K2 Base Camp Trek via the Gondogoro La

The route to K2 base camp runs through Baltistan, the northern region of Pakistan from which expeditions set out for the central Karakoram. After Islamabad and Skardu the group reaches Askole, walks the valley of the Braldu river and moves onto the Baltoro Glacier. The camps then rise in sequence to Concordia, the junction point from which K2 and the surrounding peaks open up.

The programme differs from the classic there-and-back trek to Concordia. Participants continue along the Godwin-Austen Glacier to K2 base camp, spend a night there, then return to Concordia and move on to Ali camp. The final part crosses the Gondogoro La at about 5,600 m and descends into the green Hushe valley. Built this way, the route shows both the severe glacial basin of the Baltoro and the other side of the Karakoram, without repeating the whole way back to Askole.

The main difficulty is the combination of prolonged self-sufficiency, several nights above 4,000 m, movement over moraine and glacier, and a technical pass crossing. The Gondogoro La day starts early and involves a large gain and loss of altitude. On the fixed ropes you need crampons, a harness, a cow’s tail and the ability to act without haste. This is not a first trip to the mountains and it is not an alternative to an ordinary sightseeing tour.

Acclimatisation is built into the route itself: altitude is gained gradually, a rest day is provided at Paiju, and the night at K2 and the return to Concordia precede the move to Ali camp. That schedule helps adaptation but does not rule out altitude sickness. The guide monitors the condition of the group and may change the tactics or turn a participant back.

Accompaniment matters most in the stage of preparation for the pass: the guide explains the order of movement, relays the local team’s instructions and helps to check equipment. At the same time, individual physical preparation, suitable kit and insurance covering high-altitude trekking and evacuation remain the participant’s responsibility.

Day 1. Arrival in Islamabad.

A team representative meets the group at the airport and arranges the transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon there is the compulsory briefing at the Pakistan Ministry of Tourism, followed by an introduction to the guide and the other participants, a check of documents and a briefing. This day exists to complete the formalities and to resolve any equipment problems before the flight to Skardu. Night at a hotel.

Day 2. Flight to Skardu.

The group flies from Islamabad to Skardu. On arrival we check into a hotel and prepare the baggage for the drive into the mountains. Skardu is the last major logistical point on the route, so the guide checks the distribution of personal and group loads again. Night at a hotel.

Day 3. Drive to Askole, 3,050 m.

In four-wheel-drive vehicles we travel through the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole. The drive takes about six to seven hours. In the village we meet the porters, distribute the baggage and prepare for the self-supported part of the route. The task of the day is to reach the start of the trek without additional walking and to agree how the whole trekking team will work. Night in tents.

Day 4. Askole to Jhula, 3,300 m.

The first stage follows the Braldu river through Korophon to the Jhula camp. A calm start allows everyone to check footwear, pack and pace before moving onto harder glacial ground. The gain in altitude is about 250 m, the distance about 12 km and the time on the trail about five hours. Night in tents.

Day 5. Jhula to Paiju, 3,580 m.

We walk over hilly ground and in places along a narrow trail above the river. As we progress, the first views of the Baltoro Glacier, the Cathedral Towers and the peaks of the central Karakoram open up. The long stage works towards gradual acclimatisation before moving onto the glacier. The gain in altitude is about 280 m, the distance about 18 km and the time on the trail about seven hours. Night in tents.

Day 6. Rest and acclimatisation at Paiju, 3,580 m.

We stay at the Paiju camp. Participants recover after the first stages, dry their kit, monitor how they feel and prepare equipment for several days of moving over moraine and glacier. For the porter team this is also a day of preparing loads and provisions for the next part of the route. Night in tents.

Day 7. Paiju to Khoburtse, 3,900 m.

We move onto the Baltoro Glacier and continue over stone-covered moraine. The route demands constant attention on uneven ground; along the way Paiju Peak, Uli Biaho and the Trango Towers open up. The camp lies at the edge of the glacier. The gain in altitude is about 320 m, the distance about 14 km and the time on the trail about seven hours. Night in tents.

Day 8. Khoburtse to Urdukas, 4,050 m.

We continue over moraine to Urdukas. A short stage by comparison with the previous day reduces the cumulative load and gives the body time to adapt to a night above 4,000 m. The gain in altitude is about 150 m, the distance about 6 km and the time on the trail about three hours. Night in tents.

Day 9. Urdukas to Goro, 4,380 m.

We descend to the central part of the glacier and move towards the Goro camp. Masherbrum and Gasherbrum IV open up along the route. A night on the glacier means colder and windier conditions, so after the stage it is important to change into dry clothing at once and restore fluid intake. The gain in altitude is about 320 m, the distance about 11 km and the time on the trail about five hours. Night in tents.

Day 10. Goro to Concordia, 4,650 m.

We climb to Concordia, the confluence of the great glaciers of the central Karakoram. As we approach, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, Chogolisa and other peaks open up. This camp becomes the base for the walk out to K2 and for the onward move to the Gondogoro La. The gain in altitude is about 270 m, the distance about 15 km and the time on the trail about six hours. Night in tents.

Day 11. Concordia to K2 base camp, 5,100 m.

