Accommodation
The trek will include camping along the Baltoro Trail, and three nights in a hotel in Skardu, the last city of trail head, and two nights in Chilas (mid way on KKH on by road travel) and two nights in Islamabad. (from Islamabad package)
Accommodation will be provided based on following hotels sharing twin/double occupancy in.
Islamabad – Margalla hotel or similar category –  Breakfast.
Chilas – Midway Shangri-La or similar category –  Breakfast.
Skardu – PTDC Motel or Mountain Lodge hotel –  Breakfast.
Note: Alternate accommodation will be provided if rooms in above-mentioned hotels are not available. Check in before 12:00 pm is subject to previous night charges

Professional Guide
All of our guides speak English and authorized by the tourism ministry, having over 10 years of experience of proven track record on this trail. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. They are fun yet experienced professional, and will ensure you are safe and happy.

Other Staff
Professional Cook
Assistant Guide as per group size
Cook helper
Porter Sirdar

Transportation

All your transportation is included in this trek. You will be picked up from airport or directly from your hotel on arrival date. (unless you are staying in Gligit Baltistan and brought to Skardu, to begin your trek.

Domestic Flights

Your round-trip flight ticket from Islamabad to Skardu is also included.

Gilgit Baltistan fights are subject to weather, in case of flight cancellation road transfer will be provided.

Road Transfer

All transfers and sightseeing by an air-conditioned vehicle with a courteous experienced driver so you can easily sit back, relax and enjoy the tour in complete privacy. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced with good knowledge of the road conditions and well trained.

The type of vehicles provided are as follows for Islamabad – Skardu are section:

 Passenger Vehicle type

1-3 persons    Air-conditioned medium car such as Toyota Corolla or similar

4-5 persons    Air-conditioned large car such as Toyota MPV or similar

6-10 persons  Air-conditioned mini-van such as Toyota Hiace or similar

11-15 persons   Air-conditioned mini-van such as Toyota Coaster or similar

4 WD Jeeps/Land Cruisers

4×4 Jeeps/Purpose built Land cruiser from Skardu to Askole village
4×4 Jeeps/Purpose built Land cruiser from Askole/Hushe village to Skardu

Briefing/Debriefing

The night before your trek, you will have a briefing by your tour Leader. There will be a mandatory pre and post trek briefing and debriefing at tourism ministry office in Skardu/Islamabad.  .

Luggage

All your luggage will stay with your porters, while you trek. This bag should not exceed 13 kg and does need to include your sleeping bag and air mattress.

Porters
Required low altitude porter from Askoli to Concordia- Askole/ Hushe village.

We include a personal porter, who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag. There is no additional fee for this. You will not have access to your duffel bag until your evening campsite.

Permits & Fees
All park entrance fees and trekking permit. As soon as we receive all trekkers details and a deposit, we apply for permit. These permits are for a specific date and in your name. They can’t be changed, once confirmed. Only your passport number is allowed to be updated. The permit allows entrance to specified Restricted Zones.

Trekking permit fee 50 U$ per person.

Central Karakoram National Park  Fee 150 U$ per person
Bridge crossing fees.
Road Taxes- Camp Fees

Gondogoro La Crossing fee

Equipment
We use 4 seasons sleeping tents that are shared by only two people. You will have a spacious dining tent with chairs to enjoy your meals.

Camping food- Equipment & Accessories
Camp food from Askole village to K2 BC- Askole/Hushe village 

D3v Tent on twin sharing basis. (Dome 3 person  sleeping tent.

Mattresses.
Mess Tent- Kitchen Tent- Table- Chairs.

Kitchen Equipment
All necessary kitchen utensils.
Kitchen tent.
Lamps for light.
Cooking Stoves

Food
 Our chefs cook delicious meals that many previous trekkers have raved about. We honor all food restrictions. Be sure to remind your tour guide of any food restrictions at the beginning of your trek. Food is typically served family-style.

You will enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the trek, along with a happy hour of tea and snacks. You will also be provided a snack each morning for you to enjoy along the hike.

Water
Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, we will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.

First Aid
Every guide has received training in first aid from a physician. We conduct mandatory training sessions each year, which every single tour guide must attend. Your tour guide will always have a first-aid kit for basic medical problems (traveler’s diarrhea, cuts, scrapes, etc.) and oxygen. We will get you off the trail as quickly and comfortably as possible, if needed, and ensure you get directly to a clinic for treatment.

