K2 Base Camp Trek and Optional Gondogoro La Pass Crossing

General overview

K2 is the ultimate trekker’s high! Expert leader, Dan Mazur has led multiple K2 and Everest expeditions successfully to basecamp and beyond. Be part of the select few to walk on the roof of the world. Trek on a less traveled circuit among the 8000 metre ‘Giants’ of the Karakorum. Trip includes internal flights/transportation, food, accommodations, staff, and group equipment

Itinerary

• Day 1 – Arrive Islamabad. Meet our staff at airport. They will bring you to the hotel.
• Day 2 – Guided sightseeing and shopping in Islamabad (508 metres / 1,667 ft.).
• Day 3 – Fly to Skardu, transfer to Skardu hotel.
• Day 4 – Skardu sightseeing. Hotel. (2,230 metres / 7,316 feet)
• Day 5 – Skardu – Briefing at Department of Tourism. Final preparations. Hotel.
• Day 6 – Drive by Jeep to Askole, a lovely little farming village. Camp. (3,039 metres / 9,970 feet).
• Day 7 – Trek to Jhola. (3,170 metres / 10,400 feet). We enter Karakoram National Park and trek past a slope filled with garnets and cross a lovely bridge.
• Day 8 – Trek to Paiyu. (3,666 metres / 12,028 feet). Trek to this famous forest in the Baltoro Valley.
• Day 9 – Rest Day in Paiyu. On this day, porters will bake all of their bread for the upcoming trek.
• Day 10 – Trek to Khuburtse. (3,800 metres / 12,467 feet). a fabulous campsite near a lake on the edge of the Baltoro Glacier.
• Day 11 – Trek to Urdukas. (3,950 metres / 12,959 feet). Camp amongst grass and lovely giant boulders, with amazing views of the Great Trango Towers.
• Day 12 – Goro II. (4,300 metres / 14,108 feet). Camp on the flat stones on the surface of the Baltoro Glacier with lovely views of the mightiest peaks all around, like Masherbrum, Cathedral, etcetera.
• Day 13 – Concordia. (4,550 metres / 14,928 feet). Concordia must be the most famous campsite in all the Karkakoram. Incredible views of K2, Mitre Peak, Gasherbrum 4, and many more.
• Day 14 – Walk to Broad Peak base camp (4,850 metres / 15,908 ft.) and camp on the Godwin Austen Glacier.

• Day 15 – Walk up to K2 base camp and visit the Gilkey Memorial. Return to Concordia.
• Day 16 – Follow the Upper Baltoro Glacier to Ali Camp (4,800 metres/15,748 ft.)
• Day 17 – Cross the Gondogoro La (5,585 metres / 18,323 ft.). Descend to Huisprung (4,600 metres / 15,088 ft.). Camp near a lovely lake.
• Day 18 – Trek down the Gondogoro Valley to Saitcho (3,350 metres / 10,991 ft.)
• Day 19 – Last day of trekking to Hushe Village (3,050 metres / 10,0007ft.). Drive beside the Hushe River and follow the Shyock and Indus rivers to Skardu (2,230 metres / 7,316 ft.).
• Day 20 – De-briefing at Tourism Department. Showers, laundry, shopping. Hotel
• Day 21 – Islamabad / Chilas. Hotel
• Day 22 – Final paperwork, shopping, farewell dinner in Islamabad. Hotel
• Day 23 – Fly Home.
• Day 24 – Reserve day in case of weather.
• Day 25 – Reserve day in case of weather.

Good to know

Experience

You may attempt this climb as a novice. Winter snow walking experience is recommended. The trip includes climbing training. We will teach you everything you need to know on a glacier near base camp. Team members are expected to be fit and in good health. Prior to joining our group, please see your doctor and obtain the necessary permission and advice, as well as medications for travel in extremes of altitude, and also for exotic locales.

Leadership

Leadership: Dan Mazur is a relaxed, friendly, well-organised, and highly skilled professional with over 20 years of experience leading people to the summits of Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Manaslu, and Shishapangma.

Sherpas: We employ some of Nepal, Tibet, and the Karakorum’s best local mountaineers and Sherpas to assist team members in realizing their summit goals. Our friendly and loyal high-altitude climbing staff has supported teams to the summits of more than ten of the highest peaks in the Himalayas.