Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive at Islamabad/Rawalpindi

   • Arrive at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to a comfortable, centrally located hotel.
   • The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and recover from the long flight to Pakistan. In the afternoon, for those who desire, there will be a tour of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad and the bustling bazaars of Rawalpindi. Visit the Pakistan movement, Lok Virsa Museum for the display of local cultures, visit Damane Koh, a beautiful picnic point for Pakistani holidaymakers, enjoy panoramic views of Islamabad, visit the Faisal Mosque and see other Government Official buildings like the Parliament House, Prime Minister's house, Supreme Court and other prominent business towers. Admire the unique architectural styles and later drive onto Murree Road - one of the bustling roads at Rawalpindi. 
   • Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening where you can meet your guide and other group members.

   Overnight stay at hotel.

2. Day 2: Islamabad to Skardu By Air

   • Early after breakfast, we will take you to the airport for the flight to Skardu Valley (commercial flight).
   • Upon arrival at Skardu Airport, we will transfer to the hotel for the preparations and shopping (altitude is 2300m).

3. Day 3: Preparation or Rest Day

   • Today is preparation day for the group and our kitchen staff for the next day's journey. The tourism office will have a briefing and other necessary documentation like FA section reports. Then, spend some time for leisure.

4. Day 4 - Skardu to Askole Camp

   • Drive from Skardu to Askole (3,000 m: Camp, jeep drive). It takes about six hours. The drive will be through the Braldu Gorge. The approximate driving distance is 6/7 hours.

5. Day 5: Askole to Jhula Camping

   • Trek to Jhula (3,300 m) camp. The walk from Askole to Jhula is an easy, gentle plain and can be done in 6 to 8 hours. We cross the snout of the Biafo Glacier on the way. The first sight of the pinnacles of the Paiyu Group is stunning! On the way, we have to cross the Domurda River coming out from Chotoi and Panmah glaciers. An earlier alternative was handmade chair lifts. We will have lunch at Korophone Green camping side.

6. Day 6: Jhula to Paiju Camping Side

   • Trek to Paiju (3,450 m). We follow the Braldu and the Biaho rivers to a river’s edge campsite. This crossing is done on a bridge upstream. This takes about 6 hours of walking and will give us our first sight of the mighty Baltoro Glacier and the Trango and Cathedral Groups. Paiyu is the last campsite before the Baltoro. Efforts are underway to clear out the pollution, and there has also been a recent plantation of many trees in the area. The walk follows the Biaho River to Paiyu. Depending upon the time it takes for the crossing. The walk can take 8 hours or more.

7. Day 7: Paiju Rest Day

   • Today is Paiju rest day, or you head to the glaciers without rest. Wash up, relax, read, climb a steep ridge behind the camp, and sing and dance with the porters! Depending upon the size of the party, goats or a goat will be sacrificed, and meat will be distributed to the porters as a form of thanksgiving and to bring us good luck on our next day’s walk on the Baltoro.

8. Day 8: Paiju to Khuburse Camping Side (3,800m)

   • Trek on the Baltoro Glacier. There will be around 6 to 8 hours of walking. It's a tough day as we climb on the rocky moraines of the Baltoro, but the sight of Baltoro pinnacles and Paiyu Peak is astounding! An earlier alternative campsite is Liligo, but there is no water there. We will cross some gushing streams on the way.

9. Day 9: Khubrse Camping to Urdukas Camp Site (4150 m)

   • Walk for a few hours on the barren donkey paths, climb two glaciers on the way with gentle traversing on glaciers, and reach the top for the first views of the Urdukas campsite. The campsite is perched high above the valley with excellent views. There will be around 4 or 5 hours of walk.

10. Day 10: Urdukas to Goro II Camp Site (4300m) Baltoro Glacier

    • This is a tough day’s walk on the undulating Baltoro. However, the footing becomes easy as the rocks become smaller and smaller as we move up the Baltoro. It takes about 8 hours to get to Goro. We walk right smack up to the center moraine of the Baltoro. As Masherbrum emerges on the right, it takes our breath away, and so does Gasherbrum 4 right in front of us. Goro is a cold campsite! It has a great view of the Muztagh T. You may see a classic view of Masherbrum on our backdrop.

11. Day 11: Goro II to Concordia Camp Junction Of The Mountains Concordia (4,550 m) Baltoro Glacier

    • Trek to Concordia. There will be an easy 6 hours of walking. As we enter the throne room of the mountain gods and see K2 emerging on our left and Broad Peak on our right, we feel we have arrived at an extraordinary place on the planet. For many, coming here is a lifelong goal and pilgrimage—a place of superlatives without any parallels.

12. Day 12: Concordia Rest Day or Visit K2 Base Camp and Gilkey Memorial Site

    • Concordia to K-2 Base Camp and Concordia junction: You can sit and watch K2 all day long and sip tea, which many have done and have still not been able to fully get K2 in their system! Or you can go on a long, whole day tiring trip to K2 Base Camp (4,800m), or go the other way towards the Gasherbrum peaks. The approximate walking distance is about 9-10 hours.

13. Day 13: Concordia to Goro II Camp Site (4,300m: Camp, Baltoro Glacier)

    • Trek to Goro II. Return to Goro campsite. The approximate walking distance is about 5-6 hours.

14. Day 14: Goro II to Urdukas

    • Trek to Urdukas (4,050 m) Camp, Baltoro Glacier.
    • Return to Urdukas campsite. The approximate walking distance is about 5-6 hours.

15. Day 15: Urdukas to Paiju Camping Site (3666m)

    • Return to Paiyu campsite, not stopping at Khobrse on the way down. We are now well acclimatized, and the walk down is much quicker and less challenging than going up. The approximate walking distance is about 6-7 hours.

16. Day 16: Paiju to Jhula Camp Site (3550 m)

    • Stop at Jhula, which is the place of crossing the Domurda River. We do not stop at Bardumal on the way down. The approximate walking distance is about 5-6 hours.

17. Day 17: Jhula to Askole Village (3300m)

    • Return to the metropolises of Askole! Well, at least it feels like one after being on the Baltoro and the same day, we will drive to Skardu if time permits. The approximate walking distance is about 5 to 6 hours.

18. Day 18: Askole to Skardu (2500m)

    • Proceed to Skardu from Askole in a jeep. 
    • Enjoy a hot shower and a warm, comfortable bed.

19. Day 19: Skadu to Islamabad

    • Fly to Islamabad. 
    • Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
    • The group will have some leisure time around the markets in the evening. 
    • Enjoy some local sightseeing in Islamabad. If the flight does not operate from Islamabad, the group will be transferred by road to Islamabad, taking two days to reach Islamabad.

20. Day 20: Islamabad - Fly Home

    • Reserve Day: We will proceed to Lahore via the Motorway if the flight operates today.
    • Upon arrival at Lahore, proceed for some city sightseeing. Visit the Wagah border and see the flag ceremony.
    • In the evening, return to the hotel for dinner at Lala Haveli rooftop restaurant with scenic views of Lahore Bade Shahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Miner-e-Pakistan.

    Departure.