Route: Southwest Ridge
Best Season: Summer
Gasherbrum II uses essentially the same Baltoro approach as Gasherbrum I, making the expedition logistics relatively efficient. Current programs use Islamabad–Skardu–Askole–Baltoro–Concordia/Shagharing before establishing Base Camp and undertaking multiple rotations.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Islamabad
Day 2 – Fly Islamabad to Skardu
Day 3 – Rest in Skardu
Day 4 – Expedition Briefing & Preparation
Day 5 – Drive Skardu to Askole
Day 6 – Trek Askole to Jhola
Day 7 – Trek Jhola to Paiju
Day 8 – Rest at Paiju
Day 9 – Trek Paiju to Urdukas
Day 10 – Trek Urdukas to Goro II
Day 11 – Trek Goro II to Shagharing
Day 12 – Trek Shagharing to Gasherbrum II Base Camp (5,000 m)
Days 13–33 – Acclimatization & Climbing Rotations
Progressive rotations through the higher camps, including overnight stays at progressively greater elevations.
Days 34–41 – Summit Window
Final acclimatization, weather assessment and summit attempt.
Summit: 8,035 m
The summit push generally begins during the night and can require approximately 8–10 hours to reach the summit, followed by a demanding descent.
Day 42 – Base Camp Cleanup
Day 43 – Trek Base Camp to Goro II
Day 44 – Goro II to Khoburtse
Day 45 – Khoburtse to Mundung
Day 46 – Mundung to Askole
Day 47 – Drive Askole to Skardu
Day 48 – Rest / Debrief in Skardu
Day 49 – Fly Skardu to Islamabad
Day 50 – International Departure