Gasherbrum II Expedition registration is now open for 2023-24. Gasherbrum II expedition is a magnificent mountaineering journey to climb this 8,035 meters peak in the Karakoram mountain range, Pakistan. An ideal mountain climbing journey to attempt your first 8,000 meters Karakoram peak.

Expedition Highlights

• Gasherbrum II Expedition to the heart of The Karakoram
• Spectacular views of Nanga Parbat & K2 from the flight to Skardu
• Explore the Ancient Himalayan Kingdom of Baltistan, Pakistan
• Experience the culture and hospitality of the friendly Balti people
• Trek on Baltoro and Godwin-Austen Glaciers
• Witness the sunrise above K2 and Broad Peak from Concordia
• Climb the easiest 8000m of The Karakoram range
• Stunning wild and remote scenery of Baltoro & Karakoram Mountains.

Expedition Overview

Gasherbrum II is the 13th highest mountain in the world, located in the neighbourhood of K2 and Broad Peak in the Karakoram mountain range of Pakistan. Gasherbrum II Expedition is considered to be the easiest and safest among the 8,000 meter peaks of The Karakoram. It is part of Gasherbrum massif and share a common base camp, mountaineers have the option to attempt Gasherbrum i-ii by paying additional royalty fee.

We operate a 50-60 days long private and solo climbing expedition to Gasherbrum. We offer logistics to or above base camp. The duration may be longer or shorter depending on your available time, weather conditions, and climbing experiences. You can follow our standard Gasherbrum II expedition itinerary, or our travel advisor can customize an itinerary according to your travel needs.

Our Gasherbrum II Expedition starts from Islamabad. Our Representative will meet and greet you at Islamabad international Airport then transfer you to the hotel. We will meet in the evening over dinner to give a detail briefing about your Gasherbrum II Expedition. Next day you will catch the spectacular mountains view flights to Skardu, Baltistan. On route you will have the first glimpse of the great Nanga Parbat, K2 and the other stunning Himalayan & Karakoram Mountain Peaks. After checking in to your hotel, rest of the day is for preparation in Skardu. Skardu is the Capital of Baltistan and it is the getaway to the mighty K2, Deosai Plato, Masherbrum, Gasherbrums and many other famous Karakoram Peaks. In Skardu, trekkers and climbers usually do their finale purchasing for their onwards mountaineering journeys.

Following day you will drive along the Indus, Shigar then Braldu River to reach Askoli. Askoli is the last village before you enter into the wilderness of the Karakorum. After spending your first night in the camp under the starry canvas, walking session of your Expedition will start. You will be walking towards Braldu, gorge and to the snout of the Baltoro glacier, which you then follow to Concordia. Concordia is considered to be the heart of the Karakoram with spectacular view of K2, Broad Peak and other Karakoram giants.

Gasherbrum I & II base camps are 5-6 hour walk from Concordia, the junction point of Godwin Austen glacier with Baltoro glacier. Base camp of Gasherbrum mountain lies directly below the Conway Saddle, which was the first route, used to reach the major Karakoram peaks. Your climbing session of Gasherbrum II Expedition will begin from here onwards. We will camp at the Base camp of Gasherbrum during your climbing duration, our mountain guide, Chef and other staff will stay with you for the entire time. After the climbing period, you will follow the same Itinerary back to Islamabad. (Optional) return trip could be possible over the 6,000 meter Gondogoro La and the beautiful green Hushe Valley from which you return to Skardu. One night in Skardu and take a flight back to Islamabad (subject to weather). After spending one night in Islamabad, we will transfer you Islamabad Airport for your flight back home.

We strongly believe that, our four decades of expertise and our experience staff can run your “Gasherbrum II Expedition”  smoothly to a great success.

History and Technicality of Gasherbrum II

Gasherbrum in local Balti language means “Shining Wall”. There are six peaks in the cluster Gasherbrum: Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters), with a summit pyramid is the second highest peak among the Gasherbrum Peaks. Gasherbrum II (also known as K4) is the 13th highest mountain on Earth, located in the upper Baltoro region bordering China and the north face assessable from China. Gasherbrum II is the third highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif. Climbers have described it as an impressive but achievable peak, much like Cho Oyu but with a gradual walk up the Baltoro Glacier to its BC that is said to be the best trek in the world.

Gasherbrum II stands in the majestic neighborhood of Karakoram giants like and K2 in a close line-up of world’s highest peaks in the amphitheater of Concordia that has no parallel in the world. In 1889-1929 an international Gasherbrum II Expedition headed by the Swiss G.O. Dyhrenfurth studied possible ways to the top of the Gasherbrum II and got to 6250m on the south flank.

On July 8, 1956 the first ascent via the southwest spur was made by an Austrian Expedition headed by F. Moravec. Fritz Moravec along with Josef Larch and Hans Willenpart from a bivouac at 7700m via the east spur to the summit on 7th. The snowy of the South West Ridge presents considerable difficulties on ice and snow mixed faces ridges once you are above the most complex glacial plateau after negotiating the heavily crevassed Gasherbrum Glacier. It is a steep way up at some sections as we continue climbing on a series of ridges and reach a platform where camp 2 is generally set up around 6,400m. From here we climb a couple of icy pitches and then up the face going steeper before you reach the site of C3 at 7490m. After three easy pitches from there get to a diagonal way across the face from where a traverse leads to the base of the summit pyramid on the East Ridge. Climbing from there is straight on a wide-open snowy face with glorious surroundings but a few steep sections before you reach the narrow summit ridge.

Gasherbrum II has the reputation of being one of the easier 8,000 meter peaks. Its larger namesake, however, is far more technically challenging. Base Camp is at 5,200 meters. Camp 1 is at 5,900 meters after crossing the treacherous Gasherbrum Ice Fall. Camp 2 is at the Gasherbrum La, about 6,400 meters. Camp 3 is at about 7,200 meters above a steep couloir’s, although the location is highly variable since it is cut from the steep snow slopes. From the summit, you will see the entire Karakoram, including Broad Peak, Masherbrum, Mustagh Tower, Chogolisa, and of course K2.