K2 Base Camp Trek

Welcome to Pakistan! Once you have arrived at Islamabad International a member of the EverTrek team will be there to greet you and take you to the hotel in Islamabad. Once at the hotel, you can relax and recover from your flight and in the evening have a briefing about you the upcoming days. Islamabad is located at the foothills of the western Himalayas. It was purposely built as the new capital city of Pakistan in 1960.

After a good night's sleep in Islamabad, today, you will take a spectacular Mountain View flight to Skardu. During the flight, you will have your first glimpse of K2 (8611 m), Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) and many other famous Karakorum Peaks. Once you have landed at Skardu we will transfer to your hotel where you will meet some of your porters and trekking crew. Skardu is the Capital and administrative town of the Baltistan region of Pakistan. Baltistan was once one of the biggest kingdoms of the Himalayas. The inhabitants of Baltistan are called Balti people, and they are descendants from Tibet and Mongolia. They speak Balti language which is similar to Tibetan. Culture, traditions, and architecture are strongly influenced by Tibet, that’s why this region is also known as little Tibet.

Today is a free day to explore Skardu while your guides organise your permits and make final preparations for, transportation and logistics for the K2 Trek. You can visit the historic Kharpocho Fort which was beautifully built in the late 16th century on top of a rock overlooking Skardu Town. Skardu is spread out on the south bank of the Indus River which separates the Karakorum from the Himalayas. Skardu has a long bazaar with shops along both sides of the main road.

Today it’s time to sit back and charge your energy batteries before the real trekking starts tomorrow. You will drive along the mighty rivers Indus, Shigar then Braldu to the Shigar Valley and onwards towards Johla by passing Askoli village.

Askoli is the last village before entering into the heart of the Karakoram and the trek to K2.

You will spend your first night under the Stars in Johla, which is high above the thundering Braldu River.

It's an early start as we leave the Johla campsite and head along the edge of the river. We then start climbing to the higher ground allowing us excellent views of the impressive Paiju Peak (6611 m). You have to negotiate a couple of streams today and depending on the melting of the glaciers above, you may have to ford these (sports sandals or old trainers are useful). Paiju is a green oasis under the shadows of Paiju Peak. It is from this camp you have the first views of the immense Baltoro Glacier, granite peaks of the Trango and Cathedral towers, and if the weather is clear your first glimpse of K2.

Today you will take the time to acclimatise and allow the body to adjust to the higher altitude, proper acclimatisation is important to keep you strong and healthy on your way to K2 Base Camp. That being said, whilst here do expect a musical night over a bonfire by the local Balti porters followed by singing and dancing. Great way to acclimatise.

Another early start as we leave the camp at Paiju. After an hour or so you will reach the start of the awesome Baltoro Glacier. After passing the flowing front of the glacier it’s time to climb onto this beast!
At this point, the ice of the glacier is completely covered by rubble and rocks and although we are following a trail used by many expeditions, the going here can be quite tough. The trail undulated as we climb over the swells of the flowing glacier, and it is fascinating to think that the stones underfoot could have come from the summit of Broad Peak, Gasherbrum or K2. Once we find the route, you will continue on until finally reaching the camp at Khorburtse (3,760m). Some awesome views of Cathedral Towers, the Trango Towers, and the striking rock tower of Uli Biaho.

Trekking distance: 15 km

Today is a short trek bit not to be underestimated. As you walk up the undulating moraine and gaining altitude all the way you will certainly start to slow down but what better way to acclimatise than look around and drink in the views. We continue east beside the Baltoro Glacier either along the lateral moraine or sometimes on the glacier itself, passing the ship-like prow of Great Trango tower to our next camp at Urdukas.

This is a truly special place and as it’s s short day, it gives you heaps of time to explore and soak in the mountain views surrounding you. Enjoy!

Leaving Urdukas behind, you will follow the moraine edge eastwards until it is possible to climb up onto the broad back of the glacier. The trail on the Baltoro goes past the Yermanandu glacier, which flows from Masherbrum, and there are views of Muztagh (7,270m), Masherbrum (7,800m) and Gasherbrum IV. We are quite high now and camping on one of the largest pieces of ice outside the polar regions, so we will make sure to wrap up warmly for the cooler nights ahead. The campsite is on the glacier where ledges have been levelled out for the tents.

