The Mega Trek Five 8,000s Base Camps

A full-day drive by an air-conditioned coach to Chilas on the breath-taking Hazara Motorway and Karakoram Highway (KKH) along the mighty Indus River (Beyond Thakot Bridge, we will start early in the morning as the journey is about 10-12 hours from Besham and 10 hours via beautiful Babusar Pass. En route, we will visit the ancient Buddhist rock engravings from Shatial and stop at many other places to enjoy the view and explore. Overnight will be in a hotel.

Altitude: 4,150 ft (1,265M)

Traveling Time: via Besham: 470 km/11 hours’ drive & via Babusar Pass: 397 kms/9 hours’ drive

We will have early breakfast in the hotel and drive one and half hour to Raikot Bridge.  Here we will ride on four-wheel jeeps for Tato for 2 hours on an adventurous rough road with winding and zigzags along the deep gorge from Raikot. Another two 3 hour walk on the scenic trail with a magnificent view of Nanga Parbat and lush coniferous forest to Fairy Meadows 3,310 m (a Paradise on earth). 

We will enjoy the great panoramic view of the Nanga Parbat. We will have a typical Pakistani dinner and sit around a bone fire listening to the stories of the Killer Mountain. Overnight stay in simple wooden bungalows. 

Altitude: 10,860 ft (3310M) 

Chilas-Raikot Bridge: 60 km (1.5-hour drive)

Raikot-Tato: (9 km (1.5 hours)

Tato-Fairy Meadows: 16 km (3 hours hike)

The day is available for exploring the surroundings of the fairytale meadow. A nice hike takes us through the coniferous forest again to Biale (a place with summer houses and huts to stay and dine) and closer to the ice giants in the direction of Nanga-Parbat base camp. This is a fantastic day with mind-blowing attractions in the surrounding. Later, hike back to the fairytale meadow. Overnight stay as the previous night.

Altitude: 10,860 ft (3310M) 

After breakfast, we will walk to Tato and take jeeps to Raikot Bridge. We will continue the road journey to Skardu; driving on Karakoram Highway is an adventure in itself which is an unforgettable experience. En route to Skardu, we will stop at Thalechi to have a spectacular view of Nanga Parbat (8125m) & the meeting place of three great mountain ranges; the Karakoram, Himalaya & Hindu Kush near Juglot.  We will leave Karakorum Highway crossing Alam Bridge, and take the scenic Skardu Road along the Indus Gorge. The day is beautiful through hilly villages, lush green plateaus, side streams, and waterfalls. Istak Nalla is one of the unbelievable spots to stop for lunch, where the roaring Istak River meets the Indus, a beautiful place to have lunch. All the passenger vehicles stop here from and to Skardu. It gives a great opportunity for people looking as well.  

Skardu is a small town and serves as a starting point for most of the expeditions in Karakoram. You are now at 2,400 elevations recommended to drink a lot of water certainly, as this long drive will dehydrate you are reaching Skardu. Will have a short briefing with a guide about the next-day program. Now, it is your time to sleep and relax.

Altitude: 7,380 ft (2250M)

Traveling Time:  2-3 hours walk & 7 hours drive

Spare day for the final preparations. Optional visit of Kharpochu Fort & Buddha

This day is yours whether you want to relax or explore. We will undertake final preparations for our trekking into the wilderness.  Depending on the availability of time, an optional visit to the town and an excursion to Kharpochu Fort, located on a mountain with stunning views of Skardu Town. There is a short walk to the fort as it is close to the town. Another highlight is Manthal Buddha Rock (a large granite rock with a carved image of the Buddha that most likely dates to the eighth century) nearby on the Sadpara within a short walking distance.

After a hearty dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s journey. Relax and sleep in a hotel.

We will drive in four-wheel jeeps up the Shigar and Braldu valleys until we reach Askoli, a last and small settlement. We will cross Korophon (3109m) at the Biafo Glacier, the third biggest glacier in the Karakoram mountain range. It extends from Snow Lake and Biafo Hispar La to Nagar and Hunza Valley. The next stage proceeds from Korophon to Jhula along the Domardo River. The views of the day are eye-catching Bakor Dass Peak (5,809m) stays ahead all the way. Towards Biafo, the famous rocky peaks Latoks, Ogre, and several over 7,000 are on our way to enjoy the day. Driving to Jula from Askole is a new adventure today. The first camping dinner here in a tent by our trekking group. After dinner, the guide will tell you about the next day’s highlights and up-downs of the trekking. An overnight stay in a camp. Our first overnight stay in the wilderness.

