Gasherbrum I Expedition

Day 1 – Islamabad (500 m) 🏙️

You’ll arrive in Islamabad and be greeted with warm hospitality before being transferred to your hotel. This first day offers a moment to recover from travel, settle in at your accommodation, and enjoy a welcome evening in Pakistan’s capital. Explore the Blue Area or unwind before briefing begins.

Day 2 – Islamabad → Skardu (≈ 2,300 m) ✈️/🚐

Weather permitting, take a scenic 1‑hour flight to Skardu. If not, embark on a 10–12‑hour drive via the Karakoram Highway through breathtaking valleys en route to Chilas, reaching Skardu by evening. Your hotel awaits for rest and acclimatisation.

Day 3 – Chilas → Skardu (2,300 m) 🚗

If you drove on Day 2, today is a reserve or buffer day to complete your journey to Skardu. Otherwise, enjoy a free day in Skardu to relax or explore the town’s bazaars, lakes, and landscapes in preparation for the upcoming expedition.

Day 4 – Skardu (2,300 m) 🧳

A full day dedicated to last‑minute preparations—gear checks, permits, team briefings, and meeting your liaison officer. This day ensures you're ready both logistically and mentally for the mountainous challenges ahead.

Day 5 – Skardu → Askole (3,048 m) 🚙

Board jeeps bound for Askole, the gateway village to the Baltoro Glacier. The 6‑hour drive threads through Shigar Valley, crossing rivers and rugged terrain. Upon arrival, camp at Askole in tents and acclimatise to high altitude.

Day 6 – Askole → Jhola (≈ 3,200 m) 🚶‍♂️ (5–6 h)

Begin trekking along the Braldu and Dumordo rivers, ascending gradually toward Jhola. This 5–6‑hour hike introduces you to the Baltoro glacier’s edge and sets the tone for days of trekking ahead, ending with a riverside camping night.

Day 7 – Jhola → Paiju (≈ 3,600 m) 🚶‍♂️ (6–7 h)

Hike onward to Paiju, crossing moraine and glacier terrain, with panoramic views of Cathedral Towers, K2, Baltoro South and more. Gain altitude steadily as you settle into camp, surrounded by jagged peaks.

Day 8 – Paiju (3,600 m) ⛱️ (Rest day)

A full acclimatisation day in camp at Paiju. Use this time to rest, hydrate, walk short circuits around the valley, and soak in views of the Baltoro valley—vital for altitude adaptation before higher trekking.

Day 9 – Paiju → Urdukas (≈ 4,240 m) 🚶‍♂️ (9–10 h)

A long but rewarding trekking day over moraines and lateral glacier edges, culminating at Urdukas. Enjoy views of Uli Biaho, Trango Towers, and the dramatic Karakoram headwalls before camping at 4,240 m.

Day 10 – Urdukas → Goro II (≈ 4,500 m) 🚶‍♂️ (7–8 h)

Enter deeper onto Baltoro Glacier and navigate around crevassed terrain to reach Goro II camp, situated at roughly 4,500 m. Prepare for increasing altitude and colder conditions as you camp on glacier ice.

Day 11 – Goro II → Concordia → Shagring (≈ 4,950 m) 🚶‍♂️ (5–6 h)

Trek to the iconic Concordia campsite (≈ 4,687 m) with sweeping views of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV and more. Continue on to Shagring where the Gasherbrum Base Camp trail begins to branch off.

Day 12 – Shagring → Gasherbrum Base Camp (≈ 5,050 m) 🚶‍♂️ (5–6 h)

Hike from Shagring toward Gasherbrum Base Camp along the upper Baltoro and Abruzzi glaciers. Arrive at 5,050 m, your expedition HQ—camp setup begins, and summit preparations officially commence.

Days 13–42 – Base Camp & Beyond (5,050 m↑) 🧗‍♂️

Over approximately 30 days, camp remains at BC while you rest, acclimatise, and push progressively into higher camps (C1, C2, C3) on Gasherbrum I’s Northwest Face. Your guide team manages logistics, rope fixing, acclimatization rotations, and summit pushes.

Day 43 – Gasherbrum BC → Concordia (≈ 4,700 m) 🚶‍♂️ (8–9 h)

Descending the Baltoro glacier, trek back to Concordia. Reflect on your high-altitude achievements as you retrace steps through the dramatic Karakoram landscapes, camping near the glacier junction.

Day 44 – Concordia → Goro I or Ali Camp (≈ 4,500 m) 🚶‍♂️ (5–7 h)

Choose your route: trek to Goro I camp (≈ 4,500 m) or camp at Ali Camp (≈ 4,700 m) depending on group pace and trail conditions—both lead eventually toward lower altitude return legs.

Day 45 – Goro I/Ali → Khuburtse or Kuispang (≈ 4,600–4,800 m) 🚶‍♂️ (5–9 h)

Descend through glacier moraines to either Khuburtse or Kuispang, depending on route conditions. Navigate moraine ridges and glacial terrain as altitude gradually reduces, settling into camp.

Day 46 – Khuburtse/Kuispang → Bardumal (≈ 4,200 m) 🚶‍♂️ (8–9 h)

Continue the descent through Baltoro valley, reaching Bardumal camp. Enjoy broadened valley views and steadily warmer temperatures as you drop in elevation further.

Day 47 – Bardumal → Askole (≈ 3,048 m) 🚶‍♂️ (7–8 h)

Final trekking day returning to Askole. Immerse in familiar landscapes as you descend, entering forested valley zones and re‑enter human settlement, wrapping up trekking legs.

Day 48 – Askole → Skardu (2,300 m) 🚙 (6 h)

Jeep drive back along the Shigar Valley to Skardu. Once again traverse river valleys and alpine scenery. Arrive for overnight in a hotel and transition from high altitude to comfort.

Day 49 – Skardu → Islamabad (Hotel) ✈️/🚗

Take the flight back to Islamabad or drive via Chilas (if flights are disrupted), arriving in Islamabad for hotel accommodation and potential sightseeing or rest.

Day 50 – Islamabad (Hotel) 🏘️

Relax in Islamabad or explore further city attractions. This free day offers time to unwind after your epic climb and enjoy city life one final time.

Day 51 – Islamabad (Reserve day) 🔄

A buffer day reserved for any delays, weather-related adjustments, or extra time in Islamabad if needed before departure—very useful for flexibility.

Day 52 – Islamabad → Departure

Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your outbound flight. Say farewell to Pakistan after an extraordinary journey conquering the beautiful and remote Gasherbrum I peak.

G1 Expedition 2025

First day of trip: 20-JUN-2025
End of trip: 11-AUG-2025
Group size: 8-12 climbers
Hotel nights: 07
Camping nights: 45 nights 

G1 + G2 Double Expedition 2025

First day of trip: 20-JUN-2025
End of trip: 11-AUG-2025
Group size: 8-12 climbers
Hotel nights: 07
Camping nights: 45 nights 

• Climbing Difficulty: Hard

• Expedition Type: Unguided expedition

• Services up to the base camp are included in the plan, but high altitude services including rope, high altitude porter, high altitude tents and oxygen can also be provided.