K 2 Base Camp Trek the Most Famous Trek in the World
The King of Mountains in Pakistan K2 is located between China and Pakistan with a height of 8,611 m. It is located in the northeastern part of Skardu, bordering China in the north and India in the east. K 2 base camp trekking is the best trip in Pakistan. It is famous for being the second highest in the world after Mount Everest and the first highest in Pakistan. Most importantly, it is famous for mountaineering because of its beauty and challenging climbing experience. The beauty of K-2 has no parallel anywhere in the world with its sibling, the other three 8000s, at a closer distance and they have the same destination. The other three are Gashbrum-I, 8,068 m, Broad Peak, 8,047 m, and Gashabrum-II, 8,035.
Why is K2 popular in the World?
The popularity of K-2 is also because of the most interesting trekking destination in Pakistan, the Baltoro Ghondghoro Trek. There are numerous mind-blowing highlights we come across while accessing K-2 for climbing. Numerous giant glaciers are falling from the beautiful Karakorum Mountains. On this exciting trip, you will see thousands of snow-covered mountains with spectacular views every second of the day. I have seen many nature lovers cry seeing this beautiful art of nature, which is unbelievable.
The very interesting thing is that you come across diverse beauty every day in different scenes. In addition, the beginning is lush green, growing up to plateaus, then white, covering mountains. You will travel along the roaring rivers flowing from the snouts of the giant glaciers of Karakorum.
All of these are carried by K-2. There are about 100 mountains above 7,000 m and numerous 6,000 m and crystal towering pyramids in the Rocky Mountains, another attraction. Walking on the moraines of the glacier with fascinating views gives an awesome experience in life. Camping in the campsites with the natural sounds of the air and nearby rivers gives a lorry of mother to make you sleep. There are many heart-touching stories as well as heartbreaking stories. Some people reached the summit and returned safely, but many of them lost their lives on the way back. And many of the adventurers left on the mountain forever with their extraordinary love of the mountain.
The Story of the Second Highest Mountain
K-2 was first sighted by TG Montgomerie in 1956. He saw it from a distance of more than 200 KM along with the other high mountains in the surroundings. The same traveler first measured it and the height was noted at 8,619 m, and later in 1988, the measurement showed 8,616, but the official measurement and current climber records say 8,611 m. Anyway, it is one of the most famous mountains in the world without a doubt. Later on, another traveler, Col. Godwin Austen, sighted it from a very close distance in Urdukas in 1961. Somewhere it is also called Godwin Austen Peak. There is a climbing route with this name and a glacier as well.
The First Successful Summit of K-2
We will talk about the happy story of the second-highest mountain in the world. Many people dream of reaching the summit and living their lives without success. The first successful story goes to Italian climbers who were able to make the record and be at the top. It was June 30th, 1954. An Italian expedition led by Professor Ardeteo Deseo was leading. His teammates, Lino Lachdile and Walter Bonati made the record for being the first on the top of the world. This is the reason it is also called the Italian mountain in Italy. Moreover, many people organize adventurous expeditions to climb this adventurous peak every year. From then till now, many climbers have climbed the mountain and made their names in the 8000s of memories.
Gilkey, a US climber, lost his life on K-2
The Sad Stories on the K-2 Second: Once, an American climber lost his life while climbing K-2 and laid his name in the memorial. Later on, every year people die during this adventure, but some years have the worst records. The worst year was 1986 when five separate expeditions were there and 16 climbers reached the summit. But 13 of them died on the way back. The second was in 1990 when 55 climbers climbed K-2 and 25 died on the mountain. Every year some people climb and some die. In 2021, 377 people climbed K-2, and 91 died. Instead of that, it is not considered a killer mountain yet.
K-2 Climbing Experience
The only people who know how adventurous this is who do it. Going to K-2 base camp is considered one of the hardest treks. You imagine how hard it will be to climb on it and then think about going there in winter. Normally, my experience, I have been to K-2 Base Camp more than 50 times and know the harsh nights I mean in summer. Many climbers tried to make the first winter record on K-2 but could not do it. Finally, Nepali climbers set a world record for climbing in the winter of 2020. It was the year Pakistan lost one of the climbing pioneers, Ali Sadpara, the same year.