Altitude (Jhula):  10,500 ft (3200M)

Traveling Time: 130 Km +17 Km 8-9 hours

The trek continues to Bardumal (3,253m), which is situated in the Biaho-Lungma- Valley. The Ching-Kang-Valley appears on the opposite side with a glimpse of Mango Gusar Peak, 6,820m, and its neighboring peaks. The path proceeds via Bardumal (a proper picnic lunch place with views of Paiju and Lilligo Peaks above 6,000 m). Another 3 hours to Paiju; it will be scorching on a sunny day. Paiju is a campsite under the shadow of willow and birch trees and Paiju Peak (6611m) with the first sight of the Baltoro Glacier. The camp always stays crowded during the season because all the trekking and expedition parties have a rest day here. An overnight stay will be in tents.

Altitude (Paiju): 11,810 ft (3600M)

Hiking Time: Hiking Time: 18.8 km, 7-8 hours

The Baltoro Glacier begins right after Paiju. The trek will be harder than the previous day, and it is the most challenging day of the K-2 Base Trek. Baltoro is one of the largest glaciers outside of the polar regions, with a length of 62km. A narrow trail leads along the glacier tongue up to the great ice stream. It takes approximately 4-5 hours to walk across the glacier to Khuburtse, located on the right side of the glacier. If facing south, one gets a glimpse of Liligo Peak (6,251m), and turning the view to the northwest reveals the world-famous rock faces of Trango Towers rising into the sky. On this day, we also have a view of Broad Peak, one of the peaks above 8,000 meters, and Mustagh Tower, Cathedrals, Bayal, and numerous others. It truly is an exciting day of the trek. The Kurbutse campsite is located on a lateral moraine, with the Lilligo Glacier and Baltoro Glacier on the left, making it a wonderful place to sleep in a tent. After dinner, your guide will explain everything about the trip’s next leg. You will have an overnight stay in a tent.

Altitude: 13,123 ft (4000M)

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours 13.0 Km

It is the last camp on the solid ground, which means that the next night will be on the glacier ice. This camp offers superb views of Biale (6,729m), the Uli-Biaho (6,417m), the Trango group, and the Muztagh Glacier. An overnight stay will be in tents.  

Altitude: 13, 910 ft (4240M)

Hiking Time:  4-5 hours  8.1 Km

The trek continues on the Baltoro ice stream and leads to Goro I within 3-4 hours. In the following lap, it takes another 2-3 hours to reach Goro II. The Yermanandu Glacier, which comes forward from the Masherbrum Glacier, providing the spectacular view of Mashabrum Peak, of Masherbrum (7800m), Muztagh Tower (7270m), Gasherbrum IV (7925m), is the 17th highest peak on the earth and 6th in Pakistan. The campsite is actually on the glacier, providing not much comfort yet a pleasing experience. An overnight stay will be in a camp.  

Altitude: 4500M

Hiking Time: 6 hours 11.6 km

The next lap of the trek proceeds from Goro II to the Concordia (4687m). The name is Concordia originates from the British explorer Godwin Austen, who invented the name due to its almost 40km wide part where 14 glaciers come together from all directions. It is the most impressive campsite. If luck is on our side with the weather, we will have the most magnificent views of the mountain giants of Karakoram, including the crown K-2, which majestically stands just in front of you. The peaks tower over you, and all appear to be tantalizingly close, Gasherbrum-IV & V, Mitre Peak, Chogolisa 25,147ft/7,665m, Golden Throne (Baltoro Kangri) 23990ft/7312m and Broad Peak 26,401ft/8,047m are some of the high Karakoram giants to be seen. An overnight stay will be in tents.  

Altitude: 4687M

Hiking Time:  6 hours 12.9 km

Rest Day

It takes 2-3 hours to reach Broad Peak Base Camp (4900M) we will have the picnic lunch here with majestic views of the great Karakorum mountains and the huge glacier. Most importantly, the magnificent views steal your heart. Everything here is unbelievable. After having a treaty lunch, we will walk another 3 hours to K-2 Base Camp with celebrations and happiness. Sleep at the highest place of the 5,151m. After the dinner will hear amazing stories from the K-2.

Altitude (K-2 Base Camp): 16,700 ft (5150M)

Hiking Time: 5 hours 19 km

This is a long day we will have an early morning breakfast and head off on the glacier back to Concordia and Shagaring. The views of the day are stunning. Traversing from Concordia will proceed to Shagharing, with superb views of the surrounding mountains. The Gashabrum Glacier offers a great walk with turquoise water channels on the glacier. The walk is easy but long. Camp at 4,712m on the glacier will be a cold night.

Altitude (Shagring Camp): 16,405 ft (5000M)

Hiking time: 6-7 hours 12 km

This day is an easy walking on gravel with stunning views of 360 degrees. After a relatively short stage, you reach the Gasherbrum base camp. Here you can see impressive mountain giants, first and foremost Gasherbrum I (8,068 m, also known as ”Hidden Peak”) and Gasherbrum II (8035 m), and many other spectacular above 7000 m peaks: Baltoro Kangri, Sia Kangri, Chogolisa, and Gasherbrum VI are the mountains facing you all the way beyond Concordia. We will have a delicious camping dinner and listen to the stories of G-I & II and Karakorum’s other mountains. Your guide will tell you about the next day, which is an unusual path you will take to reach Ali Camp from here. 

