K2 Base Camp Trek Guide: Baltoro Glacier, Concordia, Gondogoro La and Verified Reviews

By Blake Penson · Updated 2026-10-24

Blake Penson has climbed Everest twice and has 20 years in the mountains.

The K2 Base Camp trek is one of the greatest treks in the world: a two- to three-week journey up the Baltoro Glacier in Pakistan's Karakoram to Concordia, where four 8,000 m peaks come into view, and on to K2 base camp at about 5,135 m. It is a remote camping trek on rough glacier moraine, much harder than Everest Base Camp, and many groups return over the Gondogoro La, a 5,585 m pass that needs fixed ropes. The season runs from June to early September. On ExpedReview, as of 23 October 2026, 2 operators have 8 verified client reviews for the K2 Base Camp trek: The Mountain Company, based in the UK (5.0★ from 5 reviews, latest June 2021), and Summitclimb, based in the US (4.9★ from 3 reviews, latest November 2023, from US$5,850). Below are the reviews, the route, an itinerary, difficulty, season, permits and how to choose an operator.

K2 Base Camp trek: key facts | | | |---|---| | Highest point | K2 base camp, about 5,135 m; Gondogoro La about 5,585 m (optional) | | Key viewpoint | Concordia, about 4,600 m | | Region | Baltoro Glacier, Central Karakoram National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan | | Start | Askole, reached by jeep from Skardu | | Typical length | About 18–23 days from Islamabad | | Difficulty | Strenuous; glacier moraine, camping, high altitude | | Season | June to early September | | Operators reviewed on ExpedReview | 2, with 8 verified reviews (as of 23 Oct 2026) |

K2 Base Camp operators with verified reviews

ExpedReview ranks operators by their verified client reviews for each place: the star rating, adjusted so one or two reviews, or only old ones, count for less than many recent ones. Every review is checked by hand before it is published, and operators cannot pay to appear or rank higher. Prices are set by the operators themselves. Data as of 23 October 2026.

What clients say

The Mountain Company. Five reviews from May and June 2021 describe pre-pandemic trips. Clients call it "an experience of a lifetime", praising the support, food, guides and crew, and the chance to see Pakistan's countryside. One recommends returning over the Gondogoro La, describing the sunrise view of four 8,000 m peaks from the top of the glacier. Another describes the week-long walk up the Baltoro, camping beneath the Trango Towers, Cathedral Peak and the Gasherbrums, before reaching Concordia. One notes that the company works with a "very capable local organization".

Summitclimb. Three reviews from October and November 2023 describe trips in 2019 and 2022 with Dan Mazur's team, which trekked alongside the company's K2 climbing expedition. Clients praise the food, the support of the local team led by Ibrahim Khalil and Mushtaq of Mashabrum, and the transport from Askole to Skardu. One trekker, in their late sixties, reached the Art Gilkey Memorial at the foot of K2 and says, "don't put it off!" Another describes the Karakoram as "another creature altogether" compared with the Himalaya.

Why trek to K2 Base Camp?

K2, at 8,611 m, is the second-highest mountain in the world and one of the most beautiful. The Baltoro Glacier, more than 60 km long, is lined with some of the world's most dramatic peaks: the Trango Towers, Masherbrum, Gasherbrum IV, Broad Peak and Chogolisa. At Concordia, called the "throne room of the mountain gods" by the photographer Galen Rowell, you can see K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II, four of the world's fourteen 8,000 m peaks. Unlike the Everest region, there are no lodges or villages beyond Askole, so the trek feels like a true expedition.

The route

Islamabad to Askole

Most treks start in Islamabad. Teams fly to Skardu, a spectacular flight past Nanga Parbat when the weather allows, or drive for one to two days along the Karakoram Highway. From Skardu, jeeps take five to seven hours on a rough, dramatic road through the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole (about 3,000 m), the last village.

The Baltoro Glacier

From Askole, the trek follows the Braldu River to Jhola and Paiju, where most groups take a rest day. Beyond Paiju, the route climbs onto the Baltoro Glacier and follows its rocky, undulating moraine through Khoburtse, Urdukas and Goro to Concordia (about 4,600 m). Camps are on moraine or grassy ledges, and the views get bigger every day.

Concordia and K2 base camp

From Concordia, a long day trip, or an overnight stop, leads along the Godwin-Austen Glacier past Broad Peak base camp to K2 base camp at about 5,135 m. Near base camp is the Art Gilkey Memorial, a cairn covered with memorial plaques to climbers who died on K2, named after the American climber Art Gilkey, who died during the 1953 American expedition.

Return via the Gondogoro La (optional)

Instead of returning down the Baltoro, many groups cross the Gondogoro La (about 5,585 m) to the Hushe valley. The crossing starts around midnight from Ali Camp, climbing a steep slope on fixed ropes to the pass for sunrise views of K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums, then descends steep snow and scree. Conditions vary greatly, and the pass may be closed in some seasons. A guide team that fixes ropes is essential.

Sample itinerary

A typical 21-day trek with a return over the Gondogoro La:

1. Arrive in Islamabad.
2. Fly or drive to Skardu.
3. Rest and preparation in Skardu.
4. Jeep to Askole.
5. Trek to Jhola.
6. Trek to Paiju.
7. Rest day at Paiju.
8. Trek to Khoburtse.
9. Trek to Urdukas.
10. Trek to Goro II.
11. Trek to Concordia.
12. Day trip to K2 base camp.
13. Trek to Ali Camp.
14. Cross the Gondogoro La to Khuspang.
15. Trek to Saicho.
16. Trek to Hushe and drive to Skardu.
17. Spare day.
18. Fly or drive to Islamabad. 19–21. Spare days for weather and flights.

