K2 Base Camp Trek: 20 Days
Overview
The greatest walk on Earth for mountain lovers: up the 60 km Baltoro Glacier past Trango Towers, Masherbrum and Gasherbrum to Concordia: the "Throne Room of the Mountain Gods": where four 8,000 m giants stand in one panorama, then on to the foot of K2 itself. A fully supported expedition: government permits, experienced high-altitude crew, quality camp food and honest acclimatisation.
Plan the journey with our private Hunza tours, hotels in Hunza, Hunza car rental, guided Hunza treks and international Hunza tours.
Trip Highlights
- Concordia: four 8,000 m peaks in one view
- K2 Base Camp (5,150 m) and the Gilkey Memorial
- Trango Towers, Masherbrum, Gasherbrum IV en route
- Full expedition support: permits, cook crew, porters
- Skardu flights (weather backup by road)
- Gondogoro La upgrade available
Day by Day Itinerary
20-day planIslamabad: briefing
Permit formalities and gear check. For Islamabad: briefing on day 1, after check-in, the guide reviews the next start time, clothing needs and transport plan; the rest of the day stays light so the journey begins at a realistic pace.
Max altitude 540 mFly to Skardu (road backup)
The Nanga Parbat flight. The Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation. For Fly to Skardu (road backup) on day 2, allow flexibility for a weather cancellation; the road backup, luggage plan and airport timing are confirmed in the written itinerary so the day remains workable.
Max altitude 2,228 mSkardu preparation day
Permits, crew intro, last supplies. For Skardu preparation day on day 3, the Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation. For Skardu preparation day on day 3, keep the pace easy, hydrate well and use the time to organise clothing and equipment for the next stage; optional walks are confirmed locally and should not interfere with recovery.
Max altitude 2,228 mDrive to Askole
Jeep road up the Braldu gorge. For Drive to Askole on day 4, this is a guided mountain stage rather than a fixed-speed hike; the team checks the route, maintains a steady pace and can shorten the walk if weather, altitude or group condition requires it.
Max altitude 3,000 mAskole to Jhola
Trek begins along the Braldu. For Askole to Jhola on day 5, this is a guided mountain stage rather than a fixed-speed hike; the team checks the route, maintains a steady pace and can shorten the walk if weather, altitude or group condition requires it.
Max altitude 3,200 mJhola to Paiju
Jhola to Paiju. For Jhola to Paiju on day 6, walking time and the turnaround point are adjusted to trail and weather conditions; keep water, sun protection and a warm layer accessible, and follow the guide at exposed or uneven sections.
Max altitude 3,450 mPaiju rest day
Acclimatisation beneath the towers. For Paiju rest day on day 7, no demanding activity is required; the guide confirms the following start time and any equipment needs while guests recover, explore gently or use the hotel facilities.
Max altitude 3,450 mPaiju to Urdukas
Onto the Baltoro ice; camp on the moraine terrace. For Paiju to Urdukas on day 8, the guide sets the pace from trail, weather and group condition; carry water, sun protection and a warm layer, use stable footwear, and report headache, unusual fatigue or discomfort early.
Max altitude 4,050 mUrdukas to Goro II
Continue across the glacier with broad views toward Masherbrum when weather permits. For Urdukas to Goro II on day 9, no demanding activity is required; the guide confirms the following start time and any equipment needs while guests recover, explore gently or use the hotel facilities.
Max altitude 4,250 mGoro II to Concordia
Arrive the Throne Room; K2 revealed. For Goro II to Concordia on day 10, after check-in, the guide reviews the next start time, clothing needs and transport plan; the rest of the day stays light so the journey begins at a realistic pace.
Max altitude 4,600 mConcordia to K2 Base Camp
Along the Godwin-Austen Glacier to BC and the Gilkey Memorial; return to Concordia. For Concordia to K2 Base Camp on day 11, walking time and the turnaround point are adjusted to trail and weather conditions; keep water, sun protection and a warm layer accessible, and follow the guide at exposed or uneven sections.
Max altitude 5,150 mConcordia reserve day
Weather margin / Broad Peak BC option. The guide confirms access, expected conditions and any suitable adjustments before the group leaves the hotel or meeting point. For Concordia reserve day on day 12, this is a guided mountain stage rather than a fixed-speed hike; the team checks the route, maintains a steady pace and can shorten the walk if weather, altitude or group condition requires it.
