K2
8616 m
Overview
In the opinion of the legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner, K2 is the most impressive but the most difficult peak in the world. It is perhaps for this reason that the locals call it Chogori, ‘the king of mountains’. K2 has variously been described as the “awesome”, “killer”, “savage” and “the mountain of mountaineers”. Its lower face is rocky up to 6,000 meters, beyond which it becomes a vertical ocean of snow.
K2 majestically stands on the Pakistan-China border ruling the mighty Karakoram. The traditional route to its base camp goes through Baltoro Glacier. The height of the peak is 8,616 meters/28,267 feet according to the survey done by Italian geologists in 2004.
The peak has been climbed by over three hundred & fifty climbers through different routes. The most common route is Abruzzi Ridge through which the first successful Italian expedition attempted the peak and two climbers; Mr. Lino Lacedelli and Mr. Achille Compagnoni made history by reaching the summit on August 31, 1954.
Expedition Facts
Expedition Name: K2
Expedition Code: ATP-XP-01
Expedition Zone: Restricted Zone
Approach route: Islamabad-Skardu-Askoli-Concordia-K2 Base Camp
Expedition Grade: Extremely Hard
Duration: 59 days
Average Daily walk: 6-7 hours
Trekking days (in & out): 12
Days at base camp & above: 41
Hotel Nights: 08
Best Time: June to August
Visa Category: Mountaineering & Trekking
Visa Sub Category: Mountaineering
Permit Requirement: A mountaineering permit is required as the expedition falls in the restricted zone.
Gallery
Itinerary
Arrival in Islamabad, transfer to hotel. 500m, Hotel
Day 2. Islamabad–ChilasFlight to Skardu (1 hour) or drive to Chilas (10-12 hours). 2250m, Hotel
Day 3. Chilas–SkarduReserve day in Skardu or drive from Chilas to Skardu (7-8 hours). 2300m, Hotel
Day 4. SkarduDay for final preparations. 2300m, Hotel
Day 5. Skardu–AskoliJeep drive to Askoli (6 hours). 3048m, Tents
Day 6. Askoli–JholaTrek to Jhola (5-6 hours). 3200m, Tents
Day 7. Jhola–PaijuTrek to Paiju (6-7 hours). 3600m, Tents
Day 8. PaijuRest day for acclimatization. 3600m, Tents
Day 9. Paiju–UrdukasTrek to Urdukas (9-10 hours). 4240m, Tents
Day 10. Urdukas–Goro IITrek to Goro-II (7-8 hours). 4500m, Tents
Day 11. Goro II–ConcordiaTrek to Concordia (5-6 hours). 4687m, Tents
Day 12. Concordia–K2 BCTrek to K2 Base Camp (5-6 hours). 5050m, Tents
Days 13-51. Climbing K2Days at K2 Base Camp and above (including climbing days), Tents
Day 52. K2 BC–Goro IITrek to Goro II (8-9 hours) or Ali Camp (8-9 hours), Tents
Day 53. Goro I–KhuburtseTrek from Goro-I (Biango) to Kuburtse (7-8 hours). 4000m, Tents
Day 54. Khuburtse–BardumalTrek to Bardumal (8-9 hours), Tents
Day 55. Bardumal–AskoliTrek to Askoli (7-8 hours), Tents
Day 56. Askoli–SkarduDrive to Skardu (6 hours), Hotel
Day 57. Skardu–IslamabadFlight for Islamabad or drive to Chilas or Naran, Hotel
Day 58. IslamabadFree day or drive from Chilas to Islamabad, Hotel
Day 59. IslamabadReserve day, Hotel
Day 59. DepartureDeparture from Islamabad.
Note:
The option of taking a flight to Skardu after arrival in Islamabad on day 1 is possible depending upon the arrival time of international flight.
If the flight operates for Skardu on day 2, drive to Askoli on day-4 is possible to gain an extra day for climbing/acclimatization
Fixed Departures
First day of trip: 15-JUN-2025
End of trip: 14-AUG-2025
Group size: 8-12 climbers
Hotel nights: 07
Camping nights: 53 nights
First day of trip: 15-JUN-2025
End of trip: 14-AUG-2025
Group size: 8-12 climbers
Hotel nights: 07
Camping nights: 53 nights
Climbing Difficulty (Broad Peak): Hard
Climbing Difficulty (K2): Extremely HardExpedition Type: Unguided expedition
Services up to the base camp are included in the plan, but high altitude services including rope, high altitude porter, high altitude tents and oxygen can also be provided.
Fixed departures are pre-scheduled trips with set itinerary dates. They provide an opportunity for individuals and groups to journey alongside other travellers, sharing a memorable adventure.