Gondogoro La Trek
(5585m / 18,323ft)

(A high level traverse from Concordia to Hushe over the Gondogoro La) The special charm of Baltistan One of the world's top treks.

An exceptional and ambitious trekking adventure holiday walking in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan across the Gondogro La from K2. This very exciting trek leads from Askole, via the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and then onward across the Gondogoro La (5585m) into the Hushe Valley. Trekking in the heart of the Karakoram by way of the Baltistan capital of Skardu, our trek gains height gradually, with magical views of peaks such as the Trango Towers, Masherbrum and finally, from Concordia, of K2 itself. After walking up the Godwin Austin glacier to visit the base camps for Broad Peak and K2, we continue our trek through a glaciated wilderness to the Gondogoro La. Climbing to the pass, we are rewarded by unforgettable views back to K2 (8611m), Broad Peak (8047m), the Gasherbrums, Chogolisa and also of Hidden Peak, one of the few places accessible to trekkers from which this mountain can be viewed. Then, dropping down from the pass, we can enjoy an sensational walk-out through pleasant alpine valleys to the friendly balti village of Hushe. If you are keen to visit K2 and have some experience of winter mountaineering, then this is the way to go. Truly, one of the finest high mountain experiences on Earth!

Facts & Figures

Duration: 20/22 Days
Maximum Altitude: 5585 m / 18,323 ft
Trek Status Restricted
Trek Grade Strenuous
Joining in: Islamabad/Rawalpindi
Location: Karakoram
Best time: June to August

Trip Details

5 Nights Hotels, 14 Nights Camping,
14 Days Strenuous Trekking.
Max. Altitude: 5585m / 18,323Ft.
Group Size: 4-10
Duration: 19  Days  From Islamabad to Islamabad

Dates Gondogoro La Trek 2024

Trip Code Trip dates for 2024
Gondogoro La -I 09 June to 28 June 2024
Gondogoro La -II 22 June to 11 July 2024
Gondogoro La -III 22 July to 10 August 2024
Gondogoro La -IV 04 August to 23 August 2024

Gondogoro La (5585 m / 18,323 FT)
From Hushe to Shigar.

Trek Itinerary

Day Activities
1. Rendezvous at the group hotel in Islamabad. Baltistan Tours provide Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
2. In the morning we take the spectacular flight to Skardu.  We take lunch at Skardu and then take the 2 hour journey by jeep via the Indus and Shyok valleys to Khaplu.  Karakoram Lodge Khaplu Hotel.(2,600 m 8530 ft)
3. Crossing the Shyok River we continue our spectacular journey to Hushe Village. Camp. (2,750 m 9022 ft.)
4. A short day to the idyllic campsite of Saitcho at the junction of the Charakusa and Gondogoro Valleys. The afternoon is free for relaxing. Camp. (3,400m 11,150 ft)
5. We spend a further acclimatization day at Saitcho. There is an option to walk up the Charakusa Valley beside the glacier for a closer look at K6 and K7  Camp. (3,400m 11,150 ft)
6. Trekking beside the Gondogoro Glacier, we follow  a wooded moraine ridge to Gondogoro Village and a final scramble up a rocky gulley to Dalsan. Camp.(4,200 m 13,780 ft)
7-8. A long day walking on the glacier beneath the beautiful spire of Layla Peak, takes us to Huisprung, a grassy terrace beside a small meltwater lake. Camp.
(4600m/15090ft)
9. In preparation for the crossing of the Gondogoro La, we will move our base camp to a level site on the moraines below the pass. Camp. 4800metres (15,750ft)
10. We climb to the pass using fixed ropes to safeguard the ascent. The view from the top includes K2, Broad Peak, Chogolisa and the Gasherbrums. We descend to Ali Camp. 4800 metres (15,750 feet).
11. From Ali Camp we follow the Vigne Glacier to its confluence with the Upper Baltoro which ‘flows’ to Concordia. Camp (4500m. / 14,765ft.).
12. Rest day in Concordia. We have the option to trek up the Godwin Austin Glacier to visit K2 base camp via  Broad Peak base camp.
13. Leaving Concordia, we move down the Baltoro to Shachspong, a high point on the central moraine where we have superb views up and down the glacier. Camp. (4200m. / 13,780ft.)
14. The towers and spires of Lobsang, Cathedral and Trango are the backdrop for today’s trek down the Baltoro via Urdukas to Horbose. Camp. (3930m. / 12,894ft.).
15. Today we complete the descent the Baltoro Glacier. Leaving the ice behind, it is much warmer as we reach the green, spring-fed oasis of Paiju. Camp. (3450m. / 11,320ft.).
16. On sandy trails now we follow the Braldu River to the tributary Panma Valley where we detour upstream a short way to reach clear Jola.  Camp. (3165m. / 10,384ft.).
17. The final day of trekking. We reach the first habitation we have seen in two weeks at Askole, where the green fields are soothing to the eye. Camp. (3000m. / 9843ft.).
18. Driving through the Shigar Valley with its villages of intense agriculture we return to Skardu. We check into the Snow land hotel for  a long awaited shower. Hotel.
19. We have a morning flight to Islamabad where we transfer to our group hotel. The afternoon is free for sightseeing and souvenir buying.
20. Free day in Islamabad. Today is a contingency day in case we have had to drive down the Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. Hotel.
21 Fly Back to Home

