So what are the real differences? I went on a quest to find out… I found that there are three tiers of quality when it comes to this trek: budget operators, mid-level operators, and luxury operators. Still, though, it does pay to consider your options and to look carefully at what each tour operator offers. Budget backpackers might be tempted to go for the cheapest possible option, which in the end, may work out for them just fine. Like most things in life, not all tour companies are created equal.
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Which brings us to my next point… How to Choose a K2 Base Camp Trek Tour OperatorĪ quick Google search will reveal a plethora of tour companies offering to fulfill your dreams of completing the K2 Base Camp trek. At least the process should be straightforward if you choose a solid tour operator to go with. Ready to give up yet? Don’t stress!Īll of this sounds complicated, but in reality, it is a fairly straightforward process. Then there is the Pakistani visa to apply for, which actually needs to happen before the NOC is issued. This permit allows you to travel into the National Park, which lies in a restricted military area, as the park borders China to the north and India to the east. In addition to needing a licensed guide, you will also need to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This majestic place is called Concordia, aka the “ Throne Room of the Gods“.Ĭoncordia is home to one of the best campsites I have ever been to, with 360-degree views of almost every major peak in the area including Gasherbrum 4, Broad Peak, Marble Peak, Mitre Peak, and of course the impressive, swirling cloud-capped K2 in all her glory. A majority of the trek is spent walking on the mighty Baltoro Glacier (about 65 KM) until it comes to the confluence with the Godwin-Austen Glacier.
After leaving the small farming village of Askole, the trail enters Central Karakoram National Park, where trekkers will spend the next few days making their way to the Baltoro Glacier.įrom the Baltoro, the real fun begins. Jeeps are needed to reach a far-flung outpost on the edge of civilization at Askole. Pretty much without exception, all groups set off by jeep from the dusty Balti bazaar town of Skardu. In reality, the trek is MUCH more than that. Unlike the trek to Everest Base Camp, arriving at the K2 base is not the end-all highlight of the trip. Photo: Chris Lininger What the Hell is the K2 Base Camp Trek Exactly?Īs the name suggests, this hike is a trek to the base of the K2 mountain (Balti name: Chogori).
Let’s get to know what it takes to get to the base of the Savage Mountain. Time to lace up your alpine boots amigos. Why? Because, well, it is a whole hell of a lot of fun and the atmosphere is second to none.īelow, I answer the most important questions surrounding what it is actually like to trek to K2, what to pack for two weeks in the Karakoram, K2 Base Camp trek cost, on the ground logistics, how to choose the right tour company, required permits, traveling in Pakistan, and much more. The K2 Base Camp trek is a MUST for anybody serious about taking on one of the least frequented long-distance hikes in the world.
Towering above them all is the 2nd biggest mountain on earth: K2.įor experienced adventurers looking to escape the crowds found in Nepal and around Everest, tackling the K2 Base Camp trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a kind of magic, beauty, and local culture not found anywhere else on our planet.
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Nestled deep in the Karakoram range of Northern Pakistan lies a mountain or should I say a series of legendary mountains steeped in mystery, cloud, and ice.
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