Pakistan19 days
Concordia and K2 Base Camp Trek — 19 Days via Baltoro Glacier
A 62-kilometer glacier crossing from Jhola to Concordia at 4,650 meters, returning via the same route, with an optional ascent to K2 Base Camp at 5,135 meters.
This trek follows the Baltoro Glacier corridor from its snout near Askoli through one of the world's highest concentrations of major peaks. The route covers approximately 62 kilometers of ice flanked by Trango Towers, Gasherbrum IV, Broad Peak, and K2. Travelers depart from Skardu at 2,300 meters and move steadily onto glacier terrain, camping at established sites including Urdukas, Ghoro II, and finally Concordia at 4,650 meters—a point where K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum IV converge in a single panorama. From Concordia, an optional side journey of 5–6 hours reaches K2 Base Camp at 5,135 meters, the staging area for expeditions on the world's second-highest mountain. The return reverses the upvalley route, exiting via the same glacier path to Jhola and the road to Skardu.
Highlights
- Braldu Gorge jeep route from Skardu to Jhola: approximately 6 hours of driving through steep gorge terrain, connecting to the Baltoro Glacier approach
- Baltoro Glacier trek: approximately 62 kilometers of glacier traversal over eight days (outbound route), passing Cathedral Towers, Trango Towers, and Paju Peak
- Urdukas campsite at 4,050 meters: overnight location with views of lateral moraines and surrounding peaks
- Reaching Concordia at 4,650m: the sacred confluence where K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, and Baltoro Kangri are visible
- K2 Base Camp at 5,135 meters: optional 5–6 hour walk from Concordia; suitable for acclimatized trekkers with high-altitude experience
- High glacier camps with views of Mitre Peak, Crystal Peak, and Marble Peak
- Skardu sightseeing: Kharpocho Fort, Sadpara Lake, and Skardu Bazaar (Days 1–3)
Day by day
1Arrival in IslamabadIslamabad's airport · Faisal Mosque · Shakar Parian Park · Damn-e-Koh overlook
Travelers arrive at Islamabad's airport and transfer to a hotel. After rest from the flight, an afternoon city tour covers the Faisal Mosque, Constitution Avenue government buildings, Shakar Parian Park with its rose and jasmine gardens, and Damn-e-Koh overlook, which provides views across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
2Islamabad to Skardu by AirIslamabad to Skardu · Skardu Tourism Department
A flight from Islamabad to Skardu takes approximately 1.5 hours. On clear days, peaks including Nanga Parbat are visible from the aircraft. In the event of flight cancellation, an alternative road route via the Karakoram Highway (KKH) takes two days. A trek briefing takes place at Skardu Tourism Department either on arrival or the following day. An optional extension to Fairy Meadows via Chilas adds two days to the itinerary.
3Skardu Rest and Optional SightseeingSadpara Lake · Skardu Bazaar · Kharpocho Fort
A rest day in Skardu at 2,300 meters allows acclimatization. Optional sightseeing visits Sadpara Lake, the Skardu Bazaar, and Kharpocho Fort overlooking the city.
4Skardu to Jhola via Braldu GorgeSkardu to Jhola via Braldu Gorge · Jhola · Askoli
A 4x4 jeep journey of approximately six hours departs Skardu and travels through the Braldu Gorge to Jhola at 3,140 meters, the current road-end for the K2 trek. The route passes through Askoli at 3,000 meters, the last inhabited settlement before glacier terrain, where the road was extended to Jhola in recent years. Lunch occurs en route; dinner and overnight camping are at Jhola.
5Jhola to Paju: First Approach to BaltoroPaju · Burdumal campsites · viewpoint overlooking the Baltoro Glacier snout
The trek begins on a gradual trail, crossing the Burdumal campsites along a 2-kilometer stretch of sandy riverbed for 3–4 hours. After lunch, a further 2–3 hour trek climbs to a viewpoint overlooking the Baltoro Glacier snout, with Cathedral Towers visible in the distance. Camp is established at Paju at 3,450 meters.
6Rest Day at PajuPaju
A rest day allows local exploration around Paju. A traditional music and dance program by local porters and trekking staff occurs in the evening. Overnight remains at camp.
7Paju to Khuburse: Entering the Baltoro GlacierKhuburse · Baltoro Glacier · glacier snout
The trek ascends 5–8 hours onto the Baltoro Glacier. After approximately two hours, the route divides at the glacier snout; the path continues right onto the main glacier, which stretches 62 kilometers up the valley at an average width of 2 kilometers. A steady 2–3 hour diagonal climb gains the glacier's eastern edge, then follows the southern moraine crest for approximately 90 minutes to Khuburse at 3,930 meters, a campsite with access to clear melt water. Overnight is at camp.
8Khuburse to Urdukas: High Glacier WalkingUrdukas · lateral moraine crest
A 4–5 hour walk follows the lateral moraine crest with views of Paju Peak, Chorichi Biaho, and Trango Tower. Urdukas at 4,050 meters is a notable campsite positioned for panoramic views across the glacier corridor. Overnight is at camp.