Max altitude 4,600 mConcordia to Goro II
Begin the controlled descent with the trekking team and established campsite schedule. For Concordia to Goro II on day 13, walking time and the turnaround point are adjusted to trail and weather conditions; keep water, sun protection and a warm layer accessible, and follow the guide at exposed or uneven sections.
Max altitude 4,250 mGoro II to Paiju
Goro ii to paiju. For Goro II to Paiju on day 14, walking time and the turnaround point are adjusted to trail and weather conditions; keep water, sun protection and a warm layer accessible, and follow the guide at exposed or uneven sections.
Max altitude 3,450 mPaiju to Jhola
Continue through the Braldu Valley with the expedition crew to the planned campsite. For Paiju to Jhola on day 15, this is a guided mountain stage rather than a fixed-speed hike; the team checks the route, maintains a steady pace and can shorten the walk if weather, altitude or group condition requires it.
Max altitude 3,200 mJhola to Askole to Skardu
Trek from Jhola to the current road head and continue by jeep toward Skardu where road and timing conditions allow. For Jhola to Askole to Skardu on day 16, this is a guided mountain stage rather than a fixed-speed hike; the team checks the route, maintains a steady pace and can shorten the walk if weather, altitude or group condition requires it.
Max altitude 2,228 mSkardu rest day
Rest in Skardu, organise equipment and attend the planned team dinner. For Skardu rest day on day 17, the Skardu section is planned around realistic road or flight conditions, with enough margin for weather-sensitive domestic aviation.
Max altitude 2,228 mFly to Islamabad (road backup)
Take the scheduled flight to Islamabad, with a road contingency if weather causes cancellation. Mountain flights remain weather-sensitive, so the confirmed plan includes the practical road or accommodation fallback stated in the final quotation.
Max altitude 540 mContingency day
Protects against flight/weather delays. For Contingency day on day 19, the flight is used only when it operates safely; if it is cancelled, the guide explains the road plan, expected travel time and any hotel adjustment before the group leaves.
Departure
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport according to the confirmed departure time, with assistance for the final check-out. The final transfer keeps a sensible buffer for the agreed train or flight time, while any optional stop depends on the remaining daylight and traffic.
What’s Included
Included
- Licensed local mountain guide
- Porters and camping equipment where required
- All meals on trek days
- Islamabad pickup and drop (private transport)
- Hotel nights before/after trek
- First-aid kit and oximeter
- Trekking permits & CKNP fees
- Full expedition cook crew
- Skardu flights (at cost, road backup)
- Insurance-required rescue registration
Not included
- Sleeping bag (rentable)
- Personal trekking gear and boots
- Lunches/dinners on non-trek days
- Tips and personal expenses
- International flights
- Personal high-altitude gear
- Staff tips (customary)
Frequently Asked Questions
How fit must I be?
Very: 6 to 8 hour days at altitude for two weeks. Prior multi-day trek experience at 4,000 m+ is strongly advised.
Best season?
Mid-June to early September: the classic Karakoram expedition window.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes: your own vehicle, your own driver and guide, and departure on any date you choose. No strangers, no fixed seats, and the daily plan flexes to your pace.
Can the trip begin at Skardu Airport?
Yes: fly Islamabad to Skardu (tickets booked at cost) and we start the itinerary from the airport, trimming the road days. A road backup is always planned in case mountain weather cancels the flight.
What happens if a domestic flight is cancelled?
Mountain weather cancels a share of Gilgit and Skardu flights, so every fly-based plan carries a costed road backup that activates automatically: you may lose a day, never the trip. Road-based itineraries are unaffected.
Is Khunjerab Pass included?
Not in the standard plan: this itinerary focuses elsewhere: but a Khunjerab day (4,693 m, open ~May to Nov) can be added to any private booking; ask for the extended quote.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect a mix of hotels and full camping support on trek nights (tents, mats, mess tent and cook crew). See our Hotels page for the full 65-hotel partner list and per-night rates.
Is this package suitable for children?
Not for young children: this is a demanding route; we advise 16+ with genuine trekking fitness.
Is the tour suitable for senior travellers?
This route’s altitude and daily effort make it unsuitable for most senior travellers; see our Luxury or By-Air plans instead.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Completely: add or drop days, swap valleys, change hotel tiers or start cities; it’s your trip and re-quoting a custom version costs nothing.