Ditch the tropical vacation; visit Ecuador and climb three volcanoes this winter!
Ditch the tropical vacation; visit Ecuador and climb three volcanoes this winter!
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
TOTAL TREK DISTANCE: 165 km
TOTAL TREKKING DAYS: 12-13 days
MAX ALTITUDE: 5650 meters
LODGING: camping and hotels
GROUP SIZE: 12 people max
Located in the far reaches of the Karakoram mountain range in Pakistan on the border of India and China, the Central Karakoram National Park is home to the world’s second-highest mountain and a mighty glacier system: K2 and the Baltoro.
And this is exactly where we are headed.
The K2 Base Camp Trek combined with a crossing of the high-altitude mountain pass of Gondogoro La (5650 meters/18,536 feet ) ticks all of the boxes when it comes to an incredible active adventure; traverse massive glaciers, meet internationally renowned climbers, see FOUR 8000-meter peaks, including the world’s second highest mountain (K2), and countless other 6000 and 7000-meter peaks, along the way gaining experience whilst testing yourself at altitude throughout the trek.
This journey will take you into the depths of beautiful Northern Pakistan by plane, jeep track, footpath, and snow-covered trail to allow you the chance of experiencing one of the last true adventure destinations on earth.
Experience the jaw-dropping landscapes of the awe-inspiring Karakoram Range and the Baltoro Glacier of Pakistan in comfort as we hike amongst some of the planet’s tallest peaks on an expedition-style trek you won’t soon forget.
The trek to K2 Base Camp is our most popular trip for a reason and we are beyond proud to be the highest rated company offering this unique trekking experience.
Dates | Places | Deposit | Full |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 23th - July 13th, 2025 | $600 | $4400 | |
| June 27th - July 17th, 2025 (without Gondogoro La) | $600 | $4150 | |
| June 30th - July 20th, 2025 *Led by Epic founder, Chris Lininger | $600 | $4900 | |
| July 7th - 27th, 2025 | $600 | $4400 | |
| July 15th - August 4th, 2025 | $600 | $4400 | |
| August 6th - 26th, 2025 | $600 | $4400 | |
| August 15th - September 4th, 2025 (without Gondogoro La) | $600 | $4150 |
Whether you’re just curious about this trip or are ready to make a deposit, we’re here for you.
To submit an inquiry or make a trip deposit, please fill out and submit the form below.
*If you are over our 55-year-old age limit – no worries! We do accept people over 55 every year. If you think you are up to the physical challenge of the K2 trek, please email us to book a call with our adventure consulting staff to see if you are the right fit to join our team.
Since 2018, Chris has been to Pakistan 20 times (and counting). Every year he leads group trips to K2 Base Camp, the Everest region in Nepal, and other destinations in Central Asia. He is the director, lead guide, and founder of Epic Expeditions.
Chris wanted to take the concept of an adventure holiday a step further by combining his passion for photography, trekking, and alpine environments into one-of-a-kind curated adventures for people who are as stoked on challenging high-altitude adventures as he is – thus this trip was born!
Chris deeply believes in the magic of Pakistan, the Karakoram Mountain range, and the local people who call this place home.
Arrive at Islamabad airport where you will be picked up by our driver; we’ll ferry you to the hotel where you can relax after your long journey. We recommend arriving in Islamabad at least one day early so that you can settle in and be ready to go on the morning of day one. Note: accommodation pre-tour is not included.
After our team has assembled, we will have our first group introduction, gear checks, team briefing, and welcome lunch.
Dinner will be at one of our favorite places in Islamabad. Our team will return to the hotel and retire early for a good night’s sleep. We have a flight to catch in the morning!
The plan is for our whole group to catch an early morning flight to Skardu (50 minutes), the largest city in Baltistan. If the weather is clear, we can catch some truly epic views of Nanga Parbat and other massive peaks in the area. Once in Skardu guests will have free time throughout the day to rest and explore the city and the bazaar. Today, we will finalize our trekking permits at the local government office and have dinner together as a group.
Over the next few days, your trip leader and local staff are busy preparing all of the final details for the trip.
Day 2 Alternative: Islamabad to Skardu by Road
Unfortunately, flights in Pakistan do not always run on time. If we are unable to take our flight on the morning of day two, it is possible that we will have to drive overland to Skardu from Islamabad (18-24 hours). This journey can take a lot of time as the road from Gilgit to Skardu is not always in the best shape. Epic staff will evaluate what the best options are for the group and go from there. Flying is obviously the best-case scenario!
To break up the drive, we would sleep in Naran or Chilas for the night before pushing on to Skardu the next day.
Today, the Epic team is busy food shopping and packing all of the group supplies. Guests have free time in the city during the morning and afternoon. There are many activities to do in around Skardu including visiting Kharpocho Fort, meandering through the local bazaar, and heading out to the surrounding desert.
We will have dinner again as a group before setting off in the morning.
*If the group is arriving overland from Islamabad, the entire schedule is bumped back a day, to allow for a day of rest in Skardu (that is why we schedule in buffer days!)