9Urdukas to Ghoro II: Deep Glacier TerrainUrdukas to Ghoro II · Ghoro II · Ghoro I opposite the Yermanendo Glacier
A 6–8 hour glacier walk begins with difficult crevassed terrain in the first hour, becoming easier and more stable through the middle section. After 2–3 hours, the route passes Ghoro I opposite the Yermanendo Glacier, which descends from Masherbrum Pass. The final 3–4 hours continue east along the main Baltoro following telephone wire markers that connect Army Headquarters at Ghoro to Gasherbrum IV's base. Ghoro II at 4,380 meters sits on rocks and ice in the glacier's center with melt-water access. Overnight is at camp.
10Ghoro II to Concordia: The Mountain ThroneGhoro II to Concordia · Concordia
A 5–6 hour walk of relatively even terrain reaches Concordia at 4,650 meters. The route offers continuous views of surrounding peaks including Mustagata Tower, Gasherbrum IV, and K2. Concordia, named by explorer Martin Conway after Piazza della Concordia in Paris, sits at the glacier confluence. Overnight is at camp.
11Rest at Concordia; Optional K2 Base Camp AscentConcordia · K2 Base Camp
A rest day at Concordia allows acclimatization and local exploration. The optional five-hour ascent to K2 Base Camp at 5,135 meters passes K2's base camp and Broad Peak's base camp before reaching the staging area of the world's second-highest mountain. The walk returns to Concordia for overnight. From Concordia, Gasherbrum IV, K2, Broad Peak, Mitre Peak, Crystal Peak, Marble Peak, and Baltoro Kangri are all visible. Optional extensions add one or more nights at K2 Base Camp or Gasherbrum II Base Camp.
12Concordia to Ghoro II: Return Journey BeginsConcordia · Ghoro II
The descent from Concordia retraces the ascent route. A 3-hour walk returns to Ghoro II at 4,380 meters for overnight camping.
13Ghoro II to UrdukasGhoro II to Urdukas
Descend the glacier toward Urdukas base camp.
14Urdukas to Paju: Lateral Moraine DescentUrdukas to Paju
Seven to eight hours descending moraine to Paju.
15Paju to JholaPaju to Jhola
A 6–7 hour walk descends to Jhola.
16Jhola to Skardu by JeepJhola to Skardu · Skardu · Skardu Tourism Department
A 4x4 jeep journey of approximately six hours returns through the Braldu Gorge and Askoli to Skardu at 2,300 meters. Hotel accommodation with comfortable beds and hot water awaits. Trek debriefing occurs at Skardu Tourism Department.
17Skardu to Islamabad by AirSkardu to Islamabad · Chilas
A domestic flight from Skardu to Islamabad completes the return, typically requiring 1.5 hours. In the event of flight cancellation, an overnight stop at Chilas on the KKH precedes the onward road journey to Islamabad.
18Islamabad: Leisure or ExtensionIslamabad · Chilas to Islamabad
If the flight from Skardu arrived the previous day, the day allows leisure time or additional sightseeing and souvenir shopping in Islamabad. If weather canceled the flight, the day continues by road from Chilas to Islamabad, with a farewell dinner in the evening.
19Return Flight to Homeairport
An early morning or midnight transfer to the airport accommodates your international return flight. End of our services.
Included
- WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Liaison with ministry of tourism in Islamabad for trekking permit process
- Trekking permit fee
- Visa Invitation Letter & Supporting documents
- 4x4 Jeep to/from Skardu and return
- Domestic airfare Islamabad – Skardu – Islamabad including taxes, excess baggage charges, if any
- In case of flight cancellation: private air-conditioned transport by road in 2 days from Islamabad to Skardu (or vice versa) with overnight stay
- Standard tourist class hotel / guest house accommodation based on twin sharing & breakfast (6 nights)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) while on the trek
- Baggage allowance of 15 KG per trekker – which will be carried by a porter (additional luggage can be left in the hotel or in our Skardu office storage)
- Sleeping tent, mess/kitchen tent and toilet tent (for smaller groups there will be a mess-kitchen tent combined
- for larger groups these will be separate and include tables and chairs)
- Kitchen equipment, crockery, cutlery, fuel and related community gear
- Wages and basic kit of guide, sirdar, cook and assistants
- English-speaking trekking guide
- Sightseeing in Islamabad including transport & English-speaking guide
- Bridge crossing and campsite fees
- Insurance of our field staff and low altitude porters (except helicopter rescue)
- Portage at airports, hotels, toll taxes and parking fees etc.
Not included
- WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- International airfare, airport tax, excess baggage charges
- Sleeping bags and mattresses
- Meals on general days are not included
- Medications, ground evacuations and helicopter rescue charges of any kind (please note that helicopter rescues in Pakistan are very expensive, if required the client will need to have proper insurance coverage for this)
- Room service, mini-bar, laundry, beverages, phone/communication bills and other items of personal nature
- Insurance liability (all clients need to arrange their own travel & medical insurance – Adventure Pakistan is not liable for any accidents, illness, damages, theft or any force majeure conditions)
- Tips to our staff (if you are happy with their services)
- Any unforeseen cost related to unplanned changes in the program (caused by severe weather, natural disasters, extreme currency devaluation or any other external factors)