General
K2 Expedition 2025-26 (Karakoram)
K2 Expedition registration is now open. Climbing K2 is considered one of the top mountaineering expeditions in the world. The mighty K2 is every tough mountaineer’s dream. We are offering K2 Expedition departures (guided and non-guided) for mountaineers and alpinists from around the world.
Including our K2 Expedition, we offer 7,000 to 8,000m expeditions and the following 8,000m plus expeditions given in the table below.
| Eight-thousander Peaks of Pakistan | Base Camp Service | Full-board Service | Minimum required to Guarantee |
| Joint K2 Expedition 2025 (60 days) | US$12,490 | US$29,900 | 7 participants |
| K2 Base Camp Trek (20 days) - ALL INCLUSIVE | - | US$2,090 | - |
| Nanga Parbat Expedition (43 days) | US$13,825 | US$34,643 | 3 participants |
| Gasherbrum I Expedition (46 days) | US$8,604 | US$19,836 | 6 participants |
| Broad Peak Expedition (52 days) | US$14,887 | US$29,035 | 4 participants |
| Gasherbrum II Expedition (46 days) | US$8,604 | US$19,836 | 6 participants |
| Gasherbrum I & II Expedition (52 days) | US$17,204 | US$31,302 | 4 participants |
K2 Expedition – Dates and Cost – USD 42,500 | 2025-26
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
K2 Expedition – Holiday Information
What's Included in Full Guided Service?
*inclusions are given below
- High Altitude Climbing Leader/Sherpa hired from Nepal (request for details)
- Rope fixing team of Sherpas hired from Nepal (request for details) according to the composition below.
- Lodging above base camp
- Group climbing gear/equipment (tent, rope, ice crew, snow-bar, EPI gas, cooking pots, stoves, gas, etc)
- Meals above base camp during climb ((high altitude food/snacks)
- Government Royalty Fee (revised in Sep 2024) based on the seasonal rates outlined below.
- All meals during trek to base camp and at base-camp (B,L,D)
- Four (4) nights stay in Islamabad hotel on arrival and two on return (bed & breakfast only)
- Lodging at base camp (single supplement)
- Full base camp with dinning tent, bathroom, showers & solar charge
- All internal/domestic transport
- All domestic flights
- 65kgs (110 lbs) personal baggage
- Liason officer(s) - equipment fee and allowance
- Group emergency equipment/satellite phone service with fixed calling charge
- Staff insurance (guide, cook, kitchen staff, assistant(s) & porters etc)
- Experienced cook from Pakistan
- Kitchen staff
- Porters for all expedition supplies
- Solar power at base camp
- Electricity generator (backup for high voltage devices)
- Communication radio (walkie talkie)
- Weather reports from European sources
- Hot Water at base camp
- Free Wi-FI at base camp (subject to local network reception)
What's Included in Base Camp Service?
*crossed out items below are not included in Base Camp service.
High Altitude Climbing Leader/Sherpa hired from Nepal (request for details)Rope fixing team of three Sherpas hired from Nepal (request for details)Lodging above base campGroup climbing gear/equipment (tent, rope, ice crew, snow-bar, EPI gas, cooking pots, stoves, gas, etc)Meals above base camp during climb ((high altitude food/snacks)- Government Royalty Fee (revised in Sep 2024) based on the seasonal rates outlined below.
- All meals during trek to base camp and at base-camp (B,L,D)
- Four (4) nights stay in Islamabad hotel on arrival and two on return (bed & breakfast only)
- Lodging at base camp (single supplement)
- Full base camp with dinning tent, bathroom, showers & solar charge
- All internal/domestic transport
- All domestic flights
- 65kgs (110 lbs) personal baggage
- Liason officer(s) - equipment fee and allowance
- Group emergency equipment/satellite phone service with fixed calling charge
- Staff insurance (guide, cook, kitchen staff, assistant(s) & porters etc)
- Experienced cook from Pakistan
- Kitchen staff
- Porters for all expedition supplies
- Solar power at base camp
- Electricity generator (backup for high voltage devices)
- Communication radio (walkie talkie)
- Weather reports from European sources
- Hot Water at base camp
- Free Wi-FI at base camp (subject to local network reception)
What's not Included in both Base Camp Service & Full-Guided Service?
- Personal climbing Sherpa - USD 12, 944 (includes wages, kit allowance, royalty fee, return flight fares from Nepal, meals in Pakistan, oxygen cyclinders & mask/regulator for climb, accommodation, etc)
- Supplemental Oxygen for climbers (4 cylinders recommended) - Prices given below.
- Oxygen set for climber - includes regulator, mask, hoses, carriage to high camps - USD 980
- Summit bonus for personal Sherpa of US$ 1500
- International airfare
- Personal climbing equipment for any 8,000m peak, clothing & sleeping equipment
- Mountain climbing rescue and evacuation insurance policy - mandatory
- Personal equipment cargo to/from Islamabad
- Pakistan visa fee
- Tips/gratuities to staff, cook, assistant(s) of US$ 490 in total
- Meals in Islamabad
- Extra hotel nights after the climb
- Trip cancellation insurance
- All expenses incurred in the event of early wind-up/summit (extra hotel nights, meals at hotels, evacuation)
- Charges incurred due to delays beyond the control of Apricot Tours (Force majeure)
- Personal communication (phone, fax, e-mail) between Pakistan and home country.
