The Five 8000m Base Camp Trek is one of the greatest trekking journeys on Earth, and it takes you to the base camps of five of the world’s fourteen 8,000-metre peaks in a single thirty-day expedition. You will walk the full length of the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia, stand at the base camps of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II, cross the high Gondogoro La into the Hushe Valley, and then travel to the western Himalaya to complete the journey beneath the great Raikot Face of Nanga Parbat. It is a demanding expedition that is designed for fit and experienced trekkers, and it is operated with a full support team that includes a licensed mountain guide, porters, a cook and complete camping equipment.
Holidays GB Tours Pakistan organises this expedition with careful attention to acclimatisation and safety, and the itinerary below follows a proven thirty-day programme that has been refined over many seasons in the Karakoram. Every stage of the route is described in the day-by-day itinerary, and the practical sections at the end of this article explain the best season, the included services, the packing list and the important points that every trekker should understand before booking.
Five 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan
The Five 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan is a thirty-day expedition that starts and finishes in Islamabad, and it covers the two greatest mountain ranges of northern Pakistan in one journey. The trek is graded as challenging, and the highest point of the expedition is Khuspang (5,600m), which is reached on the day of the Gondogoro La crossing. You will spend the nights in a combination of three-star hotels in Islamabad, Skardu and Naran, full-service camps in two-person tents on the trek, and huts or cottages at Fairy Meadows. All meals are provided on a full-board basis throughout the expedition, starting with dinner on the arrival day, and drinking water is supplied throughout the trek.
The Five 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan is operated in the summer season, and fixed group departures normally run from early June to the middle of September. The group travels with a complete support crew, and all camping equipment, including sleeping tents, mess tents and toilet tents, is carried by the expedition porters. Because the route reaches very high altitude and crosses a technical pass, this trek is recommended for trekkers who already have experience of multi-day walking and who are comfortable with long days on rough glacier terrain.
8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan
The 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan is defined by the five great peaks whose base camps you will visit, and each of them is among the highest mountains on the planet. K2 (8,611m) is the second-highest mountain on Earth and is known as the King of the Karakoram. Nanga Parbat (8,126m) is the ninth-highest mountain in the world and stands in the western Himalaya. Gasherbrum I (8,080m), Broad Peak (8,051m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035m) complete the group of five, and all three stand in the heart of the Karakoram Range near Concordia.
| Peak | Altitude | Mountain Range |
| K2 | 8,611m | Karakoram |
| Nanga Parbat | 8,126m | Western Himalaya |
| Gasherbrum I | 8,080m | Karakoram |
| Broad Peak | 8,051m | Karakoram |
| Gasherbrum II | 8,035m | Karakoram |
Very few trekking routes in the world bring you to the foot of five 8,000-metre peaks in a single journey, and the 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan is one of them. You will see these mountains from many angles during the expedition, and the finest views come at Concordia, on the Gondogoro La, and from Fairy Meadows.
Five Peaks Base Camp Trek
The Five Peaks Base Camp Trek visits five separate base camps, and each one has its own character and its own approach. Broad Peak Base Camp (5,000m) is reached from Concordia along the medial moraine of the Godwin-Austen Glacier, and it offers one of the finest views of K2 anywhere on the route. K2 Base Camp (5,100m) lies further up the same glacier, and the trail passes the Gilkey Memorial, which is a place of reflection for the mountaineers who gave their lives on the mountain. Gasherbrum I Base Camp (5,000m) and Gasherbrum II Base Camp (4,800m) are visited on the upper Baltoro Glacier after the return from K2, and they bring you to the foot of two more of the great Karakoram giants. Nanga Parbat Base Camp (3,850m) is the final base camp of the journey, and it is reached on foot from Beyal Camp above Fairy Meadows, where you stand beneath the immense Raikot Face.
The Five Peaks Base Camp Trek is therefore a journey of two halves. The first half is the Karakoram half, which is a serious glacier expedition through Askoli, the Baltoro Glacier, Concordia and the Gasherbrum region. The second half is the Himalayan half, which is a greener and gentler trek through Fairy Meadows to the foot of Nanga Parbat. Together they make a complete five-base-camp journey that very few itineraries in the world can match.
