K2
Expedition
K2 isn’t nicknamed “the savage mountain” for nothing. The world’s second-highest peak is arguably the toughest challenge in mountaineering. For a long time, it was considered unconquerable and the number of successful expeditions was very low.
However, from the start of our expedition career, Elite Exped has led multiple successful K2 expeditions, opening the route to the summit for other climbers to achieve their success on the mountain.
Now, our team is ready to take you to the top of K2 too – guiding you from the moment you sign up, all the way to the summit and back.
Country
Pakistan
DURATION
47 days
GRADE
Pakistan
MAX ALTITUDE
8611 m
28251 ft
DAILY ACTIVITY
Approx
4-7 hours
SEASON
Summer
Dates Available
12 Jun – 30 Jul
Dates Available
USD $60,000
Aimed at climbers who’ve made multiple ascents of 8000m peaks, at least two, and are highly proficient in mountaineering – including moving safely in rock, glacier, and snowy terrain.
Download Exped DetailsThe mountain of the mountains
Our leadership team, including Nimsdai Purja and Mingma David, & Mingma Tenzi isn’t just about firsts like the historic winter K2 ascent in 2021. They have years of experience scaling this unforgiving peak. Mingma David led successful K2 expeditions twice, fixing ropes each time. Nimsdai summited K2 during his incredible “Project Possible,” a year when most attempts failed.
Elite Exped’s K2 plan is based on our many successful climbs on this peak, but with an extended 47-day itinerary, it allows for more acclimatisation and rest for our climbers, along with a buffer week for unpredictable weather.
We go beyond just having skilled climbers. Our core principle is to control what we can. This means handling everything in-house, from food preparation to rope-fixing. You won’t be reliant on external parties that could delay the climb.
This meticulous approach ensures the highest chance of summit success for our team, but safety is paramount. We guarantee a 1:1 guide-to-climber ratio on summit push, and there will always be additional guides within our team as a reserve for emergencies.
Our guides are all seasoned mountaineers, many with their own climbing achievements. They are also trained in high-altitude rescue, and we have comprehensive evacuation plans with immediate helicopter access if needed. Put simply, you’ll be in the safest hands possible when attempting this incredible peak.
Conquering K2 is a mountaineering legend’s dream. It’s a tough challenge, and that’s what makes it so rewarding. We understand that drive to achieve the seemingly impossible. We don’t see you as clients, but as fellow adventurers aiming high. If your dream is to stand atop this “savage mountain,” we’ll be by your side, climbing with you every step of the way.
FROM OUR CLIENTS
Jeff Evans
Manaslu 2019
Mountains should be open for everyone to enjoy. To make sure they stay that way, it’s on us to make sure we climb them the right way.
Jeff Evans
Manaslu 2019
I often felt they went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful expedition. Excellent judgments throughout the expedition led us to reach the summit safely in extreme conditions. Highly recommend!
Jeff Evans
Manaslu 2019
Manaslu was my first 8,000er and first time with Elite. They exceeded my expectations at every level and stage. I would have no hesitation in booking with them again! Highly recommended!!!
Jeff Evans
Manaslu 2019
I often felt they went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful expedition. Excellent judgments throughout the expedition led us to reach the summit safely in extreme conditions. Highly recommend!
This tried and tested itinerary is informed by decades of mountaineering experience. As with all adventurous activities of this type, however, circumstances may arise where Elite Exped is forced to make alterations, possibly at short notice. While making every effort to adhere to this published schedule, we kindly ask for your patience if the weather, or other naturally occurring circumstances, intervene.
