Keith Crockford
Wondering how to get to K2 Base Camp from the UK? You’ve clearly got adventure in your veins – welcome, you’re in the right place.
Because an adventure to K2 Base Camp is without a doubt one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences you can undertake. Ever.
But the adventure doesn’t just begin when you get there, the journey starts the moment you decide to head off to K2 Base Camp.
And then it’s all about preparation – mentally, physically, and by having all the right equipment.
But before you even get near there, there’s the journey from home to the world’s most challenging peak…
Being the second highest peak on earth, mountain lovers might expect K2 to be lumped in with all those marvellous monoliths in the Himalayas. But this one’s no way near so “mainstream” as that. (Joke, we love you Nepal).
Unsurprisingly, K2 Base Camp resides on K2 mountain, which is nestled away in the Karakoram range of Pakistan. It’s about 5,150 meters (16,896 feet) above sea level, just about high enough to make you question all your life choices as you gasp for oxygen. (Unless you’ve done your prep properly (have a look here for advice on that!)!)
Unlike some other well known climbing destinations, K2 Base Camp remains remote, wild, and refreshingly free of influencer yoga sessions. If you make it there, congrats — you’re officially hardcore. So how do you do it?
You can fly from several major UK airports to Islamabad, Pakistan, where our journey to K2 Base Camp begins (and anyone else’s does too!).
The good news is that our K2 Base Camp trek is a Bucketlister+ trip, which means we take care of every detail from start to finish. You can choose to book UK Group Flights & Transfers through us, making your journey even smoother – all you need to do is pack your bags (and bring them to the airport)!
If For those who prefer to arrange their own travel, you’ll join us on Day 2 in Islamabad, Pakistan, beginning your journey with us there.
If you’re travelling with our UK Group Flights, we’ll all meet at the airport and fly together, creating a sense of camaraderie right from the start.
Upon arrival in Islamabad, we’ll transfer you to a comfortable hotel for a good night’s rest. The next day, we’ll take a domestic flight to Skardu, a picturesque town nestled in the Karakoram mountains – this flight is an adventure in itself, offering breathtaking views of the rugged landscape below as you set out on your bucket list trip.
However, it’s worth noting that this flight is weather-dependent and if conditions aren’t suitable, we have a contingency plan to make the journey by road, which takes about two days.
From Skardu, we embark on a thrilling jeep ride to Askole, the last village before we start our trek. It’s a 7-hour journey that traverses some of the most dramatic landscapes you could imagine – the road is rough and narrow, often affected by landslides, adding an element of adventure to our trip.
It’s at Askole where we begin our 14-day trek to K2 Base Camp, with the trek takes us through the heart of the Karakoram range, along the mighty Baltoro Glacier, and past some of the most iconic peaks in the world.
We’ll spend time camping at tonnes of breathtaking locations, each day bringing us that little bit closer to achieving our ultimate goal…
One of our favourite things about the K2 Base Camp Trek is that you’ll enjoy views of K2 itself for the majority of the trip, which is in contrast to Everest where the mountain is often hidden from view.
It’s often an inspiring sight during long days of trekking to see the incredible sight of K2’s peak ahead – but don’t worry, we schedule our itinerary carefully to include proper acclimatisation days so you can enjoy every step (within reason!).
It’s a vital part of any high-altitude trek, but particularly as you travel up the 5,150 metres of K2’s Base Camp trek.
We typically spend two nights at Concordia, the magnificent amphitheatre where several glaciers converge, surrounded by five peaks over 8,000 metres high before we begin the final push to K2 Base Camp…
The last leg is a particularly challenging one but it’s also the most rewarding, as you might imagine.
K2 Base Camp is generally relatively quiet, especially in comparison with Everest Base Camp, which can be crowded at times.
Standing at the base of K2 is an experience like no other and the connection you’ll feel to the mountain, your peers in your small group with TBLC and nature is like nothing else.
Throughout the entire journey, you’ll be accompanied by one of our experienced UK guides, ensuring your safety and enhancing your experience with their knowledge and expertise.
At TBLC, we pride ourselves on making this epic adventure accessible to anyone with a good level of fitness and a spirit of adventure – so have no fear if you’re on the fence, with the right preparation, anything is doable.
The question is… are you ready to get to K2 Base Camp?
Find out everything you need to know about our K2 Base Camp Trek here.
If you don’t book it now… Wil you ever?
Basket