K2 Base Camp Trek

Overview

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One of the finest mountain treks in the world, in the mighty Karakoram

Introduction

Some of the wildest and most dramatic landscapes on earth are found in the vast, rugged Karakoram Range, situated in Northern Pakistan. Remote and spectacular, the icy peaks and vast glaciers of the Karakoram offer unparalleled opportunities for adventurous trekking. The 62km long Baltoro Glacier is Pakistan's number one trekking destination. Seven of the world's twenty-five highest peaks rise above this glacier, while the lower reaches are surrounded by some of the world's highest granite walls and spires.

This challenging trek up the Baltoro Glacier to K2 Base Camp is thought by many to be one of the best high mountain treks in the world.

Join us on the K2 Base Camp trek

• Each trek has a UK expedition leader
• Download Peter Elia's 2025 article published in TGO Magazine
• Trek all the way to K2 Base Camp via Concordia and Broad Peak Base Camp
• Our itinerary has been refined since summer 2022, as we are no longer offering the Gondogoro La

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Experience Required

To join the Jagged Globe K2 Base Camp you need:

• A good standard of fitness gained from regular mountain walking. Those who have ticked off a dozen or so Munros in winter conditions would be particularly suited to this type of trek.
• Previous experience of remote camping.

Read our Training for Trekking and Hiking article by Steve House of Uphill Athlete.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the trek or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sat 4 Jul – Sun 26 Jul 2026	UK	Islamabad	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Expedition Leader David Hamilton Last 3 places	£4,895	£3,895
Sat 3 Jul – Sun 25 Jul 2027	UK	Islamabad	Available Book now »
2 places left with £150 early booking offer	£4,995 £4,845	£3,995 £3,845
Sat 31 Jul – Sun 22 Aug 2027	UK	Islamabad	Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Expedition Leader Chris Pearson	£4,995	£3,995

Our Trip Guarantee

This trek is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 5 – 12 people.

Single room supplement: £300

For comparison, this trek starts from £169 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign, Development & Commonwealth Office (FCDO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Pakistan on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK airline taxes.
• Group airport transfers (unless Land Only).
• One in-country, return flight between Islamabad and Skardu by scheduled, fixed-wing aircraft (in the event of bad weather, road transport will be provided).
• A maximum of 2 nights' bed and breakfast accommodation in Islamabad on a twin-sharing basis.
• A maximum of 3 nights' full-board accommodation in a local hotel in Skardu on a twin-sharing basis.
• 16 nights' full board accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing basis.
• Porterage of group equipment.
• Porterage of team members’ personal clothing and equipment (maximum 12Kg).
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• All costs for a Jagged Globe leader, local guide, cook staff and porters.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or lightweight fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Airport transfers for those joining on a ‘Land Only’ basis.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Islamabad.
• Optional trips and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Tailor Made Trips

