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The journey
The K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek is an epic 21-day adventure through the heart of Pakistan's Karakoram. The journey follows the legendary Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and K2 Base Camp, surrounded by some of the world's highest and most dramatic peaks. Trekkers then cross the spectacular Gondogoro La Pass at around 5,600 m before descending into the beautiful Hushe Valley. Combining glaciers, high-altitude camps, remote villages, and breathtaking mountain scenery, this is one of Pakistan's most unforgettable trekking experiences.
At a glance
Day by day
Arrival at Islamabad International Airport. Our team will welcome the guests and transfer them to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to recover from international travel and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
A full day to explore Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi. Guests can experience the modern capital alongside the historic and lively atmosphere of Rawalpindi before travelling north into the mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the spectacular flight to Skardu.
Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and spend the remainder of the day resting and becoming familiar with Skardu.
Because flights are weather-dependent, if the flight is cancelled the journey may be made by road, normally requiring an overnight stop en route. The itinerary therefore includes contingency time to accommodate possible delays.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
A full day in Skardu, the gateway to the Karakoram.
This day provides an opportunity to explore the surrounding area, enjoy the mountain landscape, and gradually acclimatise before travelling deeper into the mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Another day in Skardu.
This acts as both a preparation and contingency day. Equipment, logistics, and supplies can be finalised before departure.
If earlier travel was delayed because of weather, this day also helps protect the overall trekking schedule.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Depart Skardu by 4x4 vehicles and travel approximately 120 km towards Askoli.
Askoli lies at approximately 3,045 m and serves as the traditional starting point for expeditions and treks into the Baltoro region.
On arrival, the trekking team organises equipment and porter loads for the journey ahead.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, begin the trek.
The journey leads into increasingly remote Karakoram terrain, with approximately six hours of walking in the standard itinerary.
Jolla camp is situated at approximately 3,150 m.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continue towards Paju through a generally hot and dusty section of the trail.
The standard itinerary estimates approximately six hours of trekking with around 250 m of elevation gain.
Camp at approximately 3,400 m.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A dedicated rest and acclimatisation day.
This is an important part of the standard itinerary, allowing trekkers and porters to recover before moving onto the higher sections of the Baltoro Glacier.
Guests can rest, explore the surroundings, and prepare for the following days.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Leave Paju and move onto the Baltoro Glacier.
This is a longer trekking day of approximately seven hours, with much of the route travelling across glacier terrain.
The camp is situated at approximately 4,100 m, depending on conditions and campsite availability.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continue entirely across the glacier.
The standard itinerary estimates approximately 5½ hours of trekking and around 200 m of ascent.
Goro II camp is located at approximately 4,310 m.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Continue deeper into the Karakoram towards legendary Concordia.
Approximately 4½ hours of trekking brings the group to this spectacular meeting point of glaciers at around 4,480 m.
Concordia is surrounded by some of the world's greatest mountains and is one of the highlights of the entire expedition.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Concordia towards K2 Base Camp, travelling further into the high Karakoram.
This is one of the defining days of the expedition as trekkers approach the foot of the world's second-highest mountain.
Accommodation: Camp at/near K2 Base Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After experiencing K2 Base Camp, retrace the route back towards Concordia.
The day is spent travelling across glacier terrain before returning to the spectacular Concordia campsite.
Your standard brochure specifically separates Concordia → K2 Base Camp and K2 Base Camp → Concordia into two individual trekking days.
Accommodation: Concordia Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Leave the Baltoro Glacier route and begin the traverse towards Hushe.
The journey to Ali Camp takes approximately 7-8 hours according to the standard itinerary.
Ali Camp lies at approximately 5,050 m.
The team normally rests only briefly because the Gondogoro La crossing usually begins during the night or very early morning.
The crossing is highly dependent on weather and mountain conditions.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
One of the most demanding and rewarding days of the expedition.
The trek involves approximately:
8 hours of travel
Around 500 m ascent
Around 900 m descent
The route crosses Gondogoro La at approximately 5,600 m.
