The most interesting, that you can see as result of this trek - K2 peak...  K2 (also known as Chhogori/Qogir, Ketu/Kechu, Savage Mountain, Mountaineer's Mountain or Mount Godwin-Austen), as referred to by Reinhold Messner in the account of his 1979 ascent of this giant, is 8611 m. high. K-2 is located in the heart of the Karakoram Range and can be seen in its entirety from Concordia.

Pakistan Northern areas map

Concordia trek...

    Concordia is the name for the confluence of the Baltoro Glacier and the Godwin-Austen Glacier, in the heart of the Karakoram range of Pakistan. It is located in Baltistan region of Pakistan. The name was applied by European explorers, and comes from this location's similarity to a glacial confluence, also named Concordia, in the Bernese Oberland, part of the Central Alps. Around Concordia are clustered some of the highest peaks in the world. Four of the world's fourteen "eight-thousanders" are in this region, as well as a number of important lower peaks. Concordia offers the region's best place to camp for mountain enthusiasts not involved in climbing. With breathtaking views, it also offers short hikes to several important base camps: K2 (three hours), Broad Peak (two hours) and the Gasherbrums (three hours).  This sublime pyramid sits at the head of the Godwin Austin Glacier which unites with a second glacier at Concordia to form the mighty Baltoro Glacier. Galen Rowell described Concordia as the "throne room of the mountain Gods" after viewing the exceptional mountain needles ripping open the clouds in blue expanse from the 5000 m. floor. Four peaks above 8000 m. sit within a radius of only 21 km. from Concordia, honoring this site with the largest concentration of the highest peaks on earth. This, the most famous trek in the Karakorum and widely regarded as one of the finest mountain treks in the world, follows the Baltoro glacier to Concordia and K2 base camp. 

   At first - you will need to reach a Skardu (by air from Islamabad or two days way by KKH road). Skardu (2500 m.) is the capital of Baltistan and gateway to the high peaks of Northern Pakistan. After overnight rest in Skardu we will proceed by jeeps via Skardu and Shigar valley as far as the track is passable towards Askolie.  Askolie is located at 3300 m. and is the last village before reaching K-2.

Concordia trek map

Beyond Askolie is complete wilderness consisting of glaciers spouting the beginnings of rivers with mountain guards of unimaginable heights lining their beds. From Askolie we begin the walk taking two to three days to reach Paiyu Campsite (3666 m.) situated under the majestic Paiyu Peak (6660 m.) with the tip of the 58 km. long Baltoro Glacier visible in the distance.

The next stage of our journey takes us over the Baltoro Glacier to our destination, Concordia. The walk on the Baltoro provides one with ultimate mountain scenery with such well known mountains as Masherbrum (7852 m.), Uli Biaho Tower (6190 m.), Trango Towers (6300 m.), the Grand Cathedral (5228 m.) and Muztagh Tower (7273 m.) shooting up from this immense highway with sheer vertical lines that defy reality.

After four to five days we will reach 4691 m. at Concordia. Here one is encircled by Marble Peak, K-2 (8611 m.), Broad Peak (8047 m.), Gasherbrum Group, Golden Throne (7312 m.), Chogolisa (7654 m.) and Mitre Peak (6038 m.). Indeed, this is "Throne room of the mountain gods." We will spend two to three days at Concordia and then begin our return to Askole via the same route. Upon reaching the lush green fields of Askolie a walk ends and a new way of viewing our earthly existence begins.

Trek shedule...  