After breakfast, you will start trekking towards Concordia, where the Baltoro and the Godwin-Austen glaciers converge which is the center point and the heart of the Karakoram mountain range.
This awesome vantage point is home to some of the world's most gigantic mountains and glaciers. From here, in all directions, you have the chance to view 10 of the planet's top 30 highest peaks including Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, and, of course, the mighty K2.

Not a bad spot to camp ehh!

Normally most trekking groups stop at Concordia and enjoy the views of K2 from afar but not us! You came all this way to get to K2 base camp so let’s do it. Before we reach that point there’s another awesome place to stay for the night which is Broad Peak base camp where we camp. One of the best seats in the house for an epic close-up views of K2 and Broad Peak.

Rise and shine early to witness another spectacular sunrise view over K2. Get that breakfast down your neck before you start the journey to K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.

Arriving here and standing where so many mountaineering legends have visited is certainly an emotional and powerful experience. However, let’s not get the tissues out just yet, time to enjoy the amazing views of K2 Base Camp whilst hugging your teammates. Look back to Concordia, Broad Peak and other Karakorum giants, which can be seen rising from the majestic Baltoro Glacier.
After some lunch at K2 Base Camp, we trek back down to Concordia for the night.

It’s time to bid farewell to the awesome K2 and start descending back to the Baltoro Glacier towards Goro for a night's stay. As you start descending, K2 will be hidden, but Gasherbrum IV resumes its prominence at the head of the Baltoro Glacier and reveals a sliver of Gasherbrum I.

As we are now heading down, the crew might start to get into song mode. Nothing like some local Batlis singing in this atmospheric place. Awesome experience

It is amazing how different everything looks during your descent. The drop in altitude starts to become more noticeable as the granite walls and spires lining the glacier, which yesterday looked almost lower than us, now tower to lofty heights above.

You can literally start to tase the oxygen as the air starts to thicken and becomes warmer. Today will be the first time off the glacier for some time. Wow! Dry land!
You can see the patches of green on the lower slopes of Paiju Peak which mark the location of the spring water camps.

We continue descending on the Baltoro Glacier towards Paiju with the fantastic views of the Trango Tower once more but make a detour to the south to cross the Liligo Glacier. Navigating the glacier will involve climbing over the huge swells of ice and glacial rock before you pick up the main trail.

The last part of the day is an easy walk on a good path although there will be a final uphill pull to arrive at the campsite.

Today will be your final trekking day of this amazing trip. Now you are off the glacier and at a lower elevation it is considerably warmer, and you may make an early start to use the cool of the morning. It’s a long day today down the river, crisscrossing streams before you reach the campsite and bridge at Jhola where you will stay for the night.

Last night under the stars so drink in all in guys!

After spending the last evening camping in the scenic Karakorum, it’s time to get onto the road and make for Skardu.

The route follows the Braldu river until you reach Shigar. Sometimes there is a chance the road from Johla to Shigar can get blocked due to land slides. If this happens, we can jump into another vehicle to make the journey.

A hot shower, a few beers and you will sleep in a real bed tonight.

Skardu airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Another chance to drink in the views on this awesome flight back to Islamabad. Arriving in Islamabad after a period in the Karakorum mountains is always a strange experience as it takes a little time to get used to the hustle and bustle but a cold drink and a hot meal will sort you out.

Once at the hotel, the afternoon is free to explore or relax before we all catch up for an evening meal to celebrate the trek.

Note: The Skardu to Islamabad flight is weather dependent. Should the flight be cancelled the journey will be taken by road to Astore and on a Land Cruiser via the spectacular Deosai plains.

If the weather was kind and we flew back to Islamabad yesterday then it’s a free day for you to explore Islamabad. Plenty to see and do here. If there is no flight, today will be the long drive from Astore to Islamabad along the Karakorum highway once again taking in the mountains around you.

This would take up much of the day but is a great opportunity to see parts of Pakistan you wouldn't see any other time.

Departure Day

It's time to say goodbye to Pakistan and your team, we will arrange your transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

What an adventure it's been! Where's next?