Gasherbrum II Expeditions
Logistics for the 8,000er at the head of the Baltoro, run from Skardu.
SafarGB arranges the Pakistani side of Gasherbrum II expeditions from Skardu: royalty and permit paperwork, the liaison officer, porter crews for the Baltoro approach, base camp logistics, cooks and supply runs, and hotels and transport at both ends. Guiding teams, high-altitude porter support and oxygen are agreed in writing for each expedition, so every climber knows exactly what is and isn't included before paying anything. Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) stands at the head of the Baltoro; expeditions take 42–50 days from Islamabad, with summit bids in July.
- Royalty, permit and liaison officer paperwork handled
- Porter crews from Hushe and Askole for the Baltoro approach
- Base camp at about 5,000 m beside the Abruzzi Glacier, shared with Gasherbrum I
- Guiding, high-altitude porters and oxygen agreed per expedition, in writing
48 days, composed.
- 1Days 1–4 · Islamabad to Skardu
Arrival and briefings in Islamabad, the flight to Skardu (or the road if flights are grounded), permit formalities and gear checks.
- 5Days 5–13 · The Baltoro approach
Jeep to Askole, then seven or eight days on foot, with a rest day, via Paiju, Urdukas, Goro II and Concordia to base camp beside the Abruzzi Glacier.
- 14Days 14–40 · Rotations and summit
Through the Gasherbrum icefall to Camp 1 at about 5,900 m, then up the Southwest Ridge to Camps 2 and 3, with acclimatisation rotations and a summit attempt in a suitable weather window, as planned by your guiding team.
- 41Days 41–48 · Walk out
Back down the Baltoro to Askole, then the jeep to Skardu and the flight to Islamabad.
- Royalty and permit paperwork, liaison officer arrangements
- Porters for the approach and return, on insured, fair loads
- Base camp kitchen, cooks and supply runs
- Hotels and transport in Islamabad and Skardu
- Guiding, high-altitude porters, oxygen and insurance as agreed per expedition
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to climb Gasherbrum II?
Published 2027 prices run from $30,000 with Imagine Nepal, which includes a personal climbing Sherpa and oxygen, to $46,500 with Adventure Consultants. Adventure Peaks charges £24,750 land only, with one Sherpa or high-altitude porter for every two climbers and oxygen as an extra. The government royalty is $2,500 per climber in summer. We quote each expedition individually once the team size, guiding and oxygen plan are agreed.
Is Gasherbrum II the easiest 8,000er?
It's often sold as the most approachable 8,000 m peak in Pakistan: Jagged Globe calls it the safest and 'easiest' in the Karakoram. Easiest is relative. Adventure Consultants rate it slightly harder than Cho Oyu, the route crosses an icefall and avalanche-prone slopes, and in 2025 nobody reached the summit at all.
How long does a Gasherbrum II expedition take?
Expeditions run 42–50 days from Islamabad. The walk from Askole to base camp, at about 5,000 m beside the Abruzzi Glacier, takes seven or eight days with a rest day. Teams reach base camp in late June and usually make their summit bids in the second half of July; in 2026 they summited on 21 and 30 July.
How dangerous is Gasherbrum II?
The main hazards are the icefall below Camp 1, the steep Banana Ridge above it, avalanche-prone slopes between Camps 2 and 3, and the traverse beneath the summit pyramid. In 2026 the first summit push turned back in chest-deep snow on 18 July, and no deaths were reported on Gasherbrum II that season. Earlier deaths include a climber who fell descending from the summit in 2011 and a skier who disappeared between Camps 2 and 1 in 2015.
What experience do I need?
Your guiding team sets the requirement. Adventure Consultants, for example, asks for several previous ascents of 6,000–7,000 m peaks and the ability to climb snow, ice and rock with rope skills over consecutive days; Jagged Globe asks that you can jumar and abseil fixed ropes and move between camps unsupervised.
Does SafarGB provide the climbing guides?
We arrange the logistics on the ground in Pakistan and work with your chosen guiding team, or introduce one. Who guides, and on what terms, is agreed in writing before any payment.
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