Your daily schedule
- Day 01
Arrival in Islamabad & transfer to the Hotel
- Day 02
Preparation day in Islamabad
- Day 03
Fly from Islamabad to Skardu
- Day 04
Rest day in Skardu: Expedition briefing and final preparation
- Day 05
Drive from Skardu to Jhula
- Day 06
Trek from Jhula to Paiyu
- Day 07
Rest day in Paiyu
- Day 08
Trek from Paiyu to Urdukas
- Day 09
Trek from Urdukas to Goro II
- Day 10
Trek from Goro II to Concordia
- Day 11
Trek from Concordia to K2 Basecamp
- Day 12-39
Climbing period (Basecamp- Summit- Basecamp)
- Day 40
Cleaning up Basecamp: Preparation for descending back
- Day 41
Trek from basecamp to Goro II
- Day 42
Trek from Goro II to Kurburtze
- Day 43
Trek from Kurburtze to Mundung
- Day 44
Trek from Mundung to Jhula and drive back to Skardu
- Day 45
Farewell and debriefing in Skardu
- Day 46
Fly from Skardu to Islamabad & transfer to Hotel
- Day 47
Transfer to the International Airport for final departures
At Elite Exped, we extensively vet our hotel, travel and accommodation partners, and operate using the very best mountaineering equipment available, to ensure the highest standards of safety possible. The following is included in your booking. For full details on services please see exped details overview:
Your daily schedule
- Arrival and Departure: Pick and drop facility — airport/hotel/airport
- Accommodation: Four nights stay in Islamabad on Bed & Breakfast Basis-Twin Bedroom
- Welcome Dinner: One Welcome Dinner in a tourist standard restaurant in Islamabad with Expedition staff
- Permits & Fees: Expedition royalty and permit of Pakistan Government
- Transportation: All required transportation for all staffs and members as per itinerary
- Land Transportation (Members): Drive by Jeep Skardu to Jhula and on returning Jhula to Skardu
- High Altitude Climbing Sherpa: One Climbing Sherpa per member
- Oxygen for K2: Five oxygen (O2) cylinder for each Member and three oxygen bottle for each high-altitude Sherpa
- Mask & Regulator: One Set of top Out mask for each member and high-altitude Sherpa
- A comprehensive Medical kit for members and staff
Excluded
- International airfare to and from Islamabad
- Pakistani Visa Charges
- Lunch & Dinner in Islamabad
- Extra nights’ accommodation in Islamabad. In case of early arrival or late departure, early return from the expedition (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
- Insurance: travel and high-altitude insurance/accident/medical/emergency evacuation
- Personal Expenses: telephone, internet, laundry, any alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, and shopping
- Sherpa summit bonus: K2 minimum USD 2000
- Tips: Please calculate some tips for Basecamp staffs and porters
- Any other item not listed in the “Price Includes” section
Training
Build your skills
Our tailored approach to training will help you improve as a climber, developing the mental and physical skills you need to achieve your dreams. Learn more
Nimsdai 1:1
Climb every step with Nims.
Nimsdai oversees all our expeditions and operations. But you can also guarantee that he’ll be your personal, 1:1 guide on the mountain. Visit Nimsdai.com for more information and achieve your new possible.
Frequently asked questions
The following frequently asked questions may help answer any queries you have about Elite Exped, what this expedition involves, and what is required. If your question isn’t answered here please check our dedicated FAQ support page, otherwise don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What skillset and fitness level are required?
All Elite Exped expeditions are within extreme high altitude environments, with differing requirements when it comes to the ability needed.
Due to the nature of the elements involved, you must provide concise, honest descriptions of relevant experience and current fitness levels.
Upon receipt, we will review your experience and respond accordingly. At this point, if we consider there to be any shortfalls, we can collectively discuss the opportunities and/or provide a training support plan to achieve your goals.
Will I get my own guide?
All Elite Exped expeditions are within extreme high altitude environments, with differing requirements when it comes to the ability needed.
Due to the nature of the elements involved, you must provide concise, honest descriptions of relevant experience and current fitness levels.
Upon receipt, we will review your experience and respond accordingly. At this point, if we consider there to be any shortfalls, we can collectively discuss the opportunities and/or provide a training support plan to achieve your goals.
Will I get my own guide?
Yes. We guarantee a 1:1 guide to client ratio on every expedition, with four additional climbing Sherpas acting as reserves, ready to chip in if needed. This helps ensure the highest safety standards.
What communication/office facilities will be available?
We can provide full office facilities at basecamp, including Wi-Fi. Satellite phones are also available throughout the expedition for emergency and essential comms.
What equipment is provided?
All communal equipment is included ie. high quality ropes, stoves, tents etc. You are responsible for personal gear and clothing, eg. harness, crampons, helmet, ice axes etc. A full essentials list and advice (if required) will be provided at time of booking.
There’s no doubt that climbing K2 is a significant endeavor for anyone, regardless of experience. But with our expert guidance, achieving this goal may be closer than you think. We would expect anyone joining our K2 expedition to have summited multiple 6000m , 7000m peaks, and a couple of 8,000m peaks.
