K2 Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Karakoram Adventure

Introduction
K2 Base Camp Trek: The Ultimate Karakoram Adventure image

K2 Base Camp / A Journey to the Base of the World’s 2nd Highest Mountain

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Epic Mountain Journey

K2 Base Camp is ‘one of the greatest hikes on earth’ (Lonely Planet 2021). The Karakoram are a unique part of the mighty Himalayan chain, quieter and more rugged than its Nepal neighbour, our trek takes us to base camp 5,150m (16,896ft) of the worlds 2nd biggest mountain, K2 at 8,611m (28,251ft). The journey along the Baltoro glacier to Concordia allow us a vantage point to see four 8000m peaks from one location; K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. Whilst in Islamabad and Skardu we dedicate time exploring the fascinating cultural side to Pakistan.

Epic Mountain Journey

Epic Mountain Journey image

At a glance

Day 1 - Arrival in Islamabad and Group Dinner

Day 1 - Arrival in Islamabad and Group Dinner image

Arrive in Islamabad, Relax and Meet Group

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Arrival and Transfer to Hotel Serena

Transfer from the airport to Hotel Serena 5*. After your long journey you can enjoy a swim in the heated pool, use of the fitness centre, Maisha spa or maybe a peaceful walk around the 14 acre gardens.
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Evening Group Dinner

In the evening you will meet the group and enjoy a shared dinner.
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Hotel Serena Islamabad

Accommodation: 5* Hotel Serena.

Day 2 - Islamabad to Skardu

Day 2 - Islamabad to Skardu  image

Scenic Flight to Skardu

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Breakfast

After an early breakfast we return to the airport for the flight to Skardu, which usually departs mid-morning.
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Flight to Skardu

Islamabad

Skardu
Return to the airport for the flight to Skardu, which usually departs mid-morning. Given good weather this is perhaps the most spectacular commercial flight in the world, with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat the ninth highest mountain in the world. The flight however will not operate in poor weather, and you must be prepared for a wait in Islamabad if the flight is cancelled.
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Skardu Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel (or Islamabad)

Accommodation: Skardu Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel (or Islamabad).

Day 3 - Chilas Journey via Karakoram Highway

Day 3 - Chilas Journey via Karakoram Highway image

Drive to Chilas on the Karakoram Highway

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Coach Drive to Chilas

DepartureIslamabad
DestinationChilas
In case of cancellation of flight (13-14 hrs) drive by coach to Chilas (480 km) on Karakoram Highway.
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Shangri-La Hotel

Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel https://www.shangrilahotels.pk

Day 4 - Complete Road Journey to Skardu

Day 4 - Complete Road Journey to Skardu image

Road Journey to Skardu with Scenic Views

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Complete road journey to Skardu

Complete road journey (10-11 hrs) to Skardu (275 km). The route has good views of Nanga Parbat (8125m) at the junction of Indus River and the rapids and fall of Indus River.
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Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel https://concordia-motel-baltistan.business.site

Day 5 - Skardu Official Formalities and Sightseeing

Day 5 - Skardu Official Formalities and Sightseeing image

Skardu Formalities and Local Sightseeing

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Official formalities and trek preparation

Full day for official formalities and final preparation of trek at Skardu. We also have an opportunity to enjoy some sightseeing including Kachura Lake, and Budha rock.
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Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel https://concordia-motel-baltistan.business.site

Day 6 - Travel by Jeep to Jhola and Camping

Day 6 - Travel by Jeep to Jhola and Camping image

Jeep Journey to Jhola and Riverside Camping

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Travel by Jeep to Jhola

After a free day in Skardu, we travel by Jeep, setting off early to avoid the heat of the day. We follow the Braldu river valley through green pastures and after crossing the Biafo river we skirt around the base of the terminal moraines of the Glacier for lunch at Korophon. The road is prone to landslides so the condition of the track varies, however our local team have lots of experience to negotiate these challenges. 9 to 11 hours driving.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 7 - Bardumal Trek and Camping

Day 7 - Bardumal Trek and Camping image

Gentle Trek to Bardumal with Scenic Views

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Trek to Bardumal

A gentle start, following the river on wide trails before. An opportunity to adjust our equipment and stretch our legs after lots of travel. Beautiful scenery. 3 - 5 hours walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 8 - Trek to Paiju and Camping

Day 8 - Trek to Paiju and Camping image

Trek Along Braldu River to Paiju Camp

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Trek to Paiju

We continue up the Braldu River, sometimes close to the raging water, sometimes taking a higher path used by pack animals. If the weather is clear we get our first glimpse of Broad Peak. We have several river crossings today which we cross by foot. Our camp is situated below Paiju Peak (6611m). 3 to 5 hours walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 9 - Khoburtse Trek and Camping

Day 9 - Khoburtse Trek and Camping image

Trek to Khoburtse Along Baltoro Glacier

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Trek to Khoburtse

The first hour is an easy trail before reaching the start of the Baltoro glacier, ascending up through the glacial moraine. 6 to 7 hrs walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 10 - Trek to Urdukas and Camping

Day 10 - Trek to Urdukas and Camping image

Ascend Baltoro Glacier to Urdukas Camp

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Trek to Urdukas

Today we should get our first distant sight of Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. We ascend to where the Trango Glacier meets the Baltoro Glacier. Hiking up the glacier to the campsite which is located on a grassy slope high above the Baltoro and commands one of the most dramatic mountain views in the world, dominated by ‘Nameless Tower’. The Trango towers dominate the sky line. 4.5 hours walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 11 - Trek to Gora II and Camping

