K2 Base Camp and the Gondogoro Pass

The following morning, our group will take an early flight to Skardu , the largest city in Baltistan (approximately 50 minutes). On a clear day, the surrounding peaks, including Nanga Parbat , offer spectacular views.

Upon arrival, you will have free time to rest or explore the Skardu bazaar , and we will finalize trekking permits before a group dinner.

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If the flight is cancelled, we will take the Islamabad–Skardu route (18 hours) with an overnight stop in Naran, before reaching Skardu the next day.

Our guides and local team organize everything to ensure the trip remains safe and comfortable.

In the morning, we will all have breakfast together , to start the day off right.

The team will complete the final preparations for the trek (visa/permit), while you can relax in the beautiful hotel garden and use this time to acclimatize to the altitude (2,220 m).

In the afternoon, we will take you to discover old Skardu for a first immersion in the landscapes and local culture before setting off on the trek.

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If the flight is cancelled, this day will be dedicated to the road.

Today, the adventure truly begins! After breakfast together , we will load our 4x4s for a 6 to 8 hour journey (depending on road conditions) to the village of Askole , the gateway to Central Karakoram National Park .

Along the way, we will stop for lunch and enjoy the impressive landscapes of the Karakoram.

Upon arrival, we will set up our tents in a family camp and spend our first night in tents , ready for the start of the trek the next day.

1. Altitude: 3040m
2. Night: in a tent

(If the permits are not yet finalized, an additional day in Skardu may be necessary.)

Today, the trek truly begins!

We leave Askole early in the morning to enter Central Karakoram National Park . After registering our permits at the park office , we proceed along a varied trail , alternating between hiking paths and 4x4 tracks.

The day is not very steep, but it is long : allow 6 to 7 hours of walking.

We continue our trek to the confluence of the Biafo and Baltoro glaciers , where we set up camp for the night. Bakhor Das (5,809 m) rises majestically above us.

Campsite: Jhula Camp (3,149 m) .

Early start for a 5 to 7 hour day hike on a balcony trail that runs alongside the river and crosses a few streams.

The terrain alternates between ascents and descents, sometimes exposed to the sun, with a bit of dust: sunscreen and water will be your best allies .

We enter the Panmah Valley and cross the Dumordo River , offering a first spectacular view of the eastern slope of Bakhor Das (5,809 m) , visible from Askole.

We then follow the Biaho Longma , a river flowing down from the Baltoro, to Paiju , the last oasis of greenery before the Baltoro, with its willows, birches and poplars.

The camp is set up by the Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (MGPO) , in a fragile environment that must be respected.

A day of 6 to 8 hours of walking . After about an hour's hike, we enter the Baltoro Glacier , immense and majestic. We will walk along this ice giant to Concordia , our destination in a few days. The terrain is varied: a fair mix of rocks, hills, and scattered, sometimes uneven, trails .

Khoburtse camp is relatively small but offers exceptional views , with a nearby waterfall and several magnificent sunrise viewpoints. The facilities are basic , but the experience in nature and the views of the surrounding peaks more than make up for it.

From the camp, the views extend to Paiju Peak (6,610 m) , Uli Biaho (6,417 m) , Great Trango (6,286 m) , and Lobsang Spire (5,707 m) . The camp is situated upstream from the confluence of the Liligo and Baltoro glaciers , offering a unique location in the heart of this magnificent landscape.

This stage is short (2 to 3 hours), ideal for a gradual ascent. The Urdukas camp (4,053 m) is very beautiful, with impressive panoramas of the granite towers (Trango, Muztagh Tower…).

No distance or elevation gain is planned for today: it is a day dedicated to recovery, acclimatization and exploring the surroundings .

Depending on the group's fitness level and weather conditions , we may also continue to the next camp . The itinerary remains flexible , always adapted to the pace and dynamics of the group.

Today we are moving towards Goro 2 , crossing glaciers and moraines.

The day is moderate but long: prepare for 4–5 hours of walking with varied ascents and descents , while admiring impressive peaks such as Masherbrum, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum IV .

A legendary stage: the arrival at Concordia , a true crossroads of giants.

We travel approximately 14 km through an absolutely stunning landscape, surrounded by a 360° panorama of some of the highest peaks on the planet: K2 (8,611 m) , Broad Peak (8,047 m) , Gasherbrum I (8,068 m) , Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) , Gasherbrum IV (7,925 m) , Sia Kangri (7,422 m) , Mitre Peak (6,025 m) and the Golden Throne (7,240 m) .

A setting of almost unreal grandeur.

We reach the Throne of the Gods , also called Concordia.

The atmosphere is unique, almost sacred, in the heart of the most iconic mountains of the Karakoram.

We set off early this morning for one of the most memorable days of the trip. We climbed the Godwin-Austen Glacier for about 11.5 km , with a positive elevation gain of about 500 m , up to 5,000 m altitude : K2 Base Camp .