Fixed ropes may be used to assist the crossing. After crossing the pass, descend through ice and rocky terrain towards Khuspang.
Camp at approximately 4,700 m.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This day is deliberately kept as a weather and itinerary buffer.
If the trek has proceeded according to schedule, guests can use the day for rest and short walks around Khuspang.
If delays have occurred earlier because of weather or mountain conditions, the day can instead be used to maintain the overall itinerary.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Begin descending towards the Hushe Valley.
The route initially follows the Gondogoro Glacier before moving onto more conventional trail.
The standard itinerary estimates approximately six hours of trekking, finishing near 3,500 m.
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A relatively short and easier final trekking day.
Approximately three hours of walking brings the group to Hushe village, marking the completion of the main trekking section.
Accommodation: Guesthouse/Hostel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, say goodbye to the trekking team and porters.
Travel approximately 130 km by 4x4 vehicle back to Skardu.
After many days in the mountains, guests can enjoy a comfortable hotel, shower, and well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Skardu Airport for the return flight to Islamabad.
If flights are cancelled because of weather, the journey may need to be completed by road via Chilas. The original itinerary therefore recommends retaining additional free time before the international departure.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
The route
The fine print
All domestic flights
All airport and road transfers
Hotel accommodation in Pakistan
Twin-sharing trekking tents
Camping site and bridge fees
Full trekking logistics and non-personal equipment
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trek
Tea, coffee, snacks, and dry fruits
Free refills of boiled drinking water
Licensed professional trekking guide
Government trekking permits and paperwork
Waste management fees
Islamabad and Skardu city tours with entry fees
Support staff, including cooks and assistants
Porters for up to 14 kg of personal luggage
Baggage storage service in Skardu
Basic first-aid medicine kit
Trekking map
Trip achievement certificate
Personal travel insurance
International airfare
Personal trekking equipment, such as trekking shoes, down jacket, and walking poles
Personal mountaineering equipment, including crampons, mountaineering boots, ice axe, harness, carabiners, and helmet
Extra hotel nights in Islamabad
Additional trekking baggage above the included allowance
Tips and gratuities for guides, porters, and staff
Personal expenses such as minibar, bottled water, phone calls, laundry, and souvenirs
Costs related to early return or early trek termination
Additional costs caused by force majeure, such as earthquakes, landslides, or floods
Waterproof trekking boots
Mountaineering boots for Gondogoro La
Down jacket
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Warm base layers and fleece
Trekking trousers
Warm hat and sun hat
Waterproof/warm gloves
Trekking socks
Gaiters
Walking poles
Crampons
Ice axe
Climbing harness
Two locking carabiners
Helmet
Headlamp with spare batteries
Sunglasses with strong UV protection
Sunscreen and lip balm
Personal water bottle/thermos
Sleeping bag suitable for sub-zero temperatures
Daypack
Duffel bag for porter luggage
Personal toiletries and medications
Power bank / spare batteries
Passport, travel documents, and travel insurance details
Important: The full packing list above is a recommended list based on the demands of a high-altitude K2 Base Camp + Gondogoro La trek; the brochure itself only explicitly lists some personal and mountaineering equipment.
Skardu flights are weather-dependent; in case of cancellation, travel may continue by road via Chilas.
Acclimatisation and contingency days are built into the itinerary, including rest days in Paju and Khuspang.
The Gondogoro La crossing depends on weather and mountain conditions and may involve fixed ropes.
Domestic flight baggage allowance is 20 kg checked luggage + 7 kg hand carry.
Porters carry up to 14 kg of personal trekking luggage.
Personal trekking and mountaineering equipment is not included, so participants must bring the required gear.
Personal travel insurance is not included and should be arranged before travelling.
Costs arising from early return, landslides, floods, earthquakes, or other force-majeure events are not included in the package.
Logistics
Your 21 days finish where they began, in International Islamabad Airport Islamabad.
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