Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
Fitness Level & Technical Ability
Climbers wishing to join this expedition must already be experienced with rock and ice climbing and have successfully completed previous climbs at high altitude, over 6,500m.
This expedition requires excellent levels of fitness to endure the extreme conditions of summiting K2. To prepare for this, climbers should undergo a regular and strenuous exercise regime for at least 6 months to build their strength, stamina and endurance.
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 plan to Skardu city or else by road through Karakorum Highway to Skardu. The second way can be reached from China via Khungerab National Park, by road through KKH (The Old silk route) to Hunza, Gilgit then to Skardu City
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.
K2 (8,611m) Expedition
Trip Duration: 60 days Minimum and 90 Days Maximum
Season: June – August
Grade: Extreme
Activities: Trekking, Climbing & exploring the traditional valleys
Accommodation: 60 days trip, 08 nights hotel, 59 nights camping
About this Trek and Tour
K-2 or Mount Godwin Austin is the second highest mountain in the world and the highest peak in Pakistan at elevation 8,611 meters. This sky-scraping mountain in the Karakoram Range is known as “Chogori” in local Balti dialect, which means “King of Mountains”. It is on the Pakistan-China border.
Expeditions to K2 start with a breath taking flight past Nanga Parbat and down into Skardu, followed by a Jeep ride through the beautiful, fertile Shigar river valley, through many Baltistan villages and picturesque farming countryside to Askole, 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 your 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 breath taking scenery in the world where eight of the world’s 30 highest mountains are clustered in the heart of the Karakoram mountain range.
Our Experience of K2
Shams Alpine team has vast experience of work with different foreign expeditions on K-2. The director of our company Mr. Shaheen Baig has summitted K-2, without using supplemental oxygen, on the eve of Golden Jubilee Celebration of conquering K-2 in 2004. We also had the honor to organize the first private Pakistani expedition to climb K2 in 2006. Our expedition members Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali led to establish the first route up to camp-3 before the arrival of other expedition teams in that year. Unfortunately an avalanche hit the camp and wiped out all deposited equipment and that forced them to wind up the expedition. Besides Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali we have a large number of mountaineers and HAPs (High Altitude Porters) from Shimshal who have summitted K-2 and helped their respective foreign clients to the top of the peak.
Short itinerary
Day 01 Arrive Islamabad – Hotel
Day 02 Briefing at Ministry of Tourism – Hotel
Day 03 Fly to Skardu or drive to Chilas -Hotel
Day 04 Day free in Skardu, sightseeing or second day of the drive to Skardu) – Hotel
Day 05 Jeep transfer to Askole Village (6-7hrs) – Camp
Day 06 Trek to Jula – (6-7hrs) – Camp
Day 07 Trek to Paiju – (7hrs) – Camp
Day 08 Rest and acclimatize Paiju- Camp
Day 09 Trek to Urdokas – (5 hours) – Camp
Day 10 Trek to Goro 2 – (6 hours) – Camp
Day 11 Trek to Broad Peak B.C – Camp
Day 12 Trek to K2 Base Camp – Camp
Day 13 -52 climbing period – Camp
Day 53- 56 Trek back to Askoli and Drive to Skardu – Camp & Hotel
Day 57 Fly to Islamabad or Drive to Chilas –Hotel
Day 58 Free day for Shopping in Islamabad or drive from Chilas to Islamabad – Hotel
Day 59 Debriefing at Ministry of Tourism – Hotel
Day 60 Departure from Islamabad (Depending on time of flight you may require an extra hotel day here).
Our Services Includes
Liaison with Ministry of Tourism in Islamabad for climbing permit process, providing measurements of the appointed Liaison officer for his prescribed kit
Process of import/export permit from ministry of tourism.
Clearance of cargo before arrival of the team and its storage.
Assistance upon arrival/departure.
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist with your visa application.
Official Briefing/Debriefing.
Porters, Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.
Wages for guides, cook, other stuff and Low porters.
Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking & eating utensils and mess tent below Base Camp
Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.
Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle fom Skardu to Askoli.
Tented camps on shared basis while trekking and at Base Camp.
Porterage of 75 kg per person of expedition equipment and high altitude food etc. to the B.C. and 50 kg per person on return from BC.
Our Service does not include
International & domestic airfares, airport taxes, excess baggage charges, and travel Insurance.
Surface transfers in case of flight cancellations to Skardu.
Liaison Officer’s kit and equipment, allowances, travel, hotels, meals, insurance and his personal expenses of any kind.
High altitude porters and any crew above BC.
Tents, sleeping bags, personal and climbing equipment of any kind beyond Base Camp including high altitude food and oxygen.
Medications, ground evacuations and helicopter rescue charges of any kind.
Room services, laundry, beverages, phone/communication bills and any items of personal nature.
Insurance liability of member(s) and others under force majeure conditions.
Climbing Permit, Pollution and Environmental fee or any other fee required to be paid to the Government of Pakistan.
Clearing agent charges.
Any other service not mentioned in this condition sheet.
Optional High Altitude on special request
High altitude tents (The North Face V25/Mountain 25)
Ropes (Static and Dimanic 8mm) and Sling rope 5-6mm
Emergency oxygen cylinder (Posik) and Mask regulator
Rock pitons, Snow bars, Ice screws, Snow shovels, leaders
EPI Gas (Calman), Jetbowl, and high altitude cooking set
High altitude food
High Altitude sleeping bags, Mattress, Ice Axe and Crampons.
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.