K2 Climbing Route – Joint K2 Expedition 2025
Highlights – K2 Expedition
- Very competitive prices for an eight thousander peak
- Field office and permanent staff for logistical arrangements to and from the mountain
- Itinerary based on our mountain guide's indigenous knowledge and vast experience
- Spectacular mountain vistas during the expedition
- Apricot Tours is a fully licensed native adventure company
- Fixed departures are normally guided by our Pakistani High Altitude Climber(s) (HAC)
- Private groups are always one of our top priorities
- We cater to both guided expeditions and non-guided (alpine style) climbing
- We cater to both "base camp services" and "full board services"
- Nepalese Sherpas available upon timely request (at least 6 months prior to arrival in Pakistan)
- The following High Altitude Support available at extra cost
a. Pakistani High Altitude Porter (HAP) - Will carry 20 kg of personal equipment between camps
b. Nepalese Private Sherpa (personal guide/porter) – Carries up to 20 kg (44lbs) of your personal equipment, climbs with you, melts water, cooks, and will be with you every step of the way.
c. Personal equipment carriage service – Sherpa carries up to 10kg (22lbs) of personal equipment up and down the mountain between camps
Itinerary
Why should you register very early?
1. Team building: It takes time to formulate a good team. We go through all incoming applications and formulate the best team of mountaineers (on the basis of experience). Although our vet process is not very strict, our top priority is always the safety of fellow climbers. We will not accept all applications only to maximize the number of the mountaineers.
2. Logistics: Our climbing adventures involve a lot of logistics. This includes reserving/assigning high altitude porters, guides and other staff in advance. It also involves a lot of procurement (equipment, food etc). This is not possible during the last hours. During winters expeditions, most of the supplies are transported to base camps two to three months prior to the expedition because winters in the mountains of Pakistan are very harsh and it becomes almost impossible to for porters to walk through the trail with heavy supplies.
3. Climbing Permit: Pakistani government tourism laws require tour operators to submit applications for climbing (along with all documents e.g. passport copies, photos, etc) at least 55 days prior to arrival in Pakistan.
4.Domestic Flights: We might not be able to get you on the domestic flight to Skardu if you do not pay your deposit on time. Domestic flight seats are sold very fast way ahead of time because there are only two flights to Skardu during peak season. This is a very serious concern.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES
Cancellation Policies
By the Joint Expedition Team:
If the minimum requirement of 6 participants not be met by April 30, 2025, deposits will be refunded within 7 days, subject to the deduction of transfer fees and based on the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the refund.
By Participants/Clients:
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- Participants are advised to take out third-party travel cancellation Insurance. Personal travel insurance (Recommendation/Rescue Partners: Global Rescue)
Cancellation Charges
- Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Cancellations made 16 to 50 days prior to departure incur a 70% loss of the total trip cost.
- Cancellations made 15 days or less before departure incur a 100% loss of the total trip cost.
Refund Requests after cancellations from the client (for balance payments)
- All refund requests must be made in writing and received within the periods stated above.
Currency
All international climbers are charged in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent in GBP or EUR.
Other Notes
- Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Apricot Tours must follow a precise refund policy.
- Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
- Apricot Tours highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
As Featured In:
K2 Expedition – Royalty Fee
The royalty fee/rates assigned by the government for climbing K2 start from USD 1500. The details for each season are given in the table below.
K2 Royalty Fee/Rates – Spring, Summer, Fall & Winters
Overview – K2 Expedition
The route to K2 goes through the famous Shigar Valley and Baltoro Glacier region of Baltistan. There are several high peaks, which are situated in this world’s largest temperate zone glacier. Only the highest or more prominent ones have been named or climbed. An incredible nineteen of these peaks in the Baltoro region tower over 7,600m while four of them are 8000ers.
As we know K2 to be the 2nd highest mountain on the planet but the “Savage Mountain” is the king in the mountain realm. Among the 8000 peaks. It is a very strenuous and tough climb. It is 10x less climbed and highly technical compared to the Mount Everest. Only those who dare to conquer the Savage Mountain will be remembered in the books of history.
The first route ever taken for the K2 Expedition was attempted via the Abruzzi Ridge or the Standard Route. This is most used route for the K2 Expedition via the Abruzzi Spur (Southeast Ridge) although there are other routes to climb but this one is sound and has higher chances of the ascent. In 1909, K2 Expedition was first attempted by Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi but was its first successful K2 Expedition was completed by an Italian Team on July 31, 1954. The K2 Expedition was led by Ardito Desio and the two climbers who actually reached the top were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni.
We will use the Aburuzzi Route for our ascend. This spur begins at an altitude of 5,400 m/17,700 ft, where Advanced Base Camp is usually placed. The route follows an alternating series of ice fields, rock ribs, snow slopes and some technical rock climbing on two famous features, “House’s Chimney” and the “Black Pyramid”.
Above the Black Pyramid, dangerously exposed and difficult to navigate slopes lead to the easily visible “Shoulder”. The last major obstacle is a narrow couloir known as the “Bottleneck”, which places climbers dangerously close to hanging seracs. It was partly due to the collapse of one of these seracs around 2001 that no climber’s summitted the peak in 2002 and 2003 and most of the eleven people lost their lives due to the breaking of huge ice blocks from this cliff and often on their way down.
Apart from K2 expedition, we also offer K2 trekking holidays that are given in the table below.
Website Last Updated: October 29th, 2024
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