K2 Base Camp

General overview

Deep within the rugged terrains of the Karakoram range lies the renowned K2 Basecamp Trek, often described as the “Throne room of the mountain gods” by eminent American mountaineer and photographer, Galen Rowell. This journey, known for its captivating landscapes of granite spires, expansive glaciers, and towering 8,000-meter peaks, is nothing short of an adventure. Starting from the bustling modern city of Islamabad, the trek traverses through the heart of the Karakoram mountains, close to China’s borders, revealing the majesty of peaks like K2 (8611m), Broad Peak (8051m), Gasherbrum I (8080m), and Gasherbrum II (8035m).

The trek is an intermediate-level challenge, appealing to those seasoned in trekking. A significant portion is spent navigating the rugged Baltoro Glacier for up to nine hours a day. Despite its demands, trekkers are not alone. They’re accompanied by the diligent and amiable Balti porters and Pakistani guides. The trek’s accommodations are in shared tents, pitched at well-established campgrounds.

Trekkers are given a scenic introduction to the region with a brief yet breathtaking flight from Islamabad to Skardu, revealing the grandeur of Nanga Parbat, Earth’s ninth-highest mountain. In Skardu, located beside the Indus river, participants have an opportunity to delve into local culture, visiting places like the Skardu Bazar and Khurpucho Fort. The subsequent journey from Skardu to Askoli village, the starting point of the trek, is a nine-hour drive.

As trekkers set forth, they are led alongside the Braldu River valley, eventually reaching the iconic 62-kilometer-long Baltoro Glacier. This area, first mapped by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen in 1861, is dotted with some of the world’s most renowned granite formations, including the Trango Tower Group, consisting of the Great Trango Tower, Uli Biaho, and the Nameless Tower.

The trek also unveils vistas of Gasherbrum IV’s West face, famously termed the “shining wall” and recognized as one of the toughest alpine climbs globally. Upon reaching the upper reaches of the Baltoro Glacier at Concordia, trekkers are surrounded by a breathtaking panorama: K2’s mighty pyramid, the second-highest mountain globally, stands to the North, while the formidable Broad Peak looms nearby.

The culmination of this adventure is an exploration of the base camps of Broad Peak and K2. The descent then retraces the path, winding down the Baltoro Glacier and Braldu River valleys.

This journey, spanning approximately 126 miles over 12 days (inclusive of two rest days), peaks at K2 basecamp, situated at a lofty 16,750 feet. The combined elevation gain for the trek is around 6,300 feet.