Early in the morning we set out along the Godwin-Austen Glacier to K2 base camp. Sections of meltwater and difficult moraine are possible on the approach, so the pace is set by the guide. After making camp, and if time and safe conditions allow, it is possible to walk to the Gilkey memorial. A night at 5,100 m is an important altitude stage before the return to Concordia and the pass crossing. The gain in altitude is about 450 m, the distance about 12 km and the time on the trail about five hours. Night in tents.

Day 12. K2 base camp to Concordia, 4,650 m.

We return along the familiar glacial route to Concordia. Losing altitude after the night at K2 aids recovery, but the moraine crossing still demands attention. On arrival we rest and prepare the technical equipment for Ali camp. The descent is about 450 m, the distance about 12 km and the time on the trail about four hours. Night in tents.

Day 13. Concordia to Ali camp, 4,800 m.

We move to Ali camp on the approaches to the Gondogoro La. After making camp the guide carries out the compulsory check of crampons, harness, cow’s tail and descender, and goes over the order of movement on fixed ropes again. A short stage is needed to conserve strength before an early and technically demanding crossing. The gain in altitude is about 150 m, the distance about 10 km and the time on the trail about four hours. Night in tents.

Day 14. Ali camp to the Gondogoro La, 5,600 m, to Khuspang, 4,600 m.

We set out at night in order to cross the pass in more stable conditions. A substantial part of the key section is done in crampons, on belay and on fixed ropes. Whether the crossing is possible is decided by the guide according to the weather, the state of the snow and ice and the readiness of participants; reaching the pass is not guaranteed. After the high point we descend into the Khuspang valley. The gain in altitude is about 800 m, the descent about 1,000 m, the distance about 10 km and the time on the trail about nine hours. Night in tents.

Day 15. Khuspang to Saicho, 3,350 m.

We continue down the Gondogoro valley through pastures and moraine terrain. The substantial loss of altitude aids recovery after the pass, but fatigue calls for a careful pace all the way to camp. The descent is about 1,250 m, the distance about 16 km and the time on the trail about six hours. Night in tents.

Day 16. Walk to Hushe and drive to Skardu.

We walk about three hours to Hushe, where the walking part of the route ends. We then drive in four-wheel-drive vehicles to Skardu; the road takes about six to eight hours. At the hotel participants recover after the self-supported part, sort out their kit and prepare their baggage for the flight. Night at a hotel.

Day 17. Flight to Islamabad.

The group flies from Skardu to Islamabad and checks into a hotel on arrival. The day separates demanding mountain logistics from the international departure and is used for rest and for preparing documents and baggage. Night at a hotel.

Day 18. End of the programme.

At the agreed time there is a transfer to Islamabad airport. Participants check in for the international flight independently. The departure time is set by the schedule and the margin required before departure.

• A Mountain Guide team leader
• Meeting and seeing off at the airport
• Two nights in Islamabad in a hotel with breakfast
• Two nights in Skardu in a hotel with breakfast
• Transport Islamabad – Skardu – Islamabad
• Jeeps Skardu – Askole (Hushe) – Skardu
• Wages for the local guide, the cook and the porters on the trek
• Local taxes and insurance for the guides and porters
• Meals on the trek – breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Mules and porters to carry group and personal baggage up to 12 kg
• Road and bridge crossing fees
• The compulsory briefing and debriefing at the Pakistan Ministry of Tourism
• Permits and registrations for the route, with the exact scope and the responsibility of each side confirmed before booking
• Tents and sleeping mats on the trek
• Airport – hotel – airport transfers

• International flights
• Medical insurance and the cost of rescue work. The policy must include helicopter cover, with a helicopter evacuation sum insured from $40,000; a helicopter in Pakistan costs $37,000.
• A Pakistan visa
• Lunches and dinners in the cities
• Tips for the team
• Any costs connected with political instability and natural disasters
• Any costs connected with changes to the programme

Documents:

• Passport
• Plane tickets
• Medical insurance
• Questionnaire from the embassy’s website filled out in English (3 copies)
• 4 photos (color 3*4)
• Copies of the passport and Russian passport

Personal equipment:

• Backpack 50-60L.
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature -10C.
• Trekking poles.
• Crampons
• A classic ice axe with a steel beak or an ice tool.
• Climbing system.
• Carabiners – 5 pcs.
• Self-insurance mustache.
• Trigger device.

Clothing and shoes:

• Single-layer climbing boots.
• Sneakers (for cities).
• Waterproof layer – Jacket + trousers. The industry offers a range of products from simple 5000/5000 membranes to Gore-Tex products.
• Fleece suit.
• Thermal underwear top + bottom.
• The mittens are warm.
• The gloves are thick.
• The gloves are thin.
• Bandana (in addition to sun protection in the valley, it can be used to insulate the throat or face in the cold)
• Warm trekking socks for climbing day

Various:

• A diode flashlight on the head
• Sunglasses
• Ski mask-glasses
• Thermos – 1L. Preferably without a button in the lid.
• Windproof mask on the lower part of the face
• Leggings
• Sun cream, hygienic lipstick
• Chemical hot water bottles (optional, but may be very useful)
• Personal first aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or supportive bandage.