The route up the Baltoro glacier to Concordia, where the Godwin-Austen, upper Baltoro and Vigne glaciers all converge, is indeed a trek into the throne room of the mountain gods. The 62km-long Baltoro glacier, the Karakoram's third longest, is Pakistan's number one trekking destination. Along the lower Baltoro are amazing granite towers and sheer walls - Ulli Biaho, the Trangos, and the Cathedrals. Seven of the world's greatest peaks rise above the glacier. Within 25km of one another are the Gasherbrums' Broad peak and K2 (8611m), so missive yet so ethereal, the ultimate mountain of mountains. Road access between the last Shangrila, Baltistan know as little Tibet at road end in Askole take 6hours by 4x4 jeep and by air accesses from Islamabad with beautiful mountain flight to Skardu town only 45minutes with awesome mountains vistas.

New Muztag pass 5370m, once a trading route to Xinjiang, Eric Shipton was first to explore and map this area in 1937, though Henry Haversham Godwin-Austin had been there before him in 1861 and 1887.

Note: By the rules of ministry of tourism, trek briefing with Alpine Club is an important procedure. The entire document processing for the trek permit issuance will be made three days before group arrival, therefore passport details need to be provided by the clients as early as possible. Northern areas flights are subject to weather.

ITINERARY

Duration: 15 days trekking;
Hotel stay: 8 nights.
Distance: 162.8 km both ways
Focus: Culture, village life, mountains, glaciers.
Season: June to September
Start/Finish: Askole
Altitude: landing; Islamabad 700m to K 2 base 5135m.
Climate: City; day 25°C to 40°C Mountains, Day 20°C to night -5°C

Day 01 Upon arrival transfer to the hotel Shalimar in Rawalpindi.
Depend on arrival time to design day sightseeing. if morning arrivals with British airways is possible then we can arrange briefing with Alpine Club. Day sightseeing, lok-versa country hirritage galrry, Faisal Mosque, dinner in Daman-e-Koh, bird-eye view of twin city's Islamabada-Rawalpindi.

Day 02 At 9.30am flight to Skardu town at 2500m, with PIA boing 737 takes 45minutes. The best air travel over the Himalaya's and Karakorams in Asia. After landing to the desert fox run way transfer to the hotel Masherbrum or Concordia Hotel. After lunch sightseeing in the town, Sadpara Lake and Buddha rock carvings, inscriptions of Khroshti language from 7th century.

OR
if in case of flight cancellation by road 12hrs drive 450km, on Karakoram highway along the Indus river to Chilas O/night Chilas Inn.

Day 03 Trekking preparation or drive by road to Skardu.
Drive on Karakoram highway between Chilas 1200m, and Indus confluence where three great mountain ranges meet 100km- 1.30hrs. From there beyond road to Skardu diverts crossing Gilgit River at Alam-Bridge 170km still to drive along the Indus. For this journey our lunch arrangement will be lunch box. Due to single lane 170 km roads drive 6hrs. Hotels are as mentioned above.

Day 04 Skardu to Askole Morning drive at 7.30am having a wonders dream in mind towards the deserts of littile Tibet via historic Shigar valley, along the Barldu River to Dassu for lunch. After lunch thrill of jeep venture crossing more then six suspension bridges to Askole camp, the last village in the horizon of Baltoro. Askole at 3000m, in 4x4 jeep 6 to 7hrs un sealed road. All meals served in the camp.

Day 05 Askole to Jora 5 to 6hrs, 14km, 150m ascent-:
Trek start from Askole at 7.30 am to Jura camp at 3200m, 5 to 6hrs. We meet our porters and by the ministry's rules weight scale to carry during the trek at low altitude is 25kg. Lunch at traditional place in Korophon at 3000m, at the bottom of Biaho glacier in the beautiful willows shades. 2.30hrs walk after lunch crossing Swing Bridge on Dumordo River, draining from the Panmah glacier. Jura camp is beautifully organized with igloo shower cabins, WC toilets, tape water in the camp side, nice terraces for tent pitching. All meals in the camp.

Day 06 Jola to Skam Tsok 4hrs, 11.4km, 300m ascent-: (skam means dry;
Tsok, a thorny bush) leave camp at 08.am from the Pangma valley following along the Barldo river which draining from Baltoro glacier, walk through the gentle trail to Skam Tsok camp 3300m. to keep short distance to get acclimatize the group.

Day 07 Skam Tsok to Paiju 3.30hrs, 8.6km, 150m ascent-:
Commencing a day trek after closing camp the trail alternates between the river bed and terraces above, crossing boulder fields and side streams until coming to the Paiju glacier's outwash streams. The first glimpses of Paiju peak (6610m) and Cathedral Towers are famous here. Continued around a rocky cliff and drop to the Barldo River along to the lower trail. From the riverside, ascend to the terraces and passing through groves of trees to Paiju (3450m). Traditionally Paiju camp swells up with trekkers/expeditions from in and outs in high season. Evening gets busy singing song and dancing to amuse their guest apart from tiring day walks.