Karakoram Base Camp Trek
The Karakoram Base Camp Trek reaches its highest and most dramatic point at the Gondogoro La (5,585m), which connects the Baltoro Glacier region with the Hushe Valley on the other side of the range. The crossing is a long and demanding day that begins very early in the morning, and it is necessary to cross the pass before sunrise so that the snow and ice remain firm and the risk of icefall is kept to a minimum. The first part of the ascent is a gentle walk of about two hours, and then the route becomes steep, where fixed ropes are in place and you will attach your safety carabiners for the final climb to the top. Crampons are required for this crossing, and every year a rescue team from Hushe village fixes the ropes at the start of the season, maintains them through the summer and removes them at the end, and the crossing fee for this service is normally included in the package price.
From the top of the Gondogoro La you will see four 8,000-metre peaks in a single panorama: K2 (8,611m), Broad Peak (8,051m), Gasherbrum I (8,080m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035m). It is one of the great mountain views of the world, and it is the reward for the hardest day of the Karakoram Base Camp Trek. The descent leads down to Khuspang (5,600m) and continues the next day to Saicho and the village of Hushe, where you will meet the friendly Balti people and then drive back to Skardu along the Shyok and Indus rivers.
8000m Peaks Trek Pakistan
After the Karakoram section is complete, the 8000m Peaks Trek Pakistan continues to the western Himalaya for the fifth and final base camp. From Skardu you will drive to the Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway, take a jeep up the famous mountain road to Tattu village, and then trek on foot to Fairy Meadows (3,300m), which is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. Fairy Meadows is a green alpine meadow that faces the enormous Raikot Face of Nanga Parbat, and it is the starting point for the final stage of the expedition.
From Fairy Meadows you will trek to Beyal Camp (3,550m) and then continue to Nanga Parbat Base Camp (3,850m), which completes the set of five base camps. After returning to Fairy Meadows, the 8000m Peaks Trek Pakistan travels by jeep and road to Naran in the Kaghan Valley, which is a popular town among domestic tourists, and then continues to Islamabad for the final night before the international departure. This Himalayan section gives the expedition a completely different character from the Karakoram section, and it is a fitting end to a thirty-day journey through the greatest mountains of Pakistan.
Best Time for the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek
The best time to do the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek is in the summer, and the trekking season normally runs from June to September. From the middle of June to August you can expect warm temperatures in the valleys, with daytime highs of around 30C in Skardu and 25C in Hushe and Askoli. In June and early July there is usually a good covering of snow on the slopes leading to and from the Gondogoro La, and you may also meet snow on the upper part of the Baltoro Glacier. Above 4,000 metres, snow can fall at any time of the year, and the night temperature above 4,000 metres is likely to drop to freezing or below, while at the highest camps it may reach minus 10 to minus 15C. The weather is generally good throughout the summer season with clear skies and little rain, although short-lived mountain storms can occur at any time of the year, so warm and waterproof clothing is essential even in the summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek safe? The trek is operated by a licensed company with an experienced mountain guide, a full support crew, fixed ropes on the Gondogoro La, a satellite phone for emergencies and contingency days built into the itinerary, and these arrangements are designed to keep the expedition as safe as possible, although high-altitude trekking always carries some natural risk.
How fit do I need to be for this trek? You should be in strong physical condition and you should have previous multi-day trekking experience, because the expedition lasts thirty days, the walking days are long, and the route crosses rough glacier terrain and reaches 5,600 metres.
What is the best time for the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek? The best time is the summer season from June to September, when the weather is generally stable, the valleys are warm, and the high passes are in crossing condition.
Do I need previous experience above 4,000 metres? Previous experience at high altitude is very helpful, and if you have never trekked above 4,000 metres you should speak to a trekking expert before booking, because the expedition spends many nights above 4,000 metres and reaches 5,600 metres on the Gondogoro La crossing.
What happens if the Skardu flight is cancelled? Skardu is a weather-dependent airport, and if the flight cannot operate the group will travel by road on the Karakoram Highway instead, which is why the itinerary includes spare and contingency days.
Do I need travel insurance? Travel insurance is not included in the package, and it is strongly recommended that you arrange comprehensive cover that includes trekking at high altitude and helicopter rescue before you travel.
