K2 Base camp and Gondogoro La Trek

When you arrive at Islamabad Airport, our guide will be at the gate on international arrivals to meet you. They will be easy to identify because they carry our company logo with your name. To ensure you are comfortable, we will make sure the ride to your hotel proceeds smoothly. After check-in, you have time to rest or explore the city before lunch. This is because the majority of international flights arrive early in the morning. Our guide will tell you about the trek and check your gear in the evening. If you arrive between 9 AM and 12 PM, the meeting and any fees still due will happen at the hotel. We can take care of these in Skardu if you arrive late in Islamabad. If you have time, pay extra for a tour of Islamabad or Rawalpindi to see the sights. Please share information about your flight at least a month before arrival so everything goes smoothly.

If the weather is good, your trip starts with a flight from Islamabad to Skardu early in the morning. This beautiful one-hour ride gives you stunning views of Nanga Parbat (8126m), the ninth-highest peak in the world. On clear days, you can also view K2 and other spectacular peaks in the Baltoro region. You have the afternoon to explore the market or take a jeep ride to Satpara Lake, where Lord Buddha is a historic rock carving. If the weather makes flying impossible, we will take the Karakoram Highway instead. The 10–12-hour drive to Chilas offers beautiful views of the mountains, and we will stay the night there.

On this day, you can rest and look around Skardu while we finish getting your trekking permits from the local authority. The Tourism Department of Gilgit Baltistan will meet you and inform you about the trek. If you are traveling by road this day, we start our journey from Chilas to Skardu. Our team will be busy making food and packing gear for the trip once we get to Skardu, but you will have the afternoon to look around town. You could visit the fort and look around the local market. We will have a group dinner in the evening to prepare for the journey.

After an early breakfast, we'll load into 4x4 jeeps and set off on a thrilling jeep safari along a winding trail taking us deep into the heart of the Karakoram region. Shortly after leaving Skardu, we'll cross the Indus River on a bridge near its confluence with the Shigar River and enter the scenic Shigar Valley. The route passes through lush villages with green fields and orchards irrigated by glacial streams. We will continue to follow the Braldu River upstream, where the landscape transforms into a dramatic and arid gorge. Askole, the last inhabited village in this Shigar valley, is the gateway to the Central Karakoram National Park and the starting point of our trek. The drive from Skardu to Askole usually takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on the road conditions. The Braldu section can be challenging, as it's prone to landslides that may block the road. However, experienced local drivers are skilled at navigating these obstacles, often finding quick solutions or transferring jeeps if needed. In very rare situations, visitors may have to start walking before they reach Askole if the road becomes blocked. We will stop for lunch along the way and enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains and rivers. This will be an excellent beginning to our adventure.

Our trek begins after leaving Askole early in the morning as we enter the breathtaking Central Karakoram National Park. Once we register our permits for the final time at the park office, we follow a trail next to the Braldu River. The path is a mix of dirt jeep tracks and natural trails, making it a steady but long walk, typically taking 6 to 7 hours. Along the way, we pass the snout of the Biafo Glacier and arrive at Korofong before crossing the Dumordo River on a newly constructed bridge. The name "Jhola" comes from the old subway system people used to cross the river here. The views from Jhola are stunning, with Bakhor Das (5,809m) and the jagged peaks of Paiju in the distance. On sunny days, temperatures can rise to nearly 25°C, so staying hydrated is essential. Carry at least three liters of water, wear a sun hat, and apply plenty of sunscreen. This first day provides an excellent introduction to the rugged beauty of the Karakoram region.

From Joula, We start our trek to Paiju after breakfast. Starting early in the morning, we follow the main trail along the Braldu River. The route takes us past Bardumal camp, a flat area near the river, before crossing several glacier-fed streams. On warm days, these streams can swell due to melting snow, and we may need to ford them if bridges are unavailable. As we continue, we can see the massive Baltoro Glacier for the first time and the towering Paiju Peak (6,611m). As we reached Paiju, it was a green oasis at the foot of Paiju Peak, The starting point of Baltoro Glacier was visible in the distance. After reaching the campsite at Paiju (3,420m), we relaxed and enjoyed the surroundings, and sometimes, our porters entertained us with lively Balti music after dinner. This campsite marks an important stop on the journey to K2 Base Camp.

After leaving Paiju, we begin our trek with 6-8 hours of hiking. Within the first hour, we step onto the Baltoro Glacier for the first time. The trail here is rocky and uneven, as the glacier is covered in rubble and moraine. Trekking poles are helpful to get around on rough ground. The views become more stunning when we go up and down moraine ridges, with the immense glacier stretching ahead. We stop for lunch at Lilligo, an old campsite, before crossing below the front of the Lilligo Glacier. The path can be unclear in places, so staying close to the guides who know the way is essential. The final part of the day is a river crossing with a bridge, as of 2023. The water can be cold, but it is manageable. Khoburtse camp (3,795m) offers stunning views of Uli Biaho, Cathedral Towers, and Trango Group, providing a peaceful rest and preparation for the next day's journey on rough terrain.

