Overview
We are the only company in the world who have an expedition leader and doctor on all K2 Base Camp (5,400m) expeditions while keeping group sizes sustainably small. Established in 2007, we offer high-altitude trekking and mountaineering in some of the most breathtaking locations around the world.
Trekking to K2 Base Camp
Trekking to K2 Base Camp (5,400m) is one of the most remote and iconic trekking adventures in the world. Unlike other companies we do not retrace our steps once we have reached Base Camp, instead we traverse the Boltoro Glacier and cross the Gondogoro La Pass (5,585m) – the highest point of our trek. We descend from there through the Hushe Valley and maximise our experience of the greater Karakoram range.
K2 (8,611m) is the world’s second highest mountain and considered by many experienced mountaineers to be one of the toughest mountains to climb, it is frequently referred to as ‘King of the Mountains’ or ‘the Mountaineers Mountain’. It is the extreme height, severe weather conditions and demanding technical route that make K2 such an epic challenge for all those that dare to attempt to summit.
It is the awe-inspiring scenery that surrounds you every step of the way that makes the K2 Base Camp trek such a special one. On a clear day you can see 10 of the world’s 30 highest peaks, including 4 over 8,000m.
Our 24-day itinerary includes 14 days of trekking. Trekking to K2 Base Camp is suitable for experienced hikers. Our amazing team of friendly Earth’s Edge porters support us from camp to camp.
K2 Base Camp Expedition Costs & What’s Included
The total cost of trekking to K2 Base Camp is highlighted above. You are required to pay a €399 deposit to secure your spot. A part-payment of €1,000 is due six months prior to departure. You can pay the remaining balance by instalments or in full. All fees must be paid three months prior to departure.
Your fees include the following:
- Return International flights from Dublin to Islamabad (Economy Class) (UK flights not included)
- Internal flights in Pakistan
- Experienced expedition leader
- Experienced expedition doctor
- Training Weekend
- Earth’s Edge team of guides, cooks and support team
- All accommodation based on twin sharing in hotels in Islamabad and Shardu and camping elsewhere
- All meals and drinking water except in Islamabad and Shardu where accommodation is based on B&B
- A celebratory dinner
- All transport throughout the expedition
- All group gear consisting of first aid kits, mountaineering equipment, cooking equipment etc.
Flying from the UK?
You are more than welcome to join us from the UK. If so, you can select the ‘exclude flights’ option on the checkout. You can then book your own international flights to Islamabad.
Read our K2 Base Camp blogs
Do you fancy having more information on this expedition? We have lots of extra insight into our K2 trips here.
Itinerary
Day 3
Fly Islamabad to Skardu, 1 hr
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Today we take the short but spectacular flight to Skardu. Free day to explore Skardu. Altitude 2,228m. Note: If our flight is cancelled due to bad weather we will start the drive to Skardu travelling for 10/11 hrs on the Karakorum Highway to reach Chilas.
Day 4
Free day in Skardu
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Today we enjoy a free day in Skardu. Overnight hotel. Note: If our flight is cancelled due to bad weather we will continue the drive to Skardu travelling for 10/11 hrs on the Karakorum Highway to reach Skardu.
Day 5
Drive Skardu to Askoli, 7hrs
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Today we take the thrilling and spectacular drive to Askoli, the starting point of our trek. Altitude 3,000m.
Day 6
Trek Askoli to Jhola; 9 hrs, 12.6km
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We walk along the Braldu River to set up camp at Jhola. Altitude 3,100m
Day 7
Trek Jhola to Paiyu; 9 hrs, 16.6km
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A tougher day as the trail to Paiyu undulates for most of the day. Altitude 3,450m.
Day 9
Trek Paiyu to Khubertse; 10 hrs, 10.8km
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We enjoy stunning views of Paiyu Peak, Uli Biaho, Great Trango Tower, Lobsang Spire and the Cathedral Towers on the route to Khubertse. Altitude 3,816m.
Day 10
Trek Khubertse to Urdukas; 4 hrs, 5.1km
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A shorter and easier day today crossing beautiful slopes covered in wildflowers. Altitude 4,168m.
Day 11
Trek Urdukas to Goro II; 6-8 hrs, 12.1km
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Another stunning day today as we walk across the moraine and glacier with a lot of fun rock-hopping and stream-jumping. Altitude 4,319m.
