How to Plan Your K2 Base Camp Trek

The mountain of mountains, the ferocious Mount Godwin-Austen or famously known as Mt. K2, may stand a few meters less than the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest but hasn’t been conquered by anyone yet. Every year, several mountaineering enthusiasts contact a leading Pakistan tour company and plan a trek to K2 basecamp. The breathtaking high mountain views of the Godwin-Austen glaciers, along with the spectacular sceneries of Northern Pakistan, can be something to remember forever.

Here we have listed a few things to keep in mind to plan and complete your trek to K2 basecamp.

Where You’ll Begin

Whether you are a native or a foreigner, the journey to this breathtaking trek begins in the beautiful city of Islamabad. You can book a travel agency such as ours from here on to manage your travel. The journey begins with a flight to Skardu valley. The place is quite popular for greenery, mountains, rivers, incredible atmosphere, and amazing people. Skardu attracts almost every visitor headed to the K2 base camp trek. If you want to fully explore the Karakoram ranges, including another gigantic peak of Nanga Parbat, rest for a couple of days in Skardu. Two days will be enough for you to explore these, and you can then continue your journey to the K2 peaks.

Places to Discover

As you’ll continue your journey to the K2 basecamp, you will need a jeep to reach your next milestone, which is Askole Valley. A fantastic environment, incredible landscapes surround the valley, and here you’ll begin the trek to the base camp. A good Pakistan tour company can take you to this valley through a Jeep ride. However, after Askole valley, there won’t be any walk away, road, etc. The load will be distributed among all the partners, and a 90KM hiking trek will begin.

Jola

Here’s a place where only someone with good physical health can reach. It can be challenging for people with an unhealthy physique to complete 6 to 7 hours of tiring trek from Askole village.

Paiju

Do you admire green spots? Unfortunately, you won’t find any greenery as you move towards the K2 base camp trek but only this one. Paiju is the last green spot you will see on your way to the Godwin Austen glaciers. After this, you will start witnessing a lot of new things such as steep mountains, Baltoro glaciers, high slopes, and more.

LiliGo300M

Here’s a place where you will get the first glimpse of the Trango Tower Across. The view is so spectacular that nothing can hold you back from capturing it in your cameras. It will be once in a lifetime experience to eye-witness the incredible K2 peaks on your way to the K2 trek. However, when you’re dealing with such wild spots, appropriate equipment is equally important.

Important Equipment

Here is the essential equipment you should carry along with you since you might need any of them anytime during your voyage.

• Ice Screws
• Countless Carabiners
• Rock Pitons
• Snow Stakes
• Static Ropes
• Bamboo Stakes
• Korean Rope
• Tents
• Food (Recommended items: Vinegar, Toilet Paper, Oil, Spaghetti, Cheese, Noodles, Canned Food, and most important, water)
• An Oxygen Cylinder

Always plan your trek with this equipment. Missing out on any of them can leave you stuck in the horrifying cold weather without help. The tour can be full of beautiful and memorable moments, but your safety comes before anything else.

Risk Factor to Keep in Mind

For those who think the K2 trek is just another trek, it’s not. People who have conquered Mt. Everest consider not even remotely compare it to Mt. K2. Altitude illness during the trek is said to affect 25 to 80% of visitors. Whether the high altitude will disturb you or not depends on your home altitude, susceptibility, and other physical or mental factors. For instance, if you have height phobia or are going through a heart condition, drop the plan of going to the base camp. Apart from the high altitude, other risk factors can be avalanches and harsh weather during the journey.

Conclusion

Mountaineering lovers always want to enjoy the peaceful nature from up top. Here’s a basic guide to planning your K2 base camp trek. To know more about planning your tour to Pakistan, get in touch with the leading Pakistan tour company Pak Voyager.