The Four 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan Karakoram is a guided trip lasting 24 days in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 5,150 m. It is graded Demanding — long glacier trek, non-technical — 13–15 days on foot. 6 fixed departures are open from $3,200 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.
Four 8,000 m Base Camp Trek — 2027 All-Inclusive
The Grand Slam Route
Fly Islamabad to Skardu, then drive to Askole — the last village before the wilderness. Trek via Jhola, Paiju, Urdukas and Goro II to Concordia, then continue to K2 Base Camp (5,150 m). Side trips reach Broad Peak Base Camp and Gasherbrum Base Camp — completing all four eight-thousanders in one continuous expedition. Related Treks: K2 & Gondogoro La Trek | Great Karakoram Traverse | Snow Lake & Hispar La- Duration
- 24 Days - 23 Nights
- Max altitude
- 5,150 m
- Grade
- Demanding
- Days on foot
- 13–15
- Best season
- Summer ( June - September )
- Group size
- Max 10
Four 8,000 m Base Camp Trek — 2027 Fixed Departures
Fixed Departures
Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip.
| Departure | Dates | Price | Availability | Deposit | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 01 | 1 Jun – 24 Jun | $3,200/person | 8 of 10 places | $320 | Book now |
| Group 02 | 20 Jun – 13 Jul | $3,200/person | 6 of 10 places | $320 | Book now |
| Group 03 | 29 Jun – 22 Jul | $3,200/person | 9 of 10 places | $320 | Book now |
| Group 04 | 18 Jul – 10 Aug | $3,200/person | 7 of 10 places | $320 | Book now |
| Group 05 | 27 Jul – 19 Aug | $3,200/person | 5 of 10 places | $320 | Book now |
| Group 06 | 15 Aug – 7 Sep | $3,200/person | 8 of 10 places | $320 | Book now |
Private & customised groups
These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date.
| Group size | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 Person) | $6,800 | Private departure, one trekker. |
| (2-3 Persons) | $4,800 | Small group, shared crew. |
| (4-6 Persons) | $3,600 | Best value mid-size group. |
| (7-10 Persons) | $3,200 | Largest group, lowest per-person price. |
Can you do this trek?
Yes, with some training behind you. Plenty of first-timers do this one and finish strong.
Graded Demanding — long glacier trek, non-technical. No technical climbing and no ropework.
What to expect
The highest point is 5,150 m, so altitude counts here. The itinerary is built around acclimatising and your guide sets a pace that gets you there comfortably.
One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Travel Experience
Itinerary — Four 8000m Base Camp Trek Pakistan Karakoram
The Four 8,000 m Base Camp Trek is the ultimate Karakoram challenge — a 24-day expedition visiting the base camps of all four eight-thousanders in the Karakoram Range: K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m). This is the Karakoram Grand Slam.
Day 1Arrive Islamabad
500 m
Arrive in Islamabad. Our team meets you and briefs the expedition before we head north.
Day 2To Skardu
2,230 m
Travel to Skardu (2,230 m), gateway to the Baltoro. Rest and settle in.
Day 3Skardu Prep
2,230 m
A day for permits, NOC and final gear checks before the trek begins.
Day 4Drive to Askole
3,000 m
By 4x4 jeep to Askole (3,000 m), 7-9 hours up the Braldu valley.
Day 5Askole to Jhola
3,200 m
Trek along the Braldu river to Jhola camp (3,200 m).
Day 6Jhola to Paiju
3,450 m
Continue to Paiju (3,450 m) beneath the granite spires of the Trango Towers.
Day 7Rest at Paiju
3,450 m
An acclimatisation and prep day before stepping onto the Baltoro Glacier.
Day 8Onto the Baltoro
3,800 m
Climb onto the Baltoro Glacier and camp at Khoburtse (3,800 m).
Day 9To Urdukas
4,050 m
Trek to Urdukas (4,050 m), perched above the glacier with sweeping views.
Day 10Urdukas to Goro II
4,380 m
Cross the open ice to Goro II camp (4,380 m).
Day 11Reach Concordia
4,600 m
Arrive at Concordia (4,600 m), the throne room of the mountain gods.
Day 12K2 Base Camp
5,150 m
Trek to K2 Base Camp (5,150 m) and the Gilkey Memorial, then return to Concordia.
Day 13Broad Peak BC
4,900 m
Visit Broad Peak Base Camp (4,900 m) under the worlds 12th-highest peak.
Day 14Gasherbrum BC
5,150 m
Trek to Gasherbrum Base Camp (5,150 m), below G I and G II.
Day 15Rest at Gasherbrum
5,150 m
A recovery and exploration day among the Gasherbrum giants.
Day 16Begin Return
4,380 m
Start the return, retracing to Goro II (4,380 m).
Day 17Goro II to Urdukas
4,050 m
Descend the glacier back to Urdukas (4,050 m).
Day 18Urdukas to Paiju
3,450 m
Leave the ice and return to Paiju (3,450 m).
Day 19Paiju to Jhola
3,200 m
Trek back down the valley to Jhola (3,200 m).
Day 20Jhola to Askole
3,000 m
Final glacier-side day back to Askole (3,000 m).
Day 21Drive to Skardu
2,230 m
By jeep back to Skardu (2,230 m). Hot showers and rest.
Day 22Skardu Buffer
2,230 m
A spare day in Skardu held for weather or travel delays.
Day 23To Islamabad
500 m
Travel back to Islamabad.
Day 24Departure
500 m
Transfer to the airport for your departure.
