Overview
The 5-8000ers Base Camps Trek is an extraordinary 28-day adventure into the heart of Pakistan’s Karakoram and Himalayan mountains. This journey takes you beneath five of the world’s fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, combining the legendary Baltoro Glacier with the remote base camps of K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrum massif, followed by an unforgettable excursion beneath Nanga Parbat.
Starting from Islamabad, we travel through the dramatic landscapes of northern Pakistan before entering the Baltoro wilderness from Askole. The trail leads through Jula, Paju, Khurbutse and Urdukas to the spectacular mountain amphitheatre of Concordia, where some of the world’s greatest peaks surround us.
From Concordia, we continue toward Broad Peak Base Camp and K2 Base Camp, before turning toward the Gasherbrum region and the base camp area of Gasherbrum I and II. After completing the Karakoram section, we travel toward Fairy Meadows for a final Himalayan adventure to the Nanga Parbat Base Camp area.
This is more than a base camp trek. It is a journey through glaciers, valleys, remote mountain communities and some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.
Trip Highlights
- Experience the base camps of five 8,000-metre peaks
- Trek across the legendary Baltoro Glacier
- Stand beneath K2 (8,611 m), the world's second-highest mountain
- Visit Broad Peak Base Camp
- Explore the Gasherbrum I & II Base Camp area
- Visit the historic Gilkey Memorial
- Experience spectacular Concordia
- Trek beneath Nanga Parbat (8,125 m)
- Stay at beautiful Fairy Meadows
- Experience the remote Braldu Valley and traditional mountain villages
- Travel with an experienced local trekking team
- Experience the Karakoram and Himalayas from a first-hand local perspective
Itinerary
Experience one of Pakistan’s ultimate high-altitude adventures on the 5-8000ers Base Camps Trek, a 28-day journey through the legendary Karakoram and Himalayas. Trek across the magnificent Baltoro Glacier to Concordia, Broad Peak Base Camp and K2 Base Camp, explore the Gasherbrum I & II Base Camp area, and finish beneath the mighty Nanga Parbat at Fairy Meadows. Combining spectacular glaciers, remote mountain valleys, legendary 8,000-metre peaks and authentic local experiences, this is a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of Pakistan’s highest mountains.
Arrive in Islamabad, where our team welcomes you to Pakistan. After some time to rest and recover from your journey, we explore the capital with visits to Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument and Lok Virsa Museum. In the evening, we hold a trip briefing and make final preparations for the expedition. Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
Drive: 8–10 hours
Begin our journey north along the spectacular Karakoram Highway. The road follows the Indus River through dramatic valleys and mountain landscapes. Depending on road and weather conditions, we continue toward Chilas for our overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel in Chilas
Drive: 7–9 hours
Continue toward Skardu through the spectacular landscapes of the Indus and Shigar regions. As we approach Skardu, the mountains become increasingly dramatic and the character of the journey changes from highway travel to a true Karakoram adventure.
Overnight: Hotel in Skardu
Today is reserved for final preparations, equipment checks and expedition arrangements. We also have time to explore Skardu Bazaar and Kharpocho Fort, while enjoying our first close views of the surrounding Karakoram mountains.
Overnight: Hotel in Skardu
Drive: 5–6 hours
Leave Skardu and travel through the spectacular Shigar and Braldu Valleys toward Askole, the last permanent village before the Baltoro wilderness. Here we meet our trekking crew and prepare to enter one of the world's greatest mountain environments.
Overnight: Camp in Askole
Trek: 4–5 hours
Our trek begins. We follow the Braldu Valley and the rough trail toward Jula, crossing the bridge near the meeting point of the Biafo and Braldu rivers. The first day introduces us to the rugged beauty of the Baltoro region.
Overnight: Camp in Jula
Trek: 6–7 hours
Follow the Braldu River through the dramatic Karakoram landscape. We pass beneath Bakordass and Lilligos and approach Paju Peak. On clear days, the distant outline of Broad Peak may already be visible.
Overnight: Camp in Paju
Trek: 5–6 hours
Today we enter the Baltoro Glacier. The trail becomes more demanding as we negotiate moraine terrain with frequent ascents and descents. Around us rise the magnificent Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, Paju Peak, Mustagh Tower and Broad Peak.
Overnight: Camp in Khurbutse
Trek: 3–4 hours
Continue along the lateral moraine of the Baltoro Glacier toward Urdukas. The landscape opens dramatically, and Urdukas is one of the most beautiful campsites of the entire journey, offering magnificent views across the glacier and surrounding peaks.
