K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek Pakistan – 2021

Events For The Day:

• Arrival at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad
• Airport transfer
• Check-in at Hotel
• Overnight in Islamabad

From the airport, our guide(s) will receive you. You’ll be moved to the booked hotel shortly. Our guests may relax and recover from their long journey on this day.

Pick-up Details:

One of our guides will be holding a sign with both our company’s logo and your name on it. International flights normally arrive at midnight so at that time the Islamabad airport gets crowd-less. Our guide can easily locate you and guide you further.
Kindly let us know in advance, in case you do not need any airport transfers.

Events for The Day:

• Morning Flight to Skardu from Islamabad Airport (1 hr).
• Airport transfer
• Check-in at hotel
• Day free

Events for The Day:

• Visit the famous Kharpocho fort in Skardu
• Day tour to Sadpara Lake
• Free time for shopping in Skardu Bazaar

Events for The Day: (Altitude: 3,010 m, Distance 130 km, Time 6-8 hours)

• Morning Jeep Safari to Askole village.

The participants will begin the jeep safari to Daso, passing through the Shigar valley through the passage. The journey on the sides of the Braldu River extending to Askole will be explored. Askole will be the last village on our route; after leaving the jeeps behind, the participants will start walking.

Events for The Day: (Altitude: 3,100 m, Distance: 20 km, Time: 5-8 hours)

• Completion of necessary supplies and equipment.
• Lunch at Korofon River
• Overnight in Jhola.

The porters will load up for the trek ahead of Jhola after completion of the necessary supply list and equipment. The valley is the gateway to the Biafo glacier that streams from Hispar La to Braldu for over fifty km.  As the snout of the glacier is crossed, the participants will witness metamorphic rock walking. Korofon river would be an amazing spot for lunch.

The route will take us to the Braldu and Domordo rivers. For the walk, the former path is not taken, and instead, a newer trail will lead us to go upstream where participants will bridge from across the river. The participants will go down to the edge of the Braldu river on the other side of the bridge and follow the river bank to reach the CAMP at Jhola.

Events for The Day (Altitude: 3,420 m, Distance: 19.8 km, Time: 6-7 hours)

• The participants will follow the gorge of Braldu, along the bank of the river Braldu.
• Amazing views of the rocks at Trango Tower and Cathedral Peak.
• Depending on the water levels, the participants would have to use river crossing shoes.
• The snout of Baltoro Glacier can be seen on a clear day.
• By climbing away from the river to camp at Paijuu, participants will end their day.

The participants will follow the Braldu gorge along the bank of the Braldu River on the day of our K2 base camp trek. Participants will be able to see Trango Tower and Cathedral Peak’s spectacular rocks. Participants should avoid potential sunburns and be very dry and humid during this day as the walking conditions can be.

Several streams from glaciers flow down into the valley and on the way, the participants will have to use river crossing shoes depending on the water levels. The participants will be able to spot the snout of Baltoro Glacier on a clear day. On this day the participants will end their day by climbing away from the river to camp at Paiju, the last camp where you will see trees for a while.

Events for the day: (Altitude: 3,420)

• Acclimatization Day at Paiju Camp

For acclimatization, the participants will spend the day at the Paiju Camp. The porters, however, will take their time on the glacier to bake themselves bread for next week. An acclimatization walk can also be taken on this day towards the base camp of Paiju Hill.

Events for The Day: (Altitude: 3,788 m, Distance: 14.7 km, Time: 5-7 hours)

• Trango Tower and Uli Biaho Views
• Cross and over the glacier to Liligo
• Camp by the edge of Khoburtse

The walk will get challenging on this day, but with each step taken on the snout of Baltoro Glacier, the scenery will be spectacular. Although the trail is very safe, the trail has continuous up and down climbs on the glacial butte, but at all times it is strongly recommended to be careful. As you step forward, the participants will witness the breathtaking views; the views of Trango Tower and Uli Biaho.
The participants are needed to go to Liligo across the glacier. The participants will follow a rocky path from this point along the edge of the Baltoro or  Khoburtse, the side of the glacier where the camp will be formed.

Events for The Day: (Altitude: 3,910 m, Distance: 6.4 km, Time: 4-6 hours)

• Stop at Urdukas near the army camp

After coming across two tiny glaciers, the Trango Towers can finally be seen. The participants will make their stop at Urdukas near the army camp the next night.

Events for The Day: (Altitude: 4,290 m, Distance: 12 km, Time: 6-8 hours)

• Views of Masherbrum (7821m).
• The first-night stay camp on Baltoro Glacier at Goro II
• Masherbrum, Masherbrum 4, and Muztagh Tower

We are now in the heart of Concordia with only ice on which to position our tents, we are surrounded by views of the great peaks: Muztagh Tower, Gasherbrum 4, and Masherbrum, the most stunning of them all, it’s guaranteed to take your breath away. If we are rewarded with a clear evening, nothing can prepare you for the sunset in the evening and the red hue over Masherbrum, never to be forgotten.

Events for The Day: Altitude: 4,512 m, Distance: 11.7 km, Time: 5-7 hours)

• Trek to Concordia
• Marble and Crystal Peaks on the way
• Finally surrounded by 4 eight-thousanders 🙂

Views of Broad Peak 8,051m/ 26,414 feet appear on our way up Baltoro, while Marble and Crystal Peaks appear on the left.cTill the minute we reach Concordia, K2 remains concealed a magnificent sight that will forever become a beautiful memory. Concordia is an extensive glacier region, one of the largest places on earth. We’re going to be surrounded by 4 eight-thousanders, 10 out of the top 30 highest peaks in the world. The camp will be set at 4,500m/ 14,764 feet in Concordia on the moraine.

