A great trip that I am very proud to have completed. The remoteness has a unique beauty all of its own. A very good level of fitness is required to enjoy this trek.We were helped by a great team of guides, cooks and general helpers. There dedication to helping us and looking after us was second to none.This trip is a challenge, but a very worthwhile one. You will not regret attempting it.The first look of K2 makes all the hardships of the trek worthwhile.
This truly was a trip of a lifetime. Having travelled to Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro (with the tour operator) we thought we had a pretty good idea of what to expect on this trip. We were so wrong! This was so much tougher and in many different ways. Firstly, whilst there's an itinerary, it quickly became apparent that there's a lot that's outside the control of the operator and the on-the-ground operator. We were held up in Islamabad for longer than expected (due to leave on Saturday, left on Wednesday). Our flight to Skardu was cancelled as a result of bad weather and with just one flight a day, it wasn't possible to get re-booked until Wednesday. Once in Skardu, although visa and permits have been granted, there's still a step to complete on the ground and it can't be started until you arrive in Skardu. Here you're at the very of the Authorities and 'it takes as long as it takes'. We weren't granted permission to enter the national park until around 9pm on the day we arrived in Skardu. Sara, our tour guide, kept us informed at every step and went over and beyond, using the local operator and 'connections' to try to get us back on track. She discussed the options with us and as a group, we decided on a plan to try to keep the overall tour intact. This meant combining 2 days of itinerary into 1, twice! The terrain is hard and unpredictable, this is where Sara and the local team were invaluable in their knowledge and expertise. We really were in their hands, finding safe passage and negotiating an ever-changing landscape. This made it feel really natural and exciting. It was one of the most breathtaking places on earth, with a real sense of pure and raw beauty. We worked hard to get to Concordia and even harder to get K2 base camp. The team were unbelievably amazing, we simply could not have completed this trek without their encouragement, support, humour and importantly expertise. This isn't a well trodden path and you need to know the environment. It was obvious from day 1, Sara had an incredible relationship with the local team, she knew the country and local environment well. She had a wonderful nature and approach to the people, the country and the environment, all of which she shared so generously, with true enthusiasm and passion. She's such a modest person, someone that would shy away from the attention or thanks, instead passing it on to others. However, she was at the centre of everyday, every step and for that we are very grateful. An incredible trip and one we'd highly recommend.
Recommended for international travelers This was definitely one of the highlights of my trips abroad. Northern Pakistan is breathtaking and this travel specialist made it an incredible experience. Sultan made it easy in the beginning by answering all of my questions and providing documentation required for the Visa process. His brother Hassan was our driver to Fairy Meadows and Hunza Valley and honestly, I made sure not to nod off in the car because of so much beauty on the road. We had really great hotels to stay and if there were any issues, Sultan would be on top of it. He made great lenghts to make sure our tour group was doing fine. Really grateful too as I was not feeling well late one evening. Sultan's brother was able to drive me to a medical clinic to get medication. We also got to enjoy a meal and time with Sultan's lovely family. What I respect most about this agency is that they are culturally and environmentally responsible so you really feel like they care about their home. Experience of a lifetime!
