K2, the “Savage Mountain,” rises from Pakistan’s Karakoram like a shard of sky. For centuries, Balti herders and Silk Road traders threaded these valleys, long before climbers mapped the ridges and glaciers to Concordia. Today, trekkers come for the surreal panoramas—K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums—and the Balti warmth that powers every camp with tea and stories.

Unlike the Everest region, the K2 approach demands expedition-style logistics: 4x4 drives to Askole, porter teams, and nights on the Baltoro Glacier. In return, you get unfiltered wilderness—cathedral granite, ice rivers, and nights so clear the Milky Way looks close enough to touch. The season runs June to early September; bring grit, respect for altitude, and a good camera.

Practicalities: travel with a licensed Pakistani trekking operator for permits and safety, carry travel insurance with high-altitude evacuation coverage, and build a buffer day. In Islamabad and Skardu you’ll eat generously—Balti lamb, fresh river trout, flaky paratha, apricot desserts—fuel for the trail. Cash is king beyond city limits; ATMs can be inconsistent in Skardu.

Islamabad

Clean, leafy, and orderly, Islamabad is the soft start to a rugged adventure. Use it to recover from your flight, organize gear, and taste Pakistan’s capital cuisine before flying north into the mountains. The Margalla Hills frame the city; sunset from Pir Sohawa sets the tone.

Days 1–2: Arrival, gear check, and a taste of Pakistan

• Arrival and logistics: Fly into Islamabad International. For fares and routing, compare on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Typical roundtrips from Europe/US run ~$700–$1400 depending on season.
• Light sightseeing: Faisal Mosque’s modernist lines against the Margallas; Lok Virsa Museum for a quick primer on Pakistan’s cultures; sunset tea at Monal atop Pir Sohawa road with city views.
• Gear and last-minute buys: Outdoor shops cluster in Blue Area and F-6/F-7 markets—top up on gas canisters (if your outfitter allows), thermal layers, and power banks.
• Eat and drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Loafology Bakery (artisan sourdough, shakshuka, proper espresso); Chaaye Khana (parathas, omelets, dozens of teas).
  • Lunch: Savour Foods (famous chicken pulao; fast, delicious, and local), Street 1 Café (salads, sandwiches) for a lighter option.
  • Dinner: BBQ Tonight (classic Pakistani grills—seekh kebab, chicken boti), Khoka Khola (playful desi-fusion in a bistro setting).
  • Sweet fix: Burning Brownie (cakes and brownies worthy of the name).
• Stay: Browse central stays near F-6/F-7 to keep transfers short:
  • VRBO – Islamabad
  • Hotels.com – Islamabad

Skardu

Skardu is the gateway to the Karakoram, a lively town at the confluence of the Indus and Shigar rivers. Between apple orchards, ancient forts, and teal-blue lakes, you’ll acclimatize and fine-tune trek logistics. This is your last real hub before the Baltoro.

Getting there (Day 3 morning)

• Fly Islamabad → Skardu: ~1h10m nonstop on domestic carriers; fares usually $45–$120 one-way. Weather can delay flights; book morning departures and allow a buffer day. Check schedules and prices on Trip.com Flights. Overland via Karakoram Highway is 16–20 hours; private 4x4 ~$180–$260 per vehicle.

Days 3–4: Acclimatize and prep in Skardu

• Highlights: Hike up to Kharpocho (Skardu Fort) for valley views; wander Skardu Bazaar for apricots and wool caps; boat or picnic at Satpara Lake; optional 4x4 day-trip to Deosai National Park (world’s second-highest plateau; wildflowers and Himalayan brown bear habitat).
• Trek briefing & permits: Meet your licensed operator, finalize porter numbers, and cross-check Central Karakoram National Park entry, no-objection formalities (as applicable), and satellite comms. Expect all-inclusive trek packages of ~$1,700–$3,500 per person (group-size dependent), covering jeeps, tents, cooks, porters, and food.
• Eat and drink:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Hotel bakeries around Skardu Bazaar; try paratha with local apricot jam. Many travelers also stop at resort cafés around Lower Kachura (Shangrila) for espresso with lake views.
  • Lunch: Baltistan Continental Restaurant (Balti gosht, daal, naan), Concordia Motel Restaurant (hearty curries and rice with views over the river).
  • Dinner: K-2 Motel Restaurant (old-school traveler hangout; trout and kebabs), lakeside dining at Shangrila Resort (fresh trout, soups—go at golden hour).
  • Local tastes: Butter tea (gur-gur cha) and chapshuro (Gilgit-Baltistan’s stuffed flatbread) are trekking fuel in pastry form.
• Stay: Aim for central Skardu or lakeside if you prefer quiet:
  • VRBO – Skardu
  • Hotels.com – Skardu

Days 5–11: The Baltoro Trek toward Concordia (from Skardu/Shigar)

This is the heart of the K2 itinerary. You’ll drive 4x4 from Skardu through Shigar Gorge to Askole, then trek the Baltoro Glacier toward Concordia. Distances at altitude feel longer; pace conservatively and hydrate relentlessly.

