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The K2 Gondogoro La Circuit: The Throne Room of the Mountain Gods
This the BEST High Altitude trek in the World: the K2 Gondogoro La Trek It has to be “The Circuit” and NOT “K2 Base camp trekking.” The standard K2 base camp is linear. Why would one trek 7 to 8 days from Askole and then turn around!
We do it in a giant “Circuit.”
We trek in from wild, rugged, Askole Valley and out through the fertile green paradise of Hushe Valley, traversing a breathtaking pass over the top at 5,585m. “The Ultimate trek experience” : Concordia “The King of all Peaks.” stand in 360-degree theater of 7,000m- 8,000m+ peaks. When you’re camping there, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, are in your view from your tent! Gondogoro La (5,585m).
It’s a high mountain crossing that is the “rite of passage” for the world’s premier mountaineers and high-altitude trekkers.
The view from the summit is one of the very few scenes on Earth that few will ever behold: FOUR 8,000er’s at once. The Baltoro Glacier walk. One of the longest non-polar glaciers on earth that constantly churns & shapes its ice and a dynamic landscape of giant ice sculptures (seracs) &glacial lakes.
A Cultural “Full-Loop.”
The trek starts from the rugged desert region of the Shigar/Askole valley, then ascends through the giants to exit from the greener paradise of the Ghanche/Hushe valley. It’s the full range of Balti life.
Black Yak “Professional Grade” 5585m: we do not cut corners on passes.
All our treks to Gondogoro La include: Rope Fixing on the Gondogoro La Pass. Our lead guides do this and fix security lines. Our 21 day itinerary is specifically geared for this pass with a couple of buffer days to acclimatize to full strength for crossing The pass. LocalHusheValley knowledge.
Having spent decades working in Hushe we know the best porters and have seamless transitions for the post hike.
Pricing Details
| Solo Person | 2-4 Persons | 5-10 Persons | 11+ Persons |
| $3,999 | $2,799 | $2,199 | $1,999 |
Departure Schedule 2026
Schedule for Adventure Year-2026
| Starting Date | Ending Date | Price/Group | Availability |
| 05-June | 26-June | $1,999 | Available |
| 15-June | 06-July | $1,999 | Available |
| 25-June | 16-July | $1,999 | Available |
| 05-July | 26-July | $1,999 | Available |
| 15-July | 06-August | $1,999 | Available |
| 25-July | 16-August | $1,999 | Available |
| 05-August | 26-August | $1,999 | Available |
| 15-August | 06-September | $1,999 | Available |
| 25-August | 16-September | $1,999 | Available |
| 05-September | 26-September | $1,999 | Available |
| 15-September | 06-October | $1,999 | Available |
Tour Highlights
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5 Star Hotel
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Availability
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Not Available
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5,585m
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Guided Tour
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English
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VISA, Master Card
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Jeep, Executive Cars
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5-8 Hours
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Availability
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Breakfast, launch & Dinner
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Summer
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1 - 18
Why You Should Join K2 Base Camp & Trek Group?
K2 & Gondogoro La Trek: The Ultimate Karakoram Traverse Our K2 Gondogoro La trek is arguably the most demanding but ultimately the most rewarding of all the high altitude expeditions anywhere in the world. Widely accepted as ‘The Throne Room of the Mountain Gods’ the K2 Gondogoro La Trek has been specifically put together for ambitious, experienced mountaineers and trekking expeditions who crave the challenge of a lifetime. We aim to provide not a simple there-and-back expedition but a true traverse. Taking in a circuitous route from Askoli we begin with a hike along the classic Baltoro Glacier to ‘The throne Room’ of Concordia with K2 and K2 base camp, from where we will be climbing over the infamous 5600m Gondogoro Pass – which has been designated as the Gateway into the Hushe Valley, providing us with an outstanding vista with some four 8000m summits framing the panorama.
Tour Highlights
- Concordia offers you a 360 degrees panoramic view of four peaks that reach over 8000m.
- Stand at the base of K2. At the Gilkey Memorial, under the immense walls of the Broad Peak.
- We will enjoy one amazing night camping on Concordia, home of the legendary "Throne Room of the Mountain Gods.
- Get privileged close-up views of the Gasherbrums, Chogolisa, and majestic mountains of the Baltoro.
- Experience the grand scale of Masherbrum and Urdukas Peak at close proximity from the higher parts of the glacier.
