K2 Base Camp Trek: Route, Season, Permits and Difficulty

The K2 Base Camp trek is one of the great treks of the world. It follows the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram from the village of Askole to Concordia, where several glaciers meet beneath K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums, and on to the base camp of K2 itself at about 5,000 metres.

Quick answer: the trek takes about 14 to 18 days from Skardu, including the jeep ride to Askole, 7 to 8 days walking in, rest days and the walk out. The season is mid-June to mid-September, and every foreign trekker needs a permit arranged by a licensed Pakistani operator and a guide.

Key facts about the K2 Base Camp trek

• Start: Askole, a day's jeep ride from Skardu.
• Highest point: K2 Base Camp at about 5,000 to 5,150 m; Gondogoro La at roughly 5,600 m if you exit over the pass.
• Concordia: about 4,600 m, the confluence of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers.
• Duration: 14 to 18 days from Skardu; 20 or more with Gondogoro La and buffer days.
• Season: mid-June to mid-September; July and August are the most settled.
• Permits: trekking permit through a licensed operator; you cannot trek independently.
• Difficulty: strenuous but not technical to K2 Base Camp; Gondogoro La is technical and needs crampons and fixed ropes.

Itinerary overview

1. Islamabad to Skardu by air, or two days by road. 2. Skardu: permits, briefing and kit check. 3. Jeep to Askole through the Braldu valley. 4. Askole to Jhola. 5. Jhola to Paiju, the last campsite before the glacier. 6. Rest and acclimatisation day at Paiju. 7. Paiju to Urdukas, with views of the Trango Towers. 8. Urdukas to Goro II on the Baltoro Glacier. 9. Goro II to Concordia. 10. Day trip to K2 Base Camp and Broad Peak Base Camp. 11. Spare day at Concordia for weather. 12 to 15. Walk out by the same route to Askole, or cross Gondogoro La to Hushe. 16. Jeep back to Skardu.

Exact stages depend on your group's pace and the condition of the glacier.

Best season

The trek is open from about mid-June to mid-September. June has more snow on the upper glacier; July and August have the most stable weather; September is colder at night but clear. Outside this window the route is snowbound.

Permits and rules

All foreign trekkers in the Baltoro need a trekking permit, arranged through a licensed Pakistani tour operator, and must travel with a licensed guide. The paperwork is done in Skardu or Islamabad before you set off, and the operator also handles the national park fee and any liaison requirements. Rules can change from season to season, so confirm with your operator when you book. Pakistani citizens should also book through an operator for porters, permits and logistics.

How hard is it?

You walk 5 to 8 hours a day on rough moraine and ice, and sleep above 4,000 m for more than a week. You do not need climbing skills to reach K2 Base Camp, but you do need good fitness and experience of multi-day treks. Train with long hill walks carrying a pack for at least three months before. The Gondogoro La crossing adds a long night ascent on snow with fixed ropes and should only be attempted with a guide and the right equipment.

Altitude and health

Altitude sickness is the main risk. Ascend slowly, drink plenty of water, use the rest day and tell your guide about headaches, nausea or breathlessness. Descending is the cure for anything serious. Make sure your travel insurance covers trekking to 5,600 m and helicopter evacuation.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the K2 Base Camp trek?

About 14 to 18 days from Skardu and back, or around 20 days including flights from Islamabad and the Gondogoro La exit.

Do I need a permit for the K2 Base Camp trek?

Yes. Foreign trekkers need a trekking permit arranged by a licensed Pakistani operator and must hike with a licensed guide.

When is the best time to trek to K2 Base Camp?

July and August have the most reliable weather; the full season runs from mid-June to mid-September.

Can beginners do the K2 Base Camp trek?

It is not a beginner's trek. It suits fit walkers with experience of multi-day treks at altitude. Beginners should start with Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp or a shorter trek in Hunza.

How high is K2 Base Camp?

About 5,000 to 5,150 metres, depending on where the season's camp sits on the moraine below K2.

Trek with us

See our trekking packages, read about Pakistan's 8,000-metre peaks, or ask us to plan your K2 trek.