K2 Gondogoro La Trek

Upon arrival in Islamabad, meet our team members and transfer to the hotel. On this day, our team welcomes you and provides a comprehensive briefing on the epic K2 Gondogoro La Trek. After the briefing, explore the beautiful capital of Pakistan. Retire early to ensure ample rest before boarding an early morning flight to Skardu Valley with fellow K2 Gondogoro La trekking participants.

Arrive at Skardu, where our team will welcome you and escort you to the hotel. The flight to Gilgit-Baltistan is considered one of the most scenic journeys. You will witness aerial views of Nanga Parbat Peak when the skies are clearer. On this day, the guests will have free time to explore Skardu city and the surrounding areas.

If by any chance the flight is delayed or gets cancelled, the group will leave for Skardu Valley by road. Traversing through Kaghan, Shogran, and Naran Valley, the journey will arrive at Chilas, where the night will be spent. The following morning, the team will drive an additional 4 hours to reach Skardu city.

Also, on this day, the Viola Tours team will handle the documents required for the final approval of the trek.

To help your body acclimatize with the increasing elevation, embark on a short yet scenic hike to Karpocho Fort with the rest of the team. Take pleasure in the panoramic view of Skardu city. To spend the day in a tranquil environment, visit Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes and drive further ahead to Soq Valley. Enjoy the peaceful settings of the area before driving back to the hotel for the night’s stay.

On this day, the Viola Tours team will complete the final preparation of the trek, ensuring all the members of the group are enrolled, and the receipt of the final approval letter is received to avoid delays for the trek. In the meantime, you can also visit the Skardu bazaar and buy any items you may need.

Begin the epic journey towards Askole, following the Braldu River, and enter Shigar Valley. Drive deep ahead into the valley, navigating through the bumpy Askole road. Askole will be the last village en route to the K2 Gondogoro La Trek. The village is a gateway to the Central Karakoram Park, and many great adventures begin here. Those looking to trek to Snow Lake also pass through this village.

Upon arrival, find yourself amidst a raw and untouched natural landscape, providing a genuine mountain experience. In the meantime, you can explore the valley and fascinate yourself with the lifestyle of the local community and learn about their traditions and lifestyle. From this night onward, a total of 13 nights will be spent in camps.

Trek Distance: 19 - 20 KM

Total Time: 6-8 Hours

Begin the epic journey deep into the Karakoram Mountains. Witness dramatic landscapes shifting from barren lands to glaciated terrains, snow-capped mountains, and towering peaks.

The first section of the trek is pretty simple, here you will walk on defined trails. The route for the day also reveals the path to Baifo Glacier, an adventurous trail that leads you to Snow Lake, Hisper La, and many other mountain passes.

Following the riverbank, trek ahead to the confluence of the Braldu and Domordo River, where the evening meal will be served. After refueling, cross the river with the help of a hanging bridge and trek to the first campsite, Jhula.

Altitude: Approx. 3400 meters

Trek Distance: 20-21 KM

Total Time: 6-8 Hours

Continue the journey further deep into the Karakorams. Alongside the riverbank, trek ahead to Paiju campsite. As you get closer and closer to the campsite, the towering Karakoram cathedrals start appearing far in the distance.

The second section of the trek passes through barren land and rocky terrains. The trek is 20KM long and can be covered in 6-8 hours, depending on the speed and stamina of the participants. From this day onward, some of the beautiful peaks begin to emerge far in the background. Participants will witness views of Trango Tower and many other granite cathedrals. Apart from the towering peak, you will also get to see the Baltoro Glacier far in the distance. The glacier is 63 KM long and is ranked as the fifth longest outside the polar region. For the next five days, the route follows the Baltoro Glacier. Participants will experience hiking both on the glacier and alongside the edges.

Upon arrival at Paiju, our guides and chefs will serve you a delicious and nourishing meal to help you maintain your strength at such an altitude.

Altitude: Approx. 3780 meters

Trek Distance: 14 KM

Total Time: 6-7 Hours

Begin the trek towards Khoburtse campsite. After trekking for one hour, enter the Baltoro Glacier, where a dramatic shift from barren land to glaciated terrains is observed. Experience trekking through the glacier, passing crevasses, and walking alongside moraines to reach the next campsite.

The third section is 14 KM long and roughly takes 7 hours to arrive at the campsite. The trail for the day follows several ascents and descents, with participants experiencing sections of hiking on the Baltoro Glacier. The trek for the day also provides you with a prominent view of Trango Tower. The temperature during the days will remain hot, and it is advised to carry adequate sunscreens and a hat to protect from the heat. Also, our guides will make sure you remain hydrated throughout the trek, providing you with boiled and filtered water.

As you reach the Khoburtse campsite, find yourself surrounded by dramatic landscape and towering mountains in every direction. Stay the night in camps near the glacier.

