Trekking to K2 (Chogori Peak)
Trekking to K2 (Chogori Peak). Chinese K2 BC Trekking
Chinese K2 Trekking Overview – Torugard pass – Kashgar – Yecheng – Yilik – BC – trekking towards Yengisogat glacier and Crown peak – BC – Yilik – Yecheng – Kashgar – Torugard pass – Tash-Rabat
This page in Russian: https://china.climberca.com/Kitai_Trek_K2.php
 On the way to the Torugart Pass |
 High-altitude highway |
 A street in Yarkand (Sache) |
Itinerary of the Chinese K2 Trek CT1 – (Heart of Karakoram)
| Days | Arrangements |
| Day 01 | Torugard / Kashgar (Bus 160 km). Drive to the Torugart Pass, crossing the Kyrgyzstan-China border; meeting your guide from China, then escorted driving to Kashgar. (3 hours) (Incl: D) O/N Hotel (3 Star). |
| Day 02 | Drive to Kargilik (Jeep 245 km). On this section of the journey we travel in 4-wheel drive cars – most likely Toyota Landcruisers. Driving south from Kashgar the road crosses a large level plain, following the historic trade route, which led to the Karakoram pass and British India. On clear days the snow covered peaks of the Kongur / Muztag Ata massif can be seen to the west. We stop for lunch at an outdoor restaurant in Yarkand (Chinese name: Sache) before continuing to Kargilik (Chinese name: Yecheng). (4-5 hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Hotel (3 star). |
| Day 03 | Drive to Yilik via Mazar Darra. Once we leave the fertile fields of Kargilik the terrain becomes dry and dusty. The road climbs a dramatic series of hairpin bends to reach the summit of a 3,150 m mountain pass, and then drops down the other side towards the Kudi river valley. After lunch the road follows the river valley rising relentlessly to the top of a 5,000 m road pass. Another dramatic descent takes us to the army checkpoint at Mazar beside the Yarkand River. Here we leave the Xinjiang/Tibet highway and follow a dirt road into the mountains to reach our first camp site Yilik located at the junction with the Surakwat river. There is a small army post here overlooking a steep sided gorge. A modern bridge crosses the river and leads to our camp on a grassy patch at a height of 3,500 m. (10 hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 04 | Hike Yilik to Sarak. We meet with our camel drivers and load the entire group’s equipment onto their animals. The terrain underfoot becomes more difficult as we follow the valley of the Surakwat river past the junction with the Zug Shagskam. Much of the walking is on smooth “river washed” stones. High cliffs of river deposited conglomerate rise on either side of the narrow valley. After 5-6 hours we reach a small campsite on a terrace overlooking a tributary of the main river (3,800m). (5-6hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 05 | Hike Sarak to Kotaz. The valley turns into a narrow gorge in places as we follow the river higher into the mountains along a faint path made by the nomadic herders who visit this area in the summer months. We turn up a side valley to reach some abandoned mud and stone huts where we camp at a height of 4,330 m below the Aghil pass. (5-6hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 06 | Hike Kotaz to Quinghongtan – Crossing Aghil Pass. The ascent of the 4,870 m Aghil pass is quite gentle and takes approx 3 hrs. From the top there is a panoramic view of the great snow covered peaks of the Karakoram in the distance. The descent into the valley of the Shagskam river is straightforward. On reaching the silt laden river we ride the camels to reach the campsite on the other side. We camp in a grove of willow bushes at 3,950 m, the only green in this dry landscape. (7-8hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 07 | Hike Quinghongtan to river junction camp. A slight drop in altitude today as we follow the Shagskam river downstream to the junction with the Sarpo Laggo river. The river meanders across the 2 km wide flood plan and we must cross it several times. If the level is low we can wade. High water levels (or a dislike of freezing water) can cause us to climb onto the camels. Camp is at 3,800 m. (7-8 hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 08 | Hike river junction camp to Sughet Jangal. Shortly after leaving camp we get our first clear view of K2 as we climb a small shoulder above camp. It is then an easy walk south along the Sarpo Lago river valley to the green campsite at Sughet Jangal (3,900 m). (4 hrs) (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 09 | Rest day at Sughet Jangal This camping spot was used by Younghusband in 1887 and was the base camp site of Shipton’s 1937 “Blank on the Map” expedition. It is now known as “Chinese base camp” although expeditions attempting K2 from this side use several advance camps on the North K2 glacier. We spend the day packing and preparing for the climbing program: sorting supplies of food fuel and equipment. (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 10-12 | Explore area surrounding Base Camp Within three days trekking towards Yengisogat glacier and Crown peak, we get stunning views of peaks towering over 7000 meters, then back to BC. Mount Crown 7265 m. is the highest peak of the Hill Yengisogat range in the Chinese Karakoram. Its local name is Huangguan and that means “crown of the emperor”: Maybe even more than K2 it completely dominates the scene of the range which is in, being, (apart from her secondary northern peak, 6853 meter Dezhi peak), more than 1000 meter higher than its surrounding peaks. It is splendidly white, adding to her majestic look. The extreme beauty of the area has led to a growing popularity for trekking parties in recent years. (3B,3L,3D) O/N Camping for three night |
| Day 13-17 | Base Camp-Yilik (Trekking) Retrace the route of the approach march back to the roadhead at Yilik. (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Camping |
| Day 18 | Drive to Kargilik (Jeep 245 km). From Yilik we follow dirt roads out of the mountains, crossing two high passes to reach the town of Kargilik (Yecheng) on the plains. (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Yecheng Dianli Hotel |
| Day 19 | Drive to Kashgar (Jeep 275 km) In the morning we take our jeep to Kashgar with 4 hours. After arriving – reorganizing and outfitting equipment. In the afternoon, free time (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Seman Hotel |
| Day 20 | Kashgar Today we have a full day of rest and look around this fascinating oasis city located on the historic silk route. Modern Kashgar is actually two cities which coexist in a sometimes surreal juxtaposition of the ancient and modern. The population is split into two very different communities: Uyghur Muslims and Han Chinese. During a full day of sightseeing we visit the Id kah Mosque, the Akbar Hoja tomb, the old town and bazaar, and the sights of modern Chinese Kashgar including the huge statue of Mao towering above People’s park. We also reorganize and outfit our equipment, shopping necessity. (Incl: B-L-D) O/N Hotel |
| Day 21 | Kashgar / Torugart (BUS 160 km) After breakfast, drive to the Torugart Pass; crossing the China-Kyrgyzstan border; drive to Tash-Rabat; yurt accommodation. (Incl: B-L) |
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Price – 4250 U$. The group at least 3 pax.
