K2, also known as “Savage Mountain”, is the second highest mountain in the world. It is named K2 because it was the second mountain in the Karakoram range to be surveyed. The mountain, located on the border of China and Pakistan, is 8,611 meters high, lower than Mount Everest at 8,848 meters, but more dangerous and challenging.
K2 can also be reached from Xinjiang, China, but since that route is more dangerous, most treks to K2 start from Skardu in Pakistan. Most of this route follows the glacier. Along the way, trekkers will see 4 mountains over 8,000 meters and 20 mountains over 7,000 meters.
Moreover, the Karakoram range is home to the most developed mountain glaciers in the world. This area is concentrated with many world-class glaciers where you can get a close look at various ice towers, ice mushrooms, ice caves, and glaciers.
Skardu in northern Pakistan is a trekker’s paradise, with routes ranging from 3 to 18 days. The K2 Base Camp trek is one of the most difficult routes, taking 13 days and covering nearly 200 kilometers. It reaches the base camps of 4 mountains over 8,000 meters (K2, Gasherbrum I, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum II), camping above 5,000 meters. The most dangerous parts are crossing the Baltoro Glacier and traversing the 5,620-meter Gondogoro La Pass. This route is challenging and pushes your limits. Trekkers need extensive high-altitude trekking experience and strong physical fitness.
Far fewer people have reached the summit of K2 than Mount Everest. Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni, both Italians, were the first to reach the summit in 1954.
Alarmingly, about 25% of those who attempt to climb K2 die in the process. However, trekkers can reach K2 Base Camp via a spectacular trek, avoiding these deadly factors. The trek starts near Skardu town and takes two weeks roundtrip.
The trail leads through the long Baltoro Glacier. It crunches its way through a more striking mountain thoroughfare to reach the glistening confluence of the Concordia Glacier, an ice bowl at 4,500 meters, surrounded by numerous world peaks, including Broad Peak, Mitre Peak, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, Crystal Peak, and K2 itself.
In the 1970s, American photographer Galen Rowell dubbed Concordia “the Mountain God’s throne room.” A short walk from Concordia is the K2 Base Camp, offering close-up views that will take your breath away. You can visit the Gilkey Memorial, dedicated to those who lost their lives on the slopes of the Savage Mountain.
English Name: K2 BASE CAMP TRAIL
Location: Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, the south slope of the Karakoram range on the Pakistan-administered Kashmir side
Best Trekking Time: June-September
Mileage: 200 kilometers
K2 Base Camp Trek: K2 Base camp and Gondogoro La Circuit;
Base Camp Trek of 8000-meter Mountains: Grand base camp and Gondogoro La;
Difference: The former does not camp at the K2 Base Camp, while the latter requires camping at two base camps around 5,000 meters.
Day 1 Skardu (2,240 meters) – Askole (3,050 meters)
Day 2 Askole – jula (3,170 meters)
Day 3 jula – paiju (3,400 meters)
Day 4 Paiju – khoburtse (3,830 meters)
Day 5 Khoburtse – urdukas (4,060 meters)
Day 6 Urdukas – Goroll (4,310 meters)
Day 7 Goroll – concordia (4,600 meters)
Day 8 Concordia – K2 base camp (4,965 meters)
Day 9 K2 base camp – concordia (4,600 meters)
Day 10 Concordia – Gasherbrum (5,040 meters)
Day 11 Gasherbrum – Ali camp (4,950 meters)
Day 12 Ali camp – Gondogoro la (5,620 meters) – Khuspang (4,690 meters)
Day 13 Khuspang – Saicho (3,450 meters)
Day 14 Saicho – Hushe – Skardu (2,240 meters)
1. Most of the trek route is on glaciers, with many rocks. You may sometimes camp on glaciers, so it is recommended to bring hiking boots and thick sleeping bags.
2. There are no settlements on the trek and no places to charge devices, so be sure to bring enough spare batteries or a generator for phones, cameras, etc.
3. The K2 Base Camp trek is challenging. Most of the route is on glaciers, and the road conditions are poor. It requires high physical fitness.
Trekking at high altitudes can lead to altitude sickness. Trekkers need good endurance and physical strength to adapt to high altitudes and long treks. This trek is not recommended for people with severe altitude sickness or cardiovascular disease that is not suitable for high altitudes.
4. The K2 Base Camp is close to the China border and the India-Pakistan ceasefire line, which is a border military control zone. Trekking requires a permit (difficult to obtain). It is best to contact a Pakistani trekking company before departure, find a guide, and have them apply for the permit. When applying, you will need to provide scanned copies of your passport, travel application form, and color ID photos.
5. Pakistan is a Muslim country. It is forbidden to bring alcohol, pork, and pork products into the country, which are against Islamic teachings. Women should not wear overly revealing clothing in public and should preferably be accompanied by a man. Please respect local customs and traditions.
6. During the fasting month in Pakistan, smoking, drinking, and eating are not allowed in public places from sunrise to sunset. So, it is best to avoid crowds when drinking, eating, or smoking during the day. Otherwise, it will be seen as disrespect for religious customs.
7. The K2 Base Camp trek has no supplies along the way, and some sections are easy to get lost. Therefore, it is not recommended to trek alone.
8. There are consulates of Pakistan in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. However, it is very difficult to obtain a personal tourist visa. For convenience, you can apply for a Pakistani business visa, which costs approximately RMB 1,000 per person.
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