Karakoram, Pakistan · 12 days · 100 miles · operator trek
K2 Base Camp Hiking Guide
In August 2025 I spent twelve days walking about 100 miles through Pakistan's Karakoram to K2 Base Camp, then out over the Gondogoro La, a pass we climbed at night on fixed ropes. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. You can't do this trek alone: it needs a permit, a licensed operator, a guide and porters. This guide has my GPS files, maps and notes for every day, what my operator arranged, and what you'll need to arrange yourself.
What's inside
- All twelve days. Stats, the time I took, my notes, the trail, where to get off, a map with an elevation profile, and links to that day in both of my films.
- My GPX files. My own recordings for each day and the full route, with waypoints for every camp, K2 Base Camp and the Gondogoro La, ready for AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Garmin or Organic Maps.
- How this trek works. What my operator arranged, and what you need: a licensed operator, the trekking permit and park fee, the trekking visa, a guide and porters, rescue registration and spare days, with 2026 fees.
- Altitude, explained. Every camp height from my GPS, the nightly gains, the rules of thumb for acclimatizing, and the signs of altitude sickness to watch for.
- The Gondogoro La. How the night crossing went, hour by hour from my GPS: crampons, harness, fixed ropes and the descent to Khuispang.
- Getting there and home. Islamabad, the flight or the road to Skardu, and the jeeps to Askole and back from Hushe, with the current travel advice.
- Camp life, costs and gear. What the food and camps were like, what my records show I paid, a budget checklist, and what I carried.
- Before you go and a trip sheet. One page of year-to-year checks, including security advice, and a printable one-page summary of the whole trek.
Look inside
The details
- Format
- A 72-page PDF sized for a phone (A5, prints fine too) and a folder of GPX files, in one zip download.
- Edition
- 2027 season edition, updated September 2026.
- Delivery
- Instant. After you pay you get a private download link. Bookmark it to download again on any device.
- Payment
- Secure checkout through Stripe. The price is in US dollars, and sales tax or VAT is added where it applies.
- Questions
- Email kraig@kraigadams.com.
Get the next guide
I'm making guides for more of my hikes, and I host a group trip about once a year. Get an email when a new guide or trip is out. A few emails a year.