What type of visa do I need for Pakistan? All nationalities require a visa for Pakistan, and for this trek you will need a trekking visa, for which the company provides a letter of introduction and a copy of the group restricted area permit, while visa applications can be made online or at the nearest Pakistan embassy.
Tour Highlights
- Five base camps in one journey: K2 Base Camp (5,100m), Broad Peak Base Camp (5,000m), Gasherbrum I Base Camp (5,000m), Gasherbrum II Base Camp (4,800m) and Nanga Parbat Base Camp (3,850m)
- The complete Baltoro Glacier trek to Concordia, the famous Throne Room of the Gods, which is surrounded by four 8,000-metre peaks
- The crossing of the Gondogoro La (5,585m) with fixed ropes and crampons, and panoramic views of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II from the top of the pass
- A spectacular mountain flight from Islamabad to Skardu, with views of Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram Range
- A visit to the Gilkey Memorial on the trail to K2 Base Camp, which honours the climbers who lost their lives on K2
- Fairy Meadows and Beyal Camp beneath the mighty Raikot Face of Nanga Parbat in the western Himalaya
- Thirty days of full-board, fully supported trekking with an experienced government-licensed mountain guide
Trip Overview
Duration: 30 Days / 29 Nights
Group Size: Small groups and private departures
Region: Baltoro (Karakoram) and Diamer (Nanga Parbat), Gilgit-Baltistan
Route: Islamabad – Skardu – Askole – Baltoro Glacier – Concordia – K2 Base Camp – Gondogoro La – Hushe Valley – Skardu – Fairy Meadows – Nanga Parbat Base Camp – Naran – Islamabad
Grade: Challenging, with long glacier walking days, high camps above 4,000 m, and a technical crossing of the Gondogoro La on fixed ropes
Maximum Altitude: 5,585 m at the Gondogoro La
Best Season: June to September
Accommodation: Three-star hotels in Islamabad, Skardu, and Naran, huts and cottages at Fairy Meadows, and fully serviced camping on the trek
Support: A government-licensed mountain guide, a cook and camp crew, porters, and private transport throughout the trip
Important Notes
The Five 8000m Base Camp Trek travels through very remote mountain country, and you should be prepared for the realities of high-altitude expedition travel. Flights between Islamabad and Skardu depend on the weather, and if a flight is cancelled the group will travel by road on the Karakoram Highway, which is a long but spectacular journey. The itinerary includes spare and contingency days for exactly this reason, and the trek leader may need to adjust the programme because of weather or local conditions, so a flexible attitude is an important part of the journey. This is a challenging trek that reaches 5,600 metres and crosses a technical pass, and it is suitable for trekkers who are physically fit and who have previous multi-day trekking experience. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers trekking at high altitude, including helicopter rescue, is strongly recommended for every participant.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad. You will be met at Islamabad International Airport and transferred to the group hotel, and the rest of the day is free to rest after your journey. In the afternoon there is a group briefing about the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek, and if time allows there may be an option for sightseeing in Islamabad.
Day 2: Flight to Skardu (2,230m). You will take the spectacular forty-five-minute mountain flight from Islamabad to Skardu, which offers views of Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram Range when the weather is clear. After checking in to the hotel, the afternoon is free to explore the bazaar, the historic forts and the scenic lakes, or to visit the ancient rock inscriptions near Skardu. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, which happens rarely, you will travel by road on the Karakoram Highway instead.
Day 3: Drive from Skardu to Askoli (3,000m), 7 hours. You will drive along the Indus, Shigar and Braldu rivers to Askoli, which is the last village before the wilderness of the central Karakoram. You will meet your porters in Askoli, and you will spend your first night in tents under the stars.
Day 4: Trek from Askoli to Johla (3,150m), 5 to 7 hours. Your walking begins today as you pass through the fields of Askoli and enter the Braldu Gorge. You will cross the snout of the Biafo Glacier, descend to the green camping place beside the Braldu River, and continue to the Johla campsite, with views of Bakhor Das and the needles of Paiju Peak along the way.
