K2 Base Camp Trek (Concordia) via Gondogoro La Pass

Quick Facts

K2 Base Camp Trek (Concordia) via GG La is the most sought after trek in Pakistan. We provide services to both Independent Groups and Combined Groups.

Trek duration: 

• 16 days (by Air)
• 18 days (by Road)

Route (by Air): ISB-SKD-ASKOLE-CNCRD-HUSHE-SKD-ISB

Route (by Road): ISB-CHILAS-SKD-ASKOLE-CNCRD-HUSHE-SKD-CHILAS-ISB

Difficulty level: moderate to strenuous
                        (Asthma patients may encounter slight breathing problem at high altitudes)
Min Age limit: 12 years

Ideal Time: 20^th June to 20^th Sept

Max Altitude gain: 5700m (Gondogoro La)

Min. ambient temperatures: -10°C

Itinerary

Day -1

• Arrival in Islamabad
• Airport Transfer
• Overnight stay at Pakistan Explorer BnB Islamabad

Day-2

• Breakfast
• Airport Transfer Flight to Skardu (optional travel by road)
• Hotel Check-in
• Briefing Alpine Club/Sight-seeing/Grocery/Shopping in Skardu

Day -3
             (Skardu to Askoli)

Description: Here starts the first day of the real activity. Ride the Willis jeeps or old fashioned customized Land Cruisers on rough road of this adventurous terrain for at least 6-7 hours through gorges. Witness the splendor of Shigar Fort (Fong Khar is the local name) on the way. The first day you will experience pitching tents in Askole (the last human habitation). This campsite will serve as a base to acclimatize for the trail ahead. 

• 4 x 4 Jeeps
• Night in camps
• Max Altitude Gain: 3050m ASL
• Travel duration: 7-8 hours

Day- 4
        (Askole- Jhola)

Description: The campsite has the benefit of some shelter from the sun with a scattering of trees, camping underneath.

• Night in camps
• Max Altitude Gain: 3220m ASL
• Trek duration: 7-8 hours

Day- 5
        (Jhola-Paiyu)

Description: A small tree-lined stream passes through Paiyu, and tent platforms are carved out all over the hillside. Paiyu is often crowded and noisy. The tent platforms higher along the stream are quieter with good views.
Paiyu is the last source of wood. Despite kerosene and stoves, and signs urging porters not to cut wood, they do so in order to bake bread for themselves for the coming days.

• Night in camps
• Max Altitude Gain: 3400m ASL
• Trek duration: 8-9 hours

Day- 6
        Rest Day at Paiyu

        Description: This will be a rest and acclimatization day where we will spend the day taking it easy and if you wish having a few short walks around the area.

Day- 7
        (Paiyu- Khoburse)

Description: Today we take our first steps on the Baltoro Glacier, reaching it after around 90minutes walking. This is a tough day, taking around eight hours as we climb on the rocky moraine of the glacier, but the sight of Baltoro pinnacles and Paiyu Peak is astounding! We cross some gushing streams on the way and set up camp at Khoburse, a site with impressive mountain views.

• Night in camps
• Max Altitude Gain: 3800m ASL
• Trek duration: 8-9 hours

Day- 8
        (Khoburse- Goro 1)

Description: Urdukas will be our center point for this day where we will have lunch. From Urdukas onward all the activity takes place on the glacier – walking, eating and sleeping. However, it’s always been fascinating adventure and the snow-capped mountains in the surroundings must absorb your attention as long as you are there. One can have the best views of mighty mountains guarding the Baltoro Glacier- at 62 kilometers long, is one of the longest glaciers outside the Polar Regions. The Baltoro Muztagh lies to the north and east of the glacier, while the Masherbrum Mountains lie to the south.

• Night in camps
• Max Altitude Gain: 4200m ASL
• Trek duration: 8-9 hours

Day- 9
        (Goro-1 to Concordia)

• Description: It is a slight steep but easy long walk on the glacier. It takes about 7-8 hours with lunch on the way but if walked with a good pace, lunch can be had on the campsite at Concordia- a huge junction of Baltoro, Abruzzi & Godwin Austin Glaciers at 4000 meters. Within a short radius of 15 Kilometers, stand 41 peaks over 6500 meters. Including 04 peaks above 8000 M. The 360 view offers a panorama of peaks nowhere to be found on this Earth
• Overnight in tents
• Max Altitude Gain: 4600m ASL
• Trek duration: 5-6 hours

Day- 10
        Visit to the Gilkey Memorial (optional)
        Sightseeing/photography at Concordia

Day- 11
        (Concordia-Ali Camp)

Description: Walk on the left side of Vigne glacier, it is also possible to walk on the Vigne glacier which is fairly easy then walking on the stony path but it depends on the snow condition.

