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K2 BASE CAMP CONCORDIA TREK / Pakistan
K2 Base Camp Concordia Trek / Pakistan
INTRODUCTION:
This journey takes us to the Base Camp of K2 (8 611m.), the second highest peak on Earth after Mount Everest. We walk through lush green pastures, broad valleys, roaring glacial streams and some of the biggest glaciers in the world until we reach Concordia where nature closely reveals its raw beauty. This remote part of the Karakoram Mountains offers a panorama that can’t be seen anywhere else on the planet – four peaks out of fourteen higher than 8 000 meters, including K2, Gasherbrum-I (8068 m), Gasherbrum-II (8035 m) and Broad Peak (8051 m), and many more that haven't been climbed and named, yet! A thrilling adventure to remember for a lifetime.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Islamabad – the new capital and the old twin town Rawalpindi with a taste of Pakistani culture and life ♦ The Karakorum Highway, ‘The High Road”, or the Old Silk Road from China ♦The Karakoram Mountains with K2 – the second highest in the world ♦ Concordia – an area of exceptional beauty with the greatest concentration of high peaks over 8 000 m. in the world ♦ Biafo, Baltoro, Abruzzi and Godwin Austin Glaciers – biggest on Earth outside the Polar Regions ♦ K2 Base Camp – one of the highest situated base camp of all the fourteen Eight-tousenders
DATES: 04 - 24 September 2016
DURATION: 21 days
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
DURATION: 21 days
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Full Board (except dinners and lunches in Islamabad): Overnights: 6 in hotels (Islamabad, Skardu/Chillas) ♦ 14 overnights in camp tents ♦ breakfasts, lunches, dinners for the whole stay based on stay in DBL room/tent ♦ all ground transportation as per itinerary: transfers from and to Islamabad airport; domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu or minibus from Islamabad – Chilas- Skardu and back, transfer by 4x4 Jeeps to Askole♦ English speaking mountain guide, Azimut Tours tour leader and full expedition equipment (except personal sleeping bag) ♦ staff – porters (personal luggage up to 15kg. per person), cooks, kitchen tent and utilities during camping ♦ guided city tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
International flight tickets ♦ dinners in Islamabad ♦ drinks and other personal expenses ♦ personal insurance ♦ visa ♦ tips
International flight tickets ♦ dinners in Islamabad ♦ drinks and other personal expenses ♦ personal insurance ♦ visa ♦ tips
ITINERARY:
DAY 1. Arrival – Islamabad
Meeting at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we have time to wander around the streets of Rawalpidni – the old twin town of Islamabad with its vibrant bazaars, and get a taste of the culture of Pakistan. We will also visit Shah Faisal Mosque, Shakarparian Park and the Institute of Folk and Traditional heritage in Islamabad – the new cosmopolitan capital which was built from 1959 until 1969 when it officially replaced Karachi as the new capital. Overnight.
DAY 2 – DAY 3. Islamabad – Skardu (Free day)/*Chillas - Skardu
We have a domestic flight to Skardu (1 hour) if weather allows. We enjoy from a bird’s view the astounding views of the highest mountains, glaciers and broad valleys. Overnight in Skardu – a charming town and the gateway to the highest peaks of Northern Pakistan. It lies at the bank of the Indus River with the mighty Karakoram peaks and sand dunes in the backdrop. We have a free day in Skardu and another overnight here.
*In case the weather wouldn’t let us fly, we drive on the Karakoram Highway to Chillas (460 km/11-12 hrs.) where we stay overnight and continue to Skardu (290km/8-9 hrs.) on the next day along the great Indus river with overwhelming panoramas behind each turn. En route we awe at the close view of the north side of Diamir, or Nanga Parbat, just a kilometer away. It is the 9th tallest mountain in the world reaching the sky at 8 126 meters.
DAY 4. Skardu – Askole
Today we head by 4x4 Jeeps for Askole, situated at 3050 m.a.s.l. in one of the most remote regions of the Karakoram mountains. It is about 7-8 hrs. drive through the picturesque and fertile Shigar Valley and further on the narrow roads winding through the steep mountainous slopes over abysses and roaring glacial rivers. A Jeep safari we could call it to remember for a lifetime. And our camping adventures begin. Overnight in tents.
