight in Naran or Chilas before pushing on to Skardu the next day.

Start point
Islamabd, Pakistan

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Flight from Islamabad to Skardu (weather permitting)
• Hotel check-in
• Finalizing trekking permits at local government office
• Evening free to explore local bazaar

Optional Activities

• By-road travel via Karakoram Highway (Naran/Chilas overnight) if flight is cancelled

Landmarks

• Skardu
• Nanga Parbat (aerial view, weather permitting)
• Karakoram Highway

With the group now settled in Skardu, today is reserved for the final logistics that make the trek possible. Our local staff will be busy organizing porters, packing supplies, and confirming arrangements with the trekking crew, while guests are free to relax, wander the bazaar for any last-minute essentials, or take a short trip out to one of the nearby lakes or forts. This is a good day to double-check your gear and enjoy a proper bed before the trek begins.

Start point
Skardu

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Permit finalization
• Crew and porter arrangement
• Last-minute shopping for trekking essentials

Optional Activities

• Visit Skardu Fort
• Visit Upper Kachura Lake

Landmarks

• Skardu Fort
• Upper Kachura Lake

Today marks the start of our overland journey toward the mountains. We'll set off by jeep through the dramatic Shigar Valley, following a rugged mountain road that winds along the Braldu River, eventually reaching Askole (3,000m) - the last inhabited village before the wilderness of the Baltoro Glacier. Our trekking crew will already be at work setting up camp by the time we arrive, and this evening is a good chance to meet the porters and guides who will be with us for the journey ahead.

Start point
Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Jeep transfer from Skardu to Askole (approx. 7-8 hours) via Shigar Valley
• Camp setup on arrival

Landmarks

• Shigar Valley
• Askole

The trek officially begins today. Leaving Askole behind, we follow the trail along the Braldu River, crossing a series of suspension bridges as the landscape grows increasingly rugged and remote. After 4-5 hours of walking, we arrive at Jhula (3,200m), our first campsite on the trail, with the distant outline of the Biafo Glacier visible across the valley.

Start point
Askole Village, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek from Askole to Jhula (4-5 hours)
• Crossing suspension bridges over the Braldu River

Landmarks

• Braldu River
• Biafo Glacier (distant view)

Continuing along the Braldu River valley, today's 5-6 hour walk brings us to Paiju (3,450m), the last campsite with greenery and trees before we step onto the glacier itself. It's worth taking a moment here to enjoy the surroundings, as the terrain ahead becomes considerably more dramatic and barren.

Start point
Jhula Campsite (3,200m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek from Jhula to Paiju (5-6 hours) along the Braldu River valley

Landmarks

• Paiju

Today we leave solid ground behind and step onto the Baltoro Glacier, one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. The 6-7 hour trek to Khoburtse (3,790m) takes us across moraine and ice, with our first close-up views of the legendary Trango Towers and Cathedral Peaks rising sharply above the glacier.

Start point
Paiju Campsite (3,450m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek onto Baltoro Glacier (6-7 hours)

Landmarks

• Baltoro Glacier
• Trango Towers
• Cathedral Peaks

A 5-6 hour trek along the glacier brings us to Urdukas (4,130m), a rocky outcrop perched above the ice that offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the entire trek - the Trango Towers, the Cathedral Group, and a wide sweep of Baltoro peaks all visible from camp.

Start point
Khoburtse Campsite (3,790m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek along the glacier to Urdukas (5-6 hours)

Landmarks

• Trango Towers
• Cathedral Group
• Baltoro peaks

With the altitude steadily increasing, today is built in as a rest and acclimatization day at Urdukas. Guests are free to relax at camp, do some laundry, or take an optional short hike nearby for photography before we push on to higher altitudes tomorrow.

Start point
Urdukas Campsite (4,130m)

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Acclimatization rest day

Optional Activities

• Short hikes around camp for photography and views

Landmarks

• Urdukas

Today's 5-6 hour trek continues along the Baltoro Glacier to Goro II (4,295m), with the towering forms of the Gasherbrum peaks and Masherbrum coming increasingly into view as we move deeper into the heart of the Karakoram.

Start point
Urdukas Campsite (4,130m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek along Baltoro Glacier to Goro II (5-6 hours)

Landmarks

• Gasherbrum peaks
• Masherbrum

This is one of the most anticipated days of the entire trip. After a 6-7 hour walk, we arrive at Concordia (4,600m), the legendary meeting point of glaciers surrounded by no fewer than four of the world's 8,000m giants - K2, Broad Peak, and the Gasherbrums all rise dramatically around camp. Few places on earth offer a concentration of high mountains like this.

