K2 BC & GONDOGORO LA (PASS) TREK

The opening of the 5650m high Gondogoro La adds a new dimension to magnificent K2 Trek, making it possible to return via beautiful Hushe Valley. Given a little luck with weather the view from the pass is just incomparable, any where in the world. From, no other place in the earth can one see such a incredible view of K2 (8611m) the second highest peak in the world and world most beautiful high pyramid, Broad Peak (8048m), Gasherbrum 1 to 6, Golden Throne (7240m) Chogolisa (7665m) and the entire upper Baltoro Massif. This trek requires good degree of physical fitness, as the variable weather conditions make the crossing of pass quite challenging, but more rewarding too. It is recommended that trek may be started from Askole as group can reach up to Concordia being able to see major Baltoro Peaks and return the same route in case of extreme snow conditions and unkind weather situation. We recommend that the member should take high altitude clothing/bedding, rope, crampons, ice axes etc. We also suggest you that come for this trek after having couple of week walking or acclimatized yourself. Come and visit us we will show you the real adventure paradise on earth!!!

Highlights

Daily Walking                      6-8 HRS except Longer Days While Crossing Pass

Grade                                 Moderate to Difficult

Best time                           June – Mid of September

Maximum Altitude              5940m

Duration                            20-23 Days 

Detail Itinerary

Day 01 RAWALPINDI - ISLAMABAD:  (Hotel & Trek Briefing). You will be greeted at airport and transferred to comfortable centrally located hotel. Reminder of the day is free for you to relax and recovered from long flight to Pakistan. in the after noon, for those who desire there will be a tour of Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and bustling bazaar of Rawalpindi. In the evening we have a welcome dinner where you will have the opportunity to meet your guide and other member of group. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02 RAWALPINDI – CHILAS:  (Drive & Hotel). Morning after break fast drive 11-12 hrs on famous Karakorum Highway. En route we will stop for photography, toilet break and lunch at Chatar or Besham.  O/N stay at hotel.

Day 03: CHILAS – SKARDU: (Drive & Hotel). After Break fast drive 9-10 hrs to Skardu, en route stop at “Junction Point of World great Mountain Ranges” Himalaya, Karakorum & Hindukush and view point of Killer mountain “Nanga Parbat”. O/N Stay in hotel.

Day 04 SKARDU: (Hotel & Sightseeing). Hire porters and purchase supplies in Skardu and free time for sightseeing. O/N stay in hotel.

Day 05: SKARDU – ASKOLI: leave Skardu for a kick-off point at Askoli traveling by jeep and tractor through the beautiful Shigar Valley along with Braldu River. O/N stay in camp.  

Day 06: ASKOLI – JULLA: From today we enter total wilderness; nothing but glacier, sand dunes and lofty mountains. A relatively easy day – some crossing of glaciers. Our campsite is situated on the far side of the Biafo Glacier with trees and fresh spring water. O/N stay in camp. 

Day 07: JULLA – PAIYU: Today’s trek bring us to the bottom of the Baltoro Glacier. There are few streams to cross and some rocky portions, but otherwise the trial is no difficult. Paiyu is an ideal camp with spring water, wild flowers and trees. O/N stay in camp. 

Day 08: PAIYU:  Rest day at Paiyu and it is point all trekking groups celebrated thanksgiving event before enter into glacier. O/N stay in camp.

Day 09: PAIYU – URDUKAS: From Paiyu we approach the famous Baltoro Glacier, which we will be crossing from toady onwards (up to Concordia and back again). It I rough day with a steep up and down hill climb. The water crossing is difficult but the panorama is spectacular. Urdokas camp is located off the glacier and is one of the most beautiful campsites of the trek with views of Paiyu peak, Trango Towers and Baltoro Cathedral. O/N stay in camp.

Day 10: URDUKAS – GORO: It is tiring 8 hrs walk over loose stones and rubble. We camp on the glacier near the conjunction of the Muztagh and Baltoro Glaciers with a spectaculars panorama of Muztagh Tower, Masherbrum and Gasherbrum-IV.

DAY 11 GORO – CONCORDIA: Today’s trek takes you to our goal – the legendary Concordia, dwarfed on all side by the towering K-2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrum Group, Gold Throne and Chogolisa. At Concordia the glacier from all these peaks meets and flow towards Paiyu. O/N stay in camp.

Day 12: CONCORDIA: Today the group will have excursion day to K2 BC and Gasherbrum BC with their lunch boxes OR the members who don’t want to go on such long tired trip to K2 BC & Gasherbrum BC can sit and watch the sky scarping peak with having sip of tea/coffee. O/N stay in camp.

Day 13 CONCORDIA – ALI CAMP: 5-6 hrs treks on Vigne Glacier we will reach on camp site Ali Camp. The name of this camp site is placed after Ali Mohammad Jangjupa who crossed first time in 20 June 1986. O/N stay in camp.

Day 14: ALI CAMP - XHUISPANG: Leave Ali camp on 1:00 am to attempt Gondogoro La (5700m),. The first part of trek is in darkness over the rocks. As we on upper part Vigne Glacier we get ice & snow. The route has been set for us and we walk while being cautious of crevasses. The ascent begins around 5:00 am and rope is fixed by your mountain guide and finally you will be on top of the pass before 6:00 am. There is no any comparable view on the planet from the top of Gondogoro Pass. Take stop for about half an hour on the top for photography, then start descends down on the opposite side, which is harder and steeper than the ascent. Upon arrival high camp XHUISPANG, you will see lush green, running water shallows streams, it likes entering into heaven. O/N stay in camp.

Day 15: XHUISPANG – SAITCHO: 4-5 hrs trek to Xhuispang. On the way we will see Dalsampa campsite after 2 hrs trek from Xhuispang. But we will continue our trek to Saitcho, again a very lush green, will see yaks, sheep & goats grazing grass in the jangle. Also you can play volley ball in the center heart of Karakorum.

Day 16 XHUISPANG – HUSHE: 3-4 hrs easy trek to Hushe. On this trek you will able to stop at view point of Masherbrum. O/N stay in camp.

Day 17 HUSHE – SKARDU: 7-8 hrs jeep drive to Skardu (Gate way for adventure lovers in the Heart of Karakorum). O/N stay in hotel.

Day 18- 21: Commence return journey via same route to Islamabad, upon arrival drive to concern department for debriefing. In the evening transfer to airport for onward journey to their sweet home. End of services. 

ADDITIONAL SIDE TRIPS:

If you have enough days and looking forward to adjust somewhere on the way, following side trips we recommend you.

• Shorter Treks of Ultar Meadows, Rush Lake, Rakaposhi BC, Patondas, Shimshal Pamir and Hopar Glacier. .
• Excursion of world highest border Khunjerab Pass (PAK-CHINA).
• Naltar Valley Excursion 
• Fairy Meadows & Nanga Parbat on the way back to Chilas.
• Peshawar city tour and Khyber Pass Excursion on the way back to Islamabad.
• Visit to Murree and Muzafarabad (Azad Kashmir) from Islamabad.
• Tour of famous Mughul City Lahore & Wagha border (PAK-INDIA) flag down ceremony.

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