Extras
We believe it’s the attention to small details that separates us from other tour companies. Every trekker receives a small pillow to sleep with, a foam mat for insulation, a day pack cover to protect their things while hiking. We will work hard to create your best vacation.

Satellite Phones and safety Meassures
Our top priority will always be the safety of our clients and our team. While we are prepared and all our guides are trained for most of the issues clients have on the mountain, being a phone call away from any doctor, hospital or friend helps everyone feel assured that they are safe. Radios, which all our guides have, are limited in how far they can reach, so has added Satellite Phones to every trek. Every guide will have a fully charged phone that can be used anywhere on the mountain to connect us anywhere in the world. And they can be used by our clients for non-emergencies as well. While they are not cheap to use, they are available with an additional units actual cost.

 Additional Services

• Breakfast in hotels and all meals while trekking (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
• Trekking meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• All camping site fees and bridge fees
• Trekking logistics ( non-personal equipment and tools)
• Support staff (porters, assistant(s), fuel, etc)
• Porters for trekking equipment, kitchen (supplies, tools, equipment, crockery, gas) and personal luggage
• Transfers upon arrival and departure

Flights .

International flight tickets have to be booked on your own, once you book your flight tickets, please share with us your schedule so that we can arrange your smooth pick-up and drop off from airport to hotel on your arrival day and hotel to the airport on the departure day.

Passports and Visas :

All travelers listed on the Participant Information form must be in possession of a valid passport and all relevant visas. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid travel documentation, including but not limited to passports and visas, which meet the requirements of immigration and other Government authorities at every destination. If your itinerary includes travel to any other country besides Pakistan, please check on visa requirements for each country that you will visit. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility.

Insurance

Travel insurance is not covered in the tour price. You can organize travel insurance with your preferred insurance company. We recommend World Nomads, a company recommended by Lonely Planet.

Optional

Single room supplement is applicable when there are other travellers booked on the tour and you want your own single room and do not want to share the room with other travellers)

Additional Services

• Any airfare (International)
• Monument entry fees
• Any mandatory Gala Dinner 
• Any item of personal nature viz. Laundry, phone calls
• Charges, telephone bills, drinks, shopping, etc
• Any items that is not mentioned under Inclusions

Tips :

Tipping is a common custom and we always suggest our travelers to comply. No tip is compulsory, however in case of good services rendered, it is advisable to pay by a few rupees (driver / guide). For example, between US$ 5 and 7 per day per person for a good driver

Early morning flight to Skardu (50 minutes), the largest city in Baltistan. If the weather is clear, we can catch some truly epic views of Nanga Parbat and other massive peaks in the area. Once in Skardu guests will have free time throughout the day to rest and to explore the city and the bazaar.

Today, we will finalize our trekking permits at the local government office , gear check and have dinner together as a group.

By Road

If we are unable to take our flight on the morning of day two, it is possible that we will have to drive overland to Skardu from Islamabad (18-20 hours). 

To break up the drive, we would sleep in Besham, Naran or Chilas for the night before pushing on to Skardu the next day.

Today is food shopping and packing all of the group supplies. Guests have free time in the city during the morning and early afternoon. In the late afternoon (time permitting), we will visit the Kharpocho Fort as a group for those who want to come. We will have dinner again as a group before setting off in the morning.

*If the group is arriving overland from Islamabad, the entire schedule is bumped back a day, to allow for a day of rest in Skardu (that is why we schedule in buffer days!)

Today, out adventure begins in earnest! Our team will assemble early at the hotel and after breakfast, we will load up the 4×4 jeeps and we set off northwards by jeep up the Shigar valley to Dassu, which used to be the end of the road. The spectacular jeep road which mostly follows the raging Braldu River now extends to Askole, the last village on our route and where we leave the jeeps and start walking. It may sometimes be necessary to start walking before Askole depending on the conditions of the jeep road. The journey may take anywhere from six to twelve hours..

We will arrive at Jula in the late afternoon and sleep at a permanent trekkers camp at Jula.

Today our route mainly follows the Braldu gorge along the riverbank, moving up and down according to the level of erosion and water levels. We start to get views of the fantastic granite rock shapes of Trango Towers and Cathedral. Walking conditions can be very hot and dry, and care must be taken to prevent sunburn. As we approach camp several glacially-fed rivulets flow down into the main valley and we may have to use our river crossing shoes depending on water levels. On a clear day we may be able to spot K2 in the far distance and the vast snout of the Baltoro glacier, the fourth-longest in Pakistan, is also visible but it’s hard to gather a sense of scale from here. The day ends with a climb away from the river to our camp at Paiju, set in a clump of trees – the last ones we will see for a while! (Max. altitude: approx. 3400m).

