The K2 Base Camp trek is an adventure like no other that will take you to explore the extreme wilderness of the Karakoram Range in the company of certified local guides who will take care of your safety and the logistics so that you can focus on crossing remote glaciers, rivers, and more!
Private
20 Days
Jun - Aug
High
Advanced
The K2 Base Camp trek is famous, not because it’s crowded, but because it is so unique. At 8,610 m (28,250 ft), K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world after Everest, and a tough one to climb. However, its base camp, at an altitude of 5,150m (16,896ft) is certainly a challenge to get to, and yet, one that you can more easily aspire to.
This 20-day program is an adventure from the moment you arrive at Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. From there, whether you fly to Skardu or spend 2-days driving through the Karakoram Highway, it’s one thrill after another. The actual trekking starts on day 5, and it’s pure wild and remote nature from there. Crossing glaciers and rivers, steep cliffs, and the gorgeous views of the towering mountains of the Karakoram range will blow your mind away.
It all comes together at Concordia, the junction of 5 glaciers, and your stepping stone to the K2 Base Camp, which you will reach after a rocky, icy, difficult trek on day 11. It will also be waiting for you on your return before you begin the downhill path back to civilization. You can find a detailed itinerary below.
To join, you need to be fit, you need to be certain, and you need to have a deep sense of adventure. The guides will make sure you are safe, and that you have tasty meals and sheltered tents along the way. It will be unforgettable.
So, are you ready to tackle the famous K2 Base Camp Trek? Then contact us today and we will begin to get everything ready to greet you and take you to this gorgeous corner of the world!
Arrival in Islamabad, permits and briefing.
Flight or drive to Skardu (2287m). The flight is subject to clear conditions. Drive will take 2-days along the the Karakoram Highway (KKH), with an overnight at Chilas on the banks of the Indus – the Lion River. ( One-hour flight or a 12-hour drive on KKH).
Free day in Skardu, the capital of Baltistan, which is sometimes called little Tibet due to its geographic closeness and historic links with Tibet and Laddakh.
We head east from Skardu, soon crossing a small pass leading to Shigar, the valley of orchards. We leave our jeeps at Thongol for a short walk to our camping site. Meals and overnight at camp, 6-7 hour jeep ride
After walking along the Braldu River we will arrive at Askole, the last permanent settlement along the trek route.
Another three hours’ walk across barren wasteland brings us to the Biafo Glacier, two hours to cross the glacier on an established trail, walking most of the time on moraine and occasionally on ice. Once across the glacier, it is 20 minutes to Korofan (3110m)
6-7 hours
A tough walk along a cliff face to arrive at the new wooden bridge which has replaced the cable bridge over the Dumordo River. Near Paiju we will get our first glimpse of Gashabrum 4 and later we will reach the point where waters from the Paiju Peak divide themselves into four rushing streams, which we cross by jumping from boulder to boulder and then wading through the meltwater.
After negotiating scree and sand beside the river we arrive at Paiju (3600m), a picturesque campsite situated in a grove of willows and poplar trees.
4-5 hour trek.
Baltoro Glacier is a vast, turbulent sea of rocks and ice more than two miles wide and nearly forty miles long. The first stretch of the walk on the glacier can be difficult as we must dodge small crevasses but there are magnificent views all around us.
We spend about three hours walking across boulder-strewn ice, gaining height gradually until we reach a flat, sandy area of lateral moraine – our campsite Khobursay at 4000m.
4-6 hours
The first two hours of the trek are spent walking across the glacier’s lateral moraine until we arrive at the green pasture of Urdukas, from where we cross side crevasses to traverse the medial moraine.
Biango at 4350m is our campsite and is dominated by the thrilling view of Mashabrum (7821m) to the south.
Through the medial moraine we will reach Concordia.
Gashabrum 4 stands in the East and Muztagh Tower (7250m) on the border between Pakistan and China.