Altitude (Gasherbrum Base Camp):16568 ft (5050M)

Hiking time:  6-7 hours  10 km

Free day at the Gashabrum I & II Base Camp at 5,200m. We will enjoy the sprawling beauty of the base camp and the surrounding.

Our trek for today will be on a less explored route, taking us along the Upper Baltoro.  We will walk on non-slippery ice, which is easy to hike. As we continue our journey, we will reach a junction point of Baltoro with Vigne Glacier, which is linked to Gondogoro La’s base camp. The campsite is known as Ali Camp, named after a porter from the nearby village who had first been recorded to cross Gondogoro La while returning as a porter from a climbing expedition to Gasherbrum. In the afternoon, the guide will show the members about using rope, harnesses, and crampons that we need to use while ascending and dropping down from the pass. We will have our early dinner and sleep early as we will get up mid-night to reach the early morning. Mostly, all the members sleep in one tent because the campsite hasn’t had enough space for separate tents as on the other days.

Altitude: 17060 ft (5,200M)

Hiking time: 9-10 hours  16 km

We start quite early in the morning with the traverse of the Vigne Glacier to the Gondogoro La. The trail continues via several 45-degree inclined steps – always alongside massive crevasses – up to Gondogoro-La for 4-6 hours. The Pass, with its altitude of 5560m, provides a breathtaking view of the Karakoram’s precious mountain world in good weather conditions. The four 8000s of the Karkakorum could be seen from the top of the pass but very cold and windy early morning.  The descent to Huispang requires fast walking since it is quite long and tedious. The terrain has a maximum gradient of 45 degrees, with icy and stony ground, and can be reached in 4-6 hours to reach Huispang (4600m). 

The best attraction of this campsite has the most beautiful Liala Peak View, Trinity, Basso Jinaji, and Ghondoghoro Peak. Overnight in tents.

Maximum Altitude (Gondogoro La): 18241 ft (5560M)

Hiking Time: 12 hours 20 Km

Proceeding along the lateral moraine, we descend to Saicho, a good campsite with a small shop under will trees. The trek is full of highlights all the way to Siacho, passing through small lakes, lush green meadows, and spectacular views of snow-covering mountains. The best is the most beautiful campsite. Our porters will celebrate the crossing of Ghondoghoro Pass in the evening with local songs and dances.  Overnight in tents.   

Altitude (Saicho):10826 ft (3300m)

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours 16 Km

An easy short walk down to Hushe (3000m), passing through tiny juniper and wild roses. We will have superb views of Mashabrum Peak 7,820 while going down Hush. We will visit to the village worth visiting to explore the life of the people in this village. It is considered the village of Pakistani mountaineers because many mountain guides assist climbers on Karakorum Mountains from the village. Overnight stay in a hotel with basic facilities. 

Altitude: 9842 ft (3000M)

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours 8 Km

A fantastic journey to Khapulo Fort, the confluence of the Indus and Shayok Rivers’ is the day’s primary attraction as it travels from Khapolu to Skardu. We will drive through charming villages with stunning views all along the road. You will definitely enjoy this amazing trip ending to Skardu. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Altitude: 2250M

Driving Time: 6-7 hours  168 Km

Take a flight to Islamabad from Skardu with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat & other peaks of Karakoram, Himalaya & Hindukush, if the weather is good. On arrival in Islamabad, transfer to the hotel to relax and stroll around on your own at the fare well dinner on behalf of Discover Pakistan.  

In case of flight cancellation due to bad weather, we will drive on the Karakoram Highway to Chilas for an overnight stay in a hotel.

Skardu- Islamabad by air: 1-hour

Skardu-Chilas: by road, 9 hours

Half-day city tour of Taxila or drive to Islamabad from Chilas:

In case of yesterday’s flight operation, we will take a half-day trip to the Taxila, an important archaeological site. Here, you will find countless images of Buddha in stone and stucco. Important stages of Buddha’s life are depicted in the numerous panels that have been uncovered here. This great man of peace is portrayed in exquisitely carved sculptures and statues glorifying him and his life. Each one of these sculptures is a collector’s pride. We will also visit Taxila Archaeological Museum & Dharmarjika Stupa. Later, we will drive back to Islamabad for an overnight hotel stay. 

In case of yesterday’s flight cancellation, we continue our journey to Islamabad with a lunch break in Besham/Naran.

Transfer to Islamabad Airport for homebound flight. 

We wish you a safe journey with unforgettable memories of Pakistan!