DAY 5 – DAY 7. Askole – Jhola – Paiyu/Rest day
On the first two days of the trek we start slowly ascending along the green pastures of Braldu valley and river in the beginning, continue on to crossing Biafo Glacier – 63 km. long river of ice and rock coming down from Karakoram’s central peaks. After ascending by the steep banks of Dumordo River, the mountain starts to reveal its raw beauty. We cross the river with the help of a zip line and soon we reach our campsite in Jhola (3150 m.a.s.l) in about 6-7 hrs altogether. Overnight. We continue alongside the raging waters of Braldu River to a point where we could see the snout of the impressive Baltoro glacier, Cathedral Peak (5828 m) and Bakhor Das Peak (5809 m). We reach the green oasis – our campsite Payu (3480 m.a.s.l.) lying in the shadow of beautiful Payu Peak (6610 m) in about 6-7 hrs. We stay here for 2 overnights in tents.
DAY 8. Rest day. Exploring the area. Relaxation and acclimatization. The staff is organizing luggage – food and equipment.
DAY 9 – DAY 10. Payu – Urdukas – Goro-II
As we go deeper into the mountain the feel is almost like out of this world. Nature is so close, landscapes get more and more dramatic. From Payu camp, after a short hike, we enter the vast Baltoro Glacier – 63 km. long – one of the biggest on Earth, outside the Polar Regions. This huge ‘highway’ of ice, tall seracs, deep aqua pools of melting water, fast streams, rocks and boulders will be our track until we reach Concordia. The terrain gets rough winding up and down the moraines of Baltoro Glacier. As we progress up to Urdukas (4050 m.a.s.l) we have stunning views of some of the most emblematic peaks for trekkers and climbers worldwide – Lobsang Spire(5707 m), Uli Biaho (6190 m), Trango Towers (6300 m). We reach campsite in 5-6 hours walking and we stay here overnight. From Urdukas to Goro-II camp(4380 m.a.s.l.) we walk about 5-6 hours with surrounding Muztagh Tower (7273 m) and K1, or Masherbrum (7821 m) slowly revealing to us. Overnight.
DAY 11 – DAY 12. Goro-II – Concordia – K2 Base Camp – Concordia
The walk from Goro-II to Concordia (4720 m.a.s.l.) amazes us with some of the most spectacular mountainous scenery in the world – four peaks out of fourteen over 8,000 m., and also many more that haven’t been climbed and named, yet. From here we see in all its grandeur K2 (8611 m) – “The mountain of the mountains”, Gasherbrum-I (8068 m), Gasherbrum-II (8035 m) and Broad Peak (8051 m). Concordia offers a panorama that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. We stay here for 2 overnights. On next day we hike up to K2 Base Camp with a close view of the mighty K2. Words are hard to describe the overwhelming feelings as we get close to the giant. We hike along Godwin Austin glacier and go back to Concordia in about 10 hours, fresh and ready for the next day’s adventure. Overnight.
DAY 13 – DAY 17. Concordia – Goro -II – Urdukas – Payu - Jhola – Askole
We have the next five days to walk back to Askole and rediscover the mountains and ourselves. Hiking on the same track with very different views of this wondrous nature feels as if we are here for the first time. Last overnight in camp in Askole.
DAY 18 – DAY 20. Askole – Skardu/Chillas* - Islamabad
We drive back to Skardu by 4x4 Jeeps and have overnight here. On the next day we either fly or if the weather doesn’t allow, drive back to Chillas and Islamabad. Free day in Islamabad if we take the domestic flight.
DAY 21. Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for departure.
Meeting at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon we have time to wander around the streets of Rawalpidni – the old twin town of Islamabad with its vibrant bazaars, and get a taste of the culture of Pakistan. We will also visit Shah Faisal Mosque, Shakarparian Park and the Institute of Folk and Traditional heritage in Islamabad – the new cosmopolitan capital which was built from 1959 until 1969 when it officially replaced Karachi as the new capital. Overnight.
DAY 2 – DAY 3. Islamabad – Skardu (Free day)/*Chillas - Skardu
We have a domestic flight to Skardu (1 hour) if weather allows. We enjoy from a bird’s view the astounding views of the highest mountains, glaciers and broad valleys. Overnight in Skardu – a charming town and the gateway to the highest peaks of Northern Pakistan. It lies at the bank of the Indus River with the mighty Karakoram peaks and sand dunes in the backdrop. We have a free day in Skardu and another overnight here.