• Night in camps
• Max Altitude Gain: 4900m ASL
• Trek duration: 6-7 hours

Day- 12
        (Ali Camp-Gondogoro-2-Khuspang La)

Description: Reaching up to an altitude of 5700m above sea level, Gondogoro La (GGLA) is considered slightly technical and has to be done with fixed ropes. An early start at 2 or 3 O’clock in the morning to cross the Gondogoro La. The basic theme behind the early walk to reach the top of the Gondogoro Pass 5700 meters is that in the morning snow will be soft and you will not get tired quickly as the sun is not strong, but as the sun gets hotter, snow gets softer, increasing chances of avalanches, rock falls, and decreasing traction on ice

• Max Altitude Gain: 5700m ASL
• Night in camps
• Trek duration: 9-10 hours

Day- 13
        (Khuspang-Shaischo)

Description: The path follows the highest ridge of the lateral moraine through roses, gooseberries, cedar and tamarisk bushes, with views leading down across the glacier and back to sheer rock walls and jagged crags. The trek is dusty and stony a steady, but not too steep. We will pass to the main summer settlement.
Night in camps

• Max Altitude Gain: 4100m ASL
• Trek duration: 6-7 hours

Day- 14
        (Shaischo-Hushe)

Description: Like Askole, Hushe is also the first/last inhabited town that we will come across on the trek. This is a shepherd’s summer camp. Follow the east bank of the Hushey River along on a flat, easy path through fields of barley and peas, along the Charakusa River through scrubland and sparse willow woods to Odongstan, which is two hours from Hushey.

• Hushe-SKD via 4 x 4 Jeeps
• Night in Hotel
• Duration: 4-5 hours

Day- 15
        (SKD-ISB)

• Breakfast
• Airport Transfer
• Flight to Islamabad
• Arrival in Islamabad
• Overnight stay at Pakistan Explorer BnB

Day- 16
Fly Back Home

Note: Additional 02 days in case of choosing to travel by road

*********************End of Itinerary***************

Terms & Conditions

Cost:
For 02 persons: 2800 USD per person (Independent Group)
For 02 persons: 2200 USD per person (Combined with local/other foreign Group)
For 04 persons: 2200 USD per person (Independent Group)
For 04 persons: 2000 USD per person (Combined with local/other foreign Group)
For 06 persons: 2000 USD per person (Independent Group)
For 08 persons: 1800 USD per person (Independent Group)
For 10 persons: 1600 USD per person (Independent Group)

Cost Includes:

• Invitation letters for Visa facilitation/All paperwork in Pakistan/NOC’s/permits/Briefings/De-Briefings at Alpine Club etc
• All meals Breakfast/lunch/dinner (Desi/Continental) throughout the tour and Trek (Annexure-C Food Articles)
• Air-conditioned luxury Coaster (22-seater)
• 4×4 Jeeps (willeys, Toyota FJ40 etc)
• All hotel accommodation (double/triple sharing)
• All camping (double/triple sharing)
• All Camping charges/Concordia environment fee etc
• Ropes/carabineers/harnesses/gaiters/raincoats etc wherever required
• On-board snacks and drinks (ice box) during long travels
• Licensed Tour Guide
• Portage of up to 5.5kgs (extra weight will be carried on extra charges)
• Mattress
• Kitchen utensils
• Kerosene stove with kerosene
• Mess Tent
• Toilet Tents and toiletries
• Mess Table and chairs
• Generator with fuel
• Supplies groceries as per Annexure-C
• Rations for porters
• Porters/cooks/guides
• High Altitude Porters (HAPs) and climbers for crossing GGLA
• Basic First aid
• Toll taxes/GGLA crossing charges/ NOC/ Permits other taxes
• All transportation from and to Islamabad Airport
• Satellite phone for incoming & outgoing on payment

Cost does not include:

