Silk Route to K2

Overview

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A trek to the north face of K2 in the remote Chinese Karakoram

Introduction

This trek visits the north side of the mighty Karakoram Range in Chinese Central Asia, an area made famous by the travels of British explorers Sir Francis Younghusband and Eric Shipton. The journey to the mountains is a major adventure in its own right, visiting fabled cities of the ancient silk route and crossing high mountain passes. Camels carry the baggage on the dramatic trek to base camp and help team members to cross the many fast flowing rivers that are characteristic of the area. The huge north face of K2 rising above the ice pinnacles of the North K2 Glacier is one of the most dramatic sights in the Himalaya. We spend a week exploring the glaciers and valleys above Base Camp and visiting Advance Base Camp (ABC) at 5,200m. The trek involves some difficult terrain in a dramatic setting. Combined with the extreme remoteness and complicated logistics makes this trek a challenging undertaking.

Join us on the Silk Route to K2

• A unique and challenging trek for experienced trekkers
• View the 3,500m high North Face of K2
• Camels carry the team's equipment to base camp
• Approach via Kyrgyzstan and the Torugart Pass
• Visit Kashgar and its many bazaars
• Jagged Globe expedition leader

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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.

Experience Required

The Silk Route to K2 is a tough trek and one which requires a good level of fitness and stamina to cope with several long days.

Our Introductory Long Weekend in Scotland would provide some good preparation for the Silk Route to K2.

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.

Know Before You Go

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

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless joining in-country.)
• UK airport taxes.
• 3 nights' good standard hotel accommodation in Bishkek on a twin-sharing, bed and breakfast basis.
• 5 nights' local hotel accommodation in Kashgar and Kargilik on a twin-sharing, full board basis.
• 21 nights' full board accommodation in tents on a twin-sharing basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• Porterage of group equipment.
• All costs for Jagged Globe leader and local guide.
• 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.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Lunch and evening meals in Bishkek.
• Excess baggage fees charged by airlines.
• Optional trips.
• 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 »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 - 2:	Fly London to Bishkek Overnight hotel.
Day 3 - 4:	Drive to Kashgar Cross the 3,752m Torugart Pass - 'the most exiting route into Central Asia' - to Kashgar. Overnight hotel.
Day 5:	Rest day in Kashgar Overnight hotel.
Day 6 - 7:	Drive the Xinjiang/Tibet highway to Yilik It's a 4-5 hrs drive on the first day to Kargilik (overnight local hotel). The following day the terrain becomes dry and dusty as you cross two passes of 3,150m and 5,000m. You then leave the main Xinjiang/Tibet highway and follow a dirt road into the mountains to reach Yilik. Overnight camp.
Day 8:	Trek to Sarak (3,800m) On your first day of trekking you follow the valley of the Surakwat river with much of the walking on smooth 'river washed' stones. Overnight camp.
Day 9:	Trek to Kotaz (4,330m) The valley turns into a narrow gorge in places as you follow the river higher into the mountains along a faint path made by the nomadic herders who visit this area in the summer months. Overnight camp.
Day 10:	Trek to Quinghongtan (3,950m), crossing Aghil Pass (4,870m) The ascent of the 4,870m Aghil pass is quite gentle and from the top there is a panoramic view of the great snow covered peaks of the Karakoram in the distance. Camels are used to cross the Shagskam river on the far side of the pass. Overnight camp.
Day 11:	Trek to river junction camp (3,800m) You follow the Shagskam river downstream to the junction with the Sarpo Lago river. Overnight camp.
Day 12:	Trek to Sughet Jangal or 'Chinese Base Camp' (3,900m) You get your first clear view of K2 today. It is an easy walk south along the Sarpo Lago river valley to the green campsite at Sughet Jangal.
Day 13:	Rest day This camping spot was used by Younghusband in 1887 and was the base camp site of Shipton's 1937 'Blank on the Map' expedition. It is now known as 'Chinese base camp' although expeditions attempting K2 from this side use several advance camps on the North K2 glacier.
Day 14 - 20:	Trek along the North K2 Glacier to ABC (5,200m) ABC is more than 20km along the North K2 Glacier from 'Chinese base camp'. You walk an average of 6 - 8 hrs each day and set up two intermediate camps. The first part of the trek uses reasonable paths while the later stages cross a variety of more difficult glacial terrain. The huge pyramid of K2 dominates the view ahead as you trek southwards, passing rows of giant ice pinnacles. ABC sits in a natural amphitheatre dominated by the near vertical North Face of K2.
Day 21 - 25:	Return trek to Yilik Five days to retrace your steps back to Yilik and the end of the trek. Overnight camps.
Day 26 - 27:	Drive to Kashgar Return drive via Kargilik. Overnight hotels.
Day 28 - 29:	Drive from Kashgar to Bishkek Overnight hotel.
Day 30:	At leisure in Bishkek Overnight hotel.
Day 31:	Fly from Bishkek to London Heathrow Airport

PLEASE NOTE:The above itinerary is intended as a guideline only. While we will make every effort to adhere to it, changes may be forced for reasons beyond our control. When travelling to remote locations such as this, a flexible approach from all members is much appreciated.

Photos & Videos

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Reports & Reviews

First Trek: August 2010
Total: 1 trip

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