Today, our adventure begins in earnest! Our team will assemble early at the hotel and after breakfast, we will load up the 4×4 jeeps and begin the bumpy, dusty drive past to the end of the line village called Askole (also spelled Askoli); the gateway to Central Karakoram National Park. The journey to Askole from Skardu takes between 6 and 8 hours depending on road conditions. We will eat lunch en route.
It is also possible that we will need to spend an extra day in Skardu finalizing our permits if they are not ready the day before (again, this is why we schedule buffer days!).
We will set up our tents at a family owned campground and stay the night in Askole before starting the trek tomorrow.
Tonight is our first night in tents.
Today, our trek begins properly! We leave Askole in the early morning and enter Central Karakoram National Park.
After we register our permits for the last time at the park office, we continue on a mix of trail and dirt jeep track.
Today is not overly steep but it is long, so expect 6-7 hours of walking.
Early start with 5-7 hours of trekking. Hilly terrain, a few stream crossings and a mix of elevation gains and descents. The day can be hot, exposed to much sun, and dusty. Sunscreen and lots of water will be your greatest friend today! We may be treated to a rowdy Balti music session from the porters after dinner at camp.
Cold “showers” (a faucet basically) are available.
6-8 hours of hiking. After about an hour of walking, we will enter onto the Baltoro Glacier. We will be hiking along the mighty Baltoro until we reach Concordia in several days’ time. The terrain is hilly, rocky, and uneven, with a few scattered bits of proper trail.
The final obstacle of the day will be a river crossing (there is a bridge as of 2023) and the water can be quite cold – but it is manageable.
Khoburtse camp can feel a bit cramped, but views are top notch and there is a beautiful waterfall nearby as well as fine opportunities for sunrise viewpoints. Toilets are basic.
Easy day, finishing after about 6.3 kilometers (2-4 hours). As we gain altitude, we are mindful not to push ourselves too hard or sleep too high too fast.
Urdukas is a truly spectacular campsite, and one of our favorites along the whole trek. Excellent views of Trango Towers, Muztagh Tower, and Lobsang can be seen directly from camp.
If we are on time to this point in the trek (no major delays), we will likely opt to take a rest day at the absolutely stunning Urdukas campsite. Here, we can use the free time to do laundry, nap, and have a hot bucket shower. Urdukas consistently ranks as one of the favorite campsites of the entire trek!
Taking a rest day here also greatly helps our bodies acclimatize to the high altitude.
5 – 7 hours of moderate difficulty up and down glacier terrain. Today we are starting to feel the altitude.
Temperatures can drop below zero at night at Goro 2. Basic toilets at the camp.
Spectacular views along the trail of Masherbrum, Gasherbrum IV, and the summit of Broad Peak can be seen from just outside your tent. We will pass by a small military base along the way that looks like an outpost from a sci-fi film.
Today we reach the “Throne Room of the Gods”, aka Concordia. 5-7 hours of pleasant trekking over the glacier, with more ice present than on previous days.
Amazing views of Gasherbrum IV, Mitre Peak, Broad Peak, Marble Peak, and of course, K2 can be seen from camp!
Temperatures at Concordia drop well below freezing at night and snow/snowfall is possible here any time of the year. After a great dinner and solid rest, tomorrow we head to K2 Base Camp!
Early departure to K2 Base Camp. Total trekking distance to Concordia is roughly 11.5 km. We will visit the Art Gilkey Memorial and then head to K2 Base Camp for tea and to chit-chat with expedition teams hoping for a successful summit bid.
Today is a BIG trekking day, but the terrain is relatively easy. Most of the route follows the Godwin-Austen Glacier directly to the base of the mighty K2.
We sleep at K2 Base Camp tonight, enjoying the views of the mighty Savage Mountain.
Today, we trek back down the Godwin-Austen Glacier to the famed Concordia campsite the way we came.
We aim to arrive back at camp by mid-afternoon.
The rest of the day is spent resting and preparing for our trek to Ali Camp the following day.
If the weather is bad, it is possible that we will sleep an additional night at Concordia – giving us the best chance for the Gondogoro La crossing in a few days.
After all of our big efforts over the last week, today is a day to finally relax and soak in the spectacular surroundings.
Mid morning, we head to the nearby glacier to put on our alpine boots, crampons, harness, and other gear in order to practice some basic climbing skills in preparation for Gondogoro La.
Over all this day is chill and there is lots of free time to relax at Concordia camp.
5-7 hours of trekking over glacier and pockets of deep snow, especially as we approach the upper end of the valley close to Ali Camp. Some of our porter team will be leaving us today with the pack mules, as the mules are unable to cross over Gondogoro La.
Ali Camp is set in an absolutely stunning location, though the camp is quite small and can be quite crowded if many teams are present. No established toilet facilities are present, which is something we are working to solve with the Central Karakoram National Park staff.
We will rest for the majority of the afternoon and early evening before setting off to cross the Gondogoro La around midnight. We will have dinner early so that guests can catch a few hours of rest before we begin the climb.
7-10 hours of trekking – all depends on your pace. Our group will set off in the dark by headlamp around midnight. From Ali Camp, it is 4-5 hours of steady climbing to gain the top of the Gondogoro La pass.