Day 08 Day-rest become more interesting sitting along the streams of Barldo washing/bathing and porters distribution of their ration, slaughtering goats for a big feast. From this stage beyond for the glacier walk porters cook tradition thick bread which stays longer in their tummy to cross the boulders with 30kg loads.

Day 09 Paiju to Khoburtse 4.30hrs to 5.30hrs, 10.8km, 480m ascent:-
Walk 1hr towards Baltoro glacier's terminus where an obvious trail leads up the terminal moraine. The trail crosses the glacier angling gently K.5km to the south-east margin in 2/half hrs. Continued up ablation valley 15minutes to Liligo for lunch. While walking on the middle of the glacier the incredibly sheer granite towers of Baltoro's northern wall, dominate the views. In the beautiful formation of Paiju peak, Ulibiaho, great Trango towers, Lobson group and Cathedrals. An hour and half walk along the south-east Baltoro glacier, to reach the magnificent views to all towers, with snow water falls few meters near the campsite 3930m.

Day 10 Khoburtse to Urdukas 2-3hrs, 5.1km, 120m, ascent-:
Departures from the camps mostly depend on day weather conditions. Between Khoburtse an Urdukas, two glaciers from the south-east join the Baltoro. The trails along the lateral moraine moves onto the glacier to skirt these side glaciers. Continue 30 minutes on the grassy boulder-strewn hillside 50m above is Urdukas camp (4050m). The meadow above Urdukas offer one of the Karakoram's finest panoramas. All the Trango towers, including nameless tower which has world longest granite and more view towards Baltoro east Gasherbrum-IV, (7925m) Broad peak (8047m).

Day 11 Urdukas to Gore II 6-7hrs, 12.1km, 330m ascent-:
The day starts with stunning mountains views if a spell of weather permits. Once leave the last green spot of beautiful Urdukas camp trail descend and goes straight out to the glacier's middle. The trail from here to Concordia, although obvious, is a less of highway, and remains on the glacier. Masherbrum 7821m (which named K 1 and including all Ks named by Sir Montgomery on his first visit in Himalayas). After 3/half hrs, stop for lunch Masherbrum's sheer granite north face and snow-crowned summit (7821m) comes into view. Gore II camp (4380m), 2/half to three hours further, in the front of Muztagh Tower (7273m) middle of the glacier. Gasherbrum IV's (7925m) unique squared-off summit beckons towards Concordia and Masherbrum's dramatic cap soars behind.

Day 12 Goro II to Concordia 5 to 6hrs, 9.2km, 270m, ascent-:
The trail marches steadily towards Concordia, working right and close to the Biarchedi glacier, bounded by a sheer wall of fluted snow. As we approach Concordia, the immense bulk of triple-headed Broad peak (8047m) emerges. Concordia (4650m) where the Godwin-Austin meet the upper Baltoro and Vigne glaciers. After all a dream of Baltoro and majestic K 2 (8611m, in Balti language Chogori) has superb views of colossal pyramid. Miter peak (6025m) to the south stands watch over this place of sublime and awesome beauty. Concordia exposes as it is receiving strong winds and the Baltoro's coldest camp site on the glacier.

Day 13 Day trip to Broad peak & the mighty K 2 base camp. 7 to 9hrs, 20km, 485m ascent-485 descent.
The route to K 2 base camp and back to Concordia can be covered in one long, tiring day. To stay a night at K 2 base camp could be more cold night and less view just at the bottom.

Day 14 Concordia to Goro II 4 to 5hrs, 9.2km, 270m- descent vice-versa.

Day 15 Goro II to Urdukas 5-6hrs, 12.1km, 330m descent vice-versa.

Day 16 Urdukas to Paiju 8hrs, 15.9km, 600m, descent vice-versa.

Day 17 Paiju to Jula 7.30hrs, 19.9km, 450m descent vice-versa.

Day 18 Jula to Askole 5 to 6hrs, 14km, 150m descent vice-versa.

Day 19 Askole to Skardu
Jeep drive between Askole to Skardu takes 2 to 7hrs, stay in hotel.

Day 20 Fly back to Islamabad or drive to Chilas 8rs, stay in the hotel.

Day 21 city sightseeing or drive on KKH to Rawalpindi for 12hrs.

Day 22 Fly back to home.

Personal gears for the K2 trek-:
down sleeping bag or any good one could comfort up to minute -10°C.
down jacket or good flees/woolen jumpers.
A good size day pack.
warm woolen socks/gloves/ water proof one pair.
wind breaker or rain dress one set.
sun glasses/water bottle 1/2 liters/ puree tabs or water filter.
first aid personal kit.
Good trekking boots, snow gaiters/ Ice strokes if like so.