Day 5: Trek from Johla to Paju (3,380m), 6 hours. The trail follows the Braldu River and then climbs to higher ground with excellent views of Paiju Peak. Paju is a green oasis beneath Paiju Peak (6,611m), and from this camp you will have your first views of the immense Baltoro Glacier and the granite towers of the Trango and Cathedral groups.
Day 6: Trek from Paju to Khoburtse (3,760m), 7 hours. You will climb onto the Baltoro Glacier itself and walk across its rubble-covered ice, sometimes on the glacier and sometimes along the lateral moraine. The camp at Khoburtse has sensational views of the Cathedral Towers, the Trango Group and the striking rock tower of Uli Biaho.
Day 7: Trek from Khoburtse to Urdukas (4,130m), 4 hours. This is a short day but it is hard work, as you gain height steadily along the undulating moraine beside the Baltoro Glacier. You will pass the ship-like prow of Great Trango and the isolated pillar of the Nameless Tower on the way to the Urdukas camp.
Day 8: Acclimatisation day at Urdukas (4,130m). A rest day at Urdukas has proved to be the most effective point for acclimatisation on this route. There is a pleasant walk behind the campsite through grassy slopes with alpine flowers, and the principle of climbing high and sleeping low will help your body to adjust to the altitude.
Day 9: Trek from Urdukas to Goro II (4,250m), 6 to 7 hours. You will follow the moraine edge eastwards and then climb onto the broad back of the Baltoro Glacier. The trail passes the Yermanandu Glacier with views of Muztagh, Masherbrum and Gasherbrum IV, and you will camp on the glacier itself, so warm clothing is needed for the cold nights.
Day 10: Trek from Goro II to Concordia (4,600m), 5 hours. This is one of the most spectacular walks in the world, as you pass Mustagh Tower and Gasherbrum IV and watch Broad Peak come into view. K2 remains hidden until the very moment you reach Concordia, when it is suddenly revealed in a great sweep of rock and ice. Concordia is the junction of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers, and it is surrounded by some of the highest peaks on Earth.
Day 11: Trek from Concordia to Broad Peak Base Camp (5,000m), 4 hours. The route crosses jumbled ice and moraine ridges to reach the medial moraine of the Godwin-Austen Glacier, where Broad Peak Base Camp is located. The view of K2 from Broad Peak Base Camp is one of the finest on the entire expedition.
Day 12: Trek from Broad Peak Base Camp to K2 Base Camp (5,100m), 6 hours. You will walk up the Godwin-Austen Glacier to the base camp of the second-highest mountain on Earth, and you will stop at the Gilkey Memorial, which honours the climbers who lost their lives on K2. The night is spent at K2 Base Camp itself.
Day 13: Trek from K2 Base Camp back to Concordia (4,691m). You will return across the Godwin-Austen Glacier to Concordia, and the great circle of peaks opens up around you once again as you approach the camp.
Day 14: Trek from Concordia to Shaghring (4,800m), 5 to 6 hours. You will leave Concordia and trek up the Baltoro Glacier towards the Gasherbrum region, and the night is spent at the scenic Shaghring campsite.
Day 15: Trek from Shaghring to Gasherbrum I Base Camp (5,000m), 5 to 7 hours. You will continue to the base camp of Gasherbrum I, which stands at the foot of the 8,080-metre peak.
Day 16: Trek from Gasherbrum I Base Camp to Gasherbrum II Base Camp (4,800m), 3 to 4 hours. A shorter day brings you to the base camp of Gasherbrum II, with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
Day 17: Trek from Gasherbrum II Base Camp back to Shaghring (4,800m), 5 to 7 hours. You will retrace your steps to Shaghring, and the night is spent at the same scenic campsite near the Baltoro Glacier.
Day 18: Trek from Shaghring to Ali Camp (4,800m), 6 to 7 hours. You will trek onwards to Ali Camp, which is the staging camp for the crossing of the Gondogoro La.
Day 19: Cross the Gondogoro La (5,585m) to Khuspang (5,600m), 8 hours. This is the hardest and most rewarding day of the expedition. You will start very early in the morning, climb the pass with crampons and fixed ropes, and enjoy the panoramic view of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II from the top. The descent leads to the Khuspang campsite on the Hushe side of the range.