Overnight: Camp in Urdukas
A valuable rest and acclimatization day surrounded by some of the finest mountain scenery in the Karakoram. Relax, explore the rocks, photograph the mountains and prepare for the higher elevations ahead.
Overnight: Camp in Urdukas
Trek: 5–6 hours
Continue across the Baltoro Glacier toward Goro-II. The magnificent Masherbrum, Mustagh Tower and Gasherbrum IV dominate the skyline. The relatively smooth section of glacier ahead creates what feels like a natural Baltoro Highway.
Overnight: Camp in Goro-II
Trek: 5–6 hours
One of the most anticipated days of the expedition. We continue toward Concordia, the spectacular meeting point of several giant glaciers. As we approach, the great peaks gradually rise around us until the legendary pyramid of K2 appears on the horizon.
Overnight: Camp in Concordia
Trek: 4–5 hours
Cross the Gasherbrum Glacier and enter the Godwin-Austen Glacier. The surrounding landscape becomes increasingly dramatic as we approach Broad Peak Base Camp. We establish camp at approximately 5,000 metres beneath the giant peaks of the Karakoram.
Overnight: Camp at Broad Peak Base Camp
Trek: 3–4 hours
Today we reach one of the ultimate destinations for any mountain lover: K2 Base Camp. We continue across the Godwin-Austen Glacier toward the foot of K2 and visit the Gilkey Memorial, where climbers who lost their lives in the world's great mountains are remembered.
Standing beneath K2 at 8,611 metres is an unforgettable moment.
Overnight: Camp at K2 Base Camp / Broad Peak Base Camp
Trek: 5–6 hours
Begin our return from the K2 region toward Concordia. The massive peaks remain visible behind us as we retrace the glacier and continue toward the Gasherbrum side of the Karakoram.
Overnight: Camp at Shaghring
Trek: 6–7 hours
Spend time exploring the Gasherbrum Base Camp area and appreciating the immense scale of Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. After taking in the mountain scenery, begin our return journey toward Concordia.
Overnight: Camp
Trek: 5–6 hours
Retrace our route along the Baltoro Glacier toward Goro-I. As we descend, enjoy your final unforgettable views of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum and the surrounding giants.
Overnight: Camp at Goro-I
Trek: 5–6 hours
Continue down the Baltoro Glacier toward Khurbutse. The lower we descend, the warmer the environment becomes, and the character of the glacier gradually changes.
Overnight: Camp at Khurbutse
Continue descending through the moraine landscape and gradually leave the Baltoro Glacier behind. Return to the greener surroundings of Paju for another peaceful evening in the mountains.
Overnight: Camp in Paju
Trek: 5–6 hours
Follow the Braldu River back toward Jula, retracing the trail through the dramatic lower Baltoro Valley.
Overnight: Camp in Jula
Trek & Drive: 8–9 hours
Complete the final trekking section to Askole. From here, our jeeps take us back through the Braldu Valley toward Skardu. After days in the wilderness, enjoy a hot shower, comfortable hotel room and a well-earned rest.
Overnight: Hotel in Skardu
Drive & Trek: 8–10 hours
Travel toward Raikot Bridge and continue by 4×4 jeep to Tato. From Tato, hike through pine forest toward the magnificent Fairy Meadows, situated beneath the enormous south face of Nanga Parbat.
Overnight: Hotel in Fairy Meadows
rek: 7–8 hours
Our final great mountain adventure takes us toward the Nanga Parbat Base Camp area. Trek through forests and green alpine meadows while the massive 8,125-metre Nanga Parbat dominates the skyline. Return to Fairy Meadows in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Fairy Meadows
Trek & Drive: 5–7 hours
Descend from Fairy Meadows to Tato and continue by jeep to Raikot Bridge. From here, drive toward Chilas or Gilgit, depending on the next day's travel arrangements and weather conditions.
Overnight: Hotel in Chilas
Drive: 8–10 hours
Depending on weather and transport conditions, return to Islamabad by road or flight. Once back in the capital, enjoy a relaxed final evening, optional shopping and a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Islamabad
Your extraordinary journey through the Karakoram and Himalayas comes to an end. Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home, carrying memories of five 8,000-metre giants, legendary glaciers and one of Pakistan's greatest mountain adventures.
PACKAGE OFFER INCLUDES & EXCLUDES
Includes
- Transportation Airport transfers in Islamabad and Skardu
- Domestic flights between Islamabad-Skardu-Islamabad in economy class with 20 kg checked baggage
- Accommodation
- 6 nights (3 in Islamabad & 3 in Skardu) hotel accommodation in standard hotels (2 nights in Islamabad in a 3* hotel and 3 nights in Skardu in a good standard tourist class hotel) on twin/double sharing basis.
