K2 Base Camp & Concordia: Gondogoro La Traverse — 22 Days
Trek from Fairy Meadows through the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia (4,650m), then cross the Gondogoro La pass to Hushe—traversing four eight-thousanders in a single route.
This 22-day trek combines two of the Karakoram's most demanding high-altitude routes into a single traverse. The journey begins at Fairy Meadows (3,300m), where trekkers gain views of Nanga Parbat's north face and surrounding peaks. The route then descends to Skardu and moves onto the Baltoro Glacier—a 62-kilometer corridor of ice and moraine that leads to Concordia at 4,650 meters. From this amphitheater of glacier, the panorama includes K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and II, and Chogolisa. After visiting K2 Base Camp, the trek crosses the Gondogoro La (5,610m)—a high pass descending into the Hushe Valley. The entire circuit, including rest days, takes 22 days of travel from Islamabad and back. Acclimatization days are built into the schedule to address the altitude gain, and trekking is conducted with local guides, porters, and kitchen staff. This is a technical high-altitude trek suited to experienced trekkers with prior glacier and altitude experience.
Best time to go: summer
Highlights
- Nanga Parbat's north face and Raikot Face views from Fairy Meadows (3,300m)
- Concordia (4,650m) vantage point overlooking K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I & II, and Chogolisa simultaneously
- K2 Base Camp and Gilkey Memorial visit on the Godwin-Austen Glacier
- Gondogoro La (5,610m) high pass crossing with descent to the Hushe Valley
- Baltoro Glacier traverse—62 kilometers of ice and moraine between Paju and Concordia
- Broad Peak Base Camp (4,850m)—elevated views of K2 from the Godwin-Austen Glacier
- Vigne Glacier approach to Gondogoro La, passing Chogolisa and Mitre Peak
- Khaplu kingdom ruins and Shyok River valley views during the descent
Day by day
1Arrival in IslamabadIslamabad · hotel · Faisal Mosque · Daman-e-Koh
Arrival in Islamabad with transfer to hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, or trekkers may join an optional sightseeing tour. Sites include the Faisal Mosque, Government buildings along Constitution Avenue, the Pakistan Monument, and Daman-e-Koh for views over the twin cities. An introductory group meeting is held at the hotel in the evening to discuss the trek schedule and logistical details for the journey ahead.
2Islamabad to Chilas via Karakoram HighwayIslamabad · Chilas · Karakoram Highway
Early departure from Islamabad for the drive to Chilas along the Karakoram Highway (480 kilometers; 10–12 hours), or alternatively via the Naran route and Babusar Pass (400 kilometers; 9–11 hours). Chilas is a small bazaar town situated along the Indus River, known for rock petroglyphs dating to the 1st century BCE. Overnight accommodation in a hotel in Chilas.
3Chilas to Fairy Meadows — Trekking BeginsFairy Meadows · Chilas to Raikot Bridge · Raikot Bridge to Tatto village · Tatto to Fairy Meadows
From Chilas, drive to Raikot Bridge, then transfer to 4x4 jeeps for the journey to Tatto village. A three-hour trek from Tatto leads to Fairy Meadows at 3,300 meters, situated beneath the north face of Nanga Parbat. Overnight in mountain huts.
4Fairy Meadows — Rest and AcclimatizationFairy Meadows · Beyal · Raikot Face base camp of Nanga Parbat · surrounding meadows and viewpoints
A full day at Fairy Meadows allows trekkers to rest and acclimatize to altitude. Optional activities include a hike to Beyal, an approach to the Raikot Face base camp of Nanga Parbat, or exploration of the surrounding meadows and viewpoints. Overnight in mountain huts.
5Fairy Meadows Descent to SkarduFairy Meadows · Skardu · Skardu Tourism Department · Tatto village to Raikot Bridge · Raikot Bridge to Skardu
Trek down from Fairy Meadows to Tatto village, then transfer by 4x4 jeep to Raikot Bridge. From there, transfer by coaster or minivan to Skardu (2,300m). Trek briefing is held at the Skardu Tourism Department, either this afternoon or the following morning. Overnight in hotel in Skardu.
6Skardu to Jhola — The Braldu GorgeSkardu to Jhola · Jhola · Braldu Gorge
A six-hour drive by jeep from Skardu to Jhola (3,140m) passes through Askoli, the last village of the Shigar Valley and historically the starting point for K2 treks before road extension. The route traverses the Braldu Gorge, a dramatic narrow canyon cut through granite and schist. Lunch is taken en route. The trek concludes with camp setup at Jhola. Overnight in tents.
7Jhola to Paju — Baltoro Glacier ApproachJhola to Paju · Paju
A 5–7 hour trek begins on relatively gentle terrain crossing the Burdumal campsites along a two-kilometer sandy riverbed. After lunch, the route continues toward Paju (3,450m) for another 2–3 hours, ascending to a vantage point overlooking the snout of the Baltoro Glacier. The Cathedral Towers are visible in the distance across the glacier. Paju is a common trekking camp and may be crowded with expedition groups. Overnight in camp.
8Paju — Rest Day and Local CulturePaju
A full rest day at Paju provides acclimatization time and opportunity to meet porters and kitchen staff. A traditional music and dancing program may be arranged with local trekking staff in the evening. Overnight in camp.