We can organise this trek on a ‘tailor-made’ private basis for groups of friends, families, clubs, charities or any other group. The cost of going private can be surprisingly reasonable. Please contact us to discuss the itinerary and your preferred dates. We will then send you a quote, with no obligation.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Typical Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Islamabad International flight from the UK to Islamabad.
Day 2:	Arrive Islamabad, fly to Skardu (2,500m) Those joining on a ‘land only’ basis should arrange their international flight home to arrive no later than 0400hrs today. Alternatively, you should arrive on ‘Day 1’ and we can book you an additional hotel night – please contact us for prices and booking. Overnight local hotel.
Day 3:	Rest day in Skardu (2,250m) Skardu, the administrative centre of Baltistan, is a prosperous frontier town on the banks of the Indus River encircled by snow covered peaks. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 4:	Drive to Askole (3,050m) An exciting jeep journey takes you through the fields of the Shigar Valley before the road narrows to a mountain track leading to the roadhead at Askole. 5-7 hours. Camp outside the village.
Day 5:	Trek Jola Camp (3,150m) Cross the Braldu River before passing the snout of the Biafo Glacier. After 4-5 hrs we stop at Korophon for lunch. It's another 3hrs to our campsite at Jola. Ascent: 370m Descent: 264m Distance: 19Km Highest point: 3,150m Sleeping altitude: 3,150m Time: 6 - 7 hours.
Day 6:	Trek to Paju (3,400m) Follow the Braldu River eastwards into the mountains. After 4 hrs you reach the lunch stop at Bardumal. The afternoon hike to the campsite at Paju is also about 4 hrs long. Ascent: 418m Descent: 173m Distance: 20Km Highest point: 3,400m Sleeping altitude: 3,400m Time: 7 - 8 hours.
Day 7:	Acclimatisation day at Paiju (3,400m) You will get your first views of the Trango Towers from near this campsite. Ascent: 236m Descent: 236m Distance: 11Km Highest point: 3,636m Sleeping altitude: 3,400m Time: 4 - 5 hours.
Day 8:	Trek to Khoburtse/Hoborse (4,050m) Cross the Baltoro Glacier, which is hard but rewarding with the fascinating views of Paiju Peak, Trango Towers, Lobsang Spires, Grand Cathedral, Uli Biafo and many other needle like rock peaks. You cross the glacier to the southern side and continue along an ablation valley to our campsite at Hoborse. Ascent: 450m Descent: 13m Distance: 12Km Highest point: 4,050m Sleeping altitude: 4,050m Time: 4 - 5 hours.
Day 9:	Trek to Urdokas (4,200m) This camp has superb views across the Baltoro Glacier to the Trango peaks and is your last 'green grass' campsite. Ascent: 210m Descent: 60m Distance: 5Km Highest point: 4,260m Sleeping altitude: 4,200m Time: 2 - 3 hours.
Day 10:	Trek to Goro (4,300m) It is an all day walk over the boulder-strewn glacier to the campsite at Goro. Masherbrum is visible on the right side of the glacier and Mustagh Tower on the left. Gasherbrum IV and Broad Peak can be seen directly ahead as they catch the evening sunlight. Ascent: 289m Descent: 139m Distance: 12Km Highest point: 4,589m Sleeping altitude: 4,300m Time: 5 - 7 hours.
Day 11:	Trek to Concordia (4,650m) You pass through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world today. The trail is surrounded on all sides by several of the world's highest mountains: K2, Broad Peak, Baltoro Kangri, Chogolisa and Gasherbrum IV. Ascent: 358m Descent: 8m Distance: 11Km Highest point: 4,658m Sleeping altitude: 4,650m Time: 5 - 7 hours.
Day 12:	Acclimatisation day at Concordia (4,650m) There is plenty of time to admire the scenery and find the best vantage points from which to take photographs of the surrounding peaks.
Day 13:	Trek to Broad Peak BC (4,800m) Heading northwards from Concordia it takes 3 - 4hrs to hike to Broad Peak Base Camp where you will set up camp next to several expedition teams climbing Broad Peak. Ascent: 250m Descent: 250m Distance: 15Km Highest point: 4,800m Sleeping altitude: 4,800m Time: 4 - 5 hours.
Day 14:	Trek to K2 BC (5,150m) You make an early start for the 3 - 4 hour trek to K2 Base Camp. Once there you can visit the Gilkey Memorial and explore the area around K2 Base Camp. Ascent: 401m Descent: 401m Distance: 22Km Highest point: 5,150m Sleeping altitude: 4,800m Time: 7 - 8 hours.
Day 15:	Spare/Rest day To be used at the leader's discretion.
Day 16:	Trek to Goro (4,300m) You begin the return trek descending as far as Goro where the camp is surrounded by magnificent granite spires. Ascent: 8m Descent: 290m Distance: 11Km Highest point: 4,800m Sleeping altitude: 4,300m Time: 7 - 8 hours.
Day 17:	Trek to Khoburtse (4,050m) You continue the descent of the Baltoro glacier, today reaching as far as Khoburtse where you make camp off the glacier for the first time in several days. Ascent: 38m Descent: 500m Distance: 17Km Highest point: 4,300m Sleeping altitude: 4,050m Time: 7 - 8 hours.
Day 18:	Trek to Paju (3,400m) You cross the Baltoro to its north side beneath the towers of Uli Biaho and finally climb down its snout to reach a good trail back to the spring oasis of Paiju. Ascent: 13m Descent: 450m Distance: 12Km Highest point: 4,050m Sleeping altitude: 3,400m Time: 8 - 9 hours.
Day 19:	Trek to Korophon (3,100m) Following the Braldu River downstream you make the detour into the Panma Valley to the bridge across its tributary before a long level section leads to Korophon. Ascent: 237m Descent: 583m Distance: 20Km Highest point: 3,400m Sleeping altitude: 3,100m Time: 6 - 7 hours.
Day 20:	Trek to Askole (3,050m) and drive to Skardu (2,250m) The final short day of trekking leads to the village of Askole. (3-4hrs trekking). You then take the jeep journey on narrow mountain roads following the Braldu river until the valley opens out into the fertile fields of the Shigar valley. (5 - 7hrs driving).
Day 21:	Fly Skardu to Islamabad Morning flight from Skardu to Islamabad. Afternoon free for sightseeing. Overnight in hotel.
Day 22:	Spare day in Islamabad/Rawalpindi A day for sightseeing and shopping in the twin cities of Islamabad (Pakistan's modern capital) and Rawalpindi (The older city). This day may be required for road travel if the previous day's flight has been cancelled as a result of bad weather. Overnight in hotel.
Day 23:	Fly home Flights normally depart for the UK in mid-morning. Those joining on a ‘land only’ basis should arrange their international flight home to depart today.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns, internal flight delays, the availability of porters and the health of trekkers can all contribute to changes. The Trek Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

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Reports & Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “

  Itinerary worked very well with well-placed rest days and appropriate level of challenge. Would be worth stressing in itinerary that descent days are still tough days and probably some of the toughest days as they are the longest and some of the hottest. The itinerary seemed to work best of the other groups we met up with.

  ” K2 Base Camp Trek - July 2024

Leader Reports

• K2 Base Camp Trek - July 2023
  “The team were jetting in from a number of locations: Christian from New Zealand; Nicky & Stuart from Edinburgh; John from Manchester and myself from London. It was arranged that we all met in Islamabad ready for our flight to...”
  report added 21/Jul/23