What’s included in the price
Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $3,200 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.
Included in the price
- Local Balti guides and porters
- All camping and kitchen crew
- All meals on trek
- Tents
- Mess and toilet tents
- Cooking gear
- Skardu transfers by 4×4 jeep to Askole
- Hotel nights in Skardu
- Permits and NOC fees
- Satellite phone in camp and an emergency rescue plan with established helicopter contacts
Not included
- International flights and Pakistan visa fees
- Personal trekking gear (boots
- Sleeping bag
- Down jacket)
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Tips for crew
- Any cost arising from early descent
- Weather delays or evacuation
Resources
Free guides from our local team, so you arrive ready.
- Trekking gear list what to pack
- Trekking medicine & altitude staying well up high
- Maps, books, visa & permits planning your trip
- Trek brochure
Why Karakoram Venture
Because the people who take you up this mountain are from it. Our guides grew up in these valleys, and they are our own team — not a booking desk handing you to whoever is cheapest that week. Every one of them holds a guide licence from DTS Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federal DTS, renewed each year, and worked at least five years in the region before applying for it. Most also hold Wilderness First Aid.
Because the safety is real, and we will name it rather than imply it. A satellite phone travels in every camp, we hold established helicopter-rescue contacts for this region, and we tell you exactly which travel insurance to carry. Budget operators cut precisely these things, because you cannot see them on a web page.
Because the price is honest. Local infrastructure is why $3,200 per person covers the trip from Islamabad rather than a stripped-down base rate. Exactly what it includes — and the handful of things it does not — is set out above.
How to book this trip
More About the Four 8,000 m Base Camp Trek
Booking & Payment
A 10% deposit confirms your seat on a fixed departure; the balance is due 30 days before the trek starts.
Payment by bank transfer or Wise. Card payment can be arranged on request.
Your seat is held only once the deposit clears.
Cancellation Policy
More than 45 days out: deposit refunded less bank charges.
30-45 days: 50% of total retained.
Under 30 days: no refund — the permit, porters and logistics are already committed.
Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is mandatory, and we verify your policy before departure. We also strongly recommend trip-cancellation cover.
Permits & Documentation
This trek enters a restricted glacier zone and requires a Trekking & Mountaineering visa (not a tourist visa) plus an NOC — we guide you through both.
A valid passport (6+ months) and trekking insurance covering high altitude and helicopter rescue are mandatory.
We handle the GB permit and NOC paperwork; you provide passport copies and photos in advance.
Health & Fitness Requirements
This is a long, cold, high-altitude glacier trek — you must be fit and comfortable with multi-day walking on moraine and ice.
No technical climbing skills are needed, but good cardio fitness and prior multi-day trekking are expected.
A doctor’s clearance is advised if you have any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition.
Important Notes
Carry at least 2 recent passport-size photos for verification and documentation.
A valid passport (foreign nationals) or CNIC (Pakistani nationals) is mandatory for booking and travel.
Keep your original passport or CNIC with you throughout the tour for security checks and hotel check-ins.
Foreign nationals need a valid passport and the correct visa; any NOC and trekking/restricted-area permits are arranged by Karakoram Venture.
Special Information
Professional and experienced Tour Manager available from start to end of the trip.
Delicious and fresh daily meals included from Day 1 until departure.
No complimentary meals provided on flights or during transit stops.
Follow updated state travel policies carefully for a hassle-free journey.
Transportation Details
Comfortable and spacious A/C Coaches for long trips and intercity travel.
Sturdy 4x4 jeeps for mountain roads and sightseeing (up to 7 pax per vehicle).
Reliable 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruiser / Prado) for off-road and high-altitude excursions.
Arrival & Departure Guidelines
Day 1: Report at the designated airport on time as per schedule.
Final Day: Depart after successfully completing the full itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 4 Eight Thousand Base Camp Trek cost?
$3,200 per person on our scheduled departures. The package page lists exactly what is included; private and custom-group pricing is available on request — just ask.
How long is the trip?
24 Days - 23 Nights, start to finish.
When is the best time to go?
Summer (June - September). We will help you pick the best window for your dates.
How hard is the 4 Eight Thousand Base Camp Trek? Do I need climbing skills?
This is a serious high-altitude trek, though not a technical climb — no general mountaineering skills are needed on the route. Expect long days on glacier and moraine, cold camps, and real altitude with no road access once you are in. Come with strong cardio fitness and ideally some prior multi-day trekking.
How high do you go?
The high point is K2 Base Camp at about 5,150 m.
What permits or visa do I need?
Trekking here needs a Pakistan Trekking & Mountaineering visa, which is different from a standard tourist visa, plus trekking permits and an NOC for the national park. We arrange the permits and guide you through the visa paperwork before you travel.
What about insurance, safety and rescue?
We require mountaineering or adventure travel insurance that includes high-altitude helicopter-evacuation cover, valid to this trek’s maximum altitude. Out here heli-evacuation is the emergency option and its cost falls to the client and their insurer, so sort it before you travel. Every expedition carries a satellite phone, and we maintain helicopter-rescue contacts for the region.
Who guides the trek?
Your team is 100% local Balti — guides and porters from the valleys themselves, our own staff, never handed to a third-party broker.
How do I get to the start?
Fly Islamabad to Skardu (about an hour, weather permitting) or drive the Karakoram Highway, then 4x4 jeep to the trailhead. We arrange pickup and all ground transport.
Can I do this as a private or custom trip?
Yes — every itinerary can run as a private departure and be tailored to your dates, pace and group size. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build it around you.
