Location
Activity
Altitude
Islamabad to Skardu
Flight (1 hr) or drive via Karakoram Highway (~2 days). Scenic Views: Indus River Gorge, Shigar Valley. Famous Mountain (flight view): Nanga Parbat (8,126 m).
540 m to 2,228 m
Skardu
Permit briefing, equipment check. Destinations: Shigar Fort, Upper Kachura Lake.
2,228 m
Skardu to Askole
Jeep ride to Askole, last permanent village. Destination: Shigar Valley, Braldu River. Nearby Peak: Bakhordas Peak (5,810 m).
3,050 m
Skardu to Askole
Continue jeep ride to Askole.
3,050 m
Askole to Jhola
Trek to Jhola.
3,150 m
Jhola to Paiju
Trek to Paiju. Visible: Paiju Peak (6,610 m).
3,400 m
Paiju
Rest at Paiju (green oasis).
3,400 m
Paiju to Khoburtse
Trek to Khoburtse. Visible: Trango Towers (6,286 m).
3,800 m
Khoburtse to Urdukas
Trek to Urdukas. Visible: Cathedral Towers (5,866 m).
4,050 m
Urdukas to Goro II
Trek to Goro II. Visible: Masherbrum (7,821 m).
4,300 m
Goro II to Concordia
Trek to Concordia, “Throne Room of the Gods”. Surrounded by: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, Mitre Peak.
4,650 m
Concordia to K2 Base Camp
Trek to K2 Base Camp.
5,150 m
Base Camp
Rest, load carries, training at Base Camp.
5,150 m
Base Camp to Camp I
Acclimatization Rotation 1: Climb to Camp I and return.
6,100 m
Base Camp to Camp II
Acclimatization Rotation 2: Climb to Camp II and return.
6,700 m
Base Camp to Camp III
Acclimatization Rotation 3: Touch Camp III and return.
7,300 m
Base Camp to Camp I
Summit Push: Climb to Camp I.
6,100 m
Camp I to Camp II
Summit Push: Climb to Camp II. Famous Section: House’s Chimney (6,700 m) – vertical rock climb.
6,700 m
Camp II to Camp III
Summit Push: Climb to Camp III. Famous Section: Black Pyramid (7,200 m) – mixed rock & ice.
7,300 m
Camp III to Camp IV
Summit Push: Climb to Camp IV. Famous Section: The Shoulder (7,900 m).
7,900–8,000 m
Camp IV to Summit
Summit Day: Climb to Summit. Famous Section: The Bottleneck (8,200 m) – most dangerous section, under hanging seracs. Descend to Camp IV/III. Climbers often attempt the summit at night to reduce avalanche risk at the Bottleneck.
8,611 m
Camp IV/III to Base Camp
Descent to Base Camp.
5,150 m
Base Camp to Askole
Trek back to Askole via Concordia and Paiju.
3,050 m
Askole to Skardu
Jeep ride to Skardu.
2,228 m
Skardu to Islamabad
Flight or drive to Islamabad.
540 m