Depart UK, arriving Islamabad the next day and transfer to the hotel for a few hours’ sleep.

After an early breakfast we return to the airport for the flight to Skardu, which usually departs mid-morning. Given good weather this is perhaps the most spectacular commercial flight in the world, with magnificent views of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world. The flight however will not operate in poor weather, and you must be prepared for a wait in Islamabad if the flight is cancelled.

Final preparations and free day in Skardu

Travel by Jeep to Askole, the last village between us and K2, This journey takes about 7 hours and is on very rough narrow tracks often blocked/damaged by landslides.

We set off early to avoid the heat of the day. We follow the Braldu river valley through green pastures and after crossing the Biafo River we skirt around the base of the terminal moraines of the Glacier for lunch at Korophon. Beyond here a new path has been cut through the cliffs making the walk to camp straightforward. 7 to 8 hours walking.

We continue up the Braldo River, sometimes close to the raging water, sometimes taking a higher path used by pack animals. If the weather is clear we get our first glimpse of Broad Peak today. Despite the stories in old guide books and journals, much has been done in recent years to remove rubbish and human waste to leave a much cleaner environment with well managed camps. 7 to 8 hours walking.

After one hour we climb up onto the rocky moraines of the Baltoro Glacier. From here on the glacier will be our highway - sometimes icy, sometimes moraine covered, with lots of ups and downs as we cross moraine ridges. The sight of Paiju Peak and the Trango Towers is truly astounding. 7 to 9 hours walking.

Today we should get our first distant sight of Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums. A shorter day of walking up the glacier to the campsite which is located on a grassy slope high above the Baltoro and commands one of the most dramatic mountain views in the world, dominated by 'Nameless Tower'. 4 hours walking.

We continue gently upwards, passing the Yermanandu glacier which flows down from Masherbrum (7821m), while the Muztagh Tower pierces the sky on the north side. At the head of the glacier Gasherbrum 4 looms large. Tonight we camp on the glacier. 7 to 8 hours walking.

A shorter day takes us on up to 'Concordia', where we spend 2 nights with a day’s rest to aid acclimatisation. Here we are at the junction of the Baltoro, the Godwin Austen and the Broad Peak glaciers. Within sight to the north and east are four of the world's 8000m peaks, and a further 37 peaks in excess of 6500m! Where else in the world would a mountain lover dream to be? 5 to 6 hours walking.

Concordia Rest Day

We continue up to the K2 base camp, passing Broad Peak camp on the way. 5 to 6 hours walking.

We spend the morning at K2 base camp before returning to Concordia where we will have time to sort out and practice with the gear that we may need to cross the Gondogoro La in a couple of days’ time. 3 to 4 hours walking.

Heading south we cross several moraine ridges on the Baltoro glacier before turning up the Vigne glacier which is flatter and less crevassed. Early to bed for an early start tomorrow. 6 to 7 hours walking.

Starting in the early hours to minimise the risk of stone fall as we descend from the Gondogoro La later. The ascent is normally all on snow, and we may need to rope up to cross the glacier to the base of the pass. On the steeper sections ropes are in place to use as a handrail and for safety. From the top the 'big four 8000m Peaks' are clear to the northeast, and to the south we look down the Hushe valley dominated by the arrow-like Leila Peak. The descent is initially a 45o snow slope, with the angle easing and the snow changing to scree as we descend. Our exact campsite for the night will be determined by our pace and whether or not we have been delayed. 10 to 12 hours walking.

Spare weather days for crossing the pass.

We continue on down the Gondogoro glacier, passing a camp at Dalsan and once off the glacier, pleasant trekking through yak pastures and passing trees (the first we have seen since Paiju) to take us to the village of Shaisho.

We complete the final stage of our trek to the road head at Hushe. 4 hours walking total. We will then take the jeep ride back to Skardu. 4- 5 hours.

Today we will fly back to Islamabad.

International flight home

Arrive home.