K-2 Pakistan The Source of Income for Locals
It does not only have beauty but is also a source of income for the tourism industry in Pakistan. Thousands of local mountain communities benefit from this and its surrounding mountains. They work as tour operators, guides, cooks, and porters and get employment.
Apart from this mountain hub, Skardu became one of the major tourist hubs because of the great mountains of Karakorum.
Reaching K-2 Base Camp for Climbing
Finally, if you are inspired by reading this article and are willing to visit Pakistan and see K-2, There are hundreds of international and national tour operating companies that organize trips. It is not difficult to reach them in this technological era. You may search on your mobile phone and contact one of the organizations.
You will enjoy and learn more about this once you visit. K-2 Pakistan is a great tourist attraction, especially for adventure tourism enthusiasts. Once you go to Pakistan for K-2, you will see a lot on the way you travel, whether by air or road. The one-hour short flight from Islamabad to Skardu is a heart-touching experience. Furthermore, you fly over the great mountains of Karakorum and the Himalayas without a doubt. You may see mind-blowing parts of Pakistan. The Nanga Parbat, the 2nd highest in Pakistan and 9th in the world, is the main highlight of the flight and road journey. Without a doubt, you can see it easily from the window of the plane.
Travel Insurance for K-2 Base Camp Trek
Nobody travels intending to get sick, wounded, or worse. However, being ready with the right travel insurance might spare you and your loved ones from having to cover unforeseen medical expenses or missed trip expenses. In this case, I recommend SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your safe travel in Pakistan. Moreover, read about this amazing insurance provider below here.
Your current health insurance probably won’t cover you if you leave the country if you work for a company.
Travel health insurance helps you pay for medical expenses if your trip is cancelled or delayed in addition to covering illnesses or accidents that happen while you’re away. could even help with misplaced or stolen/lost luggage.
What is included?
Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance by sickness, severe weather
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Emergency Evacuation and Transportation
Trip Delay Reimbursement (+6hrs or overnight stay)
Travel Accident Insurance / Accidental death or dismemberment coverage
Baggage Delay Insurance
Roadside Assistance
Emergency Medical and Dental on a ‘covered trip’
What is covered?
Emergency accident and sickness medical expenses
Emergency dental expenses
Adventure and sports activities
Emergency evacuation
Return of your remains
Transportation expenses in case of civil or political unrest
Trip cancellation or interruption due to covered sickness or accident
Accidental death or dismemberment
Reimbursement for lost or damaged luggage (including tech)
No deductible, $100,000 max limit for emergency accident and sickness (~$400,000 max limit total) (Standard Plan)
What is NOT covered?
Pre-existing conditions
Rental car damage (Standard Plan)
Routine checkups and preventative care
How long are you covered?
Your policy can be purchased for the duration you choose (from 1 day up to 180 days).
If you want to travel longer, you can buy a new policy online while you are traveling.
How long are you covered?
Automatic monthly renewal of coverage will automatically extend every 4 weeks until you cancel or for a maximum of 364 days, like a subscription.
After 364 days you have to re-purchase new coverage (deductible and benefits will reset).
Final Words
If you travel by road, there are more exciting highlights. From Islamabad to Skardu, it is a two-day journey. The journey on the 8th wonder of the world, the Karakorum Highway, and The Indus River all along the road adds to the beauty of this fantastic journey.
Moreover, you drive through charming towns and villages with amazing landscapes. You will witness the real beauty of Pakistan on your way to K-2 trekking or climbing. Moreover, once you drive on the Karakoram Highway, you may study the history of Pakistan from the rock carvings on the way and other historical sites. There is a lot to see and do, so enjoy your holidays. Last but not least, you must visit this place once in your life if you are a mountain fan.
For more detailed information visit here.