Once atop the La, we can enjoy stunning sunrise views of every major peak in the area. We will be praying for clear weather of course! The descent from Gondogoro La into the valley below is done with the assistance of a series of fixed ropes. Extreme care needs to be taken on the descent (helmets will be worn) and all guests will be clipped into the rope from their climbing harness.
Crampons should be carried for the ascent and descent.
Trekking from the top of the pass to Kuisbang Camp takes 3-5 hours, again depending on your pace. If the weather is clear, the group will be treated to incredible views from our camp of Laila Peak, located just down the valley.
6-8 hours of trekking. The first two hours are on glacier moraine before the landscape changes into green, hilly, easy trail. There are a few small river crossings and several steep, exposed sections to be expected as well. The landscape here could not be more different from where we started near Askole. It is green, lush, and there is no dust!
A beautiful, well-spaced campsite with multiple stream systems running through it awaits us at Saicho.
2-3 hours of trekking. We end the trek in the beautiful Balti village of Hushe. Here we will take a final cup of chai and say goodbye to our team of porters before making our way back to Skardu by jeep (5-6 hours depending on road conditions).
We will have lunch en route to Skardu. Once we reach the hotel in Skardu, be prepared for one of the best showers of your life!
Early Morning Flight to Islamabad from Skardu
We will have a chill day in Islamabad and an epic feast all together OR we will be driving the KKH en route to Islamabad if we have flight delays.
We booked in an extra day in Islamabad in case of travel complications getting back from Skardu. Since you have just completed the most epic hike of your life, we do not want to add any group stress by making the departure window tight.
Today will be a free day in the city with group breakfast and dinner included. After a final meal together, our epic journey of a lifetime has come to an end and the time has come to say goodbye.
We arrange for transfers to the airport for those who are flying out over the next 12 hours.
Check out of the hotel is around 11 am on Day 21. You can choose to stay on at the same hotel if you are not flying home right away, though any additional nights at the hotel are not covered by Epic.
We get this question a lot, so let us set the record straight.
It is possible to find a cheaper trek than our price. But as with most things in life, you get what you pay for – and in the world of trekking, this could not be more true in the case of Epic’s K2 trekking tours.
Epic Expeditions simply won’t compromise on the level of service we offer, the wages we pay our staff, and we never cut corners at the expense of our clients’ experience.
When you join Epic on a trek to K2 Base Camp, the differences in how we do things, the kind of services we provide, and the general vibe we cultivate for our international community of travelers are obvious from day 1.
Please check out our full article covering the cost of trekking to K2 Base Camp and how our company values and ethics impact our pricing.
Our trip costs more for a few reasons, but here are a few of the main points:
Because the Central Karakoram National Park crosses some restricted military zones (within the park are natural boundaries with China and India), you must have a guide and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which only tour companies can issue for this region.
Epic Expeditions sorts out all of your permits well in advance of the trip. We check in with park police when we enter Central Karakoram National Park.
Trekkers without an organized guide will not be allowed into the park to attempt the trek.
K2 is found deep in the Karakoram National Park, which is located in the northern province of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is technically split between Pakistan and China – the former is far more popular with trekkers and climbers although the latter is becoming more accessible.
Because of the unique location of K2 near the borders of China and India, it is considered strategically valuable. The whole area around the mountain and much of the Karakoram National Park is consequently deemed a “restricted zone,” thus the need for special permits to make a trip to K2 Base Camp.
K2 is 8,611 meters or 28,251 feet high, making it the second highest mountain in the world after Everest.
K2 extremely high elevation and very challenging technical terrain make it a highly sought-after peak amongst climbers and is widely considered among many of them the most difficult (and most rewarding) of all the 8000+ meter peaks.
With a prominence of 4000 meters as well, K2 is very visible from Concordia and nearly dominates the glacial valley.
The weather in the Karakoram mountain range can be highly variable. We will be traversing through a number of different climatic zones so it is a good idea to be prepared for a variety of temperature conditions.
Islamabad – Hot and humid with the potential for monsoon rain events. Average temperatures: High: 35°C / 95° F Low: 24°C / 76° F.
Skardu – Warm to hot during the day, but not humid. Dusty, especially along the main bazaar road. Cooler and pleasant at night. Potential for wind and dust storms. July is the warmest month in Skardu. High: 23°C / 73.4° F Low: 10°C / 50° F. The sun is stronger in the mountains so temps. feel hotter than they actually are.
3,000 – 3,500 Meters – Hot, dusty, exposed during the day. Cooler at night, but not freezing typically. Potential for snow around 3500 meters, but very unlikely. Possible cloud cover developing at any elevation.
3,500 – 4,500 Meters – Daily temperatures remain warm, though mornings and evenings are cooler. Above 4000 meters temperatures can easily drop below freezing at night and in the early morning. Rain, snow, cloud cover are all possible at any time. More ice present on the Baltoro Glacier.