Day 11 - Trek to Gora II and Camping image

Ascend Glacier Past Yermanandu to Gora II

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Trek to Gora II

We continue gently upwards, passing the Yermanandu glacier which flows down from Masherbrum (7821m), while the Muztagh Tower (7800m) pierces the sky on the north side. At the head of the glacier Gasherbrum 4 (7925m) looms large. Tonight we camp on the glacier. 7 to 8 hours walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 12 - Goro II Rest and Acclimatisation

Day 12 - Goro II Rest and Acclimatisation image

Rest Day or Optional Acclimatisation at Goro II

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Goro II Rest Day

Goro II - Rest day / optional acclimatisation day
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 13 - Concordia Trek and Camping

Day 13 - Concordia Trek and Camping image

Trek to Concordia Among 8000m Peaks

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Trek to Concordia

A shorter trek takes us on up to ‘Concordia’. Here we are at the junction of the Baltoro, the Goodwin Austen and the Broad Peak glaciers. Within sight to the north and east are four of the world’s 8000m peaks, and a further 37 peaks in excess of 6500m! An amazing location with huge peaks all around. 5 to 6 hours walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 14 - K2 Base Camp Trek and Camping

Day 14 - K2 Base Camp Trek and Camping image

Trek to K2 Base Camp and Settle In

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Trek to K2 Base Camp

Today we trek to reach the mighty K2 base camp where our Expedition team pitch our tents. We will spend one day extra at base camp to talk with climbers and better understand the challenges involved in scaling the world’s 2nd highest mountain - K2 at 8611m / 28 251ft. 6 to 8 hours walking.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 15 - K2 Base Camp with Expedition Team

Day 15 - K2 Base Camp with Expedition Team image

Experience Life with K2 Expedition Team

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K2 Base Camp with Expedition Team

An opportunity to spend time with Sherpa’s and climbers to explore the undertaking of whats involved in climbing the world’s 2nd highest mountain. From BC we can see the Abruzzi Spur, right up the shoulder of K2 at 7950m, the most advanced camp
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 16 - Concordia Descent and Trek

Day 16 - Concordia Descent and Trek image

Descend Past Broad Peak to Concordia

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Descending to Concordia

Descending past Broad Peak and the Gasherbrum’s to meet Concordia. 6 hrs walking
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Day 17 - Descend from Concordia to Goro I

Day 17 - Descend from Concordia to Goro I image

Long Descent Trek from Concordia to Goro I

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Descending from Concordia to Goro I

Descending from Concordia returning to Goro I. 7-9 hrs.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 18 - Khoburtse Descent and Camping

Day 18 - Khoburtse Descent and Camping image

Descend to Khoburtse with Glacier Views

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Descend to Khoburtse

Departing early with spectacular views of the Baltoro glacier and many 6000m / 7000m peaks we descend to our camp. 6 - 7 hrs
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 19 - Return to Bardumal and Camp

Day 19 - Return to Bardumal and Camp image

Return Trek to Bardumal with Camp

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Return to Bardumal and Camp

Returning to Paiju camp for lunch (where we stayed on day 6) before to heading to our overnight camp at Bardumal. 7 - 8 hrs.
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Camping

Accommodation: Camping

Day 20 - Trail head to Skardu

Day 20 - Trail head to Skardu image

Final Trek and Jeep Journey to Skardu

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Final day of trekking and jeep to Skardu

Our final day of trekking in the incredible Karakoram mountains we hike to Iqbal Soqbu before saying goodbye to our porters and taking a jeep to drive to Skardu.
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Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel

Accommodation: Mountain Lodge/ Concordia Hotel https://concordia-motel-baltistan.business.site

Day 21 - Islamabad

Day 21 - Islamabad image

Fly from Skardu to Islamabad

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Flight from Skardu to Islamabad

Skardu

Islamabad
Fly from Skardu to Islamabad.
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Hotel Serena Islamabad

Accommodation: 5* Hotel Serena https://www.serenahotels.com/islamabad

Day 22 - Islamabad City Sightseeing and Culture

Day 22 - Islamabad City Sightseeing and Culture image

Explore Islamabad's Landmarks and Museums

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Islamabad City Sightseeing

After breakfast we enjoy some city sightseeing, Margala Hills, Pakistan monuments, Taxila museum and Faisal Mosque.
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Hotel Serena Islamabad

Accommodation: 5* Hotel Serena https://www.serenahotels.com/islamabad

Day 23 - Departure and End of Trek

Day 23 - Departure and End of Trek image

Depart from Islamabad After K2 Adventure

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Departure

Depart to where your heart is content! Cost €4100 pp. Deposit of €1250 due to confirm place. Balance due 3 months before departure. Our terms and conditions are as per our website. In the event of the trip being cancelled due to COVID your advance payment will be transferred to the following season.
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All accommodation. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners, drinks on first and last night (apart from 1 lunch + 1 dinner in Islamabad). Private vehicle transfers to / from the airport and 4 x 4 to the start / finish of the trek. Qualified International Mountain Leader and local Pakistan trekking team. V25 North Face tents based on 2 people sharing. Camping foam mattress per person. Single tents available additional charges as $180 (single supplement). No additional payments required if internal flight cancelled / drive required.
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Not included: Airfare, transfers, insurance, items not on set lunch / dinner menus, beverages, items of a personal nature (laundry, phones calls etc) tips to guides.
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Map

1. Islamabad

Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Chilas

Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

3. Skardu

Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

4. Jhola

Jhola, Braldu Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

5. Bardumal

Bardumal, Braldu Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

6. Paiju

Paiju, Braldu Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

7. Khoburtse

Khoburtse, Baltoro Glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

8. Urdukas

Urdukas, Baltoro Glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

9. Goro II

Goro II, Baltoro Glacier, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

10. Concordia

Concordia, Karakoram, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

11. K2 Base Camp

K2 Base Camp, Karakoram, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan