Gondogoro La Trek
The Gondogoro La Trek is a 20-day Karakoram expedition on foot: up the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and K2 Base Camp, then over the Gondogoro La (approx. 5,585 m) to the green Hushe Valley.
- Duration20 Days
- DifficultyStrenuous
- Max Altitudeapprox. 5,585 m
- Best SeasonJuly – August
- Trekking Days12 Days
The Great Karakoram Crossing
The Gondogoro La Trek is the classic way to see the Baltoro Glacier without walking back the same way. We follow the K2 route from Askole to Concordia, the meeting point of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers, and walk on to K2 Base Camp below the second-highest mountain on earth.
From Concordia we climb to Ali Camp and cross the Gondogoro La in the early hours, with fixed ropes on the steep sections and one of the greatest mountain views anywhere: K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and Masherbrum in one panorama. We then descend past Laila Peak to Saicho and Hushe, the last village of the Hushe Valley. Our team handles the permit, the licensed guide, porters, camp crew and all logistics.
Trip Highlights
- Walk the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia (approx. 4,600 m)
- Visit K2 Base Camp below K2 (8,611 m)
- Cross the Gondogoro La (approx. 5,585 m) with fixed ropes and a licensed guide
- Sunrise panorama of K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and Masherbrum
- Descend past Laila Peak to the Hushe Valley and Khaplu
- Restricted-zone permit, guide, cook and porters arranged by TGA
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at Islamabad International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening briefing on the trek, permits and safety.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Skardu (approx. 2,230 m)
A spectacular mountain flight past Nanga Parbat to Skardu. If the flight is cancelled, we drive along the Karakoram Highway instead (two days).
Overnight: HotelDay 3Skardu: briefing and preparation
Permit formalities, gear check with your guide and time to visit Skardu bazaar or Kharpocho Fort.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Jeep to Askole (approx. 3,000 m)
About 7 hours by 4x4 jeep through the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole, the last village before the glaciers.
Overnight: CampDay 5Askole to Jhola (approx. 3,200 m)
Our first trekking day along the Braldu River, crossing the Biafo Glacier snout. About 6–7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 6Jhola to Paiju (approx. 3,400 m)
A hot, dusty walk with the first views of the Trango Towers and Paiju Peak. About 6–7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 7Rest day at Paiju
A rest and acclimatisation day at the shady Paiju campsite, while porters prepare for the glacier.
Overnight: CampDay 8Paiju to Urdukas (approx. 4,000 m)
We step onto the Baltoro Glacier and walk below the Trango and Cathedral towers to the grassy terraces of Urdukas. About 7–8 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 9Urdukas to Goro II (approx. 4,300 m)
A long day on the rocky middle of the Baltoro, with Masherbrum and Gasherbrum IV ahead. About 6–7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 10Goro II to Concordia (approx. 4,600 m)
A shorter walk to Concordia, the "throne room of the mountain gods", where K2 appears at the head of the Godwin-Austen Glacier.
Overnight: CampDay 11Concordia to K2 Base Camp (approx. 5,000 m)
Walk up the Godwin-Austen Glacier past Broad Peak Base Camp to K2 Base Camp and the Gilkey Memorial. About 7–8 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 12K2 Base Camp back to Concordia
Return down the glacier to Concordia for another sunset over Gasherbrum IV.
Overnight: CampDay 13Concordia to Ali Camp (approx. 5,000 m)
Walk along the Vigne Glacier to Ali Camp, the base for the pass. Early dinner and rest before the crossing.
Overnight: CampDay 14Cross the Gondogoro La (approx. 5,585 m)
We start around midnight and climb with fixed ropes to the pass for sunrise on K2 and the Gasherbrums, then descend steeply to Khuspang. About 12–14 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 15Khuspang to Saicho (approx. 3,300 m)
Down the Gondogoro Glacier below Laila Peak to the green campsite at Saicho. About 6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 16Saicho to Hushe, drive to Khaplu
A short walk to Hushe village, then a jeep to Khaplu and a hot shower. About 3 hours walking and 3 hours driving.
Overnight: HotelDay 17Drive to Skardu
Visit Khaplu Palace in the morning, then drive along the Shyok and Indus rivers to Skardu.
Overnight: HotelDay 18Spare day for weather
A buffer day for bad weather on the pass or a cancelled flight. If not needed, enjoy Skardu or Shangrila Lake.
Overnight: HotelDay 19Fly to Islamabad
Flight back to Islamabad (or the road journey if flights are cancelled). Farewell dinner.
Overnight: HotelDay 20Depart
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Overnight: —Mountain itineraries can change with weather, flights and group pace. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Islamabad
- Hotels in Islamabad, Skardu and Khaplu
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Skardu–Islamabad, or road transport if flights are cancelled
- 4x4 jeeps Skardu–Askole and Hushe–Khaplu
- Restricted-zone trekking permit and licensed guide
- Fixed ropes and safety equipment for the Gondogoro La
- All meals during the trek, cooked by our trekking cook
- Tents, mattresses, dining and kitchen tents on the trek
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Porters to carry your main luggage and camping gear
- Local fees and registration at checkpoints
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance with high-altitude rescue cover
- Personal trekking gear, clothing and sleeping bag
- Tips for guides, drivers, cooks and porters
- Personal climbing harness and crampons (can be rented in Skardu)
- Extra nights or costs caused by flight cancellations, landslides or road closures
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Gondogoro La Trek?
The Gondogoro La Trek gives you everything the K2 Base Camp Trek offers, from the Trango Towers to Concordia and K2 Base Camp, and then adds a real mountain pass. You do not walk back down the Baltoro; instead you cross into the Hushe Valley and finish in a completely different landscape of villages, apricot trees and green pastures.
The Gondogoro La Trek is for fit, experienced trekkers. The pass is steep, the day is long and the snow conditions change every season, so we always travel with a licensed guide, fixed ropes and a spare weather day. Many of our guests have trekked to Nanga Parbat or Rakaposhi base camp before taking on the Gondogoro La.
Plan a few extra days around the trek in Skardu or the Hunza Valley. Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance; high-altitude rescue cover is essential.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Fitness
The Gondogoro La Trek is strenuous. Expect 6–8 hour days on rough glacier moraine, and one 12–14 hour day over the pass. You should have previous multi-day trekking experience at altitude.
Altitude
We walk slowly up the Baltoro, with a rest day at Paiju and nights at Concordia and K2 Base Camp before the pass, to give your body time to adjust to the altitude.
Permits & Safety
The Baltoro is a restricted zone, so a trekking permit and a licensed guide are required. Our team arranges both, and fixes ropes on the pass when conditions need it.
When to Go
July and August are the best months for the Gondogoro La Trek, when the pass is usually in condition. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Trek
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for your Karakoram crossing.
