K2 Base Camp Trek

Hey there!

Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe.

Today, we headed deep into Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountain Range. It’s a region like nowhere else and is home to five peaks above 26,000 feet (8,000 meters).

The highest being, K2 a.k.a Karakoram 2 a.k.a ‘Savage Mountain’.

It earned that last nickname because it’s one of the riskiest endeavors a mountaineer can tackle. But for today’s adventure, we’re going to be admiring this beast from the K2 base camp.

The goal of reaching the basecamp of the world’s second-highest mountain after Everest is no small task. It involves a challenging multi-week, yes, week, expedition.

The height of K2 Base Camp is just over 16,700 ft (5000m) but this won’t be the highest point of the route. The trail is a 125-mile (200km) circuit (in good weather) that takes you over Gondogoro Pass, which has a high point of 18,300ft (5,585m).

Antonio and I completed this trek in 2019, and it is without a doubt the most memorable hiking experience I’ve had to date.

Trekkers follow a rocky trail that meanders up the Baltoro Glacier, a frozen river of ice, surrounded by a breathtaking amphitheater of towering summits.

Take the elevation gain, freezing temps, spending hours a day walking over loose stones, throw in a gurgly stomach from last night’s chicken karahi, and you’ve got a seriously challenging trek.

All the hardships are soon forgotten when trekkers experience the dramatic mountain landscapes of one the last true adventure destinations on earth.

So, if you’re up for an incredible journey that demands physical endurance, mental fortitude, and a deep respect for the wild and untamed beauty of the world's highest peaks, this trek might be for you.

Explore More

If you would like to explore more, here are some links you can check out to get an idea of what it would be like to explore this region in the Karakoram.

• K2: How This Girl Walked to the World's 2nd Tallest Mountain (video)

• K2 Base Camp Trek: A walk among giants in the Karakoram (article)

How to Hike the K2 Base Camp Trek

Trekking the K2 Basecamp Trek requires a guide from an agency that is accredited by the Pakistani government.

Antonio and I did the trek with Apricot Tours with Jan as our guide, and would highly recommend them. Another good option is Epic Backpacker Tours.

We hope your travels take you in this direction very soon.

Until then - keep exploring!

-Amanda