Trekking Routes from Skardu – Your Gateway to the Great Karakorams

Best Time: Mid-June to mid-September
Weather: Cold nights, sunny days; risk of glacier melt and altitude sickness

Skardu, located in Gilgit-Baltistan, is the starting point of some of the most famous trekking routes in the world. From glaciers and alpine meadows to the base of towering peaks like K2, Skardu offers breathtaking wilderness and adventure for trekkers of all levels.

Popular Trekking Routes from Skardu

Trek	Duration	Highlights
K2 Base Camp via Baltoro Glacier	14–18 Days	Concordia, K2, Broad Peak, Urdukas, Askole
Gondogoro La Circuit	18–21 Days	Combines K2 Base Camp with crossing the Gondogoro Pass into Hushe
Snow Lake & Hispar Pass Trek	18–22 Days	Biafo Glacier, Snow Lake, Hispar Glacier, and remote valleys
Deosai Plateau Trek	3–6 Days	Alpine meadows, wildlife, Sheosar Lake, access via Sadpara
Hushe to Masherbrum Base Camp	5–7 Days	Remote valley trek with Masherbrum views

Sample Itinerary – K2 Base Camp Trek

Here is a sample day-by-day plan for the K2 Base Camp trek from Skardu:

Day 1: Arrival in Skardu – acclimatization
Day 2: Drive to Askole village (6–7 hrs)
Day 3: Trek to Jhola (6 hrs)
Day 4: Trek to Paiju (6–7 hrs)
Day 5: Rest and acclimatization in Paiju
Day 6: Trek to Khoburtse
Day 7: Trek to Urdukas (altitude gain begins)
Day 8: Trek to Goro II (Glacier terrain)
Day 9: Trek to Concordia – view K2, Broad Peak
Day 10: Optional day hike to K2 Base Camp
Day 11–14: Return via same route to Askole & Skardu

Permits & Support

Most treks require permits and coordination with licensed tour operators. For restricted zones like K2 Base Camp, a trekking permit and liaison officer is mandatory.