K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La Trek Summer – 2023

Trip Duration: 20 days

Season: July – August

Grade: Moderate

Zoon: Restricted

Activities: Trekking, Climbing & exploring the traditional valleys

Accommodation:  23 days trip, 15 days trek, 07 nights hotel, 16 nights camping

Tour from  Islamabad Airport to get to the Trek start at Askoli.

Our trek to Baltoro Glacier- K2 Base Camp starts from Islamabad Treks to K2 start with a breathtaking flight past Nanga Parbat 8,125m and down into Skardu city 2,228m, located on the mighty Indus river, that main city of Baltistan (known as Little Tibet in history) home of the impressive Manthal Buddha Rocks, the 8th-century Kharpocho Fort above Skardu town; the K2 Museum, a gem city, downstream from some of the largest glaciers and highest peaks in the world. Followed by a Jeep ride to the confluence of the Indus and Shigar Rivers and then through the beautiful Shigar River valley to Askoli, 3,000m.

The next morning the spectacular trek to K2 base camp up the Baltoro Glacier begins. You will pass some of the most breath taking scenery in the Karakoram.

 

About this Trek

 “A mountain of stunning dimensions. It seems to rise like a perfect cone, but incredibly tall.” With these words, in 1887, the Englishman Sir Francis Younghusband described K2. He was the first Westerner to see the mountain from close up. From then on, with reference to the second-highest mountain on earth, descriptions of this sort have been used by generations of travellers, scientists, and mountaineers. Very few mountains come close to perfection, in terms of shape and proportion of K2. Such enormous beauty cannot be conquered without equally enormous effort.

 Baltoro, K2 base camp trek is a  world-wide favorite and a ‘must do’ on the wish list of many trekking enthusiasts, the trek up the Baltoro Glacier is an awe inspiring venture into the inner sanctum of the Karakoram Himalaya.

The western end of the Himalayan Range is geologically the youngest, subsequently, there are few surrounding foothills, and the dominant skyline feature consists of untold hundreds of jagged peaks ranging from spectacular rock spires soaring thousands of feet into the sky, to the reality-defying 8,000m giants at the Concordia confluence.

Unlike the approaches to most 8,000m Nepalese base camps, there are no major foothills to negotiate, with most of the hiking either on, or to the side of the valleys and glaciers.

As a result you are constantly surrounded by, and enjoy an unfettered view of, the most stunning array of high peaks on the planet. As you proceed up the route, each hour and day brings with it new vistas to marvel at. 

Treks to K2 start with a breathtaking flight past Nanga Parbat 8,125m and down into Skardu City 2,228m, located on the mighty Indus River, that main city of Baltistan (known as Little Tibet in history) home of the impressive Manthal Buddha Rocks, the 8th century Kharpocho Fort above Skardu town; the K2 Museum, a gem city, downstream from some of the largest glaciers and highest peaks in the world. Followed by a Jeep ride to the confluence of the Indus and Shigar Rivers and then through the beautiful Shigar River valley to Askoli, 3,000m.

The next morning we begin the spectacular trek to K2 Base Camp, up the Biaho Lungma river trail, and the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and beyond. As we climb over moraines, pick our way through glaciers, and trek through gorges up the Baltoro Glacier we will be struck by the endless beauty of the granite towers, multitudes of cathedral peaks, needle spires, the snow capped domes and icy glaciated mountains that line our trek.

To Concordia is the most popular trek in Pakistan for good reason. It is stunning scenery. You will be amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world where eight of the world’s 30 highest mountains are clustered in the heart of the Karakoram mountain range. 

 

Short itinerary

Day 01    Arrival in Islamabad (600m) – Hotel

Day 02    Fly to Skardu (2,228 m) or (drive to Chilas) (9,15m) – Hotel

Day 03    Day free in Skardu, Permits – sightseeing, K2 Museum (or the second day of the drive to Skardu) (2,228 m) – Hotel

Day 04    Jeep transfer to Jula (3,500m) – (8-9 hrs) – Camp

Day 05   Trek to Paiju (3,700m) – (7hrs) – Camp

Day 06    Trek to Horbose – Camp

Day 07    Trek to Urdokas (3,950m) – (5 hours) – Camp

Day 08    Trek to Goro 2 (4,300m) – (6 hours) – Camp

Day 09    Trek to Concordia (4,550m) – Camp

Day 10    Rest and acclimatize at Concordia (4,550m) – Camp

Day 11    Trek to K2 Base Camp (5100m) via Broad Peak Base Camp (4,700m)  – Camp

Day 12    Trek back to Concordia (4,550m) – Camp

Day 13    Trek to  Ali Camp (4,550m) – Camp

Day 14    Trek to Huisprung via GG La – Camp

Day 15     Trek to Saicho – camp

Day 16   Trek to Hushe & drive to Skardu – Hotel

Day 17  Trek debriefing Skardu City – Hotel

Day 18    Fly Islamabad or drive to Chilas – Hotel

Day 19    Day free in Islamabad or second day of the drive to Islamabad (600m) – Hotel

Day 20    Departure from Islamabad to home 

Our Services Include

An experienced English speaking high altitude Guide.

Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking and eating utensils and mess tent.

Wages for guides, cook and porters.

Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.

Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle.

Tented camps on shared basis while trekking.

Porters will carry your large pack – one waterproof kit bag per client, – weight not to exceed 15kgs. an excess baggage will incur extra porter wage.

Trekking permit and Camping Fees.

Porters, Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.

Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application.

 

Our Service does not include

Bottled water, aerated drinks, alcohol, laundry and other items of personal nature

Meals except where indicated in the itinerary

Personal snacks, energy bars, energy gels, sweets

Personal gear, sleeping bags, phone calls and laundry

Tips for crew members 

International airfares, Travel Insurance, Airport and departure taxes.

Single supplement

Cost of helicopter or other means of evacuation and you should cover in your trip insurance.

Any other service not mentioned in this condition sheet.

 

Guides and porters

Our local guides and porters are all experienced, handpicked and trained by Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali, directors of Shams Alpine to ensure that our clients have the best opportunity for success with comfort. A porter will carry your kit bag and you will be expected to carry your own day pack which should be large enough to carry all you will need throughout the day e.g. sunscreen, raincoat, water bottle, camera, spare long sleeved clothing, snow protection glasses, sun protection gloves, hat and scarves, snack food, etc.

Fast facts

Country Visited

Pakistan

Visas

Yes*

 

Vaccinations

Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information

           

Singles

A single supplement is not always possible on this trip. In many instances campsite size is limited and it will be necessary to share with another team member. This also applies to mountaineering expeditions. Single supplement in hotels is available. Please contact Shams Alpine Mountaineering & Trekking Pvt Ltd for specific detail, relevant to your trip.

 

Entry points  

K2 Base Camp can be reached from Islamabad by plane or by road to Skardu city and drive to Askoli where your trek to the Baltoro Glacier begins. The second way is from China via Khungerab National Park, through KKH and joins the Skardu road at Thalechi.

 

Leader

 Discover the spectacular hidden Karakoram with English speaking,

world renowned Shimshali mountain guides

 

Adventure travel

By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you contact us with any concerns. We are happy to answer any questions.

Responsible travel

The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact of our presence

 

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