Day 12
Trek Goro 11 to Concordia; 5 hrs, 9.2km
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A challenging but rewarding day trekking across more moraine and glacier. It is a gradual climb up to Concordia where the Baltoro, Abruzzi and Godwin Austen glaciers meet. Altitude 4,570m.
Day 13
Trek Concordia to Broad Peak Base Camp, 5 hrs
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Today’s route to Broad Peak Basecamp offers one of the best views of K2. Altitude 5,400m
Day 14
Trek Broad Peak Base Camp to K2 Base Camp to Concordia, 7 hrs
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We arrive at K2 Base Camp today! Altitude 4,570m.
Day 15
Rest day in Concordia
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We take a well deserved rest day to soak in our stunning surroundings. Overnight camp.
Day 16
Trek Concordia to Ali Camp; 6 hrs, 9.5km
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We leave Concordia and say farewell to some of the staff and ponies that have helped us until now. Overnight camp. Altitude 5,010m.
Day 17
Trek Ali Camp to Hispung via the Gondogoro La Pass, 12 hrs, 8.5km
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The toughest day on the trek takes us across the Gondogoro La Pass (5,585m). Overnight camp. Altitude 4,680m.
Day 18
Trek Hispung to Daltsampa via Saicho, 8hrs
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We walk through beautiful alpine meadows to Daltsampa. Overnight camp. Altitude 4,300m.
Day 19
Trek Daltsampa to Hushe; 4 hrs, 9.3km
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Our last day of this epic journey is spent on the trail from Daltsampa to Hushe where we bid farewell to the porters. Overnight hotel. Altitude 3,050m.
Day 21
Fly Skardu to Islamabad, 1 hr
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We fly back to Islamabad in the morning. Your afternoon is free for exploring. Note: If our flight is cancelled due to bad weather we will start the drive to Islamabad travelling for 9 hrs on the Karakorum Highway to reach Chilas.
Day 22
Free day Islamabad
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Enjoy a free day in Islamabad for exploring, sightseeing and shopping. Note: If our flight on day 21 was cancelled we will spend 11 hours driving from Chilas to Islamabad today.
Facts
Pakistan is one of the most underrated and under-visited places in the world. Combine the amazing culture with the stunning Karakoram region where K2 is, and you've got a truly amazing place!
Mount Everest is 8,848m, making K2 just 237 metres shorter.
It got the name K2 in the Great Trigonometrical Survey where a British man Thomas George Montgomerie sketched the largest peaks he could see. The K stands for the Karakoram region, and he assigned K1 to K6 for the peaks.
There doesn't seem to be a name for the mountain locally. This may be to do with how remote it is and that the peak isn't visible from the nearest town of Askole.
The first attempt to summit K2 was in 1902, but it wasn't conquered until 1954 by an Italian team. The first female climber on K2 was Wanda Rutkiewicz from Poland in 1986.
Best time to trek K2 Base Camp?
The best time to attempt your K2 Base Camp trek is in the Summer months.
Temperatures on the expedition may vary from 0 to 30 degrees during the day and -10 to 10 degrees at night. It’s best to be prepared for lower temperatures due to wind chill or the weather turning bad. Usually the days are hot and the nights are cold.
What do you need to trek to K2 Base Camp?
We have an extensive packing list on what you should bring with you when trekking K2 Base Camp. You can view this packing list here.
How to prepare to trek K2 Base Camp
We have classified K2 Base Camp as a level 7 expedition, for more information about our levels system click here. Typical elevation gain per day would be 500 – 1000 meters, with at least one day over 1000 metres. We strongly recommend that you read our information pack, which gives in detail on how you should prepare for trekking K2 Base Camp. You can read this document here.
Certified B-Corp
Earth's Edge is a certified B-Corp. In fact, we are the highest scoring B-Corp in Ireland. We are passionate about sustainable travel, bettering the lives of the people connected with the company and minimising our environmental impact.
Tree Planting
We plant 8 native trees in Nepal for each person that travels with us in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects. If you would like to plant more, please contact info@earths-edge.com. Each extra tree costs €0.75 cents. Learn more about our tree planting here.