- Be awed by the sublime Trango Towers and Uli Biaho from the lower Baltoro Glacier.
- Experience raw, ancient ice as you move across the huge Baltoro and Godwin-Austen Glaciers.
- Get ready for a fully serviced, professional expedition trek.
- Cross through lands characterized by the Biafo, Vigne and Muztagh glacial systems.
- Experience the epic and wild vistas of the Shigar, Braldu and Skardu Valleys.
- Journey along trails created by the ancient Indus, Shigar, and Braldu rivers.
- Be on top of the world with a trip down the historical Karakoram Highway, an engineering and marvel.
Tour Plan
A skillfully choreographed adventure to the heart of the Karakoram. Our flagship itinerary combines challenging high altitude treks with periods of contemplative nature observation, guiding you through the rich valleys of Baltistan, towards the legendary ‘Throne Room of the Mountain Gods.’
After an early departure from Islamabad we take one of the worlds most stunning internal transits of the country. This flight up to the very high altitude airstrip of Skardu offers unparalleled, first ever eye level views of the massive mountains that form the Himalaya and Karakorum ranges. You will get to pass Nanga Parbat (8126m) as it forms the center of its own separate complex of huge peaks.
Today the group will depart from Islamabad in the morning, embark on a breathtaking mountain flight in one of the world’s most unique aircrafts where the guests are offered the vista of the two largest ranges in the world i.e. The Himalayas and Karakoram accompanied by the majestically tall Nanga Parbat (8126m).
Skardu is our high-altitude jumping off point, an ancient mountain village sitting in the shadow of the Karakoram, along the Indus River. We’ll take a couple of hours to recover from our flight, then get our legs in gear with a short acclimatization walk to Kharpocho Fort, the imposing ruin perched several hundred meters above the Skardu Bazaar. It commands an enviable and commanding view across the Indus and the entire valley.
Our tour begins now! We take a beautiful jeep ride from Skardu to the last village before we make camp, called Askoli. We leave Skardu and drive along the fertile Shigar Valley, the beginning of a dramatic land-scope and your first glimpse into what was once thought to be the 2nd highest mountain in the world. As we drive down the valley alongside the Shigar River the valley becomes narrower and narrower and we move onto the tracks beside the mighty Braldu River.
After an hour of the same rough but rewarding jeep road through the inner Karakoram, we will arrive at the important crossroads at Korofon camp. Here the Biafo glacier meets the Baltoro River, and if we take a short break here, the route over to the famed Snow Lake/Hispar La trek will appear to our left.
We continue onward up the road for an hour more until we reach Jhula Camp. Depending on the time, we will eat a boxed lunch at this site or make for the higher camps. Here at Jhula we give you our first big, proper, Himalayan summit view: Bakhoradas Peak – the ‘gate-keeper’ of the valley and the first proper ‘ peak’ we will see on the K2 itinerary.
Traditionally, expeditions to K2 commenced with an arduous multi-day trek from Askole. In recent times, we now enjoy the fruits of modern infrastructure, as the dedicated jeep track used by Black Yak Adventure takes you closer to Paju Camp, helping conserve your energy for the challenging, high altitude glacier trekking that follows. Your expedition begins with an enjoyable one-hour jeep drive to the historic landmark, Korofon Camp – a confluence where the Biafo glacier spills into the Baltoro River.
Today we have planned a rest day for body acclimatization and more importantly, altitude adjustment, before moving onward. We have plenty of free time for our guests to rest and sort out their laundry. The logistical team of the Black Yak Adventure team will get to work organizing the distribution of food rations to the porters for the trek across the Baltoro Glacier. For our guests who would like some exercise, a short walk of just 20 minutes will take them to a viewpoint from which they can see the magnificent Trango Towers, up close and personal.
The Baltoro glacier The Baltoro, which will serve as a road until the crossroads at Concordia, is the 65km massive ice channel which will be our pathway to get to the summit. Just a short distance from Paju Camp we are at the glacier’s snout and take our first uninterrupted looks at the “Trango Towers”, the “Uli Biaho”, and the “Paju Peak”. Then we enter onto the folds of the glacier ridges. All trekkers must concentrate on the path and allow our pack-animals, the horse and the donkey to pass you by on the ridge.
