Baltoro K2 Trek - Karakoram
Embark on a journey of immersion into the untouched beauty of the Karakoram. Join us to experience the remote valleys of the Baltoro:
✪ Pakistan's most renowned trek
✪ Warm hospitality from the Baltoro locals
✪ Visit the Base Camps of Broad Peak and K2
✪ Breathtaking mountain vistas
Overview
The K2 Baltoro trek stands out as one of the greatest hikes on Earth. Our journey takes us into northeastern Pakistan, bordering China and India, in the immediate proximity of the mighty K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. The Karakoram often hailed as the wildest and most impressive mountain range globally, is home to the Baltoro Glacier, cutting through the heart of its towering peaks, including four of the world's 8000m summits and numerous steep 7000m spires. The trek offers breathtaking views, making it an unparalleled experience. SummitClimb is your experienced and dedicated provider for Karakoram expeditions and trekking tours, and we extend a warm invitation for you to join our team.
Expedition leaders
Itinerary Baltoro K2 Trek - Karakoram
Itinerary Baltoro K2 (23 Days)
Departure from your home (package with Economy-flight from EU-hubs, alternative without flight or individual arrangement).
Airport transfer to hotel. preparation day, team dinner. Overnight private guesthouse or hotel, B/B.
With a private climatized car/bus we drive via Naran, Babusar Pass (4,173m / 13,691 feet) to Chilas, approx. 10h-drive.
Overnight at Chilas (1,265m / 4,560 feet) hotel / HB.
We drive a stunning road along the Indus from Chilas to Skardu, approx. 8h-drive.
Overnight at Skardu (2,228 m / 7,310 feet) hotel / HB.
Day for formalities, small half-day excursion within Skardu or up to Sadpara lake.
Overnight at Skardu (2,228 m / 7,310 feet) hotel / HB.
With 4x4 vehicles, we drive the road (quite rough on the last half) to Askole, meal along the way, and past Koronfong-bridge (if repaired) to Jhola, approx. 8h-drive.
Overnight: campsite at Jhola (3,050 m / 10,005 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
Today we hike along the dusty path to Paiju, a green oasis already overlooking the Baltoro Glacier and Trango Towers.
Overnight: campsite at Paiju (3,370 m / 11,055 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
Today we set foot on the Baltoro glacier, closely passing the Trango Towers and other mighty granite rock-ice-towers. At Khoborsey we leave the glacier again and hike along the steep moraine following the Baltoro glacier to Urdukas, the last green spot until we later return out of the Karakoram.
Overnight: campsite at Urdukas (4,050 m / 13,285 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
We descend on the Baltoro glacier and walk upwards with a view of the Gasherbrum mountains, dominated by Gasherbrum IV, past the dominant 7800m-peak Masherbrum to reach Goro II campsite.
Overnight: campsite at Goro II (4,350 m / 14,271 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
Passing Mustagh Tower, we head further towards the west face of Gasherbrum IV. We reach Concordia with views of Broad Peak and K2 (8611m).
Overnight: campsite at Concordia (4,691 m / 15,390 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
With mighty K2 in view, we go from the Concordiaplatz on the Godwin Austen glacier to reach Broad Peak base camp.
Overnight: campsite at Broad Peak Base Camp (4,950m / 16,240 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
Daytrip from Broard Peak Base Camp to K2 Base Camp, Memorial rocks, and back to Broad Peak base camp, trekking time around 3-4h.
Overnight: campsite at Broad Peak Base Camp (4,950m / 16,240 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
After long trekking, leisurely hikers can have a complete rest. Those who don't want to do the optional Pastore climb (upgrade) can enjoy two rest days in front of great scenery or go hiking in the nearby base camps of the 8000m peaks.
Depending on the execution of the previous plan, the weather forecast, and the conditions in the mountains, we will decide how to use this day.
Overnight: campsite at Concordia (4,691 m / 15,390 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
We head south up the almost completely unblemished Vigne Glacier to reach the so-called Ali Camp.
Overnight: campsite at Ali Camp (4,820m / 15,813 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
Trek with the character of a mountaineering tour: Rocky terrain, then the glacier and icy/snowy slopes lead us to Gondogoro La (5,650 / 18,535 feet), the pass. Fixed ropes are now installed annually by a team of guides from the Hushe Valley. The views from the top of the pass over the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak, and K2 are hard to beat. A steep descent over slabs (tricky in snow/ice, rock fall risk) leads our team into Hushe valley, there to the first green oasis "Husbang" (4800 m.a.s.l.), Khuspang: A wonderful place to dream. Trek with the character of a mountaineering tour: about 5-8h in ascent, about 3-5h in descent, total 8-14h. Overnight: campsite at Khuspang (4,800m / 15,750 feet), tent sharing, camp / FB.
We follow the Gondogoro glacier to Dalzampa, leave the glacier, and turn down the valley to reach today's destination Sahicho, in the middle of a small area of juniper and wild roses.
On our last day of walking, we reach Hushe and drive through Hushe Valley, one of the most beautiful and green valleys of Baltistan to Skardu.
Overnight at Skardu (2,228 m / 7,310 feet) hotel / HB.
Return via Karakorum Highway or flight to Islamabad. If the weather is good both in Skardu and Islamabad, it is also possible to fly.
Return via Karakorum Highway or flight to Islamabad. If the weather is good both in Skardu and Islamabad, it is also possible to fly.
Departure early in the morning, expected arrival home in the afternoon (Europe) / individual arrangement.
Prepare
This trekking trip takes us to one of the wildest mountain regions in the world. You should therefore be well prepared. We also need to be prepared to adapt to local customs and traditions when traveling in Pakistan. Then we will receive an honest and warm welcome like hardly anywhere else in the world.
