K2 Base Camp & Gondogoro La Trek — 2026 All-Inclusive

Fly north to Skardu (2,500m), one of the world's most spectacular flights, passing Nanga Parbat (8,126m) on a clear day. After settling in, an easy acclimatisation walk by the Indus and a relaxed evening let the altitude settle in.

A vital day in Skardu for final gear checks, hiring porters, and confirming permits and the NOC for the restricted zone. We rent any missing equipment, organise loads, and visit the bazaar — a buffer that means we step onto the trail fully ready.

A long, dramatic 4x4 jeep day through the Shigar Valley to Askole (3,000m), the last village before the wilderness. The road clings to the Braldu gorge — the literal end of the road and the start of the trail. We camp at Askole among the fields.

The first full day on foot, following the milky Braldu river through a stark, broad valley. The walking is long but gentle in gradient as we ease into the rhythm of the trek, reaching Jhola Camp (3,050m) by a footbridge over the river.

Trek up the Braldu valley to Paiju Camp (3,420m), set in a green oasis at the snout of the Baltoro Glacier. Ahead, the Paiju and Trango peaks rise into view — the first hint of the giants to come. A welcome patch of trees and running water before the ice.

A planned rest and acclimatisation day at Paiju. Porters prepare loads and bake bread for the days ahead, while we take a short walk to aid acclimatisation and rest properly before the demanding glacier section begins.

A tough, memorable day as we step onto the Baltoro Glacier itself, picking a route across rubble-strewn ice and moraine. The Trango Towers and Cathedral peaks soar overhead. We camp at Khoburtse (3,795m) on the edge of the ice.

A shorter day up to Urdukas (3,930m), a famous grassy balcony perched on the valley side above the glacier. The camp offers one of the finest views on the whole trek — a front-row seat facing the Trango Towers and Grand Cathedral.

A full, demanding day entirely on the open ice of the Baltoro, navigating the maze of the glacier to Goro II (4,295m). The scale is staggering — Masherbrum, Gasherbrum IV and the Mustagh Tower fill the skyline as we push deeper into the range.

The day you've come for. We trek up to Concordia (4,500m), the legendary meeting point of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers — the 'throne room of the mountain gods.' Camp here is ringed by giants, with K2 standing clear at the head of the valley.

A long out-and-back along the Godwin-Austen Glacier to K2 Base Camp (5,150m), standing face to face with the second-highest mountain on earth and passing Broad Peak Base Camp and the Gilkey Memorial. An unforgettable, high day before we return to camp at Concordia.

A rest and acclimatisation day at Concordia to recover and prepare for the crossing ahead. There's time to photograph the four 8,000m peaks, explore nearby vantage points, or simply sit and absorb one of the greatest mountain amphitheatres on the planet.

A half-day move to Ali Camp (4,800m) at the foot of the Gondogoro La. The afternoon is spent on essential training — crampon work, ice-axe and fixed-rope technique with our guides and the Hushe rescue team — and an early night before the alpine start.

The hardest and finest day of the trek. A pre-dawn start on fixed ropes carries us up to the Gondogoro La at 5,585m, where the summit view of K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums is simply unmatched. A careful, roped descent on the far side brings us down to Khuspang (4,450m) and the green of the Hushe side.

After the high pass, a gentler day descending the Gondogoro Glacier and valley to Dalsampa (4,150m). The landscape softens — meadows, grazing yaks and wildflowers replace the ice, and the body begins to recover in the thicker air.

A buffer day held in reserve. The Gondogoro La cannot be forced in bad weather, so this spare day keeps the whole itinerary safe — if the crossing went to plan, it becomes a welcome rest day in the Hushe valley.

A pleasant descent down the Gondogoro valley to Saicho (3,350m), a green camp among juniper and birch. The hardest of the trek is behind you, and the walking is a relief — running streams, pasture and the first trees in days.

A final morning walk out to Hushe, the trailhead village and home of many of the porters and rescue team who carried the expedition. From here a jeep and road transfer takes us back to Skardu for a hot shower, a real bed and a celebration dinner.

Fly from Skardu back to Islamabad (weather permitting), with a road transfer as backup if flights are held. The evening is free for a farewell dinner and to mark the completion of one of the great treks on earth.

Transfer to the airport for your international departure. The expedition is complete — K2 stood face to face, the Gondogoro La crossed, and a circular journey through the heart of the Karakoram behind you.