Difficulty

The K2 Base Camp trek is strenuous. Days are often six to ten hours on rough moraine and ice, with river crossings and long distances at altitude. Camps are basic, and the weather can be hot on the lower glacier and very cold at night. The Gondogoro La adds a technical element with fixed ropes and crampons. Trekkers should be fit, experienced at altitude and comfortable with camping for two weeks or more.

Season

The main season is June to early September, when the glacier is accessible and the Gondogoro La is crossable. July and August are the most popular months. Early and late in the season, there is more snow higher up and colder nights.

Permits

The Baltoro is a restricted area, so trekkers need a permit arranged through a licensed Pakistani tour operator, plus a Central Karakoram National Park entry fee. Fees and rules change, so ask your operator for current details.

Cost

On ExpedReview, Summitclimb's guide-listed price for the K2 Base Camp trek starts at US$5,850. Prices vary with group size, whether the Gondogoro La is included, the quality of camping equipment and food, and whether flights and hotels in Islamabad and Skardu are included. Ask for a full breakdown.

Choosing an operator

1. Check the local partner. Good international operators work with experienced Pakistani agencies, as both reviewed companies do.
2. Ask about the Gondogoro La plan, including rope fixing and backup routes.
3. Ask about acclimatisation and spare days.
4. Check porter welfare. Ask how porters are equipped, paid and insured.
5. Ask about rescue plans and insurance.
6. Read recent reviews and ask for references.

K2 and its history

K2 got its name from the 1856 Great Trigonometric Survey of India, when surveyor Thomas Montgomerie labelled the peaks of the Karakoram K1, K2 and so on. Most of the others later received local names, but K2 kept its survey label. It is sometimes called the "Savage Mountain" because of its difficulty and high death rate. An Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio made the first ascent on 31 July 1954, when Achille Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli reached the summit. In January 2021, a team of Nepali climbers made the first winter ascent, the last 8,000 m peak to be climbed in winter. If you want to know more about the climb itself, see our K2 guide.

Camping, food and porters

There are no lodges beyond Askole, so all trekking groups camp. A typical operator provides sleeping tents, a dining tent, a kitchen tent, toilet tents and a cook team, with porters carrying loads up the glacier. The quality of the food matters on a trip this long, and reviewers of both operators above praise it. Porters on the Baltoro are mostly from Baltistan and carry loads of up to about 25 kg. Responsible operators make sure they have proper boots, clothing, shelter, insurance and fair pay, and follow the porter welfare rules agreed with local authorities.

Altitude and safety

K2 base camp, at about 5,135 m, is higher than Everest Base Camp, and the Gondogoro La is higher still. Acute mountain sickness is common, and serious altitude illness can develop far from help. Choose an itinerary that climbs gradually and includes rest days, drink plenty of water, and tell your leader about any symptoms. On the glacier, hazards include crevasses near the upper camps, rockfall from moraine walls, fast-flowing river crossings and hot, exposed days followed by freezing nights. Helicopter rescue in the Karakoram is run by the Pakistani military and depends on the weather, so insurance with a clear evacuation provision is essential.

Gear

Bring sturdy, broken-in boots with good ankle support, trekking poles, gaiters, a warm down jacket, waterproof shells, layers for heat and cold, a sun hat and glacier glasses, high-factor sun cream, a headlamp and a sleeping bag rated to about −15 °C or colder. For the Gondogoro La, you will also need crampons or microspikes, a harness and a helmet, depending on your operator's advice. Bring water purification and a small first-aid kit.

Culture and travel in Pakistan

Baltistan's people are mostly Balti, of Tibetan origin, and practise Shia or Noorbakhshi Islam. Villages such as Askole and Hushe are traditional and conservative: dress modestly, ask before photographing people, especially women, and follow your guide's advice. Skardu is a pleasant town with hotels, shops and a fort. Pakistani hospitality is warm, and many trekkers say meeting people along the way is a highlight. Check your government's travel advice for the regions you will pass through.

Who the K2 Base Camp trek suits

It suits experienced trekkers who have already done a high-altitude teahouse trek such as Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, and who are ready for remote camping, glacier walking and a long time away from roads. It is also a good choice for climbers planning Karakoram expeditions who want to see the area first. If you have never trekked at altitude or camped for long, start with a shorter trek.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the K2 Base Camp trek?

It is one of the hardest classic treks in the world, with long days on glacier moraine, camping and altitude up to 5,135 m, or 5,585 m with the Gondogoro La.

How long does the K2 Base Camp trek take?

About 18 to 23 days from Islamabad.

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

June to early September, with July and August most popular.

Is the Gondogoro La difficult?

It is steep and requires fixed ropes, crampons and an early-morning start. Conditions vary, and it may be closed in some years.

Which operators have verified reviews for the K2 Base Camp trek?

As of 23 October 2026, The Mountain Company (5.0★ from 5) and Summitclimb (4.9★ from 3, from US$5,850).

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

Yes. The Baltoro is a restricted area, so foreigners must trek with a licensed Pakistani operator and a guide.

What is Concordia?

Concordia is the junction of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers, at about 4,600 m. From there you can see K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II.

Can I see K2 without going to base camp?

Yes. K2 is in full view from Concordia, which some shorter itineraries use as their turning point.

How much does the K2 Base Camp trek cost?

On ExpedReview, Summitclimb lists the trek from US$5,850. Check exactly what is included.

Can operators pay to rank higher on ExpedReview?

No. Operators cannot pay to appear, rank higher or have reviews removed.