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DAY 2 - ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
Elevation: 2,500m
After breakfast, you will make an early start for your spectacular flight to Skardu. On a clear day, you'll be able to see K2 (8,611m) and Nanga Parbat (8,124m) as you fly into the high mountain region of Baltistan. On arrival in Skardu you will be able to relax and explore, will receive a trek briefing from your guides, and will stay overnight in basic accommodation. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 3 - SCENIC FLIGHT TO SKARDU
Elevation: 2,500m
Today, you will have some free time in Skardu to explore and prepare for your trek. If you were unable to fly into Skardu and had to drive via Chilas, then you will use this day for the second leg of the drive, arriving into Skardu in the afternoon. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 4 - FREE DAY IN SKARDU
Elevation: 2,500m
Today, you will have some free time to explore Skardu and prepare for your trek. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 5 - JOURNEY TO ASKOLE
Elevation: 3,200m (approx. 7hrs drive)
Today you will travel by 4x4 vehicle along the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole, and on to Jhola. The journey will take you through a stunning landscape dotted with villages and farms, some of which have scarcely changed in some 500 years. Approaching Askole, the landscape will become more barren and the road conditions will become more worn and weathered. After Askole, the valley opens out to reveal the Biafo Glacier, where you'll pass by the confluence of the Braldu and Dumordo rivers. You will reach your night's camp located on the banks of the Braldu.
DAY 6 - TREK DAY 1
Elevation: 3,450m / Distance: 21km (7 - 8 hours trekking)
Today, your trek will commence, with the route closely following the Braldu river. Depending on the erosion and the water level, you will vary your path up-and-down the bankside. Walking conditions today will be hot and dry, and will offer spectacular views of the Gasherbrum - a group of spectacular peaks reaching elevations of 6,900m to 8,100m. Gasherbrum I, the highest of these, is the 11th highest mountain on Earth, and within the Karakorum it is dwarfed only by K2 itself. Camp is at Paiju, a traditional stopping point for all groups headed to Concordia.
DAY 7 - TREK DAY 2
Elevation: 3,450m
Located at a widening of the Braldu valley and
within sight of the snout of the Baltoro glacier, Paiju
is a key staging point for climbing expeditions.
The campsite at Paiju is equipped with long-drop
toilets and wash basins - a bathroom with one
of the best views in the world! You will spend an
acclimatisation day here, to allow your body to
adapt to the lower oxygen levels at this altitude. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 8 - TREK DAY 3
Elevation: 3,795m / Distance: 15k (7 - 8 hours trekking)
As you approach the glacier, which is the origin
of the Braldu river, you will see ice cliffs towering
over 60 metres high. Today will be a hard day's
trekking over varied and changeable terrain. It
will also bring spectacular views of the high peaks
including Paiju Peak (6,610m), Uli Biaho group,
Trango group and Cathedral group - the majestic, spired mountains that the Karakoram is so well
known for. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 9 - TREK DAY 4
Elevation: 3,900m / Distance: 6km (3 - 4 hours trekking)
A much shorter and easier trekking day, you will
follow a well-kept trail at the side of the Baltoro,
with two glacier crossings en route. The occasional
sound of helicopters overhead will provide a
reminder of your proximity to the disputed Kashmir
region nearby. The grassy camp at Urdukas is well
located, and is the last camp before the glacial
camps further into the mountains. If the weather is
clear, you'll catch glimpses of Broad Peak (8,050m)
and Gasherbrum IV (7,930m) which are two of the
most prominent peaks of the region. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 10 - TREK DAY 5
Elevation: 4,295m / Distance: 12km (6 - 7 hours trekking)
Descending the rugged terrain from Urdukas you
will trek downward onto the glacier, crossing to its
centre, where it is easier to walk. You will weave
over rolling mounds of rock and scree, heading
in almost a direct trajectory towards Gasherbrum
IV. The impressive mountain groups that have
dominated your views over the past few days will
now be dwarfed as you trek higher and further
into the mountains. Camp is at Goro II, on the
glacier. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 11 - TREK DAY 6
Elevation: 4,500m / Distance: 12kmm (5 - 6 hours trekking)
Leaving Goro II, the trail will continue along
relatively easy rolling slopes of moraine. You
will pass among ice towers and your guides will
point out some of the surrounding peaks - such
as Mustagh Tower (7,284m), Mitre Peak (6,030m)
and Baltoro Kangri (7,312m) - each with their own
character and history.