Altitude: Approx. 3900 meters

Trek Distance: 6 KM

Total Time: 3 Hours

After 3 consecutive days on the trail, finally the day arrives when you trek less and relax more while enjoying close-up views of the Trango Towers. On this day, you hike alongside the glacier and loose moraines before arriving at the campsite, which is 100 meters above the glacier. The trek for the day is roughly 6 KM long. As you reach the destination, enjoy and relax, helping your body to recover from the long trek while regaining strength for the trek ahead.

Altitude: Approx. 3900

A free day will be spent at the Urdukus camp. The day will help you acclimatize and familiarize your body with the increasing elevation. In the meantime, enjoy a warm shower and do some laundry before continuing the trek further deep into the mountains.

Altitude: Approx. 4,280 meters

Trek Distance: 12 KM

Total Time: 5-6 Hours

Begin the trek right across the Baltoro Glacier towards Goro II. On this day, the trail will introduce you to two of the 8000-meter peaks, the Gasherbrum I and the Gasherbrum II. As you complete this section and arrive at Goro II, witness stunning views of the 7,821-meter Masherbrum Peak.

Altitude: Approx. 4,691 meters

Trek Distance: 12 KM

Total Time: 6-7 Hours

On this day of our K2 Gondogoro La Trek, the group will hike up the Boltoro Glacier to reach Concordia, also known as the “Thorne Room of the Gods”. As you close the distance to the campsite, the towering peaks hiding deep in the isolated Karakoram will start appearing magnificently in the background. The group will get a chance to witness four of the 8000 meter peaks, the K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, and II. As you reach the campsite, find yourself surrounded by many 6000, 7000 and 8000 meter peaks in every direction. The temperature at Concordia will drop significantly. We recommend our guests to keep adequate cold temperature gears. The night will be spent in camps.

Altitude: Approx. 5,100 meters

Trek Distance: 19 KM

On this day of our K2 and Gondogoro La Trek, the participants will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hike up to the basecamp of the second highest peak in the world. Cross crevassed sections and faint glaciated routes before arriving at the basecamp of Broad Peak, where we will take a short lunch break to regain strength before heading further to K2 Base Camp. Continue the journey ahead as our guides assist you in traversing the rough terrain. Upon arrival, the participants will experience a stunning view of K2 dominating the sky. Apart from K2, hike up to the Art Gilkey Memorial, a place that commemorates mountaineers who lost their lives while climbing K2. After a full day of trekking, rest just beneath K2 in camps.

On this day of our K2 Gondogoro La Trek, head back to Concordia. Following the same faint trail, arrive at the basecamp of Broad Peak. Continue the journey further to Concordia and spend the rest of the day in ease, meanwhile preparing for the Gondogoro La Pass.

On this day, the participants will traverse through a least travelled route and head towards the Hushe region of Baltistan. Starting the trek early in the morning, we will trek along the glacier and gradually gain elevation before arriving at Ali Camp. As you reach Ali Camp, the Gondogoro La Pass will appear in the distance. The day will be spent preparing for the pass crossing, with our guides instructing the group on proper use of crampons and walking techniques.

On this day, the trek will start early in the morning. Waking up at 3 o’clock, the group will depart for the Gondogoro La Pass Trek. The route will gradually gain elevation, and after 3 hours of consecutive trekking on ice, the participants will arrive at Gondogoro La Pass. As you reach the top, all four 8000 meter peaks will fascinate you with a view from a different perspective . The descent to the glacier basin will be done with the help of fixed ropes. Participants will use crampons with ropes tied around each of them while descending the Gondogoro Pass Glacier.

As you descend the Gondogoro Glacier, the stunning views of Laila Peak (6,096) will help you enjoy the journey. As you descend the glaciated slope, the trail shifts from hiking on ice to moraines and becomes much easier to traverse. The camps will be set up at Khuispand, where we will spend the night.

On this day, the trek will continue further alongside the Gondogoro Glacier. After days of trekking on glaciated terrains, loose moraines, and rocky landscape, the participants on this day will finally get a chance to walk through meadows and grassy lands, witnessing settlements of local shepherds along the way. After covering the Gondogoro Glacier, the journey will settle at Saicho for the night.

Continue the hike further to Hushe Valley, the last section of the trek. As you cut the distance, witness local Balti settlements and peoples busy in their fields, welcoming you back to civilization. As you reach Hushe, our team will welcome you for accomplishing such a great journey, chosen by a few.

The journey will then continue from Hushe towards Skardu city. Following the bank of the Indus River, the journey will pass through beautiful Balti hamlets before arriving at Skardu. The night will finally be spent in hotels after staying in camps for almost 2 weeks.

To help your body recover from the fatigue of the trek, the trekkers will spend a free day in Skardu Valley. Taking advantage of such a free day, the group can visit nearby attractions in Skardu Valley.

Fly back to Islamabad and bid farewell to the beautiful yet challenging Karakoram.

Board a flight back home. Bid farewell to our K2 Gondogoro La Trek team and all the good friends you made during the journey.