Congratulations! You made it.

Through crevasses and small rivers produced by melting ice, we can begin early. We follow the glacier named after Godwin Austin, who first proclaimed the height of K2. We’ll be at the Broad Peak base camp after three hours, where we’ll have a clear view of the spectacular Karakoram 2nd (K2), Mitre Peak behind us, and Bride Peak. The moraine, which is mostly boulders, we move on. We walk on the moraine which is mostly boulders. However, we do walk on ice occasionally.
After another 3 hours of trek, we will complete the K2 Base Camp one-way trip to the moraine safe zone, a typical K2 climbers’ base camp area. If time allows, one can also visit the Gilkey Memorial. There are names of valiant people in the memorial, engraved on plates and plagues. Those tough ones died while trying K2.
It depends on the participants to determine whether to trek to K2 Base Camp, Broad Peak BC, Gilkey Memorial, choose one or another or both options or choose to rest at Concordia on this day. It is mandatory to return to Concordia on this day.

Events for the Day: ( Distance: 12.1 km. Trekking Time: 5-6 hours)

• We set out the journey on a less explored route
• In the case of large crevasses, we would take short detours only to make progress.
• In case of snow conditions at Baltoro, participants and porters would walk together (all hooked to a rope) and use their crampons for safety.
• Set camp for tonight on the high moraine near the junction.
• learn and practice some basic skills for moving on the Gondogoro La.

Today we set out on a journey on a less-explored route. Snow, which is not common between the months of June to late August, depends on the nature and difficulty of trekking. We will normally walk on non-slippery ice, which is actually simple to hike on. We will take brief detours only to make progress in the case of large crevasses. However, Participants and porters will walk together (all hooked to a rope) in case of snow conditions at Baltoro and use their crampons for safety. After walking for more than 5 hours, we should reach the junction point of Baltoro with West Vigne Glacier that is connected to the base of Gondogoro La.

Tonight we set up camp on the high moraine near the junction. As Ali (a porter belonging to the nearby village) was first registered to cross Gondogoro La while returning from a climbing expedition to Gasherbrum as a porter, our campsite is known as ‘Ali Camp’. When we reach the camp, we have enough time to learn and practice some basic skills to move on the fixed lines of the Gondogoro La.

Events for The Day: (Trekking Distance: 8.1 km. Trekking Time: 9-12 hours)

• We hit the incredible West Vigne Glacier, all roped as one unit until we make it to Gondogoro La’s base.
• Have a splendid view of four of the 8,000-meter peaks, specifically Gasherbrum 1 and 2, Broad Peak, and the mighty K2.
• Enjoy views of Trinity peaks, not to mention the stunning Laila Peak 6,096m/ 19,111 feet.
• Pleasant campsite Khuispang 4,600m/ 15,091 feet.

It normally takes around three hours to reach the top of Gondogoro La Pass. The fall is relatively sudden and thus allows much of the descend to use fixed ropes. For the most part, crampons would be needed to move down the pass and even on the upper portion of the Hushey valley that would usually be covered in snow.
Eventually, Gondogoro La Trek becomes easy as we reach and move on the moraine and arrive at a valley near the junction point of Gondogoro and Trinity glaciers with small pools and grass.
Overnight stay at Khuispang campsite.

Events for The Day: (Distance: 11.9 km, Time: 5-6 hours)

• Cross Dalsampa
• Pass through the pastures of Gondogoro
• Overnight at campsite Saicho

We continue trekking and pass through the pastures of Gondogoro. One can see the temporary shelters of herders made of stones. A small stream needs to be crossed shortly before reaching the lateral moraine. Large trees can be seen walking on this moraine that goes down to the bottom of the Gondogoro valley where the camp is set up.

A sandy area with thin grasses along the glacial river at the junction point of the Charakusa and Gondogoro valleys is our campsite Saicho 3,350m/ 10,990 feet. The “oxygen-rich” supply of air will be available to breathe after almost 2 weeks above 4,000 m altitude and participants can sleep well to the sound of running water.

Events for The Day: (Distance: 7.2 km, Time: 3-4 hours)

• Shyok river (flowing from Ladakh) meets Hushey river
• Cross a bridge (suspension) above Shyok river to get to the other end (Khaplu)
• Drive to Skardu from Khaplu
• Arrival at one of our partner hotels and get our first warm followed by a good meal.

It is wise to begin trekking early to stay away from heat that can go above 35 degrees Celsius because we are below 3,500 m / 11,500 feet. In comparison, this day is going to be a simple trekking day of between 3 and 4 hours.
The village of Hushey comprises of alleys, conventional stone-made buildings constructed with river stones, etc.
The return road trip from Khaplu to Skardu provides incredible sightseeing beginning with a passage through other Hushey Valley villages showing tiny agricultural lands and activities of mountain farming as we drive downstream.

Overnight in Skardu.

For any possible delays during trek, this day is given. Owing to delays, we do not want our guests to miss their domestic flights. Multiple factors, including (but not limited to) road blocks, can cause these delays. You can use the time for sightseeing in Skardu.

The participants will take a flight from Skardu airport to Islamabad airport on this day. You’re going to have a nice time relaxing at the Islamabad hotel.

Owing to weather conditions, domestic flights often get canceled. In the event of a flight delay, you’ll travel overnight to Chilas. It’s a vehicle that takes eight to ten hours.

In the case of domestic flight cancellation the previous day, this day shall be reserved for any future delays. Early in the morning, our guests will depart from Chilas to Islamabad, which can take up to ten hours. It will, however, be a free day if the participants on the domestic flight make it to Islamabad the previous day on the flight.
You can use this time for sightseeing in Islamabad.

Finally, your K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La Trek Land Package only end with breakfast and transfer to the airport.