The trek to Urdukas Camp offers stunning views of the Baltoro Glacier and natural beauty. By following a well-marked path, you will be able to see two melting glaciers and walk next to the famously tall Great Trango Tower (5,844m). The grassy fields of Urdukas, high above the glacier, are a great place to rest. On clear days, you can see Broad Peak (8,050m) and Gasherbrum IV (7,930m). A historic campsite constructed by Duke of Abruzzi in 1909 expedition, Urdukas sits at 3,900 meters. It is the best part of the trek because you can see Trango Towers, Cathedral Spires, and Muztagh Tower all at once. The shorter hike to Urdukas will help you get used to the altitude. With its stunning views of the Karakoram, Urdukas is a great place to relax and get ready for higher camps. It will be a memorable stop on your journey.

The trek includes an acclimatization day at Urdukas (4,130m) to help your body adjust to the altitude while enjoying the surroundings. It is more helpful to rest here than at lower camps, and the grassy slopes behind the campsite are great for short walks through bright alpine flowers. Following the "climb high, sleep low" principle, these walks help your body adapt to the higher elevations. Urdukas is also the last grassy campsite before the glacier. It has a quiet atmosphere and places to wash and clean, so it is a nice place to rest and prepare for the next part of the trip.

After Urdukas, we descend onto the glacier, where flatter ice and fewer moraine ridges make walking easier. Near Concordia, the trek gives you amazing views of massive peaks like Masherbrum (7,800m), Muztagh (7,270m), and Garserbrum IV (7,925m). Our next campsite, Goro II, is on the glacier with leveled rock ledges for a rugged camping experience. As we ascend, the massive landscapes become that much more dramatic. The Crystal and Marble Peaks rise in front of us, and the mountains around Paiju look small when we look back. Goro II is in a strange place, in the middle of one of the most significant glacier systems. It is an excellent place for reflection.

The journey to Concordia, known as the "Throne Room of the Gods," is an unforgettable experience. As we ascend the glacier, the terrain gets smoother, and there is more ice, which makes the trek easier. The views are truly breathtaking, with tall peaks like Broad Peak (8,051m), Gasherbrum IV (7,925m), and the magnificent K2 (8,611m) all around. Concordia, surrounded by some of the world's highest mountains, is a unique and impressive location where the Baltoro, Godwin Austen, and other glaciers meet. The K2 is beautiful, rising almost 4,000 meters above the valley floor. This remote and fantastic place, at around 4,500 meters above sea level, is the perfect place to start exploring the beauty of the Karakoram Range.

Our flexible itinerary offers two options at Concordia: an acclimatization day or a trek to the Gilkey Memorial and K2 Base Camp (5150m). Our experienced guide will accompany you on the K2 Base Camp trek, which typically takes [number of days], ensuring a memorable and secure experience. The trek provides incredible views of the Abruzzi Ridge, Windy Gap, and Savoia Saddle. After visiting K2 Base Camp, you'll return to Concordia for the night, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Karakoram. From Concordia, we plan to go to the Hushe Valley via the difficult Gondogoro Pass (5585m), which will require crampons and good weather. Suppose the weather or the group capability makes this impossible. In that case, we will go back to Askole along the Baltoro Glacier, giving us the same breathtaking views from a different angle. Whatever route we take, you can expect an unforgettable adventure in one of the world's most spectacular mountain ranges

From Concordia we head to the South-East along the Upper Baltoro glacier. We pass Mitre Peak and walk to the South on the Vigne glacier. Today the walk is along flat sections of glacier. There are only a few moraine ridges to scramble over to reach the Vigne Glacier. We get spectacular views especially of the ice flutings on Vigne Peak (6,281m) and Khumil Gri (6,840m). There is a section of glacier with crevasses before arriving at Ali camp. As this is a dry glacier we avoid these holes by weaving our route through the crevasses. On arrival at Ali camp we meet members of the Hushe Rescue Team. They are responsible for maintaining the fixed rope on Gondogoro La. They will assist our crossing and climb with us to the top of the pass.

Trekking from the top of the pass to Kuisbang Camp takes 3-5 hours, again depending on your pace. If the weather is clear, the group will be treated to incredible views from our camp of Laila Peak, located just down the valley. This is the most challenging day as we ascend the Gondogoro La (5,585m). The ascent is on snow slopes, and we will use crampons and ice axes for safety. Upon reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of four 8000m peaks, including K2. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Camping

We descend the *Gondogoro Glacier, passing the beautiful **Dalsangpa* and Shaisho with stunning views of Masherbrum. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner* Accommodation: Camping

We take a short walk to the village of *Hushe*. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Camping

We drive back to Skardu, passing through villages and enjoying the scenic views along the way. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Concordia or mashubarum hotel in Skardu

After breakfast, we will board a PIA flight to Islamabad. In case of cancellation of flight we will drive to chilas (8 - 10 hours) and over night in chilas. Meals included: Breakfast,

Enjoy a free day in Islamabad for exploring, sightseeing and shopping. Note: If our flight on day 17 cancelled we will spend 11-12 hours driving from Chilas to Islamabad via Babusar Pass 4173 m.

We have scheduled an extra day in Islamabad to account for any potential travel delays returning from Skardu. This allows for a more relaxed departure window, avoiding any unnecessary stress for the group. Today will be a free day to explore the city at your own pace. After sharing a final meal together, our unforgettable journey comes to a close, and it will be time to bid farewell. On this Day we explore Islamabad like we visit monament, Raja Bazar, and Monal.

Transfer to Islamabad airport for international flight