13. Gasherbrum II Base Camp Trek (Pakistan)

Trek to Gasherbrum II, the world’s thirteenth‑highest mountain and one of the most beautiful peaks in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. The Gasherbrum II Base Camp trek follows the Baltoro Glacier and offers stunning views across the remote Karakoram. The base camp also serves Gasherbrum I, placing you among some of the most dramatic high‑altitude landscapes on Earth. 

(Note: Gasherbrum II's North Base Camp is located in Xinjiang, China)

Photo credit: Public Domain (Wikipedia)

• Summit Elevation: 8,035 m (26,362 ft)
• Base Camp Altitude: ~5,000 m (~16,404 ft)
• Highest Trekking Point:  Gasherbrum I/II Base Camp
• Duration: ~16-20 days
• Difficulty Rating: Very hard
• Best Season: June-September
• Starting Point: Askole, Pakistan
• Total trekking distance (return): ~160-180 km

• Trek on the mighty Baltoro Glacier
• Spectacular views of Gasherbrum I and II
• Visit Concordia, where several major glaciers converge, surrounded by 8,000 m giants
• Experience the pristine beauty of the Karakoram wilderness

This trek shares the same approach used for K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum I base camps, making it one of the most spectacular mountain journeys on Earth. The Baltoro Glacier route is iconic among mountaineers and trekkers alike. Though demanding, the trek provides an unmatched wilderness experience in one of the Earth’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. 

(Same approach route for K2 and Broad Peak base camps)

• Day 1: Fly Islamabad (~666 m) → Skardu (~2,230 m)
• Day 2: Drive Skardu → Askole (~3,040 m)
• Day 3: Askole → Jhola (~3,200 m)
• Day 4: Jhola → Paiju (~3,400 m)
• Day 5: Rest / acclimatization at Paiju
• Day 6: Paiju → Urdukas (~4,050 m)
• Day 7: Urdukas → Goro II (~4,380 m)
• Day 8: Goro II  → Concordia (~4,600 m)
• Day 9: Concordia  → Gasherbrum I/II Base Camp (5,000 m) → Return to Concordia
• Day 10: Concordia → Goro II (~4,380 m)
• Day 11: Goro II → Urdukas (~4,050 m)
• Day 12: Urdukas → Paiju (~3,400 m)
• Day 13: Paiju  → Jhola (~3,200 m)
• Day 14: Jhola → Askole (~3,040 m)
• Day 15: Drive Askole → Skardu (2,228 m)
• Day 16: Fly Skardu → Islamabad (~666 m)