The terrain remains relatively flat, and the ascent unfolds in a striking setting, facing the perfect pyramid of K2 , which we see drawing ever closer. Along the way, we stop at the Art Gilkey Memorial , a place steeped in history dedicated to the lost mountaineers.

The goal for the day is to spend the night at K2 Base Camp , a rare and intense experience, surrounded by expeditions from all over the world preparing their attempt to reach the summit.

In recent years, some groups have chosen to sleep at Broad Peak Base Camp (4,813 m) , located a few kilometers before K2.

This is an excellent alternative, especially for:

1. Sleeping slightly lower down promotes better acclimatization.
2. Enjoy a quieter, less crowded campsite .
3. Enjoy more comfortable and often more spacious locations .
4. Admire one of the most beautiful panoramas in the area .

If this option is chosen, we will still visit K2 Base Camp the following day.

Concordia → Broad Peak Base Camp:

1. Distance: 7.9 km
2. Elevation gain: +425 m
3. Camp altitude: 4,813 m
4. Walking time: 4 to 5 hours

We return to Concordia , in the heart of this unique glacial cirque.

This day acts as a safety margin : it can compensate for any delay due to weather conditions or allow the ascent to K2 Base Camp to be completed if this was not possible the day before.

If everything goes as planned, this stage becomes a welcome interlude: a moment to practice some mountaineering techniques , rest , or simply enjoy the monumental landscape surrounding Concordia.

A day dedicated to acclimatization and training on ice , with an introduction to the use of crampons and harnesses.

This is the perfect time to prepare for the technical crossing of the Gondogoro La , while enjoying the exceptional panoramas around Concordia.

Enjoy these magnificent views and this camping atmosphere in the middle of giants.

We leave Concordia to reach Ali Camp , a transition camp before the pass.

We walk on the glacier, a relatively easy and gradual walk while gaining a little more altitude.

1. Distance: 11 km
2. Elevation gain: 600 m

The ascent to the Gondogoro La pass (5,585 m) takes place amidst imposing seracs and sometimes deep snow, but the effort is richly rewarded at the summit: an absolutely unique view of the giants of the Himalayas and the Karakoram , including K2 , Broad Peak , and Gasherbrum I and II . Opposite us also rises the magnificent Laila Peak (6,096 m) .

The descent is steep and technical ; we proceed cautiously, assisted by fixed ropes to ensure everyone's safety. The south-facing slope, rockier and often dry, gradually leads us towards the Trinity Glacier , then to Hispung , where alpine meadows , a clear stream , and fine sand reappear.

A striking contrast after the high altitude, under the slender gaze of Laila Peak.

Altitude: 5585m

A long day (5-6 hours) that takes us from the glacial world to gentler landscapes. The first few hours are spent on moraines, before the scenery changes dramatically: the valley opens up, the rock gives way to green hills, the path becomes more flexible, punctuated by small streams and exposed sections.

After so many days at high altitude, the arrival at Saicho (3,430 m) offers a real contrast: a vast camp, crossed by several rivers, surrounded by greenery and soft light in the late afternoon.

A perfect place to release tension after the Gondogoro La and enjoy a gradual return to the valley.

Our last morning on the trails begins gently. The scenery gradually changes: the glaciers recede behind us and the valley opens up, welcoming, all the way to the Balti village of Hushe , one of the most isolated and endearing in the Karakoram.

In this village with legendary hospitality, we savor a last steaming cup of chai , a simple moment to thank and salute our team of porters, the true guardians of these mountains.

Then, we head towards Skardu. A spectacular track leads us into the heart of the Baltistan valleys — 5 to 6 hours of driving, depending on the mood of the rivers and the condition of the track.

We have lunch on the way, before heading to our hotel in Skardu.

Get ready: the hot shower that awaits you there is often one of the most memorable moments of the trip…

A simple yet powerful luxury, after so many days in the heart of the Karakoram.

1. Hushe's altitude: 3,180 m

At daybreak, we take our flight to Islamabad , gliding from the peaks of the Karakoram to the gentleness of the city.

If the mountains offer us a clear sky, let's take one last look at Nanga Parbat through our window.

The day unfolds peacefully in the capital: a moment to relax, stroll a little… before sharing a festive dinner together to celebrate our adventure.

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And if the weather decides otherwise—as it sometimes does in Baltistan—we'll take the legendary Karakoram Highway , a road steeped in history, gradually descending towards Islamabad. A long but fascinating journey, adding a final touch of epic grandeur to the expedition.

We are planning a security day in Islamabad in case the return from Skardu is delayed.

After such an intense trek, this margin avoids any pressure related to departure times.

It's a free day in the city, with breakfast and dinner included.

A final opportunity to enjoy the group before parting ways and officially concluding the trip.

We arrange airport transfers for all those whose flight is scheduled within 12 hours.

Hotel check-out is around 11am.

If you wish to stay longer in Islamabad, it is possible to extend your stay at the hotel, but the additional nights are not included.