4,500 – 5,600 Meters – Freezing temperatures at night and cool to cold temperatures during the day with periods of warm sunshine possible. Rain, snow, cloud cover are all possible at any time. Deep snow is likely on the trail between Concordia and Ali Camp. Trekking on gritty ice and snow the whole way to K2 Base Camp from Concordia. Potentially heavy snow pack on the ascent/descent of Gondogoro La. The coldest possible temperatures to expect hover around -10° C / 14° F.
The K2 Base Camp Trek carries a certain amount of risk since we are traveling DEEP into the mountains in a developing country.
That said, member safety is EBT’s #1 priority and our experienced ground team does everything within their power to set our group up for a safe adventure. The name of the game is safety first and injury prevention.
Epic Expeditions goes above and beyond to ensure that we are fully prepared in case of emergency by bringing the tools we need to manage emergency situations.
This is the reality on the ground in Pakistan:, other local (budget) tour operators won’t bring a satellite phone because they are expensive to own and operate. For us, not being prepared with the right tools to deal with emergencies is unacceptable – and a big reason why our clients decide to go with us – and why they keep coming back to do different adventures with us year after year. On average, 1 in 5 Epic customers is a return client from a past adventure. The feedback from our clients speaks for itself.
Check out our full article covering the question Is Pakistan Safe for travelers here.
Your trip leader is equipped with a satellite communication device (Garmin Inreach) AND at a Thuraya satellite phone. Both of which have communication capabilities to contact outside emergency first responders from any place in Pakistan.
Guests are able to use the satellite phone for personal calls on occasion for a set rate per minute.
Strenuous: Trekking to K2 Base Camp is a challenge even for experienced hikers. As a group, we spend 12 days trekking deep into one of the world’s wildest mountain ranges. Unlike in Nepal, there are no villages beyond Askole or Hushe. This an expedition style trek, meaning we carry all of our gear with us. We employ many local porters and mules to help us carry the supplies that will make the trek to K2 a comfortable and rewarding experience.
At altitude, every person’s body is different, but having a comfortable fitness level will only benefit you in the mountains. Ideally, our guests will have already spent some time at or above 4,000 meters. Epic will ensure that our group has proper time to acclimatize en route to higher elevations. Our trekking days will certainly not be “death marches” and all trekking days are of reasonable distance and intensity.
Trip participants need to be in good shape and capable of trekking over mixed terrain for long distances (maximum 8 hours). On average our trekking days are 5 hours per day. We employ many local porters and mules to help us carry the supplies that will make the trek to K2 a comfortable and rewarding experience.
The best way to prepare for the trek to K2 Base Camp is to – you guessed it – hike as much as possible in the months leading up to the trip.
Even if you won’t be doing any actual mountaineering on this trek, people still need to be in shape before embarking. The distances can be long, the terrain unforgiving, and the oxygen thinner than you’re used to – you need to be ready and able to handle all of these environmental factors.
Physically preparing yourself for the expedition is somewhat similar to what you might have done for other multi-day backpacking trips. Endurance is crucial as is strength, particularly in your legs, glutes, back, and joints. Having these will ensure that you can not only complete the day’s walk without exhaustion but also avoid unnecessary injuries like sprains.
When you’re not out on the trail, do workouts that hit the key bodily areas. Squats, lunges, sleds, burpees, stairs, and anything involving a box e.g. step-ups are good exercises to start with. Don’t forget to work on your stability and stretch when you’re finished as well.
The total trek covers about 160 kilometers over the course of 12 days – with the highest max altitude on the trek being 5,600 meters (Gondogoro La).
There is simply no avoiding the fact that your body will feel different given the height at K2 Base Camp.
Nobody feels 100% as they do at sealevel up here – including the professional mountaineers or Nepali Sherpa.
Here are a few things you can do to manage the symptoms of mild altitude sickness:
Check out our full article on how to manage the K2 Base Camp Trek Height.
All guests who intend to visit K2 Base Camp MUST apply for a Pakistani Trekking and Mountaineering Visa. The trekking visa is different from the standard tourist visa, thus you will NOT be applying for a tourist visa.
Epic Backpacker Tours provides you with all of the documentation needed to apply for the visa including the Letter of Invitation (LOI).
Since 2017, we have had a 100% success rate when it comes to our clients getting their visas on time – a record we are very proud of!
No it is not. To travel on this tour, you must buy travel insurance. We will provide recommendations closer to the start of the trip. If you don’t buy travel insurance, you will not be allowed to come on the trek.
It is Mandatory for every trip participant to take out a travel membership with Global Rescue. This is because they are one of the few companies who organize helicopter evacuation in Pakistan in the case of an emergency. Note that this is NOT full medical travel insurance. Global Rescue also offers full medical travel insurance, but the important policy to take out is a Global Rescue Membership. If you don’t want to go with Global Rescue for medical travel insurance, that’s fine – but again, all members MUST have the Global Rescue Membership that covers helicopter evacuations.
No you do not. There is only one section of this trek where a harness is needed (crossing Gondogoro La). No ice tools are used and no technical climbing experience is required.
The K2 Base Camp Trek is a great introduction to being at high altitude if your goal is to eventually climb some 6000 or 7000-meter peaks.