As we reach Concordia, which is the point at which 5 glaciers meet, we will catch sight of K2. Within a radius of 15 km, there are 41 peaks above 6500m, almost half of them still unclimbed and unnamed. Also visible from Concordia, clockwise from K-2 are Broad Peak (8051m), Gasherbrum 4 (7925m), Baltoro Kangri (7315m), Kondus (6760m), Mitre (6060m), Paiju (6660m), Crystal (6260m), Marble (6175m) and Angle Peak (6860m).
4 to 5 hours
Full-day excursion to the stunning K2 base camp involving a strenuous 10- hour round-trip trek over snow, rock, and ice.
Overnight in Concordia.
The trail is downhill, and on the way, we will catch sight of many tall icebergs on the Baltoro Glacier and there are also outstanding views of Meshabrum Peak (7821m).
5-6 hours
Urdukas, opposite the Trango Towers, is a beautiful camping site among large boulders and pasture. There are also graves of men who died during mountaineering expeditions.
5-6 hours
The Jola camping site is on the banks of the Baltoro and Dumurdo river, which we can cross over a bridge.
After breakfast at camp and farewell, we board soft-top 4×4 jeeps for a bumpy ride through the Karakoram to Skardu.
5-hour jeep ride.
Either by plane or on a 2-day drive depending on weather.
Trek debriefing at the tourism office and free day to explore Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Transfer to the airport for international departure flight
More info
Foreigner clients must share their passport copy, 02 passport size, Photograph full detail for trek permission requirement. If any member leaves the trek at any stage, the organization will not be liable to refund the payment. If any member splits from the expedition for his/her own reason, that member will bear all transportation costs on the way back to Rawalpindi. In case of damage to the base camp tent or any Equipment, the trek member will be charged the original value of Equipment.
Meeting point
Sleeping Bag, Trekking Boots, Camp Shoes, Crampons, Thermal socks, Liner Socks, Rain Gear, Ski Hat, Mittens or Gloves, Brimmed Sun Hat, Bathing Suit, Toiletries, Check List, Headgear Parka, Wool shirt & trousers, Sweater, Cotton shirt & pants, Gloves & Mittens, Rain/wind suit, Cotton & Wool undergarments, Socks (Cotton & Wool/synthetic), Boots (Trek & Camp), Belt, Down Jacket, Shalwar Kameez (Cotton), Spare laces for boots, Miscellaneous Items, Sunglasses, Towel, Washcloth, Bandanna/Scarf, for covering your mouth while riding in a jeep, Water bottle, with a durable screw top, Sunscreen, Headlamp with flashlight + extra batteries and bulb, Insect repellent, Swiss Army knife, or a similar one, Nylon cord for a clothesline, Personal Medical Kit, Pocket size sewing kit, Lighter or matches for general use, Wrist Watch, Optional Items, We provide closed cell matrices but you may want to supplement for additional comfort. Stuff sacks of various sizes for storing your used clothes., Toilet paper or travel pack of tissues. An interesting Notebook and pen for a journal. Snacks: personal choice of dried fruit, candy, energy bars. Camera, film, extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and extra lenses. Sports gear (playing cards/Frisbee) Water purification tablets
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Tour Operator
Rock Valley Tours is a tour management company based in Lahore, Pakistan. We specialize in organizing tours, treks, hikes, hunting and climbing expeditions, team building and leadership trails all over Pakistan. Although we are experts in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, our footprint is spread over every nook and corner in Pakistan.
Pakistan has been nominated as the best adventure tourism destination in the world for the year 2020. We feel that the team we have assembled is best equipped to arrange and facilitate trips across the length and breadth of Pakistan.
Born and raised in the Karakorum region of Pakistan, our team has spent their childhoods crisscrossing the endless trails of these parts of the country. They have all been trained and certified to ensure that your experience is supreme and that safety remains paramount no matter what.
Pakistan welcomes you with open arms!
Languages
| English
Mikael
5
After meeting with the guide the trip was changed on there recommendation so we didn't do nanga parbat base camp trek. Instead we did Shimshal Pass trek. Which was a great experience, even though I struggled a bit with sickness during the trip both the guide and the porters were always friendly and helpful. All in all it was a great experience!!
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