Day 20: Spare day. This day is kept in reserve in case of delays or bad weather anywhere on the trek.
Day 21: Trek from Khuspang to Saicho (3,350m), 6 hours. A long descent brings you down from the high mountains towards the Hushe Valley, with views of the surrounding valleys opening up below you.
Day 22: Trek to Hushe and drive to Skardu, 7 hours. You will walk down to Hushe, which is a typical Balti village where you will meet the friendly local people, and then drive back to Skardu. In Skardu you will sleep in a real bed and enjoy a hot shower.
Day 23: Contingency day in Skardu. This day is kept free for rest and for exploring the scenic beauty and culture of Skardu, and it also serves as a reserve day in case of delays.
Day 24: Travel from Skardu to Fairy Meadows (3,300m), 6 hours. You will drive to the Raikot Bridge, take a jeep up to Tattu village, and then trek on foot to Fairy Meadows, the famous green meadow beneath Nanga Parbat.
Day 25: Trek from Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp (3,550m), 4 hours, 4.1 km. A gentle trek through the forest brings you to Beyal Camp, which is closer to the great mountain.
Day 26: Trek from Beyal Camp to Nanga Parbat Base Camp (3,850m), 3 hours, 3.4 km. You will walk to the base camp of Nanga Parbat and stand beneath the immense Raikot Face, which completes the five base camps of the expedition. After the visit you will return to Beyal Camp or continue to Fairy Meadows for the night.
Day 27: Trek back to Fairy Meadows (3,300m), 6 hours. You will return on foot to Fairy Meadows for a final night beneath Nanga Parbat.
Day 28: Travel from Fairy Meadows to Naran, 6 to 7 hours. You will trek down to Tattu village, take the jeep to the Raikot Bridge, and then drive on the Karakoram Highway to Naran in the Kaghan Valley.
Day 29: Drive from Naran to Islamabad, 6 to 8 hours. You will drive back to the capital, check in to your hotel, and spend the day resting or exploring Islamabad.
Day 30: Departure day. You will be transferred to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home, and this is the end of the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek.
Inclusions
- Three-star hotels on a twin-sharing basis in Islamabad, Skardu, and Naran, with huts and cottages at Fairy Meadows and two-person expedition tents on the trek.
- All meals on a full-board basis during the trekking sections, and breakfast at the hotels.
- A government-licensed mountain guide, a professional cook, kitchen equipment, and a complete camp crew.
- Porters for personal baggage up to 20 kg per trekker on the Baltoro and Hushe sections.
- Private transport throughout the trip, including 4×4 jeeps for the mountain roads and comfortable vans for the highway sections.
- All required trekking permits, royalty fees, national park fees, and the Gondogoro La crossing fee.
- First-aid kit, satellite phone for emergency communication, and generator and solar charging facilities at the camps.
- Trekking-visa support documents, including the official invitation letter.
Exclusions
- International flights to and from Pakistan.
- The Pakistan visa fee.
- Travel, medical, and helicopter-rescue insurance, which is mandatory for every trekker.
- Personal trekking clothing and equipment.
- Bottled and mineral water, soft drinks, and personal snacks.
- Tips for the guide, porters, and camp crew.
- Single-room and single-tent supplements.
- Any personal expenses, laundry, phone calls, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.
Packing Tips
For the Five 8000m Base Camp Trek you should pack for both warm valley days and freezing high camps, because the temperature range on this expedition is very wide. You will need layered clothing that can be added or removed through the day, a warm down jacket, a good sleeping bag that is rated for minus 10 to minus 15 degrees, and sturdy trekking boots that are already broken in, because new boots will cause serious problems on a thirty-day trek. Crampons are required for the Gondogoro La crossing, and you will also need a harness, trekking poles, a headlamp, sunglasses and strong sun protection, since the sun at high altitude is very intense. The packed weight of your trek bag, including your sleeping bag and mattress, should be no more than 20 kg, and this limit is set by the porters and is strictly enforced, so anything that you do not need on the trek can be left at the group hotel in Islamabad or Skardu. A power bank is useful because charging points are limited on the trek, and a small personal first aid kit with blister treatment and any personal medication is strongly recommended.