Crossing Gondogoro La is a real challenge that is not be under estimated – however, our staff is with you every step of the way to ensure your safety and to make sure you feel comfortable. We have had people as old as 74 successfully tackle crossing Gondogoro La – so if you are fit and able to push your own personal comfort zone, crossing Gondogoro is achievable for you.
Check out the trip packing list here
The big important items are a good sleeping bag, rain gear, down jacket, sturdy hiking boots, water filter bottle, day backpack, sun protection, etc). You will need to bring your own climbing harness, crampons (or micro spikes), and helmet.
Tents and other group gear are provided.
Islamabad: 4-star accommodation in a central part of Islamabad
Skardu: 3-star accommodation located near the main market street of the city.
Trip prices are based on the sharing of rooms/tents and single (same sex) members of the group will typically be put together.
In Skardu will be using nice guesthouses/hotels that offer very comfortable, but simple, facilities without air-conditioning (although the rooms in Islamabad will definitely have AC). In Skardu the rooms have fans, but no AC.
Once we arrive in Askole to start the trek, our accommodation will be in tents until we return back to Skardu. The tents are high quality, waterproof, and comfortable. Two large men over six foot tall can easily be comfortable and have enough personal space in our tents
If you wish to bring your own tent, make sure it is sturdy enough for rocky glacier terrain, potentially high winds, and snowfall.
NOTE: Any item(s) that you do not want to bring on the trek can be safely stored with our team in Skardu before leaving for the trek.
Single Room Supplement Costs: please inquire for current rates if you would like to reserve a single hotel room and a private tent for the trek.
You will need to book your round trip flights into/out of Islamabad International Airport.
Islamabad (the capital of Pakistan) is a major city in Pakistan and as such is very well connected.
We advise that you arrive in Pakistan one day before the tour starts. This is so that clients can shake off any jet lag they may be experiencing, and also to give all clients more of a time window in case of schedule changes or flight delays.
We will organize our driver to pick you up at the airport and shuttle you to to hotel if you are arriving within 24 hours of the start of the tour. If you are arriving earlier, we can still arrange the airport pickup for you at cost.
Food in Pakistan is pretty repetitive – there’s a lot of daal, chicken, and rice. We will try to mix this up where possible (especially in the cities) by taking you to some great restaurants.
Food whilst camping will be the best possible quality, but please have realistic expectations of what our camp cooks can deliver. There won’t be any lasagne and red wine (unless you bring the wine), but the food will be healthy and tasty.
Breakfast: Typically includes an omelet/fried eggs, fried Pakistani bread (paratha), pancakes, jam, Nutella, honey, etc + green tea/French press coffee.
Lunch: Every day, each member is issued a packed lunch. This keeps it easy while hiking as you can stop whenever you want to eat your lunch. A typical packed lunch includes a boiled egg + potato, a few chapatis (local flat bread), cheese, dried nuts/chocolate, and a few sweets.
Dinner: The main event! We pride ourselves on hiring the same cooks every year because they know how to deliver our custom, top-notch food menu!
After our nightly soup course, dinner will be a mix of curry vegetables, rice, noodle dishes (like chow mein or pasta with red sauce, daal (lentils), meat (mutton or chicken), French fries, and, salad.
Dessert is something different every night, but for the first week of the trek, expect to have fresh mangoes and melon!
Note: Vegetarians/vegans/gluten/lactose-free can be accommodated as well!
Note: In general, the food in Pakistan is SPICY (especially in Punjab). Again, we always try to accommodate dietary needs but keep in mind that options can be limited at times if you can’t do spicy food. There will ALWAYS be some decent vegetarian and non-spicy items, but you also need to have realistic expectations regarding Pakistani cuisine, which can be meat-heavy, and SPICY. Please let us know early on if you have any diet restrictions/preferences. If you are vegetarian/vegan, you might want to consider bringing some of your own food (for snacks/breakfast stuff), as it can be very difficult to cater to individuals in a big group, though we always do our best.
On day two of the trip, the plan is to fly to Skardu from Islamabad. This is one of most scenic flights in the world, highlighted by beautiful views of the world’s 9th highest mountain, Nanga Parbat and the greater Karakoram/Himalayan ranges.
Once we finish the trek, we will also catch a flight back to Islamabad from Skardu. Internal flights are included in the trip price of course!
If bad weather cancels the flight, we will go to Skardu by road via the famous Karakoram Highway. The drive takes significantly longer than the flight option, but that is why we have contingency days built into the itinerary. Over the past three seasons, we have had a 90% success rate when it comes to catching our flights.
Each team member has a 20 kilo (44 lbs) porter allowance. This is for your luggage that will be carried to each camp each day of the trek. Members are only required to carry their daypack while trekking – which just has what you need for the day in it, IE water, snacks, layers, suncream, etc.
If your duffel bag weighs more than 20 kilos, you will need to pay for the additional weight. Cost for additional weight will be determined on the ground as prices for porters vary by the season.
Most other companies give a porter allowance of 12.5 kg, but with all of the gear required for this trip to be comfortable, we want to give you guys a little bit extra weight so you are not having to leave behind things you really want to bring
We carry a petrol generator and/or solar panels, so that the team can charge batteries, power banks, phones, etc while on the trek. Each night, we run the generator for 3-4 hours.
