The confluence of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers — the "throne room of the mountain gods", ringed by K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums.
Concordia is the point where the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers meet, deep in the central Karakoram. It earned the name "throne room of the mountain gods" for good reason: from this single broad junction of ice you stand surrounded by some of the greatest peaks on Earth — K2, Broad Peak, and the Gasherbrum group among them. Few places concentrate so much vertical drama in one panorama.
The Concordia trek follows the Baltoro Glacier from the Askole roadhead, passing the Trango Towers, Cathedral peaks and Masherbrum along the way. Many trekkers treat Concordia as the destination in itself; others continue toward K2 Base Camp or cross out via Gondogoro La.
| Start/end point | Askole village, reached by jeep from Skardu |
| Route | Up the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and back (out-and-back) |
| Duration | ~12–15 days including travel and rest days |
| Concordia altitude | Around 4,500m |
| Best months | June, July, August |
| Difficulty | Demanding; glacier travel and altitude |
| Guide & porters | Mandatory — the Baltoro is a Restricted Area, so a licensed operator and guide are required (no solo); porters effectively required |
| Permits & costs | Restricted-Area trekking permit required; confirm current costs and requirements with a licensed operator |
In general terms, the trek begins with a jeep transfer from Skardu to Askole, the last village before the wilderness. From there the route works up the Braldu gorge to Paiju, the last greenery before the glacier proper. A rest and acclimatisation day around Paiju is wise.
Beyond Paiju the trail steps onto the Baltoro Glacier itself — a surface of rock-covered ice rather than clean snow lower down — and continues past Urdukas, with its famous viewpoint, toward the high glacial camps. Concordia, the great confluence, opens out after several days on the ice, with K2 standing directly ahead.
Daily distances and camp placements vary with conditions, so use any itinerary as a flexible guide and build in spare days. Confirm current costs and permits with a local operator before booking.
Best season: The Baltoro is generally trekked from June through August, when the weather is most settled and the glacier camps are open. Shoulder periods carry more weather risk and colder nights.
How to start: Reach Skardu first, then drive to Askole. Arrange your guide, cook, porters and camping logistics through a reputable outfitter — browse our agencies directory. To understand the surrounding region and plan the wider trip, see explore Gilgit-Baltistan and compare other treks. The peaks ringing Concordia are profiled among the Karakoram giants.
It is the confluence of the Baltoro and Godwin-Austen glaciers, nicknamed the "throne room of the mountain gods" because it is ringed by K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums — one of the greatest mountain panoramas on Earth.
Typically around 12 to 15 days as an out-and-back from Askole, including travel and acclimatisation days. Itineraries vary with rest days and conditions.
Concordia sits at roughly 4,500m. The trek involves many days at high altitude on the glacier, so proper acclimatisation matters.
Yes — the Baltoro is a Restricted Area, so a licensed operator and guide are mandatory (solo trekking is not permitted), and porters are effectively required to carry camp and supplies on a multi-day glacier trek. Arrange them through a licensed operator.
June to August is the usual season. Costs and permit requirements vary, so confirm current costs and permits with a local operator before you commit.