K2 Basecamp & GGLA Trek
Introduction:
For those who are passionate about trekking and adventure, our K2 Basecamp trek is a dream come true; dominated by the awe-inspiring presence of the mighty peaks at the Baltoro Glacier and Concordia, this is a trek and expedition of a life time, across a stunning and unmatched panorama.
Spanning a duration of approximately two weeks, with 9-10 days dedicated to actual trekking, our expedition promises and delivers an unforgettable experience. Additionally, for the adventurous and daring, we offer an option to cross the high-altitude Gondogoro Pass (5590m) offering an unparalleled opportunity to complete their expedition by trekking betwixt and between the astonishing vistas of the Hushe valley.
Cost Included/Excluded
- Skardu Hotel Stay(s)
- All Trek and Travel Meals
- Services of Trek Leader, Guides, Porters and Kitchen Staff
- Tents on twin-sharing basis
- All NOCs/Permits/Park Fee/Tolls etc.
- Booked 4x4 vehicles from Skardu to Askole and Hushe to Skardu
- Satellite phone for emergency outgoing calls
- Garmin GPS device for continuous connectivity, location tracking and weather forecasts.
- First Aid Kit
- Mess Tent with seating and light arrangement
- Generator (selected hours) if permitted by the government
- Porters for personal luggage of up to 15kg
- Backend Liaisons and POC in Skardu/Islamabad
- Support and guidance on gear requirement and procurement
- End-to-End Mentorship, Guidance and Expectations Setting for each Individual
- Travel To/From Skardu
- Personal Equipment (e.g. Sleeping Bag, trekking shoes, hiking gadgets, harness etc.)
- Personal Insurance/Emergency Rescue
- Tips to Guide/Porters/Staff etc.
- Any unforeseen/unplanned expenses like additional stay due to roadblocks etc.
- Insurance liability and other under force majeure conditions, medical aid and helicopter rescue coverage of members etc.
Itinerary
Flights or public/private transport. Meet & greet at the hotel, get to know each other over local fare. We’ll collect CNICs and passports which are submitted to local authorities for trekking permits, normal procedures. Documents are returned before we leave.
Rest up and explore the town and nearby valleys; complete any last-minute pre-trek shopping. Dinner in the evening, introductions and initial briefing; questions and answers.
Group breakfast in the hotel, leaving for Askole on 4 x 4 vehicles. Lunch enroute near Dasu. Explore Askole village in the evening. Overnight in Tents at Askole Campsite.
First day of our trek. Porters are organized and load is distributed. After luggage handover, group leaves for the Jhula campsite. Walk mainly along ‘under-construction’ jeepable road. Lunch break under the trees at the beautiful Korofong campsite. Arrival in Jhula campsite at Braldo river bank.
A longer, more strenuous day, needs an early start. Without clouds, can become very hot and dry. We might make some low-level stream crossings. Paiyu is the last campsite where trees are available.
Rest days offer an opportunity to relax and recover from the initial two days of the journey. The guide might organize some local optional walks for further acclimatization or technical orientation for the GGLA crossing. We’ll enjoy some specially prepared dishes by our local kitchen staff.
This is the day where we encounter the massive Baltoro glacier. Lunch break at midday at Liligo campsite. There might be a water crossing involved during the day. Khuburse campsite offers views of the Cathedral Towers, Trango Towers and Uli Biaho peaks.
This is shorter trekking day yet still strenuous and involves much glacier walking. Urdukas is the last non-glacier campsite.
We walk through the Baltoro glacier viewing Mashebrum Peak - 7273m and see Muztagh Towers on a clear day. This is the first night we spend actually on the Baltoro glacier. The night is expected to be cold and will require additional insulation.
The final the day to see the magnificent K2. Other peaks include Broad Peak, G2, G4, Mitre and the Saltoro Kingri. Concordia altitude makes itself felt here and the night could be one of the coldest of the whole trek.
This is a rest day. Optionally, those who wish can decide to go to K2 actual basecamp we might meet some of the climbers planning to go up (or coming down) K2.
We will leave Concordia to walk across the Vigne glacier reaching Ali camp. Participants will have time to rest and gather energy before starting the pass-push at midnight. Those not willing to go over the GGLA pass, they return to Askole via same route from Concordia.
This is the toughest of all our days in the trek and involves crossing the high altitude Ghondogoro La at 5590. We will leave Ali Camp at midnight to the pass around dawn time before descending to the Hushe side. The walk involves technical portions specially in the descend, every step therefore needs to be taken very carefully. Arrival at Khuburse campsite in the day and rest.
The final day to walk on boulders and scree; grass and trees start appearing again. Lunch enroute at Dalchampa campsite. Arrival at Saicho, a lovely campsite amongst the Juniper trees. Celebrations are done for the successful pass crossing and the trek completion on this last campsite.
Time to return to civilization. The last stretch of trek till Hushe is gentle and easy and will take about 3-4 hours. At Hushe, Jeeps will be waiting for the group to take them back to Skardu a drive of about 4 hours.
This is a buffer day to cater for any contingency.