Gondogoro La (5585 m / 18,323 FT)
From Shigar to Hushe.

Trek Itinerary

Day Activities
1. Rendezvous at the group hotel in Islamabad. Baltistan Tours provide Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
2. In the morning we take the spectacular flight to Skardu. We check in at the Snow Land hotel and spend the afternoon looking around the bazaar.
3. We drive in 4×4 vehicles to Askole (3000m) in the Braldu Valley, passing through the infamous Braldu Gorge. Camp.
4. Leaving Askole, the last settlement on the valley we cross a bridge close to the snout of the Biafo Glacier and make camp beside the moraine at Korofon (3075m).
5. We follow the course of the Braldu as far as the Panma River tributary. We make a detour to a bridge following a spectacular trail across high cliffs. Camp beyond the bridge.
6. Following the Braldu River once more we climb to higher ground giving a first glimpse of yet distant K2. We descend to river again and camp at Paiju (3420m).
7. An acclimatization day. Time to relax and appreciate the beautiful views of the Trango Towers or take a swim in the pools left by the changing course of the river. Camp
8. A longer day along the moraine and on the glacier itself to Urdukas (3900m). From camp there are spectacular view across the glacier to the Cathedral and Lobsang spires.
9. A longer day moving up the center of the Baltoro glacier. Superb views of K1 or Masherbrum as we trek to Goro (4200m). Camp
10. Shapely Gasherbrum IV is a beacon ahead on our final approach. Nearing our destination Broad Peak is revealed but K2 remains hidden until we reach Concordia (4500m). Camp
11. A day for acclimatization and exploration. Options today include a visit to K2 Base camp or Broad Peak base camps, or simply relaxing in one of the most spectacular locations on Earth. Camp
12. We ascend first the Upper Baltoro and then the Vigne glacier over a mix of terrain from morraine boulders to straightforward level ice. If the upper part of the glacier is snow coverered we may need to rope up for the final section to reach our camp for the Gondogoro La known locally as ‘Ali Camp’ (4800m).
13. We make an early start for the  gradual ascent of the West Vigne glacier to the foot of the pass. From here the climb to the Gondogoro La will take around 3 hours. The view from the top includes K2, Broad Peak, Chogolisa and the Gasherbrums. We then go down steep slopes using fixed ropes to safeguard the descent and make camp in the place known as Huisprung (4600m).
14. Following the Gondogoro glacier we descend the valley crossing the glacier to the ablation valley on the left bank to a camp among sparse grass at Dalsan (4150m).
15. We continue our descent of the Gondogoro Valley to its junction with the Chaakusa and the main Hushe Valley. We have a riverside camp at Saitcho (3350m)
16. A short day of about 3 to 4 hours brings us to Hushe village (3000m), the first permanent habitation we encounter since leaving Askole. Camp.
17. Driving through the Hushe Valley with its villages of intense agriculture .We check into the Karakoram Lodge Khaplu for a long awaited shower. Hotel.
18. Driving through the Khaplu Valley we follow on a good tarmac road to Skardu. We have a morning flight to Islamabad where we transfer to our group hotel. The afternoon is free for sightseeing and souvenir buying.
19. Free day in Islamabad. Today is a contingency day in case we have had to drive down the Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. Hotel.
20. Fly Back to Home