We have the generator with us the whole time except for the few days after we cross Gondogoro La (the mules who carry the generator can’t cross the pass).
Once we leave Islamabad, fast WiFi as we know it in the west is basically non-existent. Whilst there may be small amounts of phone coverage on the trip, you should view this adventure as a chance to unplug. In the mountains, there is zero phone signal so there is no point in buying a SIM card as it will only work in a few places. There is slow wifi in the hotels in Skardu, but it hardly works and there are often power outages.
Due to limitations of fuel, our staff are able to provide hot bucket showers one or two times along the trek (usually this happens on rest days).
Cold showers at the lower camps are also possible (when the temperatures are warm).
Roughly 50% of our clients are female. Most hail from the USA, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand – but we have had in total over 20 different nationalities of solo women join us on a trip to K2 Base Camp over the years.
You will always be paired to be hotel/tent mates with another solo woman and if there is no other female to pair you with due to odd numbers, then you will not be required to share a tent.
Northern Pakistan is a very safe part of the world – and we often say, you are safer traveling in Northern Pakistan as a woman than you are walking alone at night in Paris or New York City!
If you are over our 55 years old age limit but think you are up to the physical challenge of hiking to K2 Base Camp, please email us to book a call with our adventure consulting staff to see if you qualify for this adventure.
Once you have secured your spot, we will arrange a call so that we can have a short trip debriefing and interview. The interview is a chance for your tour leader to get to know you better before the start of the tour. If we don’t think you’re quite right, we will refund 100% of your money.
This call is also part of our one on one pre-tour preparation. Other companies don’t do this – which is one more reason why we pride ourselves in going above and beyond for our clients before, during, and after the trip.
The upper age limit is 55 and we ask that our guests be a minimum of 20 years old.
Potential guests looking to join us on this trek need to have prior experience trekking in the mountains, to have decent fitness as mentioned above, and a positive attitude to join an awesome group of people from around the world.
One of the main differences between us and the other companies who operate this trek is very simple: we use only the highest quality tents available for the K2 Base Camp Trek.
This means our brand new fleet of 4-season Big Agnes Tents (from Colorado,USA) don’t leak or suffer in the slightest even if we encounter heavy rain or snowfall.
When you are camping in the rugged terrain and high altitude of Pakistan for almost two weeks, cheap, low-quality tents simply won’t make for an enjoyable experience.
If prioritizing comfort and resisting the harsh Karakoram elements is important to you, with Epic Expeditions you get exactly what you pay for.
The Karakoram are a photographer’s paradise. Join us on a trip to K2 Base Camp and you’ll not only get to opportunity to take pictures of amazing mountain landscapes but the chance to receive photography tips from professionals.
Epic founder and frequent K2 guide Chris Lininger is an avid photographer and regularly gives advice on how to capture these mountains best. Get that shot you’ve always wanted with Epic.
K2: a mountain so enormous, so unfathomable, so remote in its existence – both in the physical world and in our imaginations – that few people really know or understand it. Even the name, K2, in its current truncated form, can be considered a flawed attempt at capturing this indescribable peak using mere human language – it’s just too much for us to put into words.
Italian climber Fosco Maraini perhaps said it best when talking about K2:
…(the peak is) just the bare bones of a name, all rock and ice and storm, and abyss. It makes no attempt to sound human. It is atoms and stars. It has the nakedness of the world before the first man—or of the cindered planet after the last.”
At 8,611 meters in elevation, K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world. Don’t let your guard down: K2 is markedly more dangerous than all the other 8000-meter peaks, including Everest. Its flanks are littered with alpine obstacles including massive crevasses, erratic weather systems, and enormous overhanging seracs, including the infamous “Bottleneck”. Every year, climbers perish in pursuit of this unforgiving summit, and despite the dangers, they keep coming back.
The first summit attempt was in 1902 and it wasn’t until 50 years later in 1954 that a team (the Italian expedition) actually made it to the top. Since then, there have been roughly 400 successful summits and among them almost 100 deaths: one of the highest summit-death ratios in the mountaineering world.
K2 doesn’t need to be climbed to be appreciated though. Many opt to simply walk up the Baltoro Glacier to visit the legendary base camp of K2, and it is still a fantastic experience. For nearly two weeks, one is treated to non-stop views of some of the world’s most impressive peaks (aside from K2 itself): Mashabrum, the Trangos, G4, Broad Peak, Chogolisa, and many more tower on both sides of the route as you make your way up the Baltoro. By the time one reaches Concordia and is afforded the first glimpses of K2, it becomes obvious why they call this area “The Throne Room of the Mountain Gods”: it is, for a lack of better terms, totally epic.
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Adventure Guide
Hailing from the Toronto region of Eastern Canada, with a background as a former standout athlete (hockey of course) and a love of mountain adventure, Clark is a welcomed addition to the Epic team.
In addition to being a keen photographer and adventurer, Clark brings his brilliant sense of humor, leadership skills, and positive attitude to everything he puts his mind to.