In common our trip daily shedule was are following:

Day 1/2  - Drive to Chilas (11-12hrs) via Naran and Babu Sar Pass and from Chilas to Skardu (8-10hrs)

View from the Skardu road	View from the Skardu road

Day 3 - Jeep drive 6–7 hrs from Skardu to Askole (3050m) and overnight there in a tents

Skardu valley view	Skardu valley view	Skardu valley view	Shigar Valley view
Shigar Valley view	Shigar Valley view	Shigar Valley view	Shigar Valley view
Shigar Valley view	Shigar Valley view	Shigar Valley view	Askole village view

Day 4 - trekking day from Askole  5–7 hrs to Jola (3200m) and overnight there in a tents

On the way from Askole to the Jhula camp	On the way from Askole to the Jhula camp

Day 5 - trekking day from Jola  5-7 hrs to Pauju (3450m) and overnight there in a tents

View on the trek from Jola to Pauju	View on the trek from Jola to Pauju

Day 6 -  trekking day from Paulu 7-8 hrs to Urdukas (4000m) and overnight there in a tents

Baltoro Cathedral view	Baltoro Cathedral view	Some small peak view	View on the valley from Baltoro glacier

Day 7 - trekking day from Urdukas 6–7 hrs to Goro-II (4300m) and overnight there in a tents

Great Tango and Nameless peaks	Paiu peak view	Tango group view	Ulibiaho tower view
Some peak view	View from Baltoro glacier	Musharbrum peak view	View on Baltoro glacier
View on Baltoro glacier	Gasherbrum 4 peak view	Gasherbrum group view	Gasherbrum group view
Paiu and Tango group view	Musharbrum peak view

Day 8 - trekking day from Goro-II 5–6 hrs to Concordia (4700m) and overnight there in a tents

Musharbrum peak view	View from Baltoro glacier	View from Baltoro glacier	Musharbrum peak view
Musharbrum peak view	Musharbrum peak view	View from Baltoro glacier	Mitre peak view
Gasherbrum 4 peak  and Gasherbrum group	Campsite on Concordia	Golden Thron peak view	View on the part of  Chogholisa
Broad peak view	View on K2 peak from Concordia	View on K2 peak from Concordia

Day 9 - trekking day from Concordia 5–6 hrs to Goro I and overnight there in a tents

View on Mitre and Biarchedi peaks	View on Mitre and Biarchedi peaks	Marble peak view	View on Baltoro glacier
Campsite on Goro-I

Day 10 - trekking day from Goro I 5–6 hrs to Urdukas and overnight there in a tents

Greate Tango and Nameless peaks	Ulibiaho and Paiu peaks view	Campsite on Urdukas

Day 11 - trekking day from Urdukas 5–6 hrs to a bit far Paulu and overnight there in a tents

View on the valley from Baltoro glacier

Day 12 - trekking day to Jola and overnight there in a tents

Day 13 - trekking day from Jola back to Askole and drive from Askole to Skardu, overnight in Skardu in a hotel

Shigar valley view	Shigar valley view

Day 14 - free day in a Skardu (meeting with mineral people there, you can see mineral specimens examples below..)

Topaz crystal with mica	Tourmaline with clevelandite	Emerald on quartz matrix

Day 15 - Drive from Skardu to Gilgit via: Satpara lake - Deosai NP - Astore valley. ( Deosai National Park is at an average elevation of 4,114 metres (13,497 ft) above the sea level, making the Deosai Plains the highest plateau in the world. The park protects an area of 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi). It is well known for its rich flora and fauna of the Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe eco region. In the Spring season it is covered by sweeps wildflowers and a wide variety of butterflies).

View on the way from Skardu to Deosai NP	View on Satpara lake	View on Satpara lake	View on Satpara lake
Deosai NP	Deosai NP	View on Astor valley	Near the Astor

Day 16 - free day in Gilgit (meeting with mineral people there, you can see mineral specimens examples below..)

In Gilgit	Corundum on marble	Spinel on marble	Pargasite on marble

Day 17/18 - Drive back by KKH from Gilgit to Islamabad

Few words to our team:  Am would like to say a great thanks to the members of our team for so perfect service during the trek and they support to me... Also many thanks to our simple porters for they great work...

Oman	Mossa	Bishar	Issa

Many thanks for my friend and guide - Muhammad Shifa. For me it was a great pleasure, to follow with so interesting and experienced fellow during my trip...

Muhammad Shifa

Many thanks to Ishaq Ali - North Pakistan Adventure Co owner, who have arranged all this trip for me by my request....

© Oleg Lopatkin, 2012