Registration & travel documents
✪ Registration at least 3 months before the start of the expedition.
✪ A special visa for trekking is required.
✪ Late registrations are possible up to 4 weeks before the start of the expedition if there are free places in the team, at your own risk regarding the visa application.
Temperatures & climate
✪ Islamabad up to +35°C
✪ Trekking between +30°C and -10°C
✪ with wind chill down to -20°C
Equipment & rental
✪ We can lend material from our warehouse in Skardu, Pakistan, or our central offices in Switzerland or the EU (shipping).
Downloads
Important information about this expedition
Jeder Teilnehmer nimmt selbständig und auf eigene Gefahr an dieser Reise teil. Dies gilt insbesondere in Bezug auf die aktuellen Gefahrenhinweise:
Participation requirements
F&Q - Baltoro Trek
The Baltoro trek must be described as challenging, both in terms of the imponderables in Pakistan and the sacrifice of comfort along the way. The trekking is mostly along the moraines of the Baltoro Glacier on stony paths. From extreme heat in the first few days to below 0°C, the tour requires some climate tolerance and stamina. That's why it's good that you have an experienced provider and organizer at your side. In addition to the information here, we will also prepare you for the tour with our advice and, after registration, with our briefings.
On the Baltoro Trek you only have to carry your daypack. This should never weigh more than 8 to 12 kg with all the necessary equipment.
Donkeys will accompany us to the base camp of Broad Peak and K2, so you can carry a bag with your personal equipment. For the Gondogoro-La crossing we will have to reduce the amount of checked baggage. The technical equipment (crampons, harness, etc.) will be on you and you will have to carry it to Hushe, some additional luggage can be sent out again along the Baltoro.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
In mid-June, fixed ropes are usually laid by guides from Hushe and usually remain until the end of August, together with a certain infrastructure at Camp Ali. Of course, the pass can also be crossed by independent mountaineering teams outside of this period.
Exception: the pass is located in military-controlled territory. From 2013 to 2016, there were problems with the crossing due to military restrictions. The situation has eased again since 2016, but we cannot give guarantees regarding govermental rulings. From 2017 to 2019 and after a Covid break from 2022 onwards, we were able to carry out at least one successful trekking trip with the Gondogoro La crossing every year.
The conditions (avalanches in fresh snow, risk of slipping in wet conditions) must be taken into account and can only be assessed on-site.
Pastore Peak is an incredible panoramic mountain opposite K2 and in the middle of the Karakoram, an interesting destination in its own right.
Our experience is that Pastore Peak is often underestimated in combination with challenging trekking. There are easier 6000m+ mountain destinations where we regularly go: Island Peak in Nepal, Chimborazo in Ecuador, Cerro Aconcagua at almost 7000m. The logistics (technical expert for the mountain guide, equipment such as ropes, tents, stoves) have to be planned early in advance. Therefore, this upgrade cannot simply be planned spontaneously.
We usually have a few participants from Trek for the ascent (occasionally not at all) and possibly also participants from the 8000m expeditions (for acclimatization) who do the Pastore ascent. It is worthwhile for fit mountaineers.
Testimonials
Baltoro Experience: For groups of 8 or more, one of our SummitClimb expedition leaders will be the tour leader, for small groups a local Pakistani guide. From 2013 to 2015 the Gondokoro-La crossing was not possible due to permits, but since 2016 it can be done well again. In 2017, 2018, 2019, and since 2022 (after a Covid-break) we were able to cross this magnificent almost 5600 meters high pass with different groups.
Costs & Services
This K2 Trek we organize full-service with a flight from Europe (Economy, or from/to Islamabad at a discount). An experienced team with excellent cuisine and an impressive team of porters will accompany you through the Karakoram. Everything has been thought of and our expedition experience will certainly benefit you during this trekking mountain experience. Join our K2 Trek: You can book up to three months before the start of the trip. Last-minute participation is limited. Permission to travel in the border region of Pakistan takes time and early registration secures your place and facilitates our work immensely.
Full Service
- Organization of your trek
- Guided trek:
- garantueed departue with local guide starting 2 members
- international trekking-guide, groups of 8-14 members - International economy class flight to Islamabad and back:
- Flight from most EU-hubs / UK
- min. 23kg free luggage plus hand luggage 8kg
- on request: discount for own arrival in Islamabad - 2x nights in Islamabad in a private guesthouse/hotel with breakfast
- Islamabad-Chilas-Skardu: Travel by air-conditioned car / bus, lunch on the way
- 1x overnight stay in Chillas with half board board (if no flight)
- Skardu-Islamabad: Flight, or alternatively drive by road (non-stop)
- 3x nights in Skardu on half board basis
- All permits for the Northern Territory, national park, trekking
- Transportation by bus and 4x4 according to the program
- Group equipment: tents, kitchen tent and lounge tent
- Experienced cook, kitchen crew and kitchen equipment
- Meals during trek: breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
- Overnight stays during trekking in 2-person tent
- Porter team for the group material
- One personal porter (up to 20kg) per person
- Emergency medical kit, pulse oximeter and artificial oxygen (1 set)
- Emergency medical kit
- Deposit for helicopter rescue (USD 15'000.-)
- SummitClimb expedition leader on approach to Base Camp
- Satellite phone and solar panel, large Base Camp set-up
- Large emergency first aid kit
- Travel Insurance
- Fee for Pakistan visa, available online (USD 50)
- Personal equipment and personal medicines
- Snacks for the road, alcoholic beverages, personal expenses (like phone calls)
- Tips (appropriate are approx. USD 250)
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