This trek leads into the heart of the Karakoram, the “throne room of the mountain goods“ (Galen Rowell), “the most marvellous mountain landscape on earth“ (G.O. Dyhrenfurth). Getting to Concordia (about 70 km) takes about 7 or 8 days, getting back to Askole maybe 5 or 6 days.

Trekkers have to walk between 3 and 7 hours daily. From Askole the path first runs along the Braldo river, until shortly after Payu the Baltoro glacier is reached. After crossing the glacier, you follow it on its true left side until you get to Urdukas, a flower meadow from where you have a unique view of the surrounding mountains (Broad Peak, Trango Towers, Uli Biaho, Cathedral, among others). From then on you stay on the Baltoro which for the most part is covered with debris so that you hardly ever walk on ice. The scenery gets more and more breath-taking: wherever you look, giant rock and ice pyramids, of which Masherbrum, Muztagh Tower and Gasherbrum IV are the highest and the most striking, tower up. Having reached Concordia you can admire K 2 in all its majesty. From here you can walk to K 2 base camp and back in one day.

From Concordia you follow the Baltoro in a southern direction and then turn into the Vigne glacier on which you stay until you get to Ali Camp, the last camp before crossing the Gondogoro La (5940m). From the col you have a view of four 8000- metre peaks: K 2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. The descent on the other side is partly protected by wire ropes.