International Flight. Arrive in Islamabad with time to relax and enjoy a well earned rest in our comfortable hotel with the option to take a swim in the hotel pool. Tour of the exciting bazaars of Rawalpindi where you will see much gold and silver jewellery, Kasmiri shawls and Bokarra carpets. (H, B)

Final preparations in Islamabad. (H,B)

Given good weather we fly to Skardu (perhaps the most spectacular commercial flight in the world) with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat the ninth highest mountain in the world. If the weather doesn’t allow the flight we take the Karakoram Highway (the old silk route) which is just as spectacular. It’s a long drive but one of the great journeys of the world between the deep gorges of the mighty Indus. Overnight hotel in Chilas (10-12 hour drive). (H,B,L,D)

We complete our journey in around 8 hours passing Nanga Parbat and the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. You will look back in awe and reflect on what an amazing civil engineering achievement the Karakoram Highway must have been in its time. You will have crossed the point where four great continental plates come together forming four of the world’s greatest mountain ranges (Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindukush and the Pamir. (H,B,L,D)

Jeep to Askole 3300m the last village between us and K2 from where we begin our trek in the morning. (C,B,L,D)

Trek to Jhola 3200m We set off early to avoid the heat of the day, an umbrella is also useful but the route is gentle and enjoyable. We cross the Biafo Glacier on the way and get our first sight of the Paiyu  pinnacles. 5 hours. (C,B,L,D)

Trek to Paiju 3450m If the river is sufficiently low we will edge our way round the base of the huge rock walls that guard the valley towards the Baltoro glacier. If not then a higher traverse will be taken before we regain the old river bed that leads to Paiju, our campsite for the next two nights. Despite the stories in old guide books and journals, much has been done in recent years to remove rubbish and human waste to leave an incredibly clean environment with well managed camps. In fact they are some of the best we have seen. 8-9 hours. (C,B,L,D)

Rest day at Paiju camp A rest day to aid acclimatisation and an important resting point for porters to prepare their food for the high trek ahead. Normally there is much singing, drumming (or barrel bashing) and dancing amongst the porters with a real feel good atmosphere! We will get our first sights of the Trango and Cathedral Groups. (C,B,L,D)

Trek to Khoburste 3930m A tough day of walking as we tackle the rocky moraines of the Baltoro Glacier. The sight of Paiyu Peak and the Trango Towers are truly astounding. 6 hours. (C,B,L,D)

Trek to Urdukas 4130m Today you should get your first distant sight of Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. The campsite is located on a grassy slope high above the Baltoro and commands one of the most intense mountain views in the world which is dominated by a nameless Tower, claimed to have the tallest granite wall in the world. 4hrs. (C,B,L,D)

Trek to Goro 4350m Now we are in the heart of Concordia with only ice on which to place our tents. We are surrounded by views of the great peaks: Muztagh Tower, Gasherbrum 4 and the most spectacular of them all Masherbrum; guaranteed to take your breath away. If we are rewarded with a clear evening, nothing will have prepared you for the evening sunset and the red hue over Masherbrum, it will never be forgotten! 7-9hours.

Trek to Concordia 4650m If the mountains had been placed in order for this trek, today the finale would have won an Oscar. We move up to Concordia passing the Golden Throne and Mitre Peak as we enter the arena of the 8000m Peaks: first Broad Peak (8047m) followed by the Gasherbrums and finally K2. The sheer size and scale of the 8000 metre peaks defies description, but this is a very special place and for many the view is a lifetime goal. 8-10hrs. (C,B,L,D)

The final day of our walk heads towards K2 beneath the bulk of Broad Peak. Base Camp will be established on the Godwin Austin glacier at c4900m. (C,B,L,D)

Climbing Period. Our choice of route is the West Ridge first climbed by an Austrian team in 1957 and now classed the ‘normal route’. (C,B,L,D)

Descend to BC & Clear Mountain. (C,B,L,D)

Return to Skardu via Gondogoro La.

Return to Islamabad and International flight.