When he is not leading trips, he is working on taking over the hard apple cider game in Canada as a skilled craft brewer.
Meet him during : K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Noemi grew up in the mountains of German-Speaking Switzerland where she naturally developed a deep love and respect for mountain environments.
She is a talented photographer, aspiring climber, and speaks at least 5 languages fluently including Arabic (and probably a few more that we don’t know about), which she taught herself in a matter of months by watching YouTube videos.
Noemi has spent the last several years traveling, hiking, and photographing her way around many different countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe, and we could not be more stoked to welcome her to the Epic team!
Meet her during : Discover the Celestial Mountains | Island Peak Climbing Expedition
Adventure Guide
As our man on the ground in Mongolia, there is not much this legend can’t do. As a native the Bayan-Ölgii province of the Western Mongolia Altai, Syerik has been working as a guide and tourism entrepreneur…
for the past several years and is one of the rising stars in Mongolia adventure travel industry.
He is currently building a beautiful Ger (Yurt) camp near his hometown where he will host Epic Mongolia team members on our trip as well as other travelers from around the world!
“
He is the perfect guide for your trip to Mongolia. Serik did an amazing job giving us a well rounded experience in the Altai NP region and down in the Gobi…
The food was fantastic and Serik gave us many opportunities to learn about the Kazakh culture in that region including traditional meals. (I can’t recommend enjoying the milk tea enough!)
– Coastal
Head of canine operations
Choriza started off life as a care-free vagabond on the streets of Madeira Island without any place to call home. From the moment we met her, we knew this dog was just different, and it was pretty much love at first sight.
She gave up the dog street life in favor of joining her new dad Chris to become a full-time member of the Epic family towards the end of 2022.
These days she can be found listening in on the fringes of important Epic business meetings while half-asleep on the couch. She is a keen hiker, lover of mud, rare steak, and might just be the sweetest little dog we have ever seen.
Adventure Guide
An experienced trek leader and
IFMGA aspirant ski guide, avid alpine climber, devoted adventure photographer.
Organized and guided trekking expeditions, climbs and ski tours in Tajikistan’s Pamirs, Patagonia, Peru, Morocco, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, Georgian and Russian Caucasus and Kamchatka.
A full member and meets the organiser of the British Alpine Club. Visited over 40 countries, lived in the UK for four years. Certified first-aider.
“
We joined Andrew on a fantastic trip to the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, pure nature and magnificent scenery! Andrey was super prepared and led us safely up and down numerous passes and through some rough and icy cold rivers. Thank you for a very memorable trip, your planning and prep was excellent!
– Monika Steinlechner
Meet him during : Trekking in the Fann Mountains
Adventure Guide
Our man in Nepal, Sandip is what we like to call a “Swiss Army Knife”. There is not much Sandip can’t do when it comes to helping Epic to run our expeditions smoothly in Nepal.
His tireless work ethic, passion for all things trekking in the Himalayas, and smart decision-making mean that Sandip is a truly invaluable member of our team.
Sandip is passionate about showing visitors to his country an amazing time, and he goes above and beyond to make sure that happens.
His company Himalayan Masters is Epic’s trusted partner in Nepal and one of the country’s top new tour agencies.
“
We really enjoyed the entire journey, and I would like to say that Sandip is truly professional. He guided us and he is a hardworking person, providing us with the best service and taking care of each one of us. Plus, he is super funny! The kind of professionnal you always want to find on your path for your explorations!
– Alexandra Ruth
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Our flagship Pakistani adventure tour. Road trip with some hiking and cultural immersion.
A trekking-style tour that features some very remote locations, inlcuding a K2 viewpoint.
Adventure Guide
João has born in the mountains of Madeira Islands in Portugal. Nature lover, writer, musician, guide, for him, a day without contact with outdoor vibes is a nightmare.
With a degree in Cultural Studies in Portugal and a Master of Arts in Global Cultures and Creativity in the U.K.
João found out what really matters in life can be found on the trails, and in the contact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
Guiding, crazy trekking missions, and sharing observations about the natural world, – these are some of João’s passions.
After trekking to K2 Base Camp and exploring all over Northern Pakistan, he fell in love with the country and the local people. His experiences resulted in his desire to share these feelings with the world.
João is one of the most experienced guides at Epic and his skillset and positive mindset in the mountains is second to none
When not in Pakistan, João is guiding and exploring in the Madeira Islands trails – discovering some of the hidden treasures on his Portuguese Island.
“
João I can not thank you enough for the off the beaten paths and views you keep giving. Definitely one of the most challenging and amazing hikes we did 1200m meters all the way up to Fanal forest and circling back to the hidden village. Wow!
– Jeffery
Meet him during : Lost World of Europe | Discover the Hunza Valley | K2 Base Camp Trek
Adventure Guide
Sohail is the newest addition to the Epic team and we are beyond stoked to have him on board. As a veteran of the Karakoram and a native of Karimabad in Hunza, there is not much Sohail can’t do in the mountains.
