Baltoro Glacier, K2 Basecamp & Gondogoro La (22 Days)
Travel facts
Trekking Type: Expedition / Camping Trek
Trekking Degree: ▲▲▲▲
Maximum Altitude: 5600 m
Best Season: June - August
Trekking Info: Trekking in Askole and Trekende in Hushe or Askole; strenuous and difficult
attractions: spectacular views of peaks over 8000 m, Baltoro glacier and beautiful valleys
The Baltoro Glacier is a glacier in the highest part of the eastern Karakorum. It is located in Baltistan, the eastern division of the territory of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan. With a length of 62 kilometers and an area of 524 km ² including the side glaciers, it is one of the largest valley glaciers in the world.
Larger settlements are far away. Despite the difficult accessibility, it is possibly the most visited glacier in the area. One reason for this is that with the K2 and the highest peaks of the Gasherbrum Group, all four eight-thousanders of the Karakorum are in its immediate vicinity. On the other hand, the valley of the Baltoro is considered to be probably the most spectacular mountain valley in the world. (wikipedia)
The Baltoro Glacier and the K2 Base Camp are the most popular trekking and mountaineering regions in Pakistan. For a good reason, you will find eight of the 30 highest mountains in the world at the end of this glacier . Rows of steep pinnacles, granite towers, glistening glaciated mountains and snow-capped domes over the mighty glacial streams make it perhaps the most magnificent mountainous landscape in the world.
Trekking in the Karakorum Mountains is a wonderful experience, but trekking to the Concordia is a journey for life. The Baltoro / Baltoro Valley is home to hundreds of peaks, including four 8000s: K2 (8611 m - mountain of mountains), Broad Peak (8047 m), Gasherbrum I (8068 m) and Gasherbrum II (8035 m).
The trek is located in the heart of the mighty Karakoram and offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains. Galen Rowell described Concordia as the " Throne Room of the Mountain Gods".
You'll have a special day off at Concordia Square to experience and immerse yourself in the hidden beauty of the surrounding panoramic peaks, and to explore the K2 Base Camp if you're fit enough for the round trip. The fascinating view around the whole Concordiaplatz is outstanding.
The trek up to the giant Balto glacier begins in Skardu , the capital of Baltistan , a beautiful city with good tourist-class hotels. The flight over the great Himalayas and the Karakorum to Skardu or vice versa offers breathtaking views of the Nanga Parbat and many other high mountains. Even if the flight is canceled due to the weather and you have to drive back to Islamabad, you will stop at major lookout points to Nanga Parbat.
This trek is a bit exhausting and recommended only for experienced trekkers. It requires a high level of physical fitness as the variable weather conditions make crossing the passes rather difficult, but also beautiful and worthwhile. It is recommended to start the trek from Askole, as the group can see many high Baltoro peaks until they reach Concordiaplatz, and back on the same path.
Itinerary
Day 01: Islamabad - Arrival
Arrival at Islamabad International Airport. Pick up and greeting by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Visits to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including Faisal Mosque, Daman-e-Koh Lookout, Market and Raja Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Flight Islamabad - Skardu (2240 m) or drive Islamabad - Chilas
After your early breakfast flight to Skardu. In the event of a weather-related flight failure, drive 490 km in 10-12 hours on the Karakorum Highway along the mighty Indus River through the remote valleys of Kohistan to Chilas. In Chilas transfer to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Skardu - Day off or drive Chilas - Skardu
In Skardu free time. In case of flight failure drive from Chilas to Skardu 280 km in 5-6 hours In Skardu Trekking meeting with your guide and registration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Drive Skardu - Askole (3000 m)
After breakfast drive 150 km in 6-7 hours in 4x4 jeep to the starting point of the trek to Askole. Dinner at the camp and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Askole - Julah (3100 m)
6-7 hrs go. After breakfast start the trek from Askole to Julah. Overnight at the camp.
Day 06: Julah - Paiju (3450 m)
5-6 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 07: Paiju - Day of rest and acclimatization
Overnight in the same camp.
Day 08: Paiju - Khoburtse (3930 m)
5-6 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 09: Khoburtse - Urdukas (4050 m)
4-5 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 10: Urdukas - Goro (4400 m)
5-6 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 11: Goro - Concordia (4700 m)
5-6 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 12: Concordia - Excursion to K2 Base Camp (5200 m)
8-10 hrs walk. Overnight at the camp.
Day 13: K2 Base Camp - Concordia
7 hrs walk. Overnight at the camp.
Day 14: Concordia - Goro or Ali Camp
4-5 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 15: Go Goro or Ali Camp - Gondogora La Pass (5600 m) - Khuburchi or Xhuspang (4700 m)
5-6 hrs. Overnight at the camp.
