Imagine sipping a cup of coffee amidst the serene wilderness of Karakoram ranges and gazing at the mighty K2 before your eyes. A dream of all the adrenaline junkies that fortunately came true for me!
K2, the world’s second-highest peak, proudly stands at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) high in the Karakoram ranges in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. Witnessing this majestic mountain from the K2 base camp is a dream of many adventurers all around the world. Out of them were us, the madcaps who set off on the long-awaited trek of their lifetime.
This K2 Base Camp trek, also known as the Baltoro Glacier trek, comes in the list of top 10 treks in the world. Now, one can imagine what adventures this trip offers!
Not just K2, but this venture leads you to the viewpoint where you can witness 4 eight-thousander peaks in one place. Sounds incredible, right?
It feels totally unbelievable when you reach Concordia, called the “Throne Room of Mountain Gods,” and feast your eyes on witnessing K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II all together! Though it takes a strenuous 7-day trek to reach Concordia, the reward is worth all the long haul.
Here are the top highlights from our K2 Base Camp trek:
- Experiencing a complete trekking adventure.
- Breathtaking vistas and landscapes.
- Witnessing the magnificence of the top 4 peaks: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II.
- Witnessing several stunning peaks between 5000 – 8000.
- Marching along Baltoro glacier (World’s 5th longest non-polar glacier).
- Exploring snow-capped Trango Tower (4,396 feet of granite) mountain.
- Venturing into the heart of the majestic nature of Northern Pakistan.
Trekking to K2 Base Camp has always been on my bucket list. When I got a call from my friends planning on this trip, how could I refuse? Absolutely not!
As soon as I heard about a trip Trekking to mighty K2’s Base Camp, I instantly said yes and packed my bags. We flew together to Skardu, Pakistan, to commence our 15-day adventure of a lifetime.
So, join me as I reflect on my most adventurous trekking journey, with each day’s tales of danger, hardships, and challenges leading me to the intact beauty of K2!
Day 1: From Skardu to Askole
As soon as we reached Skardu, we met our tour guide and fellow tourists, had a little rest, and quickly got ready for our next journey. A 6-7 hours jeep drive to Askole.
Askole is the last settlement in the Shigar district. It takes 7-8 hours of jeep ride to reach Askole, which is at 3,040 meters (9,970 feet) above sea level. The ride is bumpy and has some off-tracks while crossing via streams, thus why jeep safari is preferred for this.
The track can be fragile because of landslides, and it starts your trek earlier, but luckily, we didn’t face any obstacles. After 7:30 hours, we reached Askole, the gateway to the majestic K2. Our destination was 90 kilometers away, requiring us to trek for 7-8 hours daily to reach it.
Day 2 Askole to Joula
Askole is the first challenge before the trek. The remote region where you spend the night in the raw surroundings and sleep in the tents. The following morning was all about excitement and buzz as we got up early to get our backpacks ready for the most awaited trek.
This is where porters are hired to help you carry food and requirements for the 15-day journey. The superhuman porters (that’s what I call them for carrying heavy loads through tough terrains) can carry 12 kg weight. Our tour operator worked diligently to manage everything. My friends and I each carried our own backpacks with some necessary things like water, snacks, raincoats, and sunglasses. After the whole group was ready with their backpacks on, we set off on our real venture!
The trek started from Askole to Joula. The 23-kilometer distance takes 7-8 hours of trekking. In terms of difficulty, it was not a tough one. We came across an Army check post where we had to fill out the entry forms. After the necessary check and a lunch break, we continued moving to the campsite of Joula.
Day 3 Joula to Paiju
Reaching Joula, we enjoyed the sightseeing of Bakhordas peak (5809 meters). We stayed a night here in the tents and, the next morning, got ready for the trek toward Paiju. The distance is 24 kilometers and takes up to 6-7 hours. Comparatively to Day 1, this trek was hard enough. It involves uphill walking through rugged landscapes. Fortunately, the weather was pleasant and gave us an ease to trek. We had a lunch break after 4 hours and continued our journey. Finally, after a tedious trek, we reached Paiju and pitched our tents for the night stay.
The highlight of this day was hearing humorous tales from the locals in our group.
Day 4 Paiju to Urdukus
Up early in the morning, we stretched our bodies to get ourselves ready. Our next trek was from Paiju to Urdukus, with a distance of 21 kilometers and took up to 7-8 hours. It felt exhilarating walking on the Baltoro glacier, the world’s 5th longest non-polar glacier, which is 63 km in length. The snow-capped peaks around kept enchanting us throughout. However, till now, many of us have already given up after the arduous walk. But I could not wait anymore to reach the dreamy destination, Concordia.
Along this route, we witnessed the Trango Towers, a family of rock towers with an elevation of 6,286 m. After walking across a stream, rocky paths, and a deadly ascend on the hill, we finally reached Urdukus.
Day 5 Urdukus to Goro II
After spending a night in Urdukus, we moved to our next campsite, Goro II. It takes 6-7 hours of trekking to cover 12 kilometers. After 2 hours, we made a stop at Goro I for our lunch break. These stops were a sigh for us and moments of relaxation for our legs. This trek, as compared to the Paiju-Urdukus, was relatively easy. But make sure to have trekking poles, reliable hiking boots, and a good amount of water.
We reached Goro II and were totally awe-struck by the glaciers in the surroundings. The mighty peak Masherburm, with a height of 7821 meters, stood proudly in this aesthetic region.
Day 6 Goro II to Concordia
Finally, the day we all waited for, walking towards Concordia, the “Throne Room of Mountain Gods.” Our dreamy destination was 15 kilometers away, taking up to 7-8 hours. Although my body was totally drained till now, my soul just couldn’t wait anymore.
It was a tedious walk on this trek, too, but the views were splendid. The massive snow-covered glaciers were adding magic to our experience.
Day 7 Concordia
After 8 hours, we reached Concordia, the confluence of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers and the meeting place of massive, magnificent peaks. The place is famous for its unique 360° panorama view of 10 out of 30 highest peaks in the world. It is 4,691 meters (15,390 ft) above sea level and the base camp for the trekkers looking forward to conquering K2.
The greatest spectacle of K2 was a sight to behold. It looked way more ethereal than we imagined. My dream just came true after a whole week of backbreaking trek. An achievement unlocked. I was left totally wonderstruck witnessing the K2 (8,611 meters), Broad Peak (8047m), Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II all together!
Last Day in Concordia
A rush of emotions – achievement, gratitude, and a profound connection to nature- emerged as we, enthusiast adventurers, embraced this highly-awaited moment. The overwhelming magnificence of K2 could be seen in its full view from here, and what could we ask for more?
We stayed a night here while bearing the extreme weather at K2, surrounded by the towering peaks, the giants of the world, under the shimmering stars. Till now, we had become good friends with our fellow adventurers and shared stories while in this enchanting scene. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming – the realization that we had made it this far to the base camp of the second-highest mountain on Earth. This day was worth all the fatigue, sweat, and also the hard work.
After a wholesome day, we finally bid goodbye to K2 and Concordia and retraced our steps.
Before we embarked on our return journey, we took a final look at the majestic K2. The stunning mountain, with its powerful influence, fascinates adventurers like me from all over the world and brings them to this heavenly place. I still can’t picture away that cherished moment; a moment froze in my heart forever.
For everyone planning the trek to K2 Base Camp, I would definitely encourage them to give it a go and experience the most adventurous and rewarding journey ever!
Inspired by the K2 Base Camp Trek? Explore our blog for a treasure trove of travel insight,“ Broad Peak Unveiled: A Guide from Commencement to Closure“.