After an early breakfast, we begin our walk up towards Urdukas camp across some rough, imposing scenery along the Baltoro Glacier. This is one of the most crucial stretches, as it's the last of the land camps we stay at before we start sleeping on the ice of the glacier itself. Even though it's one of the easiest days from a trekking standpoint on K2 base camp treks, it's still undeniably one of the most dramatic.
Today’s trek at Black Yak Adventure takes you into the heart of the Karakoram as we journey across the central moraines of the great Baltoro Glacier. A challenging yet ultimately immensely satisfying stage; we pass through a sensational mountain corridor with the immense form of Masherbrum towering over you on the right and the awesome Muztagh towers reaching skywards to your left. As we round a bend in the ice, the vista finally expands to give you a first tantalizing view across the valley to the Gasherbrum range and the vast shoulder of Broad Peak.
The summit of your adventure today takes you up the magnificent Baltoro Glacier towards Concordia. At approximately 5-6 hours from Goro II, you will arrive at what is globally famous as the ‘Throne Room of the Mountain Gods’. This famous glacial intersection is where four mighty glaciers - the Baltoro, the Godwin-Austen, the Gasherbrum and the Vigne glacier meet, creating a breathtaking arena of ice.
Today you have a flexible programme to let you drink in the magic of this wilderness, this “Throne Room of Mountain Gods” of Concordia. Early risers might like to make an early start, crossing glaciers in the joining place of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers. Most of the walk to Broad Peak Base camp (4,850 m) should be easy, but from there to K2 Base camp (4,998 m) expect a harder, more uneven walk.
Today we’re walking back down from Broad Peak Base Camp to return to our main camp at Concordia.
Meals: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included).
Accommodation: Premium Tents(Twin-sharing basis).
Our trek to Ali Camp, the access point to the Gondogoro La, starts after a sumptuous meal, amidst the roof of the Karakoram. The route leaves the barren, stony slopes of the Baltoro and goes into the pure high altitude expanse of the Upper Baltoro and the Vigne Glacier. We head to Ali Camp, beyond the prominent Mitre Peak, on to the pristine and exceptionally white Vigne Glacier. Although flat and even, the glacier is covered with a network of tiny crevasses which should be navigated with expert advice.
Today we reach the high point of the Black Yak Adventure. Travel over the Gondogoro La is a tricky piece of technical logistics. We must cross this high point at night, leaving our camps at around midnight in order to get over the pass before any warming effect of the sun makes rocks slide on the Hushe side of the pass.
We’ll start the day by trekking across the Gondogoro Glacier for 1 hour. Traversing the ice and moraine to Dalchangpa, we’ll have a frontal perspective of the famously impressive, yet notoriously dangerous Masherbrum 7,821m – one of the most beautiful mountains in the Karakoram range. At Dalchangpa, we’ll have a pre-made hot lunch and continue to make our descent through the high pastures of Gondogoro into the greener, softer land of Siacho. Known for its significantly milder climate, oxygenated air, and available washing facilities including showers, Siacho is an ideal spot to refresh ourselves after the days on the glacier.
Today, we conclude the K2 Base Camp and Gondogoro La Trek as we make our way back to the populated world after a beautiful day crossing through the mountain range. We say farewell to the wild mountain terrain and descend into the scenic Hushe Valley. We head towards Hushe Village, the southernmost access point of the Ghanche district.
Our last day of trekking is a three hour hike down to the beautiful village of Hushe – the Karakorum gateway. This walk brings the traverse to a happy conclusion and back into civilisation. Private 4x4 jeeps will be there to take you back to Skardu city from Hushe.
Upon completion of our Trek, all participants will be driven to the airport in Skardu for our regularly scheduled PIA flight to Islamabad. This trip promises one final opportunity to capture and enjoy the magnificence of the Karakoram range from above!
Should our flights get cancelled, we'll travel back to Islamabad from Skardu in private vehicles by road (using Karakoram Highway or the Naran-Kaghan route). Though this trip can be 20+ hours long, it gives us a last, beautiful look at Northern Landscapes before we reach the plains of Punjab.
Private transfer from to K2 Gondogoro La Trek Final Day After concluding the most memorable Karakoram trek with our well trained guides and well established arrangements, our well-versed professional guides and well-established team arranged our private transfer from hotel to Islamabad International Airport for home.
