K2 Base Camp Trek 15 Days | By Askole Village Community

• Altitude: 2,498 meters

Participants opting for the Skardu to Skardu service will join groups arriving from Islamabad who have booked the 21-day K2 base camp trek.

Arrival in Skardu:

• Upon arrival in Skardu, contact our Skardu office manager.
• Foreign travelers will receive a Foreign Registration Card (FRC) upon entering Skardu: at the airport if flying, or at the checkpoint if traveling by road.

Required Documents for Government Verification:

• Foreign Registration Card (FRC) for foreigners
• Passport for foreigners
• IDs for Pakistanis (local and overseas)
• Entry stamp on Passport or Visa

These documents must be submitted to the government for verification, which takes at least 14 hours. A final approval letter will be issued for those present in Skardu on this day. Your physical presence may be requested by the authorities, so stay in contact with our manager for any briefings at the provincial tourism ministry office.

Group Arrival from Islamabad:

• The main group is expected to arrive from Islamabad on this day. If their flight is canceled, they will travel by road via the Karakoram Highway and reach Skardu the next day. This may extend the trek’s ending date.

In case of flight cancellation, K2 Travel Hub is not responsible for any additional costs (e.g., accommodation, meals) incurred in Skardu before the trek starts or after the drop-off in Skardu. To avoid these risks, consider booking the 21-day holiday starting from Islamabad.

What If You Don’t Arrive in Skardu on This Day?

• Failure to arrive in Skardu on this day will result in missing the trek and forfeiting all payments, as the government approval letter cannot be altered. The final approved list includes the names of all participants who submitted the required documents.

Note:

• All expenses on this day (e.g., hotel, meals, transport) are borne by the guests and are not included in the holiday package. To have these covered, book the 21-day holiday starting from Islamabad. Your holiday with K2 Travel Hub begins on day 3.

You should take your time exploring Skardu today. It is recommended that you rest at your accommodation and make any last-minute purchases at Skardu Bazaar while continuing to communicate with our office.

The final government approval letter, which may take up to two days in 2% of situations, is what we are currently awaiting. To account for possible delays, we have added extra days to the journey. Government representatives may want your physical presence on this day, therefore you should stay in touch with our manager in Skardu, who will set up any required meetings. Both domestic and international visitors must comply with this regulation. We usually receive approvals toward the end of the day, and the next day we start traveling to the K2 base camp.

Note: All expenses for this day (e.g., hotel, meals, transport) are the responsibility of our guests and are not included in the holiday package. To have these expenses covered, you can book our 21-day holiday and join us in Islamabad.

• Altitude: 3,015 meters

You should take your time exploring Skardu today. It is recommended that you rest at your accommodation and make any last-minute purchases in Skardu Bazaar while continuing to communicate with our office.

The journey through the Shigar Valley will be part of the participants’ first jeep safari as they go towards Daso. The route will be taken alongside the Braldu River, which runs all the way to Askole. The last settlement on our itinerary is Askole, where the participants will disembark from the jeeps and begin walking. Depending on the state of the roads, participants may occasionally start their walk before reaching Askole. You’ll need anything from six to eight hours to complete the distance overall.

Our trek Start from Today!

Accommodation: Camping in twin-sharing dome tents 

Meals:

• For Trek: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus snacks (dry fruit/chocolate)
• Before Dinner: Appetizer (soup/fried snacks)
• After Dinner: Dessert/fruits

• Altitude: 3,103 m
• Distance: 20 km
• Time: 5-8 hours

After finalizing the necessary supplies and equipment, the porters will load up for the trek to Jhola. The valley serves as the gateway to the Biafo Glacier, which stretches over fifty kilometers from Hispar La to Braldu. Participants will experience walking on the moraine as they cross the glacier’s snout and descend to a lunch spot beside the Korofon River.

The route takes us to the confluence of the Braldu and Domordo rivers. Instead of following the former trail, we will take a newer path that leads us upstream, where participants will cross the river by bridge. On the other side, they will descend to the edge of the Braldu River and follow the riverbank to reach the camp at Jhola.

