Guide to Crossing the Gondogoro La on the K2 Trek

Discover what to expect and how you should prepare to tackle the Karakoram’s Gondogoro La (5,600 m)– a high-altitude pass on the K2 Base Camp Trek.

At 5,600 meters (18,370 ft) above sea level, the semi-technical Gondogoro Pass, locally called the Gondogoro La in Balti, is the clear highlight and most demanding section of the K2 Base Camp Trek itinerary.

The Gondogoro La serves as an optional (but highly recommended) exit route from Concordia and K2 Base Camp. At the top, you’ll get unmatched views of four 8,000-meter peaks, including K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m).

After successfully climbing the Gondogoro La on my K2 Base Camp expedition, I’ve written this guide summing up everything you need to know, with photos and tips from my trip.

Key Points

Most groups depart at midnight from Ali Camp (4,900 m), trekking across glaciers in the dead of night followed by a steep ascent with the aid of fixed ropes.

The reward is witnessing the sunrise over the Gondogoro Valley with clear views of the picturesque Laila Peak (6,096 m) for the first time before descending to Kuisbang (4,700 m), a warm, green camp surrounded by wildflowers and roaming horses.

Importantly, the Gondogoro Pass allows trekkers to descend back to Skardu via a green path to Hushe instead of trekking ALL the way back down the rocky Baltoro Glacier.

• Hike Segment: Usually around Day 13 from Ali Camp and finishing at Kuisbang Camp
• Distance: 9.2 km
• Duration: 10-12 hours
• Elevation Gain: 660 m
• Elevation Drop: 1,000 m
• Difficulty: Very physically demanding, high altitude, & semi-technical
• Map & Route: My Strava

How Difficult is the Gondogoro La Pass?

Crossing Pakistan's Gondogoro La is the most technical and physically demanding section of the K2 BC itinerary. At 5,600 m, this high-altitude pass is no joke. Expect steep ascents and descents up to 50 degrees through deep snow and/or scree.

For me, the Gondogoro La was much more difficult than any of the Three Passes in Nepal and at times felt equally as challenging as climbing Island Peak.

However, while rated as a semi-technical pass, it is still "trekking" at the end of the day, clipping into fixed ropes for safety only.

In my opinion, the most difficult part of the Gondogoro La was the descent, which involved very steep and slippery conditions. That said, fit, experienced trekkers with the right gear (see the packing list below) should have no problems with this pass, and you do not need much technical mountaineering experience.

Departure from Ali Camp at 11:30 am (4,900 m)

After just a few hours of rest at Ali Camp after arriving that afternoon, we woke up to a quick midnight meal to fuel up for the challenging day ahead.

The porter and kitchen staff at Ali Camp chanted to their god to wish us a safe journey over the pass.

Then, at 11:30 PM, under the cloak of darkness, we set out toward Gondogoro La. Equipped with headlamps and harnesses, and crampons still in our bags, we carefully navigated the rocky moraine beside the camp, balancing on uneven terrain as we made our way toward the snowy glacial basin beneath the pass.

Reaching the Crampon Point (5,150 m)

Soon, we descended onto the glacier, where the sight of other trekkers' headlamps formed a glowing line ascending toward the pass—a mesmerizing sight in the dark.

Our guide led us across the glacier, following markers to avoid hidden crevasses and thin ice patches. After just over 1 hour, we reached the crampon point at 5,150 meters. Here we paused to strap on our crampons (I opted for microspikes) and helmets to gear up for the steep climb ahead.

Ascending the Gondogoro La (5,600 m)

With our gear on, we began the slow, steep ascent, clipping our harnesses into the fixed ropes. The slope gradually becomes steeper, reaching angles up to 50 degrees—which at times felt like a blend between trekking and mountaineering.

As we pushed upward, the first light of sunrise began to paint the sky and illuminated our path. Looking back, we were rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding peaks bathed in dawn light.

Toward the top, the trail evens slightly, before one short, steep burst rounding off to the pass beneath Gondogoro Peak. It took us just over 4 hours to gain the pass from Ali Camp, which is quite slow going.

From the top, we took the time to admire the final views behind us, before setting sites to the Gondogoro Valley, with the famous Laila Peak crowning the range in the distance.