• Air tickets (national or International)
• Visa fee
• Travel Insurance
• Personal clothing
• Laundry
• Rescue/evacuation

Essentials to bring along:

• Warm clothing, fleece, jackets, headgear. Gloves
• Personnel sleeping bags
• Raincoats
• Sunglasses UV protective
• Sunblock SPF 80+
• Rucksack of up to ~30L (trolley bags/handbags/loose bags will not be allowed to be carried while trekking)
• Good quality water resistant trekking shoes (preferably ankle-length)

Pakistan Explorer disciplinary policy:

• In wake of unexpected and incidental scenarios e.g. heavy rains/landslide/road blockage/security concerns, PE management will take appropriate measures to continue or disengage the tour (cancellation/refund rules applicable)
• Hotel rooms on double sharing
• Camps on double sharing 
• While Guests are encouraged to photograph and record places during their visit, they must respect the local community/houses and their privacy
• Guests are strictly advised to use life jackets while swimming or engaging in water sports. PE will not be responsible for any accident encountered in such a scenario 
• Guests are bound to follow the instructions of the team leader/guide/HAP while crossing dangerous routes or else he/she will not be allowed to proceed further 

Cancellations: 

All cancellations must be notified in writing to Pakistan Explorer.  Cancellation charges will be levied as follows:-

If canceled by the client;

• Whenever canceled by the client, the bank charges for both sides from the advance will be paid by the client
• If canceled by the client any time after the commencement of the trip, or after deposit of advance due to any reason whatsoever, No refund will be given on any unutilized services other than hotels, meals which are subject to cancellation charges accordingly
• If the trekking/expedition is cancelled by the client, government rules will be applied for the refund of Trekking Fee/climbing permits etc.

If canceled by Pakistan Explorer;

• If the tour is canceled by Pakistan Explorer citing unfavorable conditions e.g. accident, landslide, flooding, incident of terrorism, wide spread epidemic and other such happenings which are truly incidental and has no participation of either client or Pakistan Explorer, and no alternate destination/arrangement/tour has not been mutually agreed upon by both client and Pakistan Explorer, client will be refunded for whatever unutilized service like hotel accommodation, meals, transportation etc. however, charges for trekking fee/climbing permits and other nonrefundable government charges will not be refunded

Liabilities and Responsibilities of Pakistan Explorer:

Pakistan Explorer, its agents, employees or any of the affiliates or subsidiary companies shall neither be responsible nor liable for any loss, damage, injury, sickness or death caused to any member or the property of the group directly or indirectly due to any delay, accident, acts of God, dangers, fire, landslide, avalanche, machinery failure, declared or undeclared hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays, cancellations or changes in itinerary or schedules, Govt. restrictions or due to any causes beyond the control of Pakistan Explorer.

Reservations and Advance Payment:

• All provisional reservation must reach us in writing well in advance before your arrival in Pakistan. No deposits are necessary for making any provisional reservations.
• All provisional reservations are subject to confirmation on deposit of USD 400/= per pax advance payment into our account before arrival of the group/client in Pakistan. The balance amount must be paid on arrival in Pakistan.
• Scan/copy of passport along with two passport size photographs will be required to issue invitation letter for Pakistan Visa application
• Signed/scanned copy of the tour itinerary along with terms and conditions mentioned above, separately by each member of the group shall be sent via e-mail to Pakistan Explorer in order to dispatch Visa Invitation Letters
• Pakistan Explorer is a registered Travel company bearing National Taxation Number (NTN: 7187922-0) and is registered with Ministry of Tourism, Department of Tourist Services (DTS-2117)providing complete assistance to tourist and climbing expeditions from across the world.

Confirmation and Payment Mode:

• For Online Deposits:
  Account Title: Pakistan Explorer
  A/c #: 001005077804
  Branch Code: 0131
  IBAN: PK75ALFH0131001005077804
  Bank Alfalah F-10 Markaz, Islamabad
  
  For more queries and info Contact:
  Pakistan Explorer House
  287, Main Sumbal Road F-10/4 Islamabad, 44000
  Cell: 0092-315-5368223
  E-mail: info@pakistan-explorer.com
  Note: Pakistan Explorer is a registered Travel & Media Company based in Islamabad, Pakistan (NTN: 7187922-0 DTS: 2117)
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