9Paju to Khuburse — Ascending the BaltoroKhuburse · Baltoro Glacier · Liliwa
A 5–8 hour glacier trek begins by climbing onto the southern edge of the Baltoro Glacier, which stretches 62 kilometers northward and is approximately 2 kilometers wide. After about two hours, the route reaches the snout where a left branch diverges toward Trango Towers and the Serpo Liligo Pass; the main trek continues right, ascending diagonally across the glacier. After 2–3 hours of steady climbing on the ice, the route reaches Liliwa and continues for approximately 90 minutes to Khuburse (3,930m), a campsite with clear meltwater. Overnight in camp.
10Khuburse to Urdukas — Glacier PanoramaKhuburse to Urdukas · Urdukas
A 5–6 hour trek over relatively even glacier terrain with expansive mountain views. Peaks visible include Mustaghata Tower, Gasherbrum IV, Matha Peak, and K2 to the north. Overnight in camp at Urdukas (4,050m).
11Urdukas to Ghoro II — High Glacier TerrainUrdukas to Ghoro II · Ghoro I · Ghoro II · Baltoro Glacier
A 6–8 hour glacier walk begins with one hour of technical terrain featuring numerous crevasses, followed by smoother ice in the middle section. The route continues 2–3 hours to Ghoro I, opposite the Yermanendo Glacier, which descends from Masherbrum Pass. The next 3–4 hours follow the Baltoro Glacier eastward, guided by an Army telephone wire linking Ghoro II to Gasherbrum IV. Ghoro II (4,380m) is a high camp pitched on rock and ice amid the glacier, supplied with meltwater. Overnight in tent.
12Ghoro II to Concordia — The Summit of ViewsGhoro II to Concordia · Concordia
A 5–6 hour walk across the glacier leads to Concordia (4,650m), a named camp-site positioned at the junction of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers. Named by explorer Martin Conway after Piazza della Concordia in Rome, the site offers a 360-degree panorama including K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, and Chogolisa—four eight-thousanders visible from a single location. Overnight in tent.
13Concordia to Broad Peak Base Camp — The Godwin-AustenConcordia · Broad Peak Base Camp · Godwin-Austen Glacier
Departure from Concordia begins with passage through the confluence zone where the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers meet—more technical terrain requiring careful navigation. A three-hour walk across the Godwin-Austen Glacier leads to Broad Peak Base Camp (4,850m). The position here offers elevated views of K2 relative to Concordia, and the camp typically hosts multiple mountaineering expeditions in June and July. Overnight in camp.
14K2 Base Camp Visit and ReturnK2 Base Camp · Godwin-Austen Glacier · Gilkey Memorial · Concordia
An early-morning three-hour walk across the Godwin-Austen Glacier reaches K2 Base Camp. On arrival, the Gilkey Memorial—a stone cairn inscribed with the names of climbers and porters who died on the mountain—is visited. During June and July, the base camp typically hosts numerous climbing expeditions and offers a concentrated view of expedition logistics and mountaineering infrastructure. After lunch, the return walk across the Godwin-Austen Glacier takes 5–6 hours back to Concordia. Overnight in tent.
15Concordia to Ali Camp on Vigne GlacierAli Camp · Vigne Glacier
A 5–6 hour walk follows the Vigne Glacier northward, offering views of Chogolisa and Mitre Peak. The route traverses high plateau terrain with superb mountain panoramas, ending just below the Gondogoro La pass at Ali Camp (5,010m). Overnight in tent.
16Gondogoro La Crossing to KhuspangGondogoro La · Khuspang
An early-morning departure begins a strenuous 4–5 hour steep ascent to Gondogoro La (5,610m), a high pass linking the Baltoro drainage to the Hushe Valley. The descent from the pass takes another 3–4 hours to Khuspang (4,680m), a high camp also used as base camp for Gondogoro Peak. Overnight in tent.
17Khuspang to Dalzampa — Reserve or Active DayKhuspang to Dalzampa · Dalzampa · lateral moraine
This day functions as a reserve day and may be skipped if the group requires additional time at altitude. If the trek proceeds, a 4–5 hour descent follows glacier moraine on easy terrain toward Dalzampa (4,300m), known as the 'field of flowers.' An optional climb to the lateral moraine provides views across the glacier and surrounding rock spires. Overnight in tent.
18Dalzampa to Shaicho — Descent through the ValleyDalzampa to Shaicho · Shaicho
A 4–5 hour walk descends the lateral moraine through wild roses, gooseberry, cedar, and tamarisk vegetation. The Charakusa Valley joins the Gondogoro at Shaicho (3,330m), a site near the base camps for K6 and K7. Overnight in tent.
19Shaicho to Hushe — Trek ConclusionShaicho to Hushe · Hushe village · Skardu · Khaplu · Hushe to Skardu
The final trekking day is a 4–5 hour walk along the east bank of the Hushe River on easy terrain through cultivated fields, concluding at Hushe village (3,050m). Farewells are made with the trekking staff, and jeep transport returns to Skardu (2,300m). If time allows, a brief stop at Khaplu—the second-largest historical kingdom of Baltistan, once a checkpoint on the trade route to Ladakh along the Shyok River—may be included. Overnight in hotel in Skardu.
20Skardu to IslamabadSkardu · Skardu airport
Transfer to Skardu airport for the domestic flight to Islamabad. In the event of flight cancellation, an alternate plan involves road transport to Chilas for overnight stay, with departure to Islamabad the following day.
21Islamabad — Final DayIslamabad · hotel in Islamabad
If the Islamabad flight departed on Day 20, this day is available for leisure or additional sightseeing and souvenir shopping. If road travel was required, arrival in Islamabad occurs today. A group farewell dinner is held in the evening. Overnight in hotel in Islamabad.
22DepartureIslamabad airport
Transfer to Islamabad airport for the international departure flight.
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)