The Descent to Kuisbang (4,700 m)

After snapping some photos and soaking in the panoramic views, we began the descent. The path down is notably longer and steeper than the ascent, featuring a mix of snow, loose rocks, and scree. Prepare yourself.

Fixed ropes are available almost the entire way. While some porters simply hang onto the ropes to descend, this looks incredibly dangerous. Some sections require very precise footing, so clip in and take your time.

The descent took several cautious hours but eventually, the fixed rope ended, we took off our crampons and began descending the slippery moraine. Once we reached the bottom of the valley, a 4 km undulating path awaited us.

While we were very tired at this point, watching the ice transform into greener landscapes, with our warm camp in sight, we pushed on.

Kuisbang is a lovely green campsite situated directly opposite the mightly Laila Peak, separated by the Gondogoro Glacier. While at a high altitude (4,700 m) the campsite is edged by a serene meadow dotted with wildflowers and grazing animals. There is a gentle stream flowing nearby, and a small stone hut selling snacks and refreshments.

What Equipment Do I Need for the Gondogoro La?

Technical Equipment

• Crampons: Full crampons are recommended by Epic Expeditions and other reputable trekking companies due to the icy and steep terrain of the pass. While I managed with regular trekking boots and microspikes, full crampons are safer.
• Climbing Harness: Essential for using the fixed ropes during the steep ascent and descent.
• Helmet: There can be rockfall on the descent.
• 2x Locking Carabiners and 2x Climbing Slings (60 cm): For securing yourself to the fixed ropes.
• Trekking Poles: Useful for the ascent and to balance on some sections of the steep descent.
• Headlamp with Extra Batteries: A must-have for the early morning departure in darkness.

Footwear

• 5,000-6,000 m Alpine Boots (Optional): A warmer pair of waterproof boots with crampon compatibility. Highly recommended although I managed fine with regular trekking boots from the K2 Trek.
• Gaiters (Optional): Useful to navigate through the deep snow sections of the Gondogoro Pass.

Clothing Layers

• Base Layers (Top and Bottom): Moisture-wicking materials to keep you dry and warm.
• Active Breathable Mid-Layer Fleece: Provides insulation against the cold.
• Hard Shell/Rain Jacket and Pants: Waterproof and windproof outer layer to protect against rain or heavy snow on the pass.
• Insulated Down Jacket (Mid-weight): Essential for warmth during rest stops or in the early morning departure from Ali Camp.
• Gloves: Insulated and waterproof gloves to keep your hands warm and dry.
• Sun Hat and Beanie: For sun protection during the descent and warmth on the ascent.
• Buff or Bandana: For neck protection and warmth.
• Trekking Pants: Durable and comfortable for long days of movement.

Accessories and Other Essentials

Try to keep your day bag light for the pass. Offload any unnecessary items to your duffel, which the porter will take over the pass for you.

• Backpack with Rain Cover: A daypack to carry essentials like water, snacks, and extra layers.
• Grayl Bottle and additional bottle/bladder of around 1.5L total.
• Sunglasses: To protect against intense mountain sun and snow glare at the top and on the descent.
• Sunscreen (50 SPF+) and SPF Lip Balm: High-altitude sun protection is crucial.
• Snacks: LIght but high-energy density snacks.

Important Packing Tips & Gondogoro La Porter Allowances

For the Gondogoro La pass, the porter allowance provided by Epic Expeditions is 15 kg, reduced from 20 kg for the rest of the trek. This reduction accounts for the consumption of snacks and consumables by Day 13-14 and ensures porters do not carry more than 15 kg each over the pass for safety reasons.

If your gear exceeds the 15 kg allowance, you can pay an additional fee to hire extra porter support. This helps maintain safety standards by preventing any single porter from being overloaded.

Before turning to Ali Camp, staff at Concordia will help coordinate sending any unnecessary gear back down the Baltoro Glacier with mules to reduce any unnecessary weight for the pass. Trekking groups often combine items like extra or dirty clothes into a shared duffel for this purpose.

I hope my guide has helped inspire you to climb one of Pakistan's most scenic high-altitude passes! For more trekking inspiration, check out my other guides below.