Included/Exclude
Cost Includes
- 1. Pick and Drop Airport Service
- 2. All Ground & Air Transports
- 3. Hotel stays on a standard twin-share
- 4. All trek-based lodging to be delivered on a twin-share basis
- 5. Individual private Lodging for solo women participants
- 6. Professional Guides and Expedition Crew
- 7. Gourmet Cuisine & Field Services
- 8. Personal porter 14 kg
- 9. All meals in accordance with the itinerary (lunches & dinners at Islamabad are not inclusive)
- 10. Permits for Expedition and Trekking
- 11. Environmental and waste management.
- 12. Tolls, Infrastructure and Transit Fees.
- 13. Satellite Link.
- 14. Purified drinking water and specialized snacks, trail provisions and energy trail bars. Trail mix nuts.
- Luxury cookie.
- Etc
- 15. Standard Medical Support Facilities.
- 16. Communal dining vault .
- 17. Weather proof sleep tents.
- 18. Private rest room .
Cost Excludes
- 1. Visa Fees is not included in packages and is available for an Additional Price . Full visa processing and facilitation
- 2. Personal travel medical insurance
- 3. Flight International travel from home country to Pakistan & from Pakistan to your country.
- 4. Personal Gear (jacket, Boats etc.)
- 5. Personal and unique Technical equipment but rentals also available
- 6. Extra nights hotel accommodations before check in and after check out(Check in / check out at 12 PM)
- 7. Tips for Guides, Cooks & Support Crew
- 8. Personal unplanned costs (Souvenirs etc.)
- 9. All meals in Islamabad are on your account.
- 10. Cost incurred due to an early departure.
- 11. Cost incurred due to any act of God (flood, sliding etc)
Frequently Asked Questions
General
You will be travelling between 3000 and 5100 metres on this trek, with all campsites positioned around the average height of 4000m. These camps have been strategically chosen by the Black Yak Adventure team for excellent acclimatisation, with good opportunities to recover and relax, ready for ascending into the higher glacial environments.
Travel Pakistan – a land of opportunity for intrepid explorers Pakistan is safe and hospitable, welcoming tourists from all over the world for many years now. Over the past ten years, international tourists to Pakistan have seen a boom – the increased level of security and the deeply embedded concept of treating visitors as guests are some of the major factors contributing to it. Your security is of utmost concern to Black Yak Adventure.
You can rest assured of being accompanied by professional local guides who are fully acquainted with the terrain, who can secure permits from the government on your behalf and who are in constant touch with all government agencies involved in security management.
From the chaotic markets of Islamabad to the silent valleys of the Karakorum Range you will discover Pakistan – not just safe, but more than happy to welcome you! Accumsan purus sagittis vitae. Nullam acelit at eros imperdiet pulvinar velut nisl sit placerat neque amet sapien semper tempus.
Gondogoro La 5,585m is considered the technical crux of the K2 Circuit. At Black Yak Adventure, your safety is paramount and we employ a planned, professional system for this pass:Professional Rope FixingOur high-altitude expert fixing team sets fixed ropes on the approach to the pass, and also for the descent down the sheer cliff on the Hushe side to the pass, ensuring your safety. Alpine ClockStarting at the pass crossing at midnight, you are positioned to reach the summit at dawn and complete your descent before the sun warms the mountain and dislodges rocks or softens snow.
Equipment ExpertiseEvery trekker is instructed and assisted by guides on how to correctly use crampons, harnesses and ice axes on the steep sections.
Weather ForecastingWe use satellite weather forecasting and instruct guides to be aware and turn back down the Baltoro side or wait for a window if conditions turn unfavorable.
Booking your Black Yak Adventure trek couldn’t be simpler – it’s a quick three-step process:
Choose Your Expedition and Enquire Select the trekking route you wish to undertake and inquire on the website – real time availability is displayed.
Complete the form and submit your 40% deposit Once your preferred route is available, complete our secure booking form and make your 40% deposit to secure your spot on the departure.
Expedition Briefing We will confirm your booking, and once payment is received we will send you your complete Expedition Briefing Pack.
Essential Expedition Packing List Crossing the Gondogoro La 5,585m requires technical gear and a robust layering strategy. Here at Black Yak Adventure we’d suggest this technical equipment:
1. Climbing hardware for the pass Traction: C2 crampons that fit the mountaineering/trekking boots you plan on wearing.
Safety Equipment: Lightweight climbing harness and a pair of locking carabiners, and a normal ice axe for use on the way down.
Rope skills: Mechanical jumar or ascender for the fixed lines.
