K2 base camp trek: permits, cost and season for foreign and Pakistani trekkers

The K2 base camp trek needs a trekking permit, because Gilgit-Baltistan’s restricted zone begins at Askoli in Shigar valley. You can’t apply yourself: a licensed tour operator files the permit and pays the fees. As of October 2026, operators list the summer trekking fee at US$150 for foreigners and Rs 15,000 for Pakistanis, plus a park fee. Allow up to 20 days from Islamabad. The main season is June to August.

Do you need a permit for K2 base camp?

Yes. The restricted zone starts at Askoli in Shigar valley and covers the Baltoro region, K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum and Gondogoro Pass, according to licensed operator Trango Adventure. GB’s Tourism Department says every trek in a restricted area needs a permit before you set off.

The same department sets three rules for restricted areas:

• Register the trek with the tourism department.
• Get the permit first. It is issued only through a registered tour company.
• Hire a licensed guide and porter. This is mandatory, not optional.

If you are a foreigner, the permit is tied to your visa. PTDC, the federal tourism body, says trekking permits are linked to the visa application on visa.nadra.gov.pk, where you pick the restricted-area trekking category.

Operators say the trekking and mountaineering visa then works as your trekking permit. See our Pakistan visa guide for the visa itself.

The UK government adds one more point: all foreign nationals must register with the local authorities when visiting Gilgit-Baltistan. It also warns that your travel insurance may not be valid if you don’t hold the correct permits.

How do you get a K2 base camp trek permit?

You go through a licensed operator. GB Tourism says tour operators registered with the Department of Tourist Services (DTS) Islamabad are listed on NADRA’s visa site, and those registered in GB are listed on the GB tourism website.

Start early. PTDC says a trekking permit takes at least 30 days and advises applying 45 days ahead, and the UK government says the process can take up to 2 months.

GB Tourism says the royalty fee is paid in Pakistan only after the visa has been granted.

For permit questions, GB Tourism gives the Deputy Director, Facilitation and Coordination, Directorate of Tourist Services, Evacuee Trust, Islamabad, on 051-2726976.

How much does the K2 base camp trek cost?

There are two parts: government fees, which are fixed, and the operator’s package, which covers guides, porters and other support. Here are the government fees as of October 2026.

CKNP stands for Central Karakoram National Park.

Two gaps to know about. We couldn’t find the official notification with the current trekking fee, so those rows come from two licensed operators whose tables match.

The DTS GB fee table lists both a CKNP fee and a separate “GB Environment” fee for trekkers, while operators mention only one US$190 fee. Ask your operator which ones your quote includes.

How the fees changed. In September 2024 GB raised the foreign trekking fee to US$300 per person in summer, and for the first time charged Pakistani trekkers too. Tour operators took the increase to the GB Chief Court, which stayed it.

On 13 May 2025 the GB cabinet approved lower rates, and The News reported that trekking fees fell in every season.

Package prices. One licensed operator, Trango Adventure, lists 2027 group departures at US$1,990 to US$2,095 per person from May to October, Islamabad to Islamabad, with up to 15 trekkers per group, and US$3,900 from November to January.

Compare at least two quotes and check what each includes.

For Pakistanis in rupees. We couldn’t find a licensed operator that publishes a rupee package price for this trek. The government part is about Rs 18,000 to Rs 21,000 in summer (trekking fee plus one or both Rs 3,000 fees). For the rest, ask operators for a rupee quote that lists porters, jeeps from Skardu, food and fees separately.

Can Pakistanis do the K2 base camp trek?

Yes, with the same permit. PTDC says Pakistani nationals apply for trekking permits through a tour operator licensed by DTS. Since the September 2024 notification, Pakistanis pay trekking fees as well; before that, only foreigners did.

The guide and porter rule applies to you too. GB Tourism’s rule for restricted areas does not exempt Pakistani citizens. Pakistanis don’t need a visa, so step 2 in the permit process doesn’t apply.

What is the K2 base camp trek route?

The Directorate of Tourist Services GB lists the route as Islamabad, Skardu, Shigar, Askoli, Korophon, Paiju, Urdukas, Concordia, then K2 and Broad Peak base camps, and back the same way.

The route runs up the Baltoro Glacier, which PTDC gives as 62 km long. Four of Pakistan’s five 8,000 m peaks stand in the Baltoro region. DTS GB also lists a harder variant that returns over Gondogoro La to Hushe instead of retracing the route.

Trango says you need no crampons or other climbing gear for the standard trek. If you plan the Gondogoro La variant, ask your operator what gear it requires.

How long is the K2 base camp trek?

Plan for up to 20 days from Islamabad and back, according to Trango Adventure. Most of that time is for acclimatisation.

Build in spare days for the journey to Skardu. The UK government warns that flights to Skardu and Gilgit may be unreliable and change at short notice.

The road can close too: the Jaglot to Skardu road was damaged by flooding and reopened on 27 July 2026 after FWO put in a temporary steel bridge. Our Hunza or Skardu guide covers both ways in.

When is the best time for the K2 base camp trek?

The main season is June to August. Dawn, reporting in March 2026, said GB’s climbing and trekking season typically runs from June to mid-August. Trango calls June to September the best time and runs most of its departures in June, July and August.

Trango runs a few departures in May and from October to January, and its November to January trips cost more. In autumn and winter the trekking fee drops to US$75 or Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. For how roads and passes change through the year, see the best time to visit northern Pakistan.

Demand is rising. Dawn reported more than 1,000 foreign applications for climbing and trekking permits by March 2026, against 850 a year earlier, and about 2,000 permits issued to foreign adventure tourists in 2025. Book your operator early if you want a July date.

Is the K2 base camp trek safe?

The UK government advises using reputable trekking agencies, staying on established routes and walking in groups.

Check that your insurance covers trekking at this altitude and evacuation. GB Tourism requires insurance as part of the permit application. Since July 2025 it issues no climbing permit to a company that hasn’t insured its porters and local mountaineers in advance, so ask how your operator covers its porters on a trek.

In an emergency in GB, call Rescue 1122, the Tourist Police on 1422 or GB Police on 15. For wider safety advice, read is Pakistan safe to visit?

Can you do the K2 base camp trek solo?

Not on your own. A licensed guide and porter are mandatory in restricted areas, says GB Tourism, and the UK government says plainly: do not trek alone.

You can still travel as a solo traveller. Operators run fixed group departures you join alone; Trango’s take up to 15 trekkers.

What should you know about photos and the border?

GB Tourism says photography is prohibited within 5 miles of the Line of Control, 10 miles along the Wakhan corridor, and at military installations and sensitive border areas. Ask your guide before taking photos near anything military.

If you want a shorter trip first, see our guide to Fairy Meadows.

More guides: Pakistan visa, best SIM for Pakistan, travel insurance for Pakistanis, all Where to Go guides.