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Pakistan has five of the world's 14 eight-thousanders: K2 (8,611 m), Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m). Four of them stand around Concordia at the head of the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram. The fifth, Nanga Parbat, is the western anchor of the Himalaya. Here are the facts, from the Skardu team that runs expeditions on all five.
Key Takeaways
- The five: K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II.
- Where: four in the Karakoram around Concordia; Nanga Parbat in the Himalaya, south of the Indus.
- 8,000 m in feet: 26,247 ft.
- Most achievable: Gasherbrum II and Broad Peak are the usual first 8,000 m peaks in Pakistan.
- Season: summer, June to August.
- See four on one trek: our 24-day Four 8000m Base Camp Trek, from US$3,200 per person.
What are the 8,000 m peaks in Pakistan?
Pakistan's five eight-thousanders are K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II. They rank 2nd, 9th, 11th, 12th and 13th among the world's 14. All five are in Gilgit-Baltistan.
| Peak | Height | World rank | Range | First ascent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K2 | 8,611 m (28,251 ft) | 2 | Karakoram | 31 July 1954, Italian expedition |
| Nanga Parbat | 8,126 m (26,660 ft) | 9 | Himalaya | 3 July 1953, Hermann Buhl |
| Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak) | 8,080 m (26,510 ft) | 11 | Karakoram | 5 July 1958, American expedition |
| Broad Peak | 8,051 m (26,414 ft) | 12 | Karakoram | 9 June 1957, Austrian expedition |
| Gasherbrum II | 8,035 m (26,362 ft) | 13 | Karakoram | 7 July 1956, Austrian expedition |
What is an eight-thousander?
An eight-thousander is one of the 14 mountains recognised by the UIAA, the international climbing federation, as rising above 8,000 m and standing far enough apart from their neighbours. All 14 are in the Himalaya and the Karakoram. 8,000 m equals 26,247 ft.
Some summits above 8,000 m do not count because they are not independent enough. Broad Peak Central, at 8,011 m, is one: see our guide to the eight-thousander that does not count. Above 8,000 m, climbers are in what mountaineers call the death zone.
K2: the second-highest mountain on Earth
K2 (8,611 m) is the highest mountain in Pakistan and the second-highest in the world. It was first climbed on 31 July 1954 by Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. It is the hardest of the five, with about 800 summits and 96 deaths by August 2023.
About three-quarters of climbers use the Abruzzi Spur, which ends in the dangerous Bottleneck. Read how many people have climbed K2 for the full record, and our K2 expedition guide for the route.
Nanga Parbat: the Himalayan giant
Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), known in Shina as Diamer, is the ninth-highest mountain and the westernmost major peak of the Himalaya. Hermann Buhl reached the summit on 3 July 1953, alone and without oxygen for the final 1,300 m.
Buhl is the only person to have made the first ascent of an 8,000 m peak alone. Nanga Parbat stands far above its surroundings, which is why trekkers come to see it from Fairy Meadows and the Rupal valley. See our Nanga Parbat expedition guide and the Nanga Parbat hub.
Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak and Gasherbrum II
These three stand together at the head of the Baltoro, a few days' walk beyond Concordia. Gasherbrum II was climbed first, on 7 July 1956. Broad Peak followed on 9 June 1957, climbed without supplemental oxygen, high-altitude porters or base camp support. Gasherbrum I was first climbed on 5 July 1958.
"Gasherbrum" is often said to mean "shining wall". It comes from the Balti words for "beautiful" and "mountain". Broad Peak lies about 8 km from K2. Our guides to Broad Peak and Gasherbrum I and II cover routes, difficulty and history.
Which 8,000 m peak in Pakistan is the easiest?
No eight-thousander is easy. In Pakistan, Gasherbrum II and Broad Peak are the usual choices for a first 8,000 m peak. They are less technical than K2. Both still need prior high-altitude experience.
We recommend climbing a 7,000 m peak such as Spantik first. For K2 itself, we ask for prior 8,000-metre experience.
What does it cost to climb an 8,000 m peak in Pakistan?
Our 2027 expeditions start at US$6,900 for base camp service on Gasherbrum II and go up to US$32,000 for a premium K2 climb. The government royalty is extra to the trip logistics, and set by Gilgit-Baltistan.
| Expedition 2027 | Days | Base Camp Service | Full-Board Guided |
|---|---|---|---|
| K2 (8,611 m) | 55 | US$9,400 | US$21,500 |
| Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) | 42 | US$7,900 | US$16,900 |
| Gasherbrum I (8,080 m) | 45 | US$7,400 | US$16,800 |
| Broad Peak (8,051 m) | 42 | US$7,200 | US$15,900 |
| Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) | 42 | US$6,900 | US$15,400 |
| Gasherbrum I & II double | 55 | On request | US$26,900 |
The DTS-GB fee table lists summer royalties of US$3,500 for K2 and US$2,500 for the 8,001–8,500 m band, which covers the other four. Under the older rules, K2 was charged at US$12,000 per team. Our cost of climbing K2 and Pakistan's 8,000ers guide breaks down what each tier pays for. A deposit of 10% (minimum US$50) holds a place, and expedition insurance with helicopter rescue is mandatory.
Can you see Pakistan's 8,000 m peaks without climbing?
Yes. The Baltoro Glacier trek reaches the base camps of K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. Our Four 8000m Base Camp Trek visits all four in 24 days, with a high point of about 5,150 m. Fairy Meadows gives a close view of Nanga Parbat.
The Baltoro is a restricted-zone trek, so you need the Trekking and Mountaineering visa, not the tourist e-visa. Visa fees depend on your nationality: check visa.nadra.gov.pk. Insurance is mandatory for this high-altitude trek, and the season runs June to September.
Four 8,000 m base camps, one trek
Our Four 8000m Base Camp Trek walks the Baltoro to Concordia and the base camps of K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums in 24 days, from US$3,200 per person. Ready to climb instead? See our mountaineering expeditions.
Frequently asked questions
How many 8000m peaks are in Pakistan?
Five: K2 (8,611 m), Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m).
How many feet is 8,000 metres?
8,000 m is 26,247 ft. K2, the highest of Pakistan's eight-thousanders, is 8,611 m or 28,251 ft.
What is the easiest 8000m peak in Pakistan?
None is easy, but Gasherbrum II and Broad Peak are the usual first 8,000 m peaks in Pakistan. They are less technical than K2. Both still need prior high-altitude experience.
Which 8000m peaks can you see from Concordia?
K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II are all around Concordia at the head of the Baltoro Glacier. Nanga Parbat is far to the west, in the Himalaya.
When is the season for climbing 8000m peaks in Pakistan?
Summer, from June to August. Teams arrive in June to trek in and acclimatise, and most summits come in July and early August.
How much is the royalty for 8000m peaks in Pakistan?
The DTS-GB fee table lists summer royalties of US$3,500 for K2 and US$2,500 for the other four peaks, in the 8,001 to 8,500 m band. The royalty is separate from expedition logistics.
Written by Zulfiqar Ali, founder of Karakoram Venture, who has led the K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La treks at least 26 times. Heights and first ascents checked against public sources in November 2026; fees per the DTS-GB table read on 21 October 2026.