Overview
The Karakoram Region is one of the most extreme mountaineering regions in the world with four eight-thousands out of fourteen. Gasherbrum II is the thirteenth-highest peak in the world which magnificently lies on the border between Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan and Xinjiang of China administered by Pakistan. The 8,035m elevated peak is worldly renowned as the second highest peak in the Gasherbrum group after Gasherbrum I and “K4” named by the British surveyor, Thomas George Montgomerie in 1856 while he was partaking in The Great Trigonometric Survey in India. On the other hand, the Balti people beg to differ; the mountain has its own ancient name with a remarkable meaning formed with two different words: “rgasha” meaning beautiful, and “brum” meaning mountain.
A group of an international expedition led by Swiss, Guinter Oskar Dyhrenfurth was one of the firsts to explore the Gasherbrum Massif in 1934 but failed to reach the summits of both Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. However, the peak was firstly summited by a courageous group of Austrians, Fritz Moravec, Josef Larch, and Hans Willenpart on July 7, 1956. Despite an avalanche during their climb which led to a scarcity of their food supplies, they were able to ascend and experience the summit of Gasherbrum II successfully. Moreover, this exquisite mountain has been successfully climbed in winter as well. A team of Cory Richards, Urubuko, and Simone Moro were the first to experience the summit in winter despite an enormous avalanche without the aid of porters and supplementary oxygen.
The best season to climb Broad Gasherbrum II:
The most favorable season to climb is summer. Most of the ascents have been accomplished in July and August as they are the warmest months of the year. The expedition to the summit of Gasherbrum II is more gratifying in these months than in winter.
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival At Islamabad Airport And Transfer To Hotel In Blue Area
Before your arrival at the airport, you must complete all the required procedures for your visa. You will be welcomed by one of our envoys as soon as you arrive at the airport. After a brief meeting, you will be escorted to the hotel booked for your convenience and relaxation. You can also stroll around The Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, Faisal Mosque,and many more cultural places in Islamabad.
Altitude 508 m
Meals N/A
Accommodation4-star Hotel
DAY 2: Expedition Preparation And Spare Day
On the second day, we will carry out our official procedure which includes: travel permit, documentation, necessary formalities, bag pack, shopping and finalize every requirement for our journey. Moreover, every aspect of the trek will be clarified as an important part of the briefing and you will also feel opportune to introduce yourself to your fellow trekkers.
Altitude 508 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation 4-star Hotel
DAY 3-4: Fly From Islamabad To Skardu (2228m) And Expedition And Preparation Day
After a palatable breakfast at the earliest hour in the morning, we will fly toSkardu,a magnificent city located in Gilgit-Baltistan which is elevated at 2228m from sea level. You will be able to freshen up after an hour of a convenient flight and stroll around the city’s exhilarating places. On the next day, our guides will explain the entire expedition and make you prepare for the following days.
Altitude 2228 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation 2-star Hotel
DAY 5: Drive To Askole (2800m) – Camping Starts
After a cozy stay in Skardu, we will drive to Askole on the fifth day. Askole is a small town of Shigar valley which is slightly remote. It is considered as the last station before one invades into the wild regions of the Karakoram. The drive will be thrilling and perhaps a bit bumpy from Skardu to Askole as it usually takes approximately seven hours by jeep covering a total distance of 128 kilometers. As soon as we reach our destination, we will settle in and prepare for our camping.
Altitude 2800 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 6: Trek To Jhola (3185m)
Following our night in Askole, we will have already started to behold the beauty of the Karakoram region. Next morning after breakfast, we will start our trek from Askole (2800m) to Jhola(3185m) to avoid the heat crossing the Baifo Glacier. You will experience a relaxing hike to JJhola ascending 385m of altitude. As soon as we reach Jhola, we will prepare for our night.
Altitude 3185 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 7: Trek To Paiyu (3383m)
As per our travel schedule, we will be marching on to the pinnacles of Paiyu on the seven days. We will gain a total altitude of 3383m after reaching Paiyu as it will be our campsite for the next two days. Despite various rumors about this incredible place, the region is placid with proper camps.
Altitude 3383 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 8: Rest Day At Paiyu
After a continuous trek for two days, we will halt in Paiyu as a one-day break. Paiyu falls in the Karakoram Region where we will be opportune to see a golden sunrise falling in the glorious peak of Paiyu experiencing nature’s generosity. We will relax for the entire day and get ready for Urdukas as our next stop.
Altitude 3383 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 9: Trek To Urdukas (4130m)
After a relaxant break in Paiyu, our journey will start getting tougher as we head to Urdukas (4130m). It will be a challenging day undertaking the rocky moraines of the Baltoro Glacier. However, the breathtaking sights of Paiyu Peak and Trango will truly astonish you. We will ascend around 750m from Paiyu completing a long walk but most intense mountain views and Broad Peak will be in our sight wiping the exhaustion. As soon as we reach Urdukas, we will camp and compose for Goro.
Altitude 4130 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 10: Trek To Gora II (4250m)
Passing an exhausting walk to Urdukas, we will trek to Gora II on the tenth day of our expedition. Somehow, it will also be an alleviating day as we will only ascend 120m from Urdukas (4250m to Gora (4250m). You will also be mesmerized after reaching the heart of Concordia full of ice smothered by the exotic views of spectacular Masherbrum, Muztagh Tower, and Gasherbrum IV. If we are also fortunate enough with a clear evening, we will be bestowed with magnificent dawn and the red hue over Masherbrum.