*In case the weather wouldn’t let us fly, we drive on the Karakoram Highway to Chillas (460 km/11-12 hrs.) where we stay overnight and continue to Skardu (290km/8-9 hrs.) on the next day along the great Indus river with overwhelming panoramas behind each turn. En route we awe at the close view of the north side of Diamir, or Nanga Parbat, just a kilometer away. It is the 9th tallest mountain in the world reaching the sky at 8 126 meters.
DAY 4. Skardu – Askole
Today we head by 4x4 Jeeps for Askole, situated at 3050 m.a.s.l. in one of the most remote regions of the Karakoram mountains. It is about 7-8 hrs. drive through the picturesque and fertile Shigar Valley and further on the narrow roads winding through the steep mountainous slopes over abysses and roaring glacial rivers. A Jeep safari we could call it to remember for a lifetime. And our camping adventures begin. Overnight in tents.
DAY 5 – DAY 7. Askole – Jhola – Paiyu/Rest day
On the first two days of the trek we start slowly ascending along the green pastures of Braldu valley and river in the beginning, continue on to crossing Biafo Glacier – 63 km. long river of ice and rock coming down from Karakoram’s central peaks. After ascending by the steep banks of Dumordo River, the mountain starts to reveal its raw beauty. We cross the river with the help of a zip line and soon we reach our campsite in Jhola (3150 m.a.s.l) in about 6-7 hrs altogether. Overnight. We continue alongside the raging waters of Braldu River to a point where we could see the snout of the impressive Baltoro glacier, Cathedral Peak (5828 m) and Bakhor Das Peak (5809 m). We reach the green oasis – our campsite Payu (3480 m.a.s.l.) lying in the shadow of beautiful Payu Peak (6610 m) in about 6-7 hrs. We stay here for 2 overnights in tents.
DAY 8. Rest day. Exploring the area. Relaxation and acclimatization. The staff is organizing luggage – food and equipment.
DAY 9 – DAY 10. Payu – Urdukas – Goro-II
As we go deeper into the mountain the feel is almost like out of this world. Nature is so close, landscapes get more and more dramatic. From Payu camp, after a short hike, we enter the vast Baltoro Glacier – 63 km. long – one of the biggest on Earth, outside the Polar Regions. This huge ‘highway’ of ice, tall seracs, deep aqua pools of melting water, fast streams, rocks and boulders will be our track until we reach Concordia. The terrain gets rough winding up and down the moraines of Baltoro Glacier. As we progress up to Urdukas (4050 m.a.s.l) we have stunning views of some of the most emblematic peaks for trekkers and climbers worldwide – Lobsang Spire(5707 m), Uli Biaho (6190 m), Trango Towers (6300 m). We reach campsite in 5-6 hours walking and we stay here overnight. From Urdukas to Goro-II camp(4380 m.a.s.l.) we walk about 5-6 hours with surrounding Muztagh Tower (7273 m) and K1, or Masherbrum (7821 m) slowly revealing to us. Overnight.
DAY 11 – DAY 12. Goro-II – Concordia – K2 Base Camp – Concordia
The walk from Goro-II to Concordia (4720 m.a.s.l.) amazes us with some of the most spectacular mountainous scenery in the world – four peaks out of fourteen over 8,000 m., and also many more that haven’t been climbed and named, yet. From here we see in all its grandeur K2 (8611 m) – “The mountain of the mountains”, Gasherbrum-I (8068 m), Gasherbrum-II (8035 m) and Broad Peak (8051 m). Concordia offers a panorama that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. We stay here for 2 overnights. On next day we hike up to K2 Base Camp with a close view of the mighty K2. Words are hard to describe the overwhelming feelings as we get close to the giant. We hike along Godwin Austin glacier and go back to Concordia in about 10 hours, fresh and ready for the next day’s adventure. Overnight.
DAY 13 – DAY 17. Concordia – Goro -II – Urdukas – Payu - Jhola – Askole
We have the next five days to walk back to Askole and rediscover the mountains and ourselves. Hiking on the same track with very different views of this wondrous nature feels as if we are here for the first time. Last overnight in camp in Askole.
DAY 18 – DAY 20. Askole – Skardu/Chillas* - Islamabad
We drive back to Skardu by 4x4 Jeeps and have overnight here. On the next day we either fly or if the weather doesn’t allow, drive back to Chillas and Islamabad. Free day in Islamabad if we take the domestic flight.
DAY 21. Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for departure.