The walking gets a bit harder today, but the scenery becomes even more spectacular and wild as we climb onto the snout of the Baltoro Glacier, and cross to the south side. The route climbs up and down the glacial moraine and although there is a trail, care needs to be taken at all times. Stunning views are gradually emerging of granite peaks on the north side of the glacier – from Paiju, Uli Biaho, and Trango Towers round to Grand Cathedral. It will take a few hours to cross the glacier to Liligo. From here we follow a rocky trail along the edge of the Baltoro, where shortly before arriving at Khobursay, we will make a decision whether we can safely negotiate the glacier or continue along the side valley before crossing the meltwater stream into camp. (Max. altitude: approx. 3800m).

We cross two small side glaciers and eventually, we can see the Trango Towers soaring up on the north side of the valley. We stop for the night near the army camp at Urdukus, which is perched 100m above the glacier on terraces which were hewn out of the hillside for the Duke of Abruzzi’s K2 expedition in1909. The afternoon aids our acclimatization and gives us time to enjoy the views and catch up on some rest. (Max. altitude: approx. 4050m).

We strike out into the middle of the glacier and follow the medial moraine, getting our first views of Masherbrum (7821m) to the south. The trail becomes more even and as we get higher, we start to walk past the huge ice seracs which stick out of the glacier-like ice cream cones. Tonight, we spend our first night camping on the Baltoro Glacier at Goro II, where the nighttime temperature will drop quite dramatically. From camp, we have superb views of Masherbrum and up the Younghusband Glacier, named after Sir Francis Edward Younghusband, the well-known explorer and spiritual writer to the impressive Muztagh Tower. (Max. altitude: approx. 4300m).

Our final approach day, and our goal is in sight – Concordia! We continue up the rocky moraine as more and more of the big peaks come into view, culminating in the appearance of K2’s summit, rising more than 4,000m above the valley bottom. The views all around our campsite at Concordia are tremendous: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Chogolisa and Sia Kangri are all prominent, as well as dozens of smaller peaks such as Marble Peak, Crystal Peak and Mitre Peak. (Max. altitude: approx. 4600m).

Today there is the opportunity to walk up the Godwin-Austen Glacier to the Art Gilkey Memorial (an American geologist and mountaineer) just before K2 Base Camp. This is a very long but a spectacular day. We will leave early morning, crossing the glaciers onto the faint trail heading towards K2 (there is a faint rocky trail all the way). As we follow the glacier towards K2 the mountain seems to grow bigger and bigger. Broad Peak rears up to our right and after about 3 hours we pass Broad Peak Base Camp (there is the option to turn back here). We usually have our lunch break here and then those who are continuing carry on with K2 towering above us as we get closer and closer. Just before Base Camp, amongst the boulder and ice strewn landscape is the Art Gilkey Memorial. A short scramble brings us to the place where those whose lives K2 claimed are remembered. Plaques and engraved tin plates are attached to a small rocky outcrop at the foot of this great mountain. There are great views directly above us of K2 and we may see some climbing expeditions. After lunch, we retrace our steps back to Broad Peak Base Camp. (Max. altitude: approx. 5100m. The distances may vary from those given, depending on how the moraine has moved and which trail we can follow)

After a night’s rest at K2 Base Camp, we continue our descent over the Godwin Austin Glacier towards Concordia. We will need to cross back onto the Baltoro Glacier (which might be slightly more challenging due to the rising level of melt water coming from Gasherbrum) before arriving at camp. After enjoying lunch at the “Throne Room of the Gods” you will have time to reflect on this magnificent environment whilst you recharge and prepare for your return journey.

After an early breakfast, we traverse the upper Baltoro Glacier and its crevasses

From Concordia it is another two hour hike to our campsite on the glacier moraine.

Today we walk on upper Baltoro glacier and to reach Shaghring. From here you can see Baltoro Kangri, Chogolisa and Snow dome peaks and lot of other peaks.

Full-service Camping

Today we arrive at G-II base camp and establish our camp. We will have the opportunity to explore our beautiful and pristine alpine surroundings and relax with the climbing team as they prepare to move up the mountain. We then wish the climbers good luck and farewell and set out for our return trek back to civilization.

