Pastore Peak Expedition & K2 Base Camp

Airport welcome, group hotel, expedition briefing and gear check.

45-minute flight to Skardu (2,230m); Karakoram Highway drive via Naran if the flight is cancelled.

Kharpocho Fort, Satpara Lake and final expedition preparations.

Seven-hour jeep drive up the Shigar Valley to Askole (3,000m), last village before the Baltoro; meet the porter team.

First walking day along the Braldu River to Jhola camp.

Up the valley to Paiju, with Paiju Peak ahead and the Baltoro opening up.

First day on the Baltoro Glacier beneath the Trango Towers, Cathedral and Uli Biaho.

Short day to the grassy terraces of Urdukas above the glacier.

Rest and acclimatization day before the higher glacier camps.

Onto the centre of the Baltoro for the first night camping on the glacier itself.

Arrive at Concordia (4,500m), the junction of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers, facing K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums.

Up the Godwin-Austen Glacier to Broad Peak Base Camp (4,800m) and the Gilkey Memorial.

Day trek to K2 Base Camp (5,150m), returning to sleep at Broad Peak Base Camp.

Move to Pastore Peak Base Camp at 4,950m, below the northwest face.

Rest day; the climbing team checks equipment and prepares the route.

Steep glacier climb, partly on fixed ropes, to Camp 1.

Acclimatization rotation towards Camp 2, returning to sleep lower.

Descend to Base Camp to rest and recover before the summit push.

Re-ascend to Camp 1 in position for the summit attempt.

Alpine start, climb the northwest face to the 6,209m summit, and descend to Base Camp.

Retrace down the Godwin-Austen Glacier to Concordia.

Long day back down the Baltoro Glacier to Urdukas.

Continue down the glacier to Paiju camp.

Final walk to Jhola, then drive via Askole back to Skardu for a celebration dinner.