Start point
Goro II Campsite (4,295m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek to Concordia (6-7 hours), the confluence of glaciers

Landmarks

• K2
• Broad Peak
• Gasherbrum I & II

Today is the highlight of the entire trek. We set off early for the trek to K2 Base Camp (5,150m), standing directly beneath the world's second-highest mountain. The crew will set up camp at K2 Base Camp itself, allowing the group extra time to take in the views and the achievement before heading back down tomorrow.

Start point
Concordia Campsite (4,600m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek to K2 Base Camp (approx. 7-8 hours)
• Overnight camp at K2 Base Camp

Landmarks

• K2 Base Camp

After an unforgettable night at the foot of K2, we retrace our steps back to Concordia, taking in the views once more from a different angle and pace before settling back into camp for the night.

Start point
K2 Base Camp (5,150m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek back to Concordia (approx. 6-7 hours)

Landmarks

• K2
• Broad Peak
• Gasherbrum I & II

With the technical Gondogoro La pass ahead of us, today combines some well-deserved rest with essential preparation. Our guides will run a gear check - crampons, harness, and rope - and conduct a short training session to make sure everyone is comfortable and ready for the crossing.

Start point
Concordia Campsite (4,600m)

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Rest and acclimatization
• Gear check (crampons, harness, rope)
• Technical training session for Gondogoro La crossing

Landmarks

• Concordia

A shorter trekking day of 4-5 hours brings us to Ali Camp (5,050m), the final staging point before the Gondogoro La crossing. We will have an early dinner tonight and turn in early, as tomorrow's crossing begins well before sunrise.

Start point
Concordia Campsite (4,600m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek to Ali Camp (4-5 hours)
• Early dinner and rest ahead of pass crossing

Landmarks

• Ali Camp

Today is the toughest and most rewarding day of the trip. We start around 2-3 AM to cross the technical, snow-covered Gondogoro La pass (5,585m), with the crossing taking 8-10 hours in total. The effort is repaid with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the Karakoram - K2, Masherbrum, and a host of surrounding giants spread out before us. We then descend to camp at Khuspang (4,800m) for a well-earned rest.

Start point
Ali Camp (5,050m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Early start (2-3 AM) to cross Gondogoro La Pass (5,585m)
• Descent to Khuspang camp

Landmarks

• Gondogoro La Pass
• K2 and Masherbrum panoramic views

With the technical crossing behind us, today's 5-6 hour descent from Khuspang to Saicho (3,700m) takes us through rapidly changing terrain, from glacier ice down into alpine meadows - a welcome change of scenery after days on the ice.

Start point
Khuspang Campsite (4,800m)

Meals
Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Trek from Khuspang to Saicho (5-6 hours)

Landmarks

• Saicho

Our final trekking day takes us down to Hushe village (3,050m) over 4-5 hours, marking the official end of the trek. From here, we transfer by jeep to Skardu (4-5 hours), where a proper hotel bed and a celebratory dinner await - a fitting way to mark the completion of the trek.

Start point
Saicho Campsite (3,700m)

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch in Hushe, Dinner

Included Activities

• Final trek to Hushe (4-5 hours)
• Jeep transfer to Skardu (4-5 hours)
• Celebratory dinner

Landmarks

• Hushe Village, Skardu

This morning we catch our flight back to Islamabad, weather permitting. Once checked into the hotel, the rest of the day is free at leisure - a good chance for a hot shower, a proper meal, and some time to reflect on the journey.

Day 19 Alternative: Skardu to Islamabad by Road
As with Day 2, flights between Skardu and Islamabad can be delayed or cancelled due to weather. If this happens, the group will travel overland via the Karakoram Highway, with an overnight stop in Naran or Chilas, before continuing on to Islamabad the following day.

Start point
Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Flight from Skardu to Islamabad (weather permitting)
• Hotel check-in

Optional Activities

• By-road travel via Karakoram Highway (Naran/Chilas overnight) if flight is cancelled

Landmarks

• Islamabad

This day is held as a contingency in case of flight delays earlier in the trip. If everything has run on schedule, guests are free to spend the day exploring Islamabad and Rawalpindi, shopping for souvenirs, or simply relaxing before the journey home.

Start point
Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities

• Contingency day for flight delays

Optional Activities

• Sightseeing in Islamabad or Rawalpindi
• Shopping

Landmarks

• Islamabad
• Rawalpindi

Our trip comes to an end today. Guests will be transferred to Islamabad International Airport in good time for their onward flight home, bringing this incredible journey through the Karakoram to a close.

Start point
Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan (Departure)

Meals
Breakfast

Included Activities

• Transfer to airport for departure flight

Landmarks

• Islamabad