Day 16: Khuburchi or Xhuspang - Paijui or Daltsampa (4300 m)
5-6 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 17: Paijui or Daltsampa - Julah or Shaicho (3350 m)
5-6 hrs go. Overnight at the camp.
Day 18: Julah or Shaicho - Askole or Hushe (3050 m)
5-6 hrs go. Trekkingende in Askole.
Day 19: Drive Askole or Hushe - Skardu
5-6 hrs Drive from Askole 150 km in 6-7 hours in 4x4 Jeep to Skardu. In Skardu trekking evaluation with your guide and feedback at the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department. Overnight at hotel.
Day 20: Drive Skardu - Chilas
Drive 8-9 hrs to Chilas. In Chilas transfer to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at hotel. If possible: Flight from Skardu to Islamabad.
Day 21: Drive Chilas - Islamabad
After breakfast, drive 490 km in 10-12 hours on the Karakorum Highway along the mighty Indus River through the remote valleys of Kohistan to Islamabad. In Islamabad transfer to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22: Islamabad - Departure Check out from the hotel until 12 o'clock. At departure time, we will take you to Islamabad Airport for your flight home
Other Details
Travel expenses include:
- airport pickup on your day of arrival and private transportation to your hotel
- all transfers from hotel to National Airport or bus station, etc and back
- Accommodation: Islamabad: *** Hotel Islamabad Hillview , Chilas: Shangri La or similar, Skardu: Concordia Motel or similar
- Hotels with breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All accommodation based on double room, double tent
- Transport in air-conditioned 9-seater minibus for 1-5 persons, in 22-seater minibus for 6-9 persons, in 4x4 jeep for up to 4 persons from Skardu to Akole and Hushe to Skardu
- Airfare Islamabad to Skardu (one-way) to the cultural and city sightseeing private guides private
- transfer and entrance fees (as stated in the program)
- a very experienced, well English speaking guide, help guide from 10 persons
- meals three times a day: breakfast (tea, coffee, jam, bread, porridge, cornflakes). Lunch (various hot food, with cheese, biscuits, canned fish). 3-course dinner menu (soup, rice, lentils, vegetables, the first days also meat and chicken)
- Camping gear: 2-person tents with sleeping pads
- An experienced cook who prepares continental, Pakistani and Chinese dishes; Kitchen tent with all necessary kitchen utensils
- a dining tent with folding tables (groups from 5 persons)
- folding chairs with backrest
- Groups of 1-4 people dine in bad weather in the kitchen tent
- a toilet tent , sometimes solid toilets
- necessary carriers with good Equipment carries up to 25 kg (12.5 kg of luggage per trekker, unused luggage can be stored at the hotel), if necessary rent for pack animals and their drivers
- for guide, cook and carrier collectively paid salary
- for guides, cook and porters on difficult treks and high passes around the 5000 m additional. Fee for equipment, camping food, tent tar, kerosene - according to the Ministry of Tourism's Law
- for guides, cook and porters Life insurance
- Trekking Permits, Natural Park Maintenance Fee, Summit Permits, all state and local taxes, if necessary
- First- aid equipment for the crew
- if necessary ropes, ice axes for the guides
- return transfer from the hotel to the departure time to the International airport
Not included in the cost are:
- International flights to Pakistan and back
- visa fees for Pakistan
- All personal expenses
- Cola, Fanta and mineral water
- All alcoholic drinks
- Gratuities for the team and donations
- Personal travel insurance such as international health insurance (please send a copy) and possibly luggage insurance (a helicopter flight costs about 6000 USD and has to be paid in advance, or has to be confirmed by the insurance company before)
- for camping and lodge treks you need your own warm sleeping bag
- first-aid kit and medicines
- personal climbing equipment: for Mountaineering z. Trekking poles, harness, crampons, ice axes, jumars, carabiners, and abseiling
- for smaller 5000 mountain climbs, possibly light ferries (chords)
- all additional activities and optional tours deviating from the itinerary
- unforeseen extra costs: for example, in case of impassability of a path due to landslide, high snow or flooding. For charter flights, flight cancellations, strikes u. This may include additional hotel accommodation, meals, transfers, transportation costs or higher and additional flight charges, which the customer must pay in each case on the spot. Riding horses while trekking.
- even with short-term price increases, tax increases, higher admission and permit costs u. a. by the state the customer must settle the difference.
- in case of illness or accident of a customer and thus premature termination of his trek, the travel expenses can not be refunded. It is common for the victim to be escorted back to the place of departure by a guide and porter and the rest of the group to continue their planned trek. The additional transport charges, accommodation and meals must be paid extra.
- All service not mentioned above
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