2. Cold weather gear Outerwear: Heavy duty down suit or professional level cold weather parka (rated down to -20 C) Waterproof and windproof GORE-TEX over jacket Breathable mid layers Head and Hands Balaclava, UV protective buff and the system approach for hand wear (thin liner glove plus heavy insulated mittens).
3. Bedding and Feet. Climbing boots that are suited for crampons and have a stiff sole Hybrid mountaineering boots that are insulated Sleeping Bag: Five season sleeping bag, or if you are a light sleeper use four season with a linerInsulated inflatable sleeping mat to ensure a warm nights sleep on the glacier.
4. Speciality items goggles Category 4 glacier glasses for the descent on the passheadtorch.
High lumen with additional batteries resistant to cold (in a pocket or your sleepbag!)
Timing “The timing of a crossing is absolutely essential. The Gondogoro La is generally open for a small window of opportunity between late June and early September. Here at Black Yak Adventure, we plan departures for the heart of this “stable window” - July and August, which generally offer the most dependable snow conditions on the pass and the greatest chance of that coveted 360-degree clear view that make this trek a world-class undertaking.”
A High Altitude Expedition: The Gondogoro La trek is a delicate, perfectly- timed operation which necessitates precise expertise and a finely honed logistics chain. Black Yak Adventure organizes the entire expedition from start to finish, transitioning smoothly from the Baltoro Glacier to the Hushe Valley. We organize the expedition using the following framework: A Phased Operation: We progress across the historical Baltoro Glacier using a gradual ascension to allow for much-needed acclimatization to the higher altitudes.
High Camp and Rope Fixing: At the high camp, or Ali Camp, we bring in a specialist "Rope Fixing Team".
These pioneers, equipped with a wealth of experience, will head out hours in advance of our group to fix ropes across the pass. The crossing will commence from approximately midnight so that we can reach the summit and make our way back to Ali Camp with solid, firm snow conditions. Infrastructure to Support you: Your gear will be transported from campsite to campsite by our expedition kitchen staff and porters. We are equipped to carry out expedition support with advanced camps to establish camps before your arrival.
A Descent into the Hushe Valley: Upon completion of our crossing of the Gondogoro La Pass at 5,585m, we make the spectacular descent into the fertile, green expanse of the Hushe Valley.
Is Tipping Required?
It's not technically required but is a long-held custom in the Karakoram and an important expression of gratitude towards our field staff. To help you budget, here's a guideline: Recommended budget: Plan to spend an estimated total of $80 - $150 USD per person on tips.
This is distributed during a ceremony at the end of the K2 Trek: At the end of your trip, during a traditional ceremony at camp, your Lead Guide will collect and then evenly distribute all tips between the guiding, kitchen, and porter crews.
This ceremony is the standard way for our climbers to thank the local team who worked tirelessly to make your trek a safe and comfortable one.
What is NOT included?
The majority of your trek expenses are paid for, but you will be required to bring physical cash (Pakistani Rupees) to use for personal spending since ATM access will not be available after Skardu.
• Local Currency/Spending money: We suggest between $300-500 USD (approximately 85,000-140,000 PKR) of local currency per person be brought on this trip.
• What this covers: This is generally used for things such as cold drinks, snacks, use of satellite telephone, hot showers (if offered), and small souvenirs on your days in Skardu.
• Staff Gratuity/Tipping: Tipping is an accepted and expected practice along the Karakoram, we suggest that you carry an additional 10%-15% of the total trek cost to be given to your hard-working group of porters, guides and cooks as a communal tip at the end of the expedition.
• Currency: Please ensure that you convert all necessary money to Pakistani Rupees (PKR) in either Islamabad or in Skardu before the expedition commences.
Our regular trips are twin-sharing based but we recognize that everyone may not enjoy the company of a tent mate! To facilitate those wanting private facilities, we offer: Individual Privacy You will have the use of your own tent throughout the expedition at all campsite and your own room at the hotels in Skardu and Islamabad. You can relax in your own private space after your adventures on the Baltoro Glacier to reorganize your equipment.
It is subject to availability, and can sometimes be a limited in remote locations in high season; so do inquire at the time of booking.
Single Supplement: +$320 USD per person. This will guarantee you your own private tent at each of our camps and your own private room at our hotels in Skardu and Islamabad.