- Food
- Breakfasts in Islamabad and full board (three meals) elsewhere during hotel stays.
- All three time meals during the trekking
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE OFFER
- Below mentioned services
- are not included in our package, but some of them can be provided on request in
- advance. Please contact TNA for further detail.
- International air ticket & airport taxes.
- Visa fee for Pakistan and personal insurance
- Extra hotel nights & meals due to change in plan
- Lunches & dinners in Islamabad
- Beverages & laundry
- Sleeping bags, personal clothing, and trekking gear.
- Tips for trekking staff
- Tips for hotel & transport
- Any other service that is not mentioned in the list of services
Frequently Asked Questions
The 5-8000ers Base Camps Trek is a 28-day high-altitude adventure through Pakistan's Karakoram and Himalayan mountains. The journey takes you to the base camp areas of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II and Nanga Parbat, five of Pakistan's legendary 8,000-metre peaks.
The trek is designed around five legendary giants: K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) and Nanga Parbat (8,125 m). We visit K2 and Broad Peak Base Camp areas, explore the Gasherbrum Base Camp area, and trek to the Nanga Parbat Base Camp area from Fairy Meadows.
This is a challenging to strenuous high-altitude trek. The route includes long trekking days, glacier and moraine travel, steep and uneven terrain and elevations above 5,000 metres. Previous trekking experience and good physical fitness are strongly recommended.
Previous high-altitude trekking experience is highly recommended, but you do not necessarily need mountaineering or technical climbing experience. The journey is a trekking expedition rather than a technical climbing expedition. Participants should be comfortable walking for several hours a day in remote and high-altitude environments.
The highest camps on the journey are around 5,000–5,200 metres, depending on the final route and camping arrangements. The altitude makes acclimatization, hydration, pacing and following the guide's advice particularly important.
The main trekking season for the Baltoro and K2 region is during the summer months when the high mountain routes become accessible. This itinerary is planned for May and June, although actual conditions can vary from year to year. Weather and glacier conditions may require changes to the itinerary.
The adventure starts and finishes in Islamabad, Pakistan. From Islamabad, we travel north toward Skardu and Askole before beginning the Baltoro trek. After completing the Karakoram section, we travel to Fairy Meadows for the Nanga Parbat excursion before returning to Islamabad.
Accommodation includes comfortable hotels in Islamabad and Skardu, while the main Baltoro and Gasherbrum sections are spent camping in expedition tents. At Fairy Meadows, we stay in local mountain accommodation. Accommodation arrangements may change slightly depending on weather, availability and local conditions.
Yes. Trips Nomad Adventure provides an experienced local trekking team, including guides, porters and supporting staff for the expedition. Porters carry the agreed expedition loads, allowing trekkers to concentrate on the trail and enjoy the journey.
You will need suitable high-altitude trekking clothing and equipment, including good trekking boots, warm layers, waterproof clothing, sleeping equipment, gloves, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a headlamp, trekking poles and a suitable backpack. Trips Nomad Adventure provides a detailed packing list before departure.
Mountain weather can change quickly in northern Pakistan. Flights to Skardu and Gilgit are particularly weather-dependent. We therefore build flexibility into the itinerary and may use road travel or adjust the schedule when necessary. The safety of the group always takes priority over maintaining a fixed timetable.
Yes. Because the itinerary reaches above 5,000 metres, altitude-related illness is a serious consideration. The itinerary includes acclimatization and rest periods, and our guides monitor participants throughout the trek. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms will be advised to descend or seek medical assistance when necessary.
Yes. Solo travellers are welcome to join the expedition. You can travel as an individual while becoming part of the trekking group, sharing the expedition experience and, where applicable, group costs.
No. The journey also provides an opportunity to experience local communities, traditional mountain life, remote valleys and the culture of northern Pakistan. From Skardu and the Braldu Valley to Fairy Meadows and the villages along the route, the expedition combines adventure with authentic cultural experiences.
This expedition is designed around first-hand mountain experience rather than simply ticking destinations off a list. Trips Nomad Adventure is a local Pakistan-based adventure company with deep experience in the country's remote mountain regions. Our aim is to take travellers beyond the crowded routes and introduce them to the landscapes, communities and mountain stories that make Pakistan unique.
Five 8,000ers. Two great mountain ranges. One unforgettable journey through Pakistan.