A 21-day K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La trek via the Baltoro Glacier, Concordia and Hushe: the full Karakoram journey, crossing a 5,585 m pass at sunrise.
A booking deposit applies. See our booking terms & cancellation policy.
This 21-day trek is the full Karakoram journey: Islamabad, Skardu, Askole, the Baltoro Glacier, Concordia, K2 Base Camp, Ali Camp, the Gondogoro La pass, Khuspang, Saicho, Hushe and back to Skardu. It is a hard, high-altitude trek on the classic route.
Great Adventure runs this trek from Skardu with the guide, cook, camp crew, drivers and porter team organised directly for your group. From Concordia we continue to K2 Base Camp and the Art Gilkey Memorial, then return toward Concordia and move to Ali Camp for the alpine start over Gondogoro La. In suitable weather the pass gives one of the finest dawn panoramas in the Karakoram before the descent into the Hushe valley.
Strong hikers and experienced trekkers who want the full Baltoro, K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La experience. You must be comfortable walking for long days on rocky moraine, glacier, loose trail and snow. It is not a casual sightseeing tour: the route reaches 5,585 m, includes remote camping and an early-morning pass crossing where patience and teamwork matter as much as speed.
Where it is — A pass between two glaciers. Gondogoro La (5,585 m) lies about 25 km south of K2. It joins the Gondogoro Glacier on the Hushe side with the Vigne Glacier on the Concordia side. In Balti, la means a mountain pass.
The crossing — Sunrise from Ali Camp. The crossing starts in the early hours from Ali Camp so the snow is firm and the rocks above the descent are still frozen. At the top the view takes in K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I to IV, Masherbrum and Laila Peak.
The descent — Harder than the climb. The way up is a moderate snow slope. The descent to Khuspang is steep, with loose rock and scree, so concentration and good boots matter. Rockfall is the main objective danger later in the day.
Best time — Late June to August. Early in the season the snow cover is firmer. By August melting raises the risk of crevasses, rockfall and avalanche, so route conditions are checked before committing to the pass.
Experience — Fitness, acclimatisation and judgement. You do not need to be a technical climber, but you need top fitness, prior acclimatisation and the right equipment. A harness, crampons and an ascender may be needed for the roped sections.
Airport welcome, hotel transfer and a briefing on the trek, safety, equipment, permits and local customs.
540 mOne of the great mountain flights, weather permitting, with views of Nanga Parbat. The afternoon is free to rest and acclimatise.
2,228 mA 4x4 journey along the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole, where we meet the porters and distribute loads.
3,000 mThe trek begins along the Braldu River, through valleys of sand, boulders and glacial streams.
3,200 mFirst big glacier views, with Paiju Peak and the icefall above camp.
3,400 mA rest day for short walks, learning glacier skills and organising loads for the Baltoro.
3,400 mOnto the Baltoro Glacier, with the Trango Towers, Cathedral Peak and Masherbrum rising ahead.
3,800 mMoraine and glacier walking to Urdukas, with a panorama of Masherbrum.
4,050 mDeeper into the Baltoro, with Broad Peak and Gasherbrum IV coming into view.
4,250 mConcordia, where the Baltoro, Godwin-Austen, Gasherbrum and Vigne glaciers meet.
4,650 mUp the Godwin-Austen Glacier to K2 Base Camp and the Gilkey Memorial.
5,150 mBack down the glacier to prepare for the pass.
4,650 mToward the staging camp for the pass, with Gasherbrum IV, Broad Peak and Masherbrum behind. Gear and ropes are checked in the evening.
4,950 mAn alpine start in the early hours, usually around 1–2 AM, so the snow is firm. At the pass (5,585 m) the sunrise view takes in K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrum peaks and Laila Peak. The descent to Khuspang is steep and demanding. The guide team makes the final call on the pass according to snow, weather and group condition.
5,585 mDown into the green Hushe valley, with meadows replacing snow and ice.
3,430 mDescend to Hushe, the largest village in the valley, with Balti houses, yaks and farming.
3,050 mA 4x4 drive through the Hushe and Khaplu valleys back to Skardu, where you can rest and wash gear.
2,228 mRecover in the hotel, explore the bazaar or Shigar Fort, and share photographs.
2,228 mA flight back to Islamabad, weather permitting, with views of the peaks you have just crossed.
540 mA deliberate buffer for delays, repacking and a farewell dinner with the team.
540 mAirport transfer for your flight home.
DepartureIt is the hardest day of the trek. You start around 1–2 AM, climb a snow slope to 5,585 m and then make a steep, demanding descent to Khuspang. Good fitness and acclimatisation matter more than climbing skill.
Late June to August. Early season snow is firmer; by August melting raises the risk of crevasses and rockfall.
They may be required depending on conditions. We confirm the final technical gear list before departure.
The crossing is only made when conditions allow. If weather, snow, rockfall risk or group health makes it unsafe, the guide team may switch to an out-and-back K2 Base Camp plan.
The full itinerary is 21 days from Islamabad, including acclimatisation at Paiju, a rest day in Skardu and a buffer day.
It starts in Askole, follows the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and K2 Base Camp, crosses Gondogoro La and finishes in Hushe, then a drive to Skardu.
It includes the K2 Base Camp route and adds the Gondogoro La pass crossing. Our K2 Base Camp & Concordia trek is the shorter version without the pass.
The domestic flights between Islamabad and Skardu, trekking permits and park fees are included. Your travel insurance is mandatory and must cover high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation, valid to at least 6,000 m.
Train for 10 to 12 weeks with steady uphill walking, long descents and back-to-back days. Bring broken-in boots, a warm sleeping bag, layers, a waterproof shell, gloves, a headlamp and poles.
K2 Base Camp & Concordia Trek — The shorter 20-day Baltoro trek without the pass crossing.
K2 Expedition — The summit attempt on K2 by the Abruzzi Spur.
Broad Peak Expedition — The 8,051 m peak beside K2, seen from Concordia.
Peaks of Baltistan — Heights, first ascents and stories of the peaks around the pass.
Everything required for a fully compliant, safe trek in Baltistan — some of it handled by us, some to prepare before you fly.
6 months valid Passport, Pakistan E-Visa (you apply online — we provide the invitation letter), CNIC/ID copies.
Great Adventure manages restricted area & climbing permits, plus liaison officer arrangements (requires passport submission 8 weeks prior for expeditions).
Must explicitly cover Emergency Helicopter Evacuation and high-altitude trekking.
Altitude sickness (AMS) preparedness, fitness levels, and personal first-aid kits.