After an early breakfast leave the GashaBrum Base camp and we will cross several side glacier to reach our right path.It is also possible to walk on the Vigne glacier which is fairly easy then walking on the stony path on the right side of the glacier but it depends on the snow condition. Looking back gives an unusual view of the great Karakoram peaks: K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. The trail continues to ‘Ali Camp’ situated on a rocky site overlooking the long ridge running from Masherbrum to Chogolisa. We turn in early, as we have a midnight wake-up call for the departure over the Gondogoro La.

We follow the same trail down through the glacier to Goro 1 and on down to the spectacular campsite at Urdukas with great views across to Trango Towers before reaching Khobursay. Although we are retracing our steps down the glacier the views are completely different seen on the way back. (Max. altitude: approx. 4150m).

Rest day for area excursion.

After an easy walk we will come onto the glacier. You pick your way across moving boulders and ice, finally crossing the glacier up to the camping site to reach Dalsangpa, meaning ‘field of flowers’, lives up to its name. It is a beautiful campsite at about 4,150 meters, set between two lakes, with Masherbrum Mountain and the white glacier cascading down from Masherbrum Pass reflected in the still water.

Resume trek along the path, Keep yourself on the left side of the lateral moraine, crossing several side streams. The next hour is an unpleasant scramble along the stony, sliding glacier edge, with huge boulders poised above, ready to fall.

Continue your trek along the path goes down hill to the summer settlement called Saicho, a large shepherds settlement with its own mosque, now here you can find a hotel and a shop. This is the traditional camp among the forest of juniper, cedar and willow trees with giant bushes of wild roses and a good water supply.

Early morning start walk towards Hushe river on an easy path. Upon arrival camp near the fields in Hushe, with the huge peak of Masherbrum dominating the view to the north. At an altitude of over 3000 metres, Hushe is the highest village in the area and is the first habitation we will see when we reach the Hushe Valley.

We pick up our jeeps for the long but spectacular day’s drive back to Skardu and the luxury of a hot shower.

Early in the morning fly to Islamabad.

With clear skies we will be able to board a plane and be back at our hotel in Islamabad in one hour and few minutes. The outcome is in the lap of the Gods, so we will be praying that they’re on our side!

By Road

If the weather is not so favorable and the flight doesn’t come, then we will have to drive on the Karakoram Highway through the narrow gorge of the Indus River or via Babusar Naran to Islamabad/Rawalpindi.We will saty midway tonight in a hotel depdnig upon the route.

If we are able to fly down, for those who want to escape the heat of the city a very pleasant excursion is up to the former British hill station at Murree. The faded remnants of the town’s colonial past can be seen in its gable-roofed buildings and small Anglican churchyard.

This excursion is not included in the trip price but if several members of the group wish to make this journey a private vehicle and driver can be hired locally for a very modest sum.

Back in Islamabad/Rawalpindi we enjoy a final evening meal usually taken at one of traditional food streets either in Islamabad or in Rawalpindi.

A free day in Islamabad or an extra day to complte drive to Islamabad if the flight is cancelled for any reason on the previous day.

Very early this morning we depart Islamabad airport for international flight.

We highly recommends

World Nomad

AND

we recommend YourCover Plan as this gives you the highest level of cover and benefits available. This includes cover benefits for trip cancellation and amendment which protects your travel investment, medical and dental emergencies, lost luggage/personal belongings and travel delay, amongst other things.

We are also able to offer Privately Guided Treks where you have the services of a top local guide as well as your own poerters support team to work exclusively with you on the trek to ensure your needs are best met. We have been fortunate to work with many privately guided groups over the years with exceptional results.

K2 Gondogoro  La Trek

Grand Base Camp trek

K2 and Nagna parbat Base Camps Trek

The temperature at the K2 Base Camp is generally 25-degree Celcius to -20-degree Celcius. During the day, the temperature can be as high as 25 degrees Celcius and at night, it can drop down to -20 to -30 degrees Celcius. As you walk up from Askole, you will feel the temperatures dropping in the higher regions like Urdukas. It may also happen that the weather would drastically change from bright sunny to snowfall or blizzard. But it is manageable to continue the trek after the weather conditions are preferable.

On average, it takes 20 days to do the entire K2 base camp trekking. It usually starts from Skardu, where you land from Islamabad on a 45-minute flight. Commencing from Skardu, you will trek through Baltoro region and then to the K2 Base Camp. This takes around 09 days of hiking and descending down back to Lukla takes around 04 days.