• Skardu → Askole (4x4): 6–8 hours on rough roads via Shigar; private jeep ~$200–$300 per vehicle (usually included in trek package). Overnight in Askole camp.
• Classic trekking progression (indicative):
  • Askole → Jhula (3,200 m): 6–7 hours, river crossings, desert canyons.
  • Jhula → Paiju (3,400 m): 6–7 hours; rest/acclimatization often taken at Paiju with a side-hike.
  • Paiju → Urdukas (4,050 m): 7–8 hours; first sustained glacier views of the Trango Towers.
  • Urdukas → Goro II (4,380 m): 6–7 hours, on the Baltoro Glacier proper.
  • Goro II → Concordia (4,600–4,650 m): 3–5 hours; jaw-dropping 360° of K2, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrums.
  • Optional day-hike: Concordia → K2 Base Camp (~5,150 m) roundtrip 10–12 hours for very fit teams, weather permitting. Many itineraries skip this on 13-day plans due to time/altitude.
• Return: Most 13-day itineraries turn around at Concordia (or Goro II if weather dictates) and trek back more quickly to Paiju/Jhula before the jeep to Skardu. Your guide will tailor distances to group fitness and conditions.
• What it’s like: Camps serve dal, rice, chapati, vegetable curries, pasta, soups, and endless hot tea. Expect cold nights (well below freezing above 4,000 m) and dazzling Milky Way skies.
• Safety & altitude: Ascend gradually; consider a contingency day (often at Paiju or Urdukas). If anyone shows moderate AMS symptoms, descend and reassess—Concordia will still be there next season.
• Costs & tipping (typical): Porter-supported trek packages $1,700–$3,500 pp; tipping guidelines ~$10–$15 per trek day (pooled across staff) depending on group size and service level.

Shigar

Shigar sits where orchards meet desert dunes, the last substantial settlement on the way to the high Karakoram. Its 400-year-old fort and handsome wooden mosques tell a Silk Road story; the river valley glows with apricot blossoms in spring and burnished gold in autumn.

Days 3–4 and Day 12: Culture, rest, and a fort fit for kings

• Skardu ↔ Shigar: 32–40 km, 45–60 minutes by road. You’ll pass this way en route to Askole; it’s worth a dedicated visit pre- or post-trek.
• What to see: Tour the restored Shigar Fort (Fong-Khar) for carved timber balconies and Balti history; stroll the lanes to the 14th‑century Amburik Mosque; sunset at the Sarfaranga Cold Desert’s wind-sculpted dunes with the Indus in the distance.
• Eat and drink:
  • Breakfast/tea: Orchard-style teas and apricot preserves at guesthouse cafés; butter tea if you want the local experience.
  • Lunch: Shigar Fort’s restaurant (seasonal, refined takes on Balti classics; try balti lamb and millet roti), roadside dhabas for daal, mixed vegetables, and tandoori roti.
  • Dinner: Back in Skardu after a Shigar day-trip, aim for trout with lemon and herbs at a river-view restaurant, or chapshuro with yogurt on the bazaar edges.
• Stay: For a quieter base pre- or post-trek:
  • VRBO – Shigar
  • Hotels.com – Shigar

Days 12–13: Return to Skardu and fly out

• Day 12: Jeep back from Askole to Skardu. Hot shower, laundry, and a celebratory dinner—grilled trout, vegetable curries, and a mug of kehwa (green cardamom tea). Pick up apricot kernels and pashmina scarves in the bazaar.
• Day 13: Morning flight Skardu → Islamabad (~1h10m; choose earlier departures for better odds). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you have a free evening in Islamabad, celebrate with barbecue and dessert before your international flight.

Practical kit list and seasonal notes

• Clothing: 4-season sleeping bag (rated to at least -10°C/14°F), 2–3 thermal layers, down jacket, hardshell, glacier-capable boots or sturdy trek boots, camp shoes, sun hat, warm beanie, liner gloves + insulated gloves.
• Essentials: 30–50 SPF sunscreen, high-UV sunglasses, water purification, trekking poles, blister kit, headlamp, power bank/solar panel, quick-dry towel, personal meds (including altitude meds per doctor’s advice).
• Documents: Passport, Pakistan e-visa, travel insurance with helicopter evacuation, trek permits as arranged by your outfitter. Carry multiple photocopies and passport photos.
• Money & connectivity: Withdraw PKR in Islamabad; Skardu ATMs can be patchy. Beyond Skardu there’s no reliable signal—your team will carry satellite comms; bring a personal GPS/sat messenger if you have one.

How the 13 days flow (at a glance): Days 1–2 Islamabad; Day 3 fly to Skardu; Days 3–4 Skardu/Shigar acclimatization and prep; Days 5–11 Baltoro trek toward Concordia (with one contingency day flexed by your guide); Day 12 back to Skardu; Day 13 fly to Islamabad and depart.

In two weeks you’ll taste Pakistan’s capital, walk ancient valleys, and step onto one of Earth’s grandest glacier amphitheaters. The Karakoram rewards effort with silence, starlight, and horizons full of stone and ice. Come prepared, travel with locals, and let K2 tower over a story you’ll tell forever.