Altitude 4250 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 11: Trek To Concordia (4550m)
On the eleventh day, we will trek to Concordia which also knows to be the most enchanting campsite in the entire Karakoram region with a 360 panorama sight of some exquisite mountains: Masherbrum, Gasherbrum, K2, Chogolisa, and Broad Peak itself. After savoring some remarkable sights, we will camp at Concordia for the night.
Altitude 4550 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 12: Trek To Gasherbrum II Base Camp (5,000m)
After beholding some glorious sights from Concordia, we will resume our trek to Gasherbrum Base Camp, the only site from where you can also experience the sight of Gasherbrum. As soon as we complete our six-hour hike, we will also finally reach the base camp rest for the night.
Altitude 5000 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 13: Preparation For The Summit Ascent
Following our schedule, we will complete our final preparation to attempt the summit as our Sherpas will rehearse glacial travel and climbing technique. In the meanwhile, we may remember the courageously departed souls who lost their lives on the way to the summit.
Altitude 5000 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 14-42: Climbing Period Base Camp (5,000m) – The Summit (8,035m) – Base Camp
After our final preparation for our attempt at the summit, we will initiate our steps to Camp 1. Our route will follow high camps 1, 2, and 3 making at least one rotation climb before our attempt to the summit. Our team will speculate the weather for the ascent to the summit. Most probably, we will reach the summit on the predicted day if everything goes as per the schedule.
As soon as we exalt the summit (8, 035m), we will start our preparation for descending back to the high camps and the base camp evaluating the weather. We will rest at the base camp for a day and prepare to trek down to lower elevation.
Altitude 8035 m
Meals BLD
AccommodationFull Board Camp Service
DAY 43-46: Trek Down To Gora II – Khuburtze – Mundung – Askole
After resting at the base camp for a night, we will continue to descend from the base camp to Gora on the forty-day. We will follow our descending route until we return back to Askole, a small town in Shigar valley.
Altitude 2800 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation Camping
DAY 47: Drive To Skardu From Askole
Following our travel schedule, we will drive back to Skardu and rest after a seven-hour drive from Askole. We will freshen up and get ready for the flight to Islamabad.
Altitude 2228 m
Meals BLD
Accommodation 2-star Hotel
DAY 48 Fly Back To Islamabad
From Skardu, we will fly back to Islamabad and enjoy the aerial view of the capital city for an hour.
Altitude 508 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation 4-star Hotel
DAY 49: Spare Day In Islamabad
After the completion of a long expedition, you can relax in Islamabad strolling aroundThe Pakistan Monument, Lok Virsa Museum, Faisal Mosque, Mragalla Hills, Daman-e-Koh,and many more cultural places of this great city.
Altitude 508 m
Meals Breakfast And Farewell Dinner
Accommodation 4-star Hotel
DAY 50: Fly Back To Home
Our journey to the summit of Gasherbrum II concludes on this day. We will also cordially implore farewell with countless memories. One of our representatives will escort you to Islamabad Airport a few hours earlier to your scheduled flight.
Altitude 508 m
Meals Breakfast
Accommodation N/A
Includes
- Arrival and Departure at Islamabad Airport (pick up and drop off)
- Four nights hotel stay in Islamabad with Bed & Breakfast basis at a four-star hotel and a four-night hotel stay in Skardu in a two-star normal category hotel with BB Plan.
- Expedition royalty and a permit from the Pakistan government to climb Gasherbrum II including the member, climbing Sherpa, and working crew
- The cost for liaison officer with his/her salary, equipment, transport and accommodation is included
- The cost includes garbage management fees
- Medical & emergency rescue insurance for all involved staff during the expedition.
- Domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu and Skardu to Islamabad after the expedition. However, irregular cancellation of the flight to Skardu will be substituted with a drive to Skardu via Chellas. Jeep drive from Skardu to Askole and Askole to Skardu.
- All the necessary expedition equipment transpiration will be transported via air from Kathmandu to Islamabad and Islamabad to Skardu by truck. Skardu to Askole and Askole to Skardu by Jeep. Askole to Base camp and base camp to Askole by the porter.
Excludes
- International airfare of the member
- Pakistan entry visa fees
- Lunch and dinner during stay in Islamabad and Skardu
- Extra nights hotel stays in Islamabad and Skardu
- Emergency evacuation insurance and medical cover insurance of the member
- Personal Climbing gears
- Sherpa Summit Bonus: USD 2000 bonus for each climbing Sherpa
- Tips: Tips for Cooking staff and port
Trip Notes
Trekking in the Karakoram Region is always challenging because of its unpredictable weather. We effort our best to schedule our trips in the most appropriate seasons. The above-mentioned itinerary may change as per the trip’s complexities but we guarantee you that the quality of service shall not be compromised at all. In case of delayed or canceled flights, we must inform you that besides the total number of days included in the itinerary, clients shall be obliged to bear the expenses of the extra days themselves. Somehow, Everest Expeditions Nepal will undoubtedly facilitate necessary arrangements for your convenience at a reasonable extra charge.
Furthermore, we shall not be responsible for missed International Flights or your luggage before our reception. However, we would be delighted to minimize your loss. We advise scheduling flexible time frames before and after trip departure.
Climbers are suggested not to carry extravagant materials for their own comfort. They are advised to compose their mental and physical health which will be significantly required to resist remoteness, higher altitude, extreme weather, and diversion from their beloved families.
Cost of Expedition
Generally, Expedition costs vary depending on factors including: group size, royalty and permit costs in different seasons, category of hotel accommodation, numbers of Sherpa’s allocated and equipment, type of arrangement and package customization. So, we would like to discuss with our client before offering the cost. Please feel free to contact Everest Expeditions Nepal for any information about in your selected package.
We are also wholeheartedly thankful to you for joining us!