Besides having the ability to speak more languages than we can count, Sohail has explored every corner of Gilgit Baltistan and logs more trekking miles
in a year than most people will do in a lifetime. As of the summer of 2022, Sohail has summited Gasherbrum 1, Gasherbrum 2, and K2 – three of Pakistan’s five 8000-meter peaks. Sohail guides several trips including our annual bespoke expeditions but specializes in Hunza Valley tours.
“
Chris and Sohail, and the team at Epic are FANTASTIC! Highly recommend anyone to do a tour with ‘Epic’. They have the perfect balance of fun, excitement and wild adventures, tied in with being super professional and ensuring your safety/health in a foreign environment. Don’t waste a moment and book a tour with these guys as the value for money is UNREAL!
– Borgan
Meet him during : Discover the Hunza Valley
Adventure Guide
Pedro’s been traveling all around the globe since 2009. His keen interests in documentary photography, rural life, and local people from different ethnic groups have been the focus of many of his professional projects.
Since 2012, he has developed his passion for travel and awesome shared experiences into a full-time adventure photography tour leader position.
Pedro has found himself continuously going back to the Middle East, with his likely favorite destination being Iran. Pedro lead his 11th tour in Iran with Epic in spring 2020
When Pedro’s not traveling the world with Epic Expeditions, you’ll find him based in the western south of Portugal planning he’s next adventure missions, logistics and working out his photos in local exhibitions.
“
I loved the combination of hiking, camping around breathtaking scenery mixed with the cultural aspects. The guide (Pedro) is knowledgeable and work very hard to make the trip as memorable as possible. All in all an epic adventure with some extremely epic individuals! Go for it, you won’t regret it!
– Coastal
Adventure Admin / Marketing
After fleeing from the corporate fashion world in Paris towards the start of 2020, Diane has been working as a web developer and graphic designer remotely from various bases across the globe
She brings all of her incredible design and organizational power to Epic Expeditions and is responsible for many of the beautiful behind-the-scenes design elements.
Diane has been to Iran and to Pakistan twice including all over Gilgit Baltistan and KPK.
Head of Operations | Guide
A veteran of Pakistan travel, Ralph is an experienced guide, photographer and writer who specializes in documenting remote locations.
Not one to simply go where everyone else does, he insists on exploring new and lesser-known areas.
Together with Epic Expeditions, he shows people parts of Pakistan that most other operators don’t even know about. He is particularly fond of the village of Barah, which he believes will become just as famous as Hunza one day.
“
Just got back from EBT’s Trekking Amongst Giants 15 day tour. The experience was first class. Ralph, our head guide, ensured that the entire trip ran smoothly and relatively on time (a bonus for anyone travelling in Pakistan). We had so many unforgettable days on the tour and the trekking was well-planned, safe but also a rewarding challenge.
– Calvin
“
Traveling to a non-tourist destination can be a little intimidating but EBT takes all of the worry and trepidation away. From the pre-trip call to meeting the wonderful staff in person you can tell that you are dealing with a company that has a passion for what they do each and every day. Ralph, Zahid, and Khan were supportive, kind, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure that everyone on the trip was getting what they wanted out of the experience.
– Katrina
Meet him during : Trekking Amongst Giants | Discover the Celestial Mountains | K2 Base Camp Trek
Founder | Adventure Guide | Director
Since he started exploring the world, Chris has been seeking out every shade of adventure in various parts of the globe and had visited more than 70 countries along the way.
Over the last 10 years, Chris has logged more than 7000 trail miles across five continents and climbed multiple 6000 + 7000 meter peaks in Pakistan and Nepal.
A few years back, a distant dream and a deep passion for the mountains and the people of Pakistan led Chris to co-found Epic Expeditions at a time when foreign adventure tourism in Pakistan was almost nonexistent. Since then, Chris has guided more than 20 expeditions to various parts of Northern Pakistan.
Chris believes in using photography and powerful adventure experiences to dismantle negative stereotypes regarding what mainstream media considers “dangerous” countries while facilitating unique and meaningful memories in the mountains for countless people from around the globe.
For him, an ideal start to the day begins with a steaming cup of good coffee, the beam of a headlamp, alpine boots, and a camera in hand.
He lives in Madeira Island when not leading expeditions in far-flung lands.
Chris also works as a writer and photographer on his blog Off the Atlas – an adventure travel blog all about Pakistan.
Read this interview our staff did with Chris to learn more about him!
“
Chris believes in Pakistan and its people, and he believes in the value of journeys shared with others and family cultivated on the road. Honesty and integrity are at the heart of what he does, and this really shines through in his work as a guide. He also makes great coffee – whether at 5am in an empty guesthouse or half way up a Himalayan peak.”
– Will De Villers
“
Pakistan is a magical country! Had 3 of the best weeks of my life thanks to Epic Backpacking Tours with owner, and one of our awesome guides, Chris. From detailed itinerary, preparation with an equipment list, and visa assistance. To amazing food, great porters, helpful guides, and great accommodations. Epic really hit home run after home run. […]
Their desire for adventure and amazing trip is just as high as yours. Bring a good pound of coffee for the trip. French press coffee every morning and no average tin coffee, plus you’ll be in your guides good books.
– Clark Tyler