Accommodation: Camping in twin-sharing dome tents 

Meals:

• For Trek: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus snacks (dry fruit/chocolate)
• Before Dinner: Appetizer (soup/fried snacks)
• After Dinner: Dessert/fruits

Altitude: 3,418 m
Distance: 19.8 km
Time: 6-7 hours

• Trekking distance: 11.5 km
• Altitude gain: 481 m up
• Goro 2 Camp elevation: 4,250 m

• Trekking distance: 14 km
• Altitude gain: 541 m up
• Concordia Camp elevation: 4,600 m

Today, as we tread upon the icy expanse, we arrive at the “Throne Room of the Gods”, aptly named Concordia. Our journey spans 5-7 hours, and the glacier beneath our feet reveals more of its frozen majesty than in days prior.

But oh, the vistas that await! From this celestial vantage point, our eyes feast upon a panorama of legendary peaks:

• Gasherbrum IV, standing proud and formidable.
• The elegant silhouette of Mitre Peak, etched against the sky.
• Broad Peak, its icy crown gleaming in the sun.
• The regal Marble Peak, a sentinel of stone and snow.
• And, of course, the mighty K2, towering above all—a titan among mountains.

Yet, as the sun retreats, so does the warmth. Concordia’s nights plunge into frigid depths, where temperatures plummet below freezing. Here, snowfall is no stranger; it dances with the wind, whispering tales of ancient ice.

But fear not, intrepid traveler! After a nourishing dinner and a restful slumber, our path leads onward—to the very heart of adventure—the K2 Base Camp awaits us on the morrow.

• Trekking distance: 11.5 km
• Altitude gain: 500 m up
• K2 Base Camp elevation: 5000 m

Early morning, our footsteps trace a path toward the hallowed grounds of K2 Base Camp. The journey spans a total of approximately 11.5 kilometers, leading us through the heart of Concordia. Here, we pay homage at the Art Gilkey Memorial, a silent tribute to those who dared to touch the sky.

But onward we march, fueled by anticipation and camaraderie. Our destination: the very footprint of legend—K2 Base Camp. There, amidst the rugged beauty, we’ll share tea and tales with fellow adventurers, their eyes set on the summit’s crown.

Today, my friend, is no ordinary day. It’s a BIG trekking day, yet the terrain, though formidable, offers a certain grace. The Godwin-Austen Glacier unfurls before us, a frozen highway leading directly to the mighty K2.

As night descends upon the base camp, we rest beneath the shadow of the Savage Mountain. The air is thin, the stars ablaze, and the spirit of exploration dances in the frosty breeze.

• Altitude: You’ll be at 4,010 meters.
• Distance: The trek covers approximately 15.9 kilometers.
• Duration: Expect a 6-7 hour journey.

On this leg of the K2 base camp trek, we bid farewell to this camp and begin our descent toward Goro I. The trail is relatively easy, allowing us to appreciate the rugged beauty as we retrace our steps.

Our twin-sharing dome tents await us for a night under the stars, and meals will sustain our bodies for the journey ahead. 

• Altitude: 3,788 meters
• Distance: 13.8 kilometers
• Time: 5-7 hours

On this day:

• Participants will journey to the Urdukas campsite.
• They’ll follow the same trail, descending via the glacier toward Goro I.
• Along the way, they’ll be treated to spectacular views of Trango Towers.
• Despite retracing their steps, the vistas on the return journey will be entirely different.

• Altitude: 3,418 meters
• Distance: 14.7 kilometers
• Estimated Time: 5-7 hours

On this day of the K2 base camp trek, participants will be descending along the glacier’s edge via Liligo. This will be the final area where they transition their path from the moraine to more stable terrain. After a rest, participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in a forested area and relish their time at the Paiju camp site. The specifics for the day are as follows:

• Altitude: 3,418 meters
• Distance: 19.8 kilometers
• Estimated Time: 5-7 hours

On this day, participants will find the trek relatively easier as they will be tracing the same path towards the Bradlu gorge. There might be a few river crossings during the journey. The day will conclude with setting up the camp site at Jhola. The details for the day are as follows:

• Altitude: 2,498 meters
• Distance: 20 kilometers of trekking and a 127 kilometers drive
• Estimated Time: 5-7 hours of trekking and a 6 hours drive

On this day, participants will return to Askole village, following a path along the riverbank leading to a bridge. After the trek, participants will have a chance to rest their feet as they will be transported by jeeps to Skardu post lunch. The specifics for the day are as follows:

This day is set aside to accommodate any unforeseen delays that might occur during the trek. We prioritize ensuring that our guests do not miss their domestic flights due to such delays. These delays could arise from various factors, including but not limited to roadblocks. This spare time can also be used for exploring and sightseeing in Skardu. The altitude for this day is 538 meters.