Gratuity Tip although not obligatory is part of the culture in the Karakoram and a special way to recognize our hardy field staff. In order to help you with the budgeting process, we suggest the following;
Recommended Budget: We encourage each member of the expedition team to set aside approximately $80-$150 USD in total as tip.
The Distribution: At the end of the K2 trekking experience there is a ceremony where all tips are collected by the Lead Guide, to be fairly distributed to the guiding staff, kitchen team and porter teams.
The Reward: Your tip will directly recognize and thank the commitment of all the local staff working to keep you safe and well.
Your Guide: The Heart of the Experience At Black Yak Adventure, guides are more than just your roadmap through the Karakoram. We are protectors of your life, facilitators of your joy, and gatekeepers to the soul of Gilgit-Baltistan. Safety & Risk Management Monitoring weather, trail conditions, and your body’s response to high altitude and ensuring all team members have acclimated properly.
Technical Navigation Steerage across high passes and treacherous glacial terrain, using proven expertise.
Logistics Management Keeping porters, kitchen staff, and transportation moving harmoniously for a seamless operation. Cultural Immersion Translators of Balti life, helping you connect with locals and learn their unique ways of life. Emergency Readiness Preparedness for medical assistance and effective use of satellite communication for emergency evacuation, if necessary. Environmental Conservation Champion of ‘Leave No Trace’ to maintain the pristine beauty of our wild landscape.
Our Typical Expedition Menu We offer a wholesome combination of delicious local Pakistani food along with familiar international favorites. Our team of professional trekking chefs prepare every meal fresh.
Breakfast The Morning Fuel:
• Hot Dishes: Porridge made fresh in the morning, pancakes, or local paratha with eggs (fried/omelet)
• Continental: Fresh toasted bread with butter, jams, variety of cereals.
• Drinks: Fresh coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Lunch Mid-day break:
• Hot Dishes: Freshly made pasta, noodles or a light vegetable curry.
• Picnic Style: Canned tuna or sardines, boiled eggs, crackers, cheese and dried fruits. Energy Boosters: Fresh seasonal fruit, chocolate, cookies.
Afternoon Tea: (Upon reaching campsite)
• A steaming cup of tea or coffee with biscuits is served to help you rehydrate.
Dinner Three Course meal:
• Starter: An assortment of hot soup such as chicken, vegetable, and corn soup to kick start your meal.
• Main Course: Rotating dishes such as biryani, daal, chicken curry or mutton curry, pasta
• Dessert: Custard, rice pudding (kheer), or canned fruit. Dietary and Hygienic standards
• Special Requirements: We cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals with prior notification.
• Fresh Protein: we transport live chickens & goats for fresh meat at remote areas of Karakoram range.
• Free Flowing Water: we offer purified & boiled water to fulfill your fluid needs 24/7.
Personal K2 Gandogoro La Trek A K2 Gandogoro La Trek will be perfectly customized according to your walking pace, taste and duration. While joining a scheduled departure is ideal for budget travelers and a few adventurists; you as a solo traveler, group of family, or friends need special arrangement. In this trek; a private group gets their personalized team of porters, guides, cooks etc who are only concerned for your safety and well-being.
K2 Base Camp Trek Special Yes, Black Yak Adventure is an organizer of customized/ private K2 Gandogoro La trek.
We know there are high level adventure lovers, who have different idea and wishes to make K2 Gandogoro La trek in private.
So, we have packages that cater to:
Weather Report at K2 Base Camp
The trekking season in Gilgit-Baltistan is quite brief and comprises only of a short summer season. Here is the weather report for the entire trekking season.
1. Peak Season (July-August)
Weather conditions: Most stable season of the year and clear views of K2 are guaranteed.
Temperature: Relatively warm days ($15C$ to $25C$ at lower camps) and freezing nights ($-5C$ to $-10C$ at Concordia).
Recommendation: The most favorable season for trekking and crossing of the Gondogoro La pass.
2. Shoulder Season (June & September)
Weather conditions: Deep snow during June still prevails in higher passes. In September, crisp and cold air is experienced with almost no trekking crowd.
Temperature: considerably colder than the middle of summer as soon as sun goes down.
Recommendation: A good time to travel for seasoned trekkers if they prefer isolation, however the conditions are rather uncertain.
3. Off-Season (October-May)
Weather conditions: Heavy snowfall and bitterly cold days are expected. Higher passes remain closed.
Recommendation: Treks during this season is practically not possible due to harsh conditions.
