K2 Base Camp Trek | By Askole Village Community

• Altitude: 540 meters
• Our guide(s) will meet you at Islamabad International Airport and transfer you to the hotel.
• Participants can relax and recover from their journey.
• Pickup details: Look for guides with orange placards bearing our company logo and your name.
• Provide flight details at least five days before arrival.
• Guides will receive you at international arrivals gates unless you have a connecting flight within Pakistan.
• After lunch and rest, our guide will brief you and collect remaining payments at our office, followed by dinner. Late arrivals will have briefing and payments managed in Skardu.

• Altitude: 2,498 meters
• Participants will take a spectacular flight from Islamabad airport to Skardu airport.
• If the clouds allow, you’ll be able to see the majestic Nanga Parbat during the flight.
• After arriving in Skardu, the day is free for you to explore and enjoy. 

• Altitude: 2,498 meters
• After breakfast, participants will walk to the Kharpocho Fort in Skardu, situated atop a mountain. From there, you’ll enjoy a splendid view of the Indus River and the town of Skardu.
• Additionally, participants have the option to take a tour to Sadpara Lake.
• Afterward, you’ll have some free shopping time in Skardu Bazaar.
• During sightseeing, our staff will handle any further government documentation required in Skardu. This process may take up to two days.
• We’ve also allocated contingency days toward the end of the trek in case of any delays.

Enjoy your exploration and take in the breathtaking views!

• Altitude: 3,015 meters
• Our adventure kicks off as our team gathers early at the hotel.
• After a hearty breakfast, we’ll load up the rugged 4×4 jeeps.
• The bumpy, dusty drive will take us past Askole and onward to Jhula Camp—the gateway to the Central Karakoram National Park.
• The journey from Skardu typically spans 7 to 10 hours, depending on road conditions. We’ll enjoy lunch en route.
• Exciting news: As of 2021, the road extension into the national park allows us to start the trek directly from Jhula Camp, bypassing the hot, dusty road from Askole.
• Upon arriving at Jhula in the late afternoon, we’ll settle into a permanent trekkers’ camp.
• Keep in mind that if our permits aren’t ready, we might spend an extra day in Skardu (our well-planned buffer days come in handy!).
• Note for 2023: Due to road damage, a trek from Askole to Jhula is now necessary.
• Here are the specifics:
  • Trekking distance: 20.5 kilometers
  • Altitude gain/loss: 624 meters uphill
  • Jhula Camp elevation: 3,149 meters

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes!

• Trekking Distance: You’ll cover a total of 21 kilometers.
• Altitude Gain: You’ll ascend 624 meters.
• Paiju Camp Elevation: The camp is situated at an elevation of 3,400 meters.
• Day Overview: Start early with 5-7 hours of trekking. Expect hilly terrain, a few stream crossings, and a mix of elevation gains and descents. The day can be hot, with intense sun exposure and dust. Remember to apply sunscreen and stay hydrated—water will be your best companion today! After dinner at camp, you might be treated to a lively Balti music session by the porters.
• Facilities: Cold “showers” (essentially faucets) are available.

Altitude: 3,418 meters

On this day, participants will remain at Paiju Camp for acclimatization and much-needed rest. While the porters focus on baking bread for the upcoming week on the glacier, participants can take an acclimatization walk toward the base camp of Paiju Peak. It’s a valuable opportunity to adjust to the altitude and soak in the stunning surroundings.

• 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.

• Trekking distance: N/A
• Altitude gain/loss: N/A
• Camp elevation: 5000 m

After our big hike to K2 Base Camp, we will spend the day relaxing at the camp – reading, drinking tea, eating, going on short explorations of the area – this is the agenda for this chill day.

K2 Base Camp is one of the most spectacular campsites in Pakistan and we want to take a full day to soak it in without any major trekking to do!

It is pretty common for the teams of Balti Porters to throw a bit of a high-altitude dance party of sorts – Balti Style.

• 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.

On this day, at an altitude of 538 meters, participants will board a flight from Skardu airport to Islamabad airport. Upon arrival, they can unwind and relax at a hotel in Islamabad.

Please note that domestic flights can sometimes be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. In the event of a flight cancellation, an alternative plan is in place to drive to Chilas for an overnight stay. This journey typically takes between eight to ten hours by vehicle.

This day is set aside to account for any potential delays, particularly if the domestic flight from the previous day does not operate as scheduled. In such a case, our guests will embark on an early morning journey from Chilas to Islamabad, a trip that can take up to ten hours. However, if participants manage to reach Islamabad via the domestic flight, they will have a free day. This time can be spent exploring and sightseeing in Islamabad.