K2 Base Camp & Concordia Trek | Skardu Adventures
Plan a 21-day supported K2 Base Camp and Concordia trek from Islamabad, with glacier camps, rest days and a private quote for your group.
A journey on foot through a landscape of granite walls, glacier moraine and immense mountain horizons. From Askole, the approach follows the Braldu valley before joining the Baltoro and continuing to Concordia.
This 21-day outline starts and finishes in Islamabad. It includes a rest day at Paiyu and a further day at Concordia before the demanding return walk towards K2 Base Camp. The guide chooses the turnaround point according to weather, glacier conditions and the group.
Hotels bookend a supported camping trek. Expect uneven ground, cold nights and long days far from roads. Ask for a Skardu-start variation if you are arranging your own arrival; its duration and price will be quoted separately.
21 days · Islamabad → Skardu → Baltoro → Islamabad
Package options
Supported trek
A private journey quoted for your dates and group, with the services below confirmed in your written proposal.
Twin-sharing hotels in Islamabad/Skardu; supported tents from Askole through the trek. Exact properties and camp sites confirmed before booking. · Islamabad–Skardu return domestic flights, airport transfers and shared-within-your-group 4x4 trailhead transfers; road fallback agreed if flights are cancelled. · Hotel breakfasts and full board while camping; town lunches/dinners excluded.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Islamabad
Meet your coordinator, settle into the hotel and review documents, equipment and the journey ahead.
Day 2: Travel to Skardu
Take the planned domestic flight and transfer to your hotel. If flying is disrupted, the team reviews the road alternative and remaining schedule.
Day 3: Skardu preparation day
Check equipment and porter loads, complete local arrangements and take an easy walk before leaving the town behind.
Day 4: 4x4 journey to Askole
Follow the Shigar and Braldu approach by jeep to the trailhead. Meet the camp crew and prepare for the first walking stage.
Day 5: Askole to Jhola
Begin the approach on the valley trail. Set a steady pace over stony ground and arrive at the first walking camp.
Day 6: Jhola to Paiyu
Continue beside the Braldu towards the mountains enclosing the Baltoro. Take regular breaks before reaching Paiyu.
Day 7: Rest at Paiyu
Keep a slower day for recovery and acclimatisation. The crew prepares for the glacier stages and the guide checks the group.
Day 8: Paiyu to Khoburtse
Join the glacier approach and negotiate the moraine with your guide. The walking surface becomes rougher as camp draws closer.
Day 9: Khoburtse to Urdukas
Follow a shorter stage towards the terraces of Urdukas. Leave the afternoon for rest and views across the Baltoro.
Day 10: Urdukas to Goro II
Move onto the central glacier route through rolling moraine. Settle into a colder camp on the ice and rubble.
Day 11: Goro II to Concordia
Walk towards the meeting of the great glaciers. On a clear approach, the mountain amphitheatre gradually opens around camp.
Day 12: Rest and explore Concordia
Rest before the longest walking day. Make only a short guided exploration if conditions and acclimatisation allow.
Day 13: K2 Base Camp objective
Start early along the Godwin-Austen approach. The guide reviews progress towards Broad Peak and K2 Base Camp, then leads the return to Concordia.
Day 14: Descend towards Goro I
Retrace the Baltoro route to the lower glacier camp. Maintain care on the moraine even as the overall route descends.
Day 15: Return to Khoburtse
Continue down the glacier past the Urdukas area. The guide chooses the line and camp according to the changing surface.
Day 16: Khoburtse to Paiyu
Leave the main glacier stages and return towards the valley edge. Take time to recover at the familiar Paiyu camp.
Day 17: Paiyu to Jhola
Follow the valley trail back towards Jhola. Stream and bridge conditions determine the practical walking line.
Day 18: Walk out and return to Skardu
Reach the accessible pickup point near Askole and meet the jeeps. Return to Skardu for a hotel night and a welcome wash.
Day 19: Return towards Islamabad
Take the scheduled flight if operating. If a road return is needed, begin the agreed journey and use the contingency day as necessary.
Day 20: Travel contingency day
Keep this day available for a delayed flight or the second road stage. If already in Islamabad, enjoy an unhurried final day.
Day 21: Depart Islamabad
Transfer for your onward journey after the trek. Arrange an additional night if your international connection needs more margin.
Included
- Local trekking guide and route coordination for the agreed itinerary
- Twin-sharing hotel/guesthouse rooms and tents as described in the final proposal
- Camp crew, communal tents, sleeping mats and cooking equipment during camping nights
- Porters for communal equipment; personal baggage allowance specified in the written quote
- Meals listed for each day and treated or boiled drinking water during the trek
- Applicable route, campsite and park fees, itemised in the confirmed proposal
- Islamabad–Skardu return flights and scheduled ground transfers as confirmed in the quote
- Restricted-area permit arrangements and applicable fees, subject to approvals
- Emergency communication equipment specified in the final trek proposal
Not included
- International travel and Pakistan visa fees
- Personal travel insurance, medical treatment and evacuation or rescue charges
- Personal clothing, boots, sleeping bag and other personal equipment
- Tips, personal purchases and drinks other than the stated drinking-water provision
- Single room/tent supplements, extra porterage and activities outside the agreed itinerary
- Extra nights, changed tickets or transport caused by delays or an early return; terms agreed before booking
- Lunches and dinners during hotel stays
- Gondogoro La crossing, peak ascents and extensions beyond the agreed base-camp route
Share your trekking experience, travel dates, arrival plans and dietary needs when requesting a quote. Walking and driving times are approximate; allow for weather, trail changes and your group's pace. Confirm your equipment, baggage allowance, guide arrangements and emergency communication plan in writing. Private-group pricing, room/tent sharing and booking/cancellation terms are provided with your dated proposal. Start/end: Islamabad. Obtain permit approval before setting out. Passport/visa documents and application lead time depend on nationality and the current process. Allow for a 10–12 hour base-camp return day; the guide can instead arrange a shorter objective or a revised camp plan.
Safety & guide arrangements
This mountain route needs an assessment of fitness, previous experience and acclimatisation. The guide may shorten stages or turn back for conditions or traveller wellbeing. Arrange activity-specific insurance covering the planned altitude and evacuation. The final proposal must identify the guide, communication equipment and emergency arrangements; coordination does not include rescue costs. Maximum planned walking altitude is approximately 5,150 m at base camp; highest scheduled sleeping camp is Concordia at about 4,600 m. These are approximate. There is no Gondogoro La crossing in this itinerary.
Suggested travel months
June, July, August, September
Frequently asked questions
Does this trek cross Gondogoro La?
This itinerary returns down the Baltoro. A Gondogoro La circuit requires its own route plan, equipment, specialist support and quote.
Is reaching K2 Base Camp guaranteed?
The planned objective is a guided return walk from Concordia, but conditions and your acclimatisation determine the turnaround point. The guide may choose a shorter walk.
Can I start in Skardu?
Yes, request a separately scoped proposal. The 21 days shown here include Islamabad arrival, transfers and a contingency day.
Planning, safety and travel information Plan this journey with our local team