The Black Yak Adventure's Water Policy
Your safety is of utmost importance at Black Yak Adventure. You will be guaranteed a regular supply of safe drinking water at all times of the journey. Here's our system:
Boiled & Filtered - Each night, water that is boiled and filtered to kill high-altitude bacteria is available from our kitchen crew at each campsite.
Natural Springs - We access safe, clear streams that emerge from the glacier throughout the day. These are subsequently treated using high quality chemical tablets, or mobile filter kits.
Environmentally Friendly - To keep the Karakoram's trails free of plastics, we insist on travelers bringing their own liter water bottles that can be reused throughout the trek.
Water Checks - Your guide will monitor how much water you drink each day to guarantee your hydration, an important component for altitude acclimatization.
Hygiene on the trail Keeping your hygiene standards high on Baltoro Glacier: What we do At each campsite we set up completely private and separate toilet tents for our clients – totally away from our sleeping and dining tent! “Long-Drop” System At established campsites such as Paiju and Urdukas, we use the classic ‘long-drop’ pits, a simple yet effective method for the conditions out in Gilgit-Baltistan. Hygiene Packs Fresh water and soap are readily available outside our toilet tents for you to clean your hands.
We supply toilet paper but it’s good practice to pack a small personal packet of biodegradable wet wipes just in case.
Leave no Trace The camps used are visited continuously by various expeditions, and our ‘Leave No Trace’ principles ensures that the deep long-drops are securely covered and treated so that the Karakoram remains as beautiful as it was when we arrived!
What about in between camps?
If you require a nature call whilst trekking between campsites, our guide will locate a private spot away from water sources and foot traffic and assist you as per the international ‘mountain code’ rules.
There are no permanent showers available at any campsite along Baltoro Glacier but for the comfort of our trekkers, Black Yak Adventure sets up a special “Shower Tent” at main campsites and gives basins of warm water to wash. The trekkers also commonly use wet wipes of biodegradable material and sponge baths with warm water in between camps.
At Black Yak Adventure we understand that good food is the ‘fuel’ to any successful summit. Our team of expert mountain chefs cooks fresh, hygienic, high energy meals 7 days a week. Our menu includes an array of Pakistani and International cuisines ranging from delicious soups and pastas to fresh meat and vegetables, not to forget your preference for vegetarian or gluten free.
When is the best time to trek
It is important to choose your time for a trek to K2 Base Camp carefully, as there are only a few weeks of optimal conditions for the trip.
Peak Season (June to August): This period is known as the 'golden window' for the trek. You will enjoy more consistent weather, unobstructed views of the K2 summit and reliable, good snow on the Baltoro Glacier.
Shoulder Season (late June and early September): Good for avoiding the crowds. By June there may still be snow to deal with on the trek, whereas the weather in September can be sharp and cold on higher altitudes.
Off Season (October to May): Trekking during this period is highly discouraged, as it can be extremely cold with temperatures well below freezing, and the paths will be under heavy snow with passes closed.
As K2 lies in an restricted area near the border, all foreign trekkers will be required to have a trekking visa as well as a No Objection Certificate (NOC), issued by Government of Pakistan & Gilgit Baltistan Council respectively. Here at Black Yak Adventure we will take care of all the paper work and local permissions.
In a typical day with Black Yak Adventure, you will have 6 to 8 hours of constant walking to ensure your health and success. We follow a systematic altimeter profile and between the camps we go up about 300-500m. The body gradually adapts to the thin air of the Karakoram.
During the K2 Base Camp Trek you will be trekking 6 to 8 hours per day, however days might be as little as 5 hours to permit for acclimatization, or longer on glacier traversing days! We'll keep a rhythm, skilled pace, so that everyone within the team reaches the subsequent camp safely and in luxury!
The everyday life in the Karakoram goes like this:
06:00 - A nice sunrise in a hot basin of water, with Pakistani tea at your tent.
07:00 - A solid, energy filled breakfast at the camp prepared by our fantastic chefs.
08:00 - Set off for the day's march. We do this before it's too hot outside in a comfortable and sustainable tempo over the glacier.
12:00 - Lunch on the trail. Have a packed lunch and lots of liquids at camp, and marvel at the 7,000m peaks.
15:00 - Arrived at the next campsite. Enjoy afternoon tea and settle into your tent.
18:30 - Dinner in our heated mess tent. We gather and eat a multiple courses hot meal, before we get a briefing on the next day's walk.