Weather permitting, you will enjoy your first
glimpse of K2 today. The campsite at Concordia
is considered one of the most spectacular camps
in the world, positioned at the junction of four
glaciers, and surrounded on all sides by stunning
peaks. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 12 - TREK DAY 7
Elevation: 5,000m / Distance: 5km (3 - 4 hours trekking)
Today is a shorter trekking day to allow you
the best possible chance of reaching K2 Base
Camp tomorrow morning. You'll camp high in the
mountains at Broad Peak Base Camp, rubbing
shoulders with some of the top climbers in the
world undertaking their own ascents. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 13 - TREK DAY 8
Elevation: 5,100m / Distance: 15km (7 - 8 hours trekking)
Today, your main objective will be to endeavour
upwards to K2 Base Camp and the humbling
Gilkey Memorial. Pushing from Broad Peak
camp towards K2, you will finally reach its Base
Camp - the narrow strip of land where nearly
all expeditions to the summit begin - in the late
morning. After spending a short amount of time
there and conquered the main part of your trekking adventure, you will steadily begin to
retrace your steps to Condordia. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 14 - TREK DAY 9
Elevation: 4,800m / Distance: 12km (5 - 6 hours trekking)
Heading towards the final stage of your
adventure, you will journey across the Vigne
glacier towards Ali Camp. Today is a short day's
trek, but comes accompanied by superb views of
Chogolisa and Mitre Peak. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 15 - TREK DAY 10
Elevation: 4,800m
It's important to remember that adverse weather
conditions may prevent the group from crossing Gondogoro La. Today is a contingency day in your
itinerary to allow you the best chance of being
able to make the crossing. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 16 - TREK DAY 11
Elevation: 3,450m / Distance: 8km (9 - 12 hours trekking)
You will start your ascent of the La during the night,
approximately 1am. After 4-5 hours of steep and
strenuous ascent with crampons and ice axes
(provided by our team), you will reach the top
of the pass, being rewarded with stunning views
of K2, Broad Peak, and the Gasherbrums. Having
witnessed this spectacular sight, you will descend
to Xhuspang camp at 4,600m. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 17 - TREK DAY 12
Elevation: 3,350m / Distance: 18km (6 - 7 hours trekking)
Continuing along the lateral moraine you will
descend to Shaieshcho, a particularly picturesque
campsite nestled amongst wild flowers on the
riverside.
Having crossed the Gondogoro La, there will be
time for celebrations during your penultimate night
under the stars. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 18 - TREK DAY 13
Elevation: 3,000m / Distance: 7km (3 - 4 hours trekking)
Today is your final day of trekking in Pakistan, with
3-4 hours of easy descent into the village of Hushe, nestled in the Hushe valley, and the gateway to
many expeditions to Masherbrum, the Charakusa
and Nangma. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
DAY 19 - RETURN TO SKARDU
Elevation: 2,500m / Distance: 160km (4 - 5hours driving)
This morning you will pack up your gear onto
the 4x4 vehicles and descent the Hushe valley,
crossing the Shyock river and back into the warm
climes of Skardu. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 20 - FLY TO ISLAMABAD
Weather permitting, you will fly back to Islamabad
today, and on arrival will transfer to your hotel. In case of flight cancellations, you will drive back
to Islamabad with an overnight stay in Chilas. If
this is the case, you will use tomorrow (your free/
insurance day) as a travel day to complete the
journey via road vehicle. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 21 - FREE DAY
Today is a free day to spend exploring and picking
up any last-minute souvenirs in Islamabad. Hotel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 22 - DEPARTURE
Transfer to Islamabad airport for your international
flight back to the United Kingdom. This flight may
include a stopover. Breakfast included.