If you are starting your trek from the south East Ridge than your Base Camp will be 5,380 m (18,513 ft) on the south side of Everest in Nepal. If you are trekking via Gorakshep below the Kala Pathar then your base camp will be is 5,545 metres.

The altitude of the Everest Base Camp trek varies as you hike up. At the starting point Lukla, the altitude is 2800 meters. Going up to Namche Bazaar in Kumbhu region, the altitude further ups itself to 3400 meters. When you reach the Everest Base Camp, you will be at a whopping altitude of 5364 meters. Further up, as you go to Kala Patthar for a clearer view of the Everest peak, you will reach at an altitude of 5643 meters.

Yes, beginners can definitely go for K2 Base Camp Trek. Considered to be a moderate to difficult trek, the trail to K2 Base Camp is known for its flat gradients, with only a few steep ascents, which is undoubtedly attainable by beginners as well.

Trekking up to the Everest Base Camp is one of the exhilarating experiences one can have in their lives. It is an uneven trail with snow-capped mountains in the background. A lot of trek enthusiasts all over the world have successfully completed this trek.

Sometimes, the unpredictable weather conditions and the high altitude may hinder you to fully enjoy the hike, but it is quite manageable with a few precautions and alertness. So, if one plans, prepares and packs properly, he/she will definitely be able to finish this iconic trek.

With the advent of updated technology, better trekking equipment, and safer evacuation systems, the K2 base camp trek has become safer for avid trekkers. And due to that, even the people with no mountaineering experience can and do finish this trek efficiently. There are chances to experience the symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), like nausea, vomiting, or headache. In such a case, immediately let your trek leader know about it. He will make sure the situation gets better.

The month of May at K2 Base Camp is the transitional period from the spring season to the summers. While the days during this month remain hot around 22 degrees Celsius, the temperatures drop drastically at night, sometimes reaching 0 degrees Celsius.

The total approximate distance to be covered to reach the K2 Base camp is around 96 KM, out of which, 43 KM needs to be covered on each side – ascending and descending. Having a difficult level of trekking, this route can take up to 12 to 14 days to get complete, depending on the speed of your group. 

While there is no way to avoid altitude sickness, there are ways in which you can minimise its occurrence by taking a few easy precautions. The golden rule is to never miss the acclimatization days. Avoid caffeine and smoking a few days before the trek starts.This helps in avoiding headaches that can be confused for AMS. Your water intake should be sufficient every day. Less water intake will result in headaches due to altitude. Walk at a comfortable pace to gain altitude slowly.

All the guides are trained medical professionals and have the first-aid kits along with necessary medications with them. Hence, immediate medical care is provided to anyone who falls sick during the trek.

You can see a glimpse of the K2 summit, although not clearly. You can mostly see other peaks. From Concorida  you can get a clear and dramatic view of the K2, broad peak and many otehr peaks.

Training for the K2 Base Camp Trek is not compulsory, but it is better to be prepared so that you get to enjoy the trek in a better way. You can start with basic cardiovascular exercises like jogging, cycling, swimming, and hiking a few weeks before you fly off to Skardu. These exercises will help to increase your stamina and endurance. While trekking as well, it is always helpful to walk at a slow and steady pace to minimalize the effects of altitude sickness.

Trekking in the Himalayas is a moderate-level trek. It is of course comparatively challenging than other mountain ranges. But it is not at all impossible. People ranging from the age of 7 years to 70 years have successfully completed Mt Everest base camp trek.

The Everest Base Camp lies at the foot of the highest mountain in the world. There will be unpredictable weather conditions and high altitude, but all this thrill will be worth it when you finally reach the base camp.

A lightweight pair of “Gore tex” will be the best for your K2 Base Camp trek. These boots provides you with great ankle support and also helps you to keep your feet dry. You can get these boots in all shapes and sizes. You can also opt for gumboots as this will help you with your grip and keep off the ice from entering your shoes.

The best way to reach the K2 base camp from Islamabad is to take a flight to Skardu, which takes around 45-minutes. Alternatively, you can reach Skardu by road.  From Skardu, you need to go by jeep to Askole,  trek through places like Jula – Paiu, Urdukas- Khobursay- Goro 1 & 2- Concordia and finally reach the K2 base camp.

K2 Base Camp trek planning can be a lot of work – from permits, accommodations, transportation, and more – there are a lot of logistics to consider before and during your trek. If you pay a travel company to do this, it will cost money but comes with zero stress of all the above mentioned steps. Plus the biggest benefit is safety. You will have trained guides and experienced leaders to trek you through the best route.