K2 ( 8,611m) Expedition, Pakistan

Arrival in Islamabad & transfer to the Hotel

Free day in Islamabad. Briefing at Ministry of Tourism. Meeting with Liaison Officer.

In the morning, transfer to the airport and 1-hour flight to Skardu. In case of bad weather, ground transportation to Chila by jeep will be provided.

Day free at Skardu or drive from Chilas to Skardu (8-10 hrs)

Free Day at Skardu for final preparation. The last place to check or buy technical equipment for the expedition.

Drive by jeep from Skardu to Askole (6-7 hrs). The last inhabitance on our way to the Great Glaciers.

Trek to the Dumurdo River crossing at Jhula, where a traditional rope bridge supported by a wooden basket was once used. Nowadays, a wooden bridge has been built to make the crossing easier.

Distance: 20.7Km / Elevation: +500 -400 / Time: 8-9h

Trek to Paiyu, a green oasis along the Braldu River under the shadow of Paiju Peak (6610 m), involves a series of ascents and descents on the right bank of the river. This route offers impressive views of Baltoro South, the towering Cathedral Peaks, and a distant glimpse of the K2 triangle. We will camp in Paiyu with the stunning Cathedral Towers as our backdrop.

Free day at Paiyu (3600 m) for rest and acclimatization, offering time to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

Start the trek to Urdukus with an early morning departure, heading towards Khuburtze. This 8-9 hour journey involves a gradual ascent along the southern edge of the Baltoro Glacier, mostly following the crest of the lateral moraine. For the first time, we’ll step onto the glacier, initially traversing its left side before moving to the right amid large crevasses. The route is manageable, as the glacier is covered with rocks and sediment, making crampons unnecessary. Along the way, we’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Paiyu Peak, Chorichi, the Trango group—including the iconic Trango Tower (6,363 m)—and Uli Biaho (6,417 m). We’ll set up camp at Khuburtze (4,200 m), with the impressive views of Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, and the distant Broad Peak (8,051 m), the 12th highest mountain on Earth.

We’ll continue trekking along the icy Baltoro Glacier, now moving through its central section. The first hour involves navigating challenging side crevasses, but the path becomes smoother and easier in the middle. Along the way, we’ll cross two lateral glaciers descending from the north face of Masherbrum (K1, 7,821 m), with views of Gasherbrum IV (7,925 m) and Broad Peak in the distance. We’ll stop for lunch at Goro I before reaching our campsite at Goro II, set in the center of the glacier at 4,500 meters, where we’ll spend the night on the ice.

After an early breakfast, we’ll embark on a 5-6 hour trek along the Baltoro Glacier towards Concordia, a major junction of the Baltoro, Abruzzi, and Godwin Austen glaciers at 4,700 meters. Along this spectacular route, the iconic peaks of the Karakoram reveal themselves like a natural gallery. To the left, we’ll see Mustagh Tower (7,776 m), followed by Crystal Peak (6,252 m) and Marble Peak (6,256 m), while to the right stands Mitre Peak (6,025 m). As we approach Concordia, the magnificent pyramid of K2 dominates the view. We’ll camp at Concordia with a breathtaking panorama of some of the world’s highest peaks.

It will take us 4 to 5 hours to walk to K2 base camp. Our home for the next month.