Pakistan holds five of the world's fourteen 8,000-metre peaks, all in Gilgit-Baltistan. Four of them rise from the Baltoro Glacier around Concordia; the fifth, Nanga Parbat, stands alone at the western end of the Himalaya.
The five eight-thousanders
- K2 (8,611 m): second-highest mountain on earth and widely considered the hardest of the 8,000-metre peaks. Usual route: the Abruzzi Spur. Base camp at about 5,000 m on the Godwin-Austen Glacier.
- Nanga Parbat (8,126 m): ninth-highest, with the Rupal Face, one of the biggest mountain walls in the world. Usual route: the Kinshofer route on the Diamir face.
- Gasherbrum I (8,080 m): also called Hidden Peak, eleventh-highest.
- Broad Peak (8,051 m): twelfth-highest, climbed by the West Spur from a base camp facing K2.
- Gasherbrum II (8,035 m): thirteenth-highest and often recommended as a first 8,000-metre peak in Pakistan.
Season and logistics
The climbing season runs from June to August, with most summit windows in July. Expeditions start in Islamabad with a government briefing, fly or drive to Skardu, drive to Askole and trek about a week up the Baltoro to base camp. Expect 45 to 60 days in total for an 8,000-metre peak.
Permits
Every peak above 6,500 m needs an expedition permit and a royalty paid to the government through a licensed operator. Royalties are highest for K2 and depend on team size and season; confirm the current rates with your operator when you plan.
Stepping-stone peaks
- Khosar Gang (6,046 m) and Pastore Peak (6,209 m): non-technical 6,000-metre summits with glacier travel.
- Laila Peak (6,096 m): steep snow above the Gondogoro Glacier.
- Spantik (7,027 m): the classic first 7,000-metre peak, climbed from Arandu.
- Diran (7,266 m): a snow pyramid above Minapin in Nagar.
Frequently asked questions
How many 8,000-metre peaks are in Pakistan?+
Five: K2 (8,611 m), Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035 m). All are in Gilgit-Baltistan.
When is the K2 climbing season?+
June to August, with most summits in late July. A full K2 expedition takes around 50 to 60 days from Islamabad.
Which is the easiest 8,000-metre peak in Pakistan?+
Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) is generally considered the most accessible 8,000-metre peak in Pakistan, though it is still a serious high-altitude climb.
What is a good first expedition peak in Pakistan?+
A 6,000-metre peak such as Khosar Gang or Pastore Peak, followed by Spantik (7,027 m) as a first 7,000-metre summit.