We’ll look at your previous experience, and analyze key performance data that we’ll ask you to share when you sign up. We’ll work with every member of our K2 expedition to develop an appropriate training program. Our tailored approach means we can also recommend preliminary climbs in the years and months leading up to this expedition, to give you the best possible chance of reaching your goal.
The adventurous activities undertaken by Elite Exped will require the purchase of specialist equipment. We will provide a full kit list for this expedition during booking, or you can access it now by downloading the exped gear list here.
You may pay your deposit and balance using any lawful means. If sending money by electronic bank transfer then you will be responsible for covering the cost of the fees associated with the transfer, so that the company receives the full amount shown on your invoice, in the denomination shown on your invoice.
There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of Elite Exped.
The expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds. Elite Exped highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions. Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Elite Exped must adhere to a stringent refund policy deposit due with registration materials: All balances are due 120 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified. Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition
All Elite Exped clients require appropriate insurance for their chosen expedition. Please ensure your policy covers helicopter and medical rescue and repatriation costs.
Elite Exped’s has a long-standing operational partnership with Global Rescue, the world’s leading membership organisation providing medical security, travel risk and crisis response services to travellers worldwide. Because of our history of operating side-by-side with Global Rescue, we recommend our clients register with them by preference.
Our close working relationship helps smooth the process of any potential rescue, saving valuable time that can affect the outcome. Memberships start at US$119, and without a Global Rescue membership, an emergency evacuation could cost you more than US$100,000.
Why choose
Elite Exped?
Unparalleled leadership
Nimsdai Purja, Mingma David Sherpa’s and Mingma Tenzi’s mountaineering groundbreaking records speak for themselves, but our leaders are more than just supremely talented climbers.
While some choose to direct operations from back office, our three directors lead from the front. Their experience in every aspect of guiding and climbing — from fixing ropes to organising logistics — is unparalleled. It’s no surprise that they have the industry-leading success rate when it comes to summiting 8,000m peaks.
Beyond this, our handpicked team of guides have also chalked up dozens of successful summits between them.
Safety through self-sufficiency
If it’s controllable we control it: this is key to attaining and maintaining our industry-leading strategy for success and safety.
We maximise our options, agility and responsiveness by running self-sufficient expeditions that don’t rely on any other teams to achieve our objectives.
Our team is capable of setting up our own fixed lines (with a proven track record on all 8,000m peaks) and has backups to cover all scenarios. These include everything from secondary oxygen supplies to the ability and experience to operate our own rescue missions if the situation arises.
A unique perspective
With his Nepalese roots and UK residency, our co-founder Nimsdai Purja brings a unique perspective and an unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between Western and Himalayan climbing cultures.
We can assemble trusted teams and networks anywhere in the world, but our founders’ roots are a particular advantage when it comes to summiting the world’s very highest peaks.
An intimate knowledge of how things work on the ground ensures that everything runs smoothly when you’re 8,000m above sea-level.
Related expeditions
Combo Packages
Everest / Lhotse
Mount Everest is undoubtedly on the bucket list of every climber. Who wouldn’t want to conquer the highest mountain on the planet? But the most dedicated and skilled mountaineers won’t want to stop there, of course, which is where Elite Exped’s combo packages come in. This expedition offers you the chance to bag two 8,000m summits – the first and fourth-highest mountains in the world – in a single climbing season. For high achievers, goals don’t come much greater than this.
COMBO PACKAGES
K2 / Broad Peak
K2 isn’t nicknamed “the savage mountain” for nothing. The world’s second highest peak is arguably the toughest challenge in mountaineering, but nearby Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain, is the perfect stepping stone to tackling this daunting challenge. This expedition offers you the chance to conquer two of the Karakorum’s most iconic peaks in the space of a single summer climbing season.
8000M PEAKS
Broad Peak
Broad Peak, across the Baltoro Glaciers of north-eastern Pakistan to K2, is named for both its most prominent feature – a 2km wide summit ridge – and its similarity to Switzerland’s Breithorn (which means ‘broad horn’ in German). This defining characteristic is one of the features that makes this a relatively easy climb when compared to the other 8,000ers. For this reason, it’s often used as a wide stepping stone to further adventures, including its near neighbour, K2.