20:00 - Bedtime. Get your body to recover from the days walks.
Standard Baggage for K2 Base Camp Trek The standard baggage allowance for K2 Base Camp Trekking is 20kg (44 lbs) per trekker. This weight will be carried by our expert high-altitude porters. We charge a per-kilogram fee for any excess baggage over and above the mentioned limit.
Once a departure with Black Yak Adventure is "Guaranteed" then the minimum number of participants is met. We know how important your trip is to you. So when a trip is stated as guaranteed on our timetable, it will run and does not require additional bookings. If you are booking international flights please see our timetable regarding guaranteed dates.
Our Official policy on Independent Trekking As of February 2014, the Pakistani Government has banned independent, solo trekking expeditions to K2 Base Camp. The facts are short and simple: Must be accompanied by a Government-licensed mountaineer (mountain guide). Permits issued by government authorities only to tour companies (Black Yak Adventure) who arrange permits for trekking clients.
A porter support team will carry your equipment, food and tents because there are no hotels (tea-houses) on the Baltoro Glacier.
This is a remote and hazardous terrain at high altitudes; it is not a safe endeavor to travel in this terrain as part of an unsupported group.
To provide personal care and safety we keep the size of our treks small – with a maximum of 18 trekking participants. Our small size helps our guides coordinate high-altitude management and to foster an atmosphere of quiet mountain stillness and genuine feeling.
Flights into and out of the mountains often get cancelled on the basis of visibility. Should you experience flight cancellations, you immediately hop into our private ground transport along the legendary Karakoram Highway, so you don’t miss any activities on your itinerary, and instead experience one of the finest road trips through the Indus and Hunza Valleys.
Where to Find Expedition Gear One important factor in preparing for an expedition is the practical issue of obtaining the specialized gear required for high altitude and difficult terrain. Fortunately for you, you can obtain gear in several convenient locations: 1. Skardu: Expedition Hub The majority of your special climbing and trekking items such as your down suit, crampons and double boots are available on a rental or sale basis here.
Our team will guide you to specialist local retailers to make sure that you are fitted properly with the highest professional quality gear.
2. Islamabad: Capital Choice Several of our clients purchase brand new technical jackets or tents at the finest shops in the capital. We would recommend purchasing all of your new gear here before travelling north to Gilgit-Baltistan. 3.
Black Yak Adventure Support For our clients we have in our personal inventory a small amount of rental gear which will be readily available to you on arrival in Skardu if you reserve this gear with us prior to arrival.
Electricity: You'll have the option of using a portable petrol generator, or the high capacity solar system on our campsites. You will have 3-4 hours of power each evening, to run those necessary gadgets such as your camera, telephone and battery packs. Wifi and Data: there is no Wifi in the mountains.
Sometimes you can get patchy 4G data reception Concordia and at the K2 basecamp with a local SCOMSIM card.
To ensure you remain in contact we always have a satellite telephone with our expedition, allowing regular updates to our base camp in Skardu.
The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is a masterpiece of engineering and is the arteries of our treks. From a travel perspective there are only two main concerns when considering to travel by Karakoram Highway;
Infrastructure & Maintenance; KKH is a perfectly maintained road with surface as paved all along. However due to extremely harsh high altitude environment there can be occurrences of landslide in heavy rainfall or heavy snowfall. For all Black Yak Adventure tours we have access to the real time road updates from NHA and FWO and we ensure our convoys don’t leave the bases unless it is perfectly safe to drive.
Security; The most tourist-friendly zone of Pakistan,Gilgit Baltistanis a region where you’ll find Tourist Police and a number of checkpoints around you, ensuring security to the highest level. Always travel in day light with an experienced local driver who has an in-depth understanding of driving on mountain roads.
Black Yak Adventure prides ourselves on our honest pricing policy.
You expedition price covers everything needed from your arrival until your departure:
- - Hotel(s): Basic hotels in Islamabad and Skardu, plus top grade tents on trek.
- - Full Board Meals: Three fresh meals per day, with snacks and drinks provided.
- - Guiding Team: Qualified, English speaking high altitude guides plus professional kitchen staff.
- - Logistical Support: International flights (not included), domestic flight (weather dependent), private transport on the ground, and porters for trekking.
- - Trekking Permits & Paperwork: All trekking permits, conservation fees and bridge fees.
- - Safety Gear: First aid kits, radio and satellite communications devices.
