K2 Base Camp Trek
The K2 Base Camp Trek is a 22-day journey along the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia, the place mountaineer Galen Rowell called the "throne room of the mountain gods", and on to the base camps of Broad Peak and K2 (8,611 m), the second-highest mountain on earth.
- Duration22 Days
- DifficultyStrenuous
- Max Altitudeapprox. 5,050 m
- Best SeasonJuly – August
- Trekking Days15 Days
The Trek of a Lifetime
The K2 Base Camp Trek is often ranked among the greatest treks on earth. After a flight to Skardu, we drive through the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole, the last village, and follow the Braldu River to the snout of the Baltoro Glacier. For days we walk up the glacier among granite spires such as the Trango Towers, with Masherbrum and Muztagh Tower rising on either side.
At Concordia, where the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers meet, K2, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum IV fill the horizon. We spend two nights here to acclimatise, then visit Broad Peak Base Camp and K2 Base Camp and the Gilkey Memorial before returning along the Baltoro. Our programme includes rest days and spare days for weather, and our local team from Baltistan handles every detail, from permits and porters to hot meals at camp.
Trip Highlights
- Trek the Baltoro, one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions
- Two nights at Concordia with views of four 8,000-metre peaks
- Visit both Broad Peak Base Camp and K2 Base Camp (approx. 5,050 m)
- See the Trango Towers, Masherbrum, Muztagh Tower and Gasherbrum IV
- Rest days built in for safe acclimatisation, plus spare days for weather
- Licensed local guide, cook and porters from Baltistan, with all permits handled
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at Islamabad International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening welcome briefing on the trek, equipment and safety.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Skardu (approx. 2,230 m)
A spectacular one-hour flight past Nanga Parbat into the Karakoram. Flights depend on weather; if cancelled, we travel by road along the Karakoram Highway.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Skardu: acclimatisation and preparation
Rest day to adjust to altitude, complete permit formalities, final gear check and a visit to Kharpocho Fort and the Skardu bazaar.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Drive to Askole (approx. 3,000 m)
A 6–7 hour jeep journey through the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole, the last village on the route. Our trekking crew and porters join us here.
Overnight: CampDay 5Askole to Jhola (approx. 3,150 m)
First trekking day, 6–7 hours along the Braldu River, passing the snout of the Biafo Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the Karakoram.
Overnight: CampDay 6Jhola to Paiju (approx. 3,450 m)
6–7 hours through the Bardumal area to the green oasis of Paiju beneath Paiju Peak, with the first views of the Baltoro Glacier and, on clear days, Broad Peak.
Overnight: CampDay 7Rest and acclimatisation at Paiju
An important rest day before stepping onto the glacier. Optional short acclimatisation walk above camp with views of the Trango group.
Overnight: CampDay 8Paiju to Khoburtse (approx. 3,900 m)
Climb onto the Baltoro Glacier and cross its moraine to Khoburtse, facing the Trango Towers and Cathedral Peaks. About 5–6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 9Khoburtse to Urdukas (approx. 4,100 m)
A shorter 4–5 hour walk to Urdukas, a camp on grassy terraces above the glacier with superb views of the Trango Towers and Uli Biaho.
Overnight: CampDay 10Urdukas to Goro II (approx. 4,350 m)
6–7 hours along the centre of the Baltoro, passing Goro I, with Masherbrum (7,821 m) and Muztagh Tower coming into view. Goro II is a camp on the ice.
Overnight: CampDay 11Goro II to Concordia (approx. 4,650 m)
4–5 hours on gentler moraine, past towering ice seracs, to Concordia, where K2 suddenly appears at the head of the Godwin-Austen Glacier.
Overnight: CampDay 12Rest day at Concordia
A full day to acclimatise and enjoy the view of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, Mitre Peak and Chogolisa, perfect for photography at sunrise and sunset.
Overnight: CampDay 13Concordia to Broad Peak Base Camp (approx. 4,900 m)
A 3–4 hour walk up the Godwin-Austen Glacier to Broad Peak Base Camp, where we camp among climbing expeditions.
Overnight: CampDay 14K2 Base Camp (approx. 5,050 m) and back to Concordia
The big day. About 2 hours to K2 Base Camp beneath the south face of K2, a visit to the Gilkey Memorial, then the long walk back to Concordia. 8–10 hours in total.
Overnight: CampDay 15Spare day at Concordia
Reserve day for bad weather or a slower pace. If not needed, we rest at Concordia or begin the descent early.
Overnight: CampDay 16Concordia to Goro I (approx. 4,050 m)
Begin the return journey down the Baltoro, passing Goro II, to Goro I. About 6–7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 17Goro I to Khoburtse
Continue down the glacier past Urdukas to Khoburtse. About 6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 18Khoburtse to Paiju
Leave the Baltoro Glacier behind and descend to the green campsite at Paiju. About 5 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 19Paiju to Jhola
Last trekking day along the Braldu River. Farewell evening with our crew and porters.
Overnight: CampDay 20Drive to Skardu
Jeep journey from Jhola via Askole back to Skardu, about 7–8 hours. A hot shower and a celebration dinner.
Overnight: HotelDay 21Fly to Islamabad
Flight back to Islamabad, weather permitting (by road if cancelled). Free afternoon for shopping or sightseeing.
Overnight: HotelDay 22Departure
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward flight.
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 and Skardu
- Islamabad – Skardu – Islamabad flights (or road transport if flights are cancelled)
- All ground transport, including 4x4 jeeps to and from the trailhead
- Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) and restricted-area trekking permits
- Licensed, experienced English-speaking trekking guide
- Cook, kitchen staff and porters
- All meals in Islamabad and Skardu
- All meals and drinking water on the trek
- Tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance with high-altitude and helicopter rescue cover
- Personal trekking gear, sleeping bag and clothing
- Tips for guides, cooks and porters
- Extra hotel nights or costs caused by flight cancellations, road closures or early return
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Is the K2 Base Camp Trek Right for You?
The K2 Base Camp Trek is a true expedition on foot. For more than a week you walk on the Baltoro Glacier, far from roads and villages, surrounded by four of the fourteen 8,000 m peaks. It is the trek for people who want wild, empty mountains rather than tea houses and crowds.
You do not need climbing skills, but you do need good fitness, some multi-day hiking experience and the patience for long days on rough moraine. If you would like a shorter first taste of the Karakoram, start with the Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek or the Nanga Parbat Base Camp Trek, then come back for the K2 Base Camp Trek.
The trek begins and ends in Skardu, so it is easy to add Shigar Fort, Deosai or Khaplu to your trip. Our team arranges the restricted-zone permits and liaison requirements, and our Pakistan visa guide explains the Letter of Invitation we provide. Please read our travel insurance advice, as cover for trekking above 5,000 m and helicopter rescue is essential for the K2 Base Camp Trek.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Fitness
The K2 Base Camp Trek is a strenuous high-altitude trek with 6–8 hour days on rough glacier moraine. You should be in good health, with previous multi-day trekking experience.
Altitude
The route climbs to about 5,050 m at K2 Base Camp. Our programme includes rest days at Skardu, Paiju and Concordia, and our guides watch closely for signs of altitude sickness.
Permits & Rules
The Baltoro lies in a restricted zone of the Central Karakoram National Park. Permits and a licensed guide are required, and solo trekking is not allowed. We arrange all of this for you.
When to Go
The K2 Base Camp Trek season runs from mid-June to mid-September. July and August usually bring the most stable weather, with mild days and freezing nights at Concordia.
Reserve Your Place on the Trek
The K2 Base Camp Trek season is short. Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote.