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 View of K2 from north |
 Mount Crown 7265 m. and Dezhi Peak |
Climate
The warm months of June to September are generally thought to be the best time for trekking in the Karakoram. In order to travel while the rivers are sufficiently low this trek is also recommended for the end of the warm season. Temperatures at this time should be a little lower than could be expected in July and August. However as much of the trekking area on the Chinese side of the range is at a lower altitude than on the Pakistan side the September temperatures at K2 north base camp (3800 m) should be very similar to those found in August at K2 south base camp (5000 m). Day time temperatures should be pleasant for walking and even at base camp night time temperatures should not fall below 0C. The north side of the range experiences very little precipitation below 4000 m and there is a good chance that no rain or snow will fall during the trek.
Best time for this trek is end of May till the very beginning of July. Then it is end of August to the very beginning of October.
Clients’ Clothing and Equipment
It is expected that most clients will have previous experience of trekking in high mountains and will be familiar with the type of clothing and footwear to bring. Instructions will be given on the specific features of this trip which will enable clients to choose the most suitable equipment. Almost all the walking will be on dry and dusty paths and is suitable for either sturdy trekking shoes or lightweight hiking boots. However it is possible to encounter snow on the crossing of the Aghil pass. With the exception of the optional three days trek towards Yengisogat glacier and Crown peak there is no walking on glacial ice or rubble. Strong “amphibious” sports sandals could prove very useful for the many river crossings. Clients are advised to pack their equipment in a large waterproof kit bag rather than a rucksack. This will stand up better to the rigours of camel transport and hopefully keep the contents dry should the camel go for a swim. Clients are not expected to carry more than a small “day pack” during the trek, although a large pack will be needed for the three days trekking towards Yengisogat glacier and Crown peak. Clients’ total baggage during the trek should not exceed 15-20 kg
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K2 peak information
K2 peak, locally known by the name of Chogo Ri, which means “The Great Mountain”, 8,611m, is the 2nd highest mountain in the world. K2 is taken from the first letter of Karakorum, and the number indicates that it was the second peak in the range to be measured. K2 is placed on the Pakistan – China border in the mighty Karakoram Mountain range.
With no simple routes, K2 is known as the finest and most dangerous mountain in the world. This is because of the massiveness in the size of this mountain and the numerous unsuccessful attempts made on it by various expeditions. K2 was firstly climbed on July 31-st, 1954 by Italian climbers team lead by Ardito Desio and accompanying him were Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. It was first reached from north side from China in 1982 by Japanese, a feat that has rarely been repeated.
Chinese K2 Trekking Overview
Torugard pass – Kashgar – Yecheng – Yilik – BC – trekking towards Yengisogat glacier and Crown peak – BC – Yilik – Yecheng – Kashgar – Torugard pass – Tash-Rabat
Thousands of trekkers and climbers have seen the majestic Karakoram 8000 m peaks from the Pakistan side, but few have ventured on the long trek through China to view K2, Broad Peak and the Gasherbrums from the north. The walk to her north base camp is an absolute classic, encompassing what is arguably the most extra-ordinary display of alpine scenery on the planet. It is a must do trek for mountain connoisseurs, and rightly listed as one of the world’s Top 5 mountain walks.
This outing combines a trek up to K2 base camp and China cultural exploration. We will trek along rivers, 4,870 m Aghil pass, and up to Yengisogat glacier and Crown peak. This trek is very strenuous, but camels will haul your overnight gear, food, so you carry only a small daypack. You will ride a camel across one or more rivers. The route is one of the most unspoiled and least visited parts of the entire Karakoram. The mighty Shagskam river drains the waters flowing north from the great Karakoram peaks and carves a deep channel through the mountainous landscape. The valleys here are at a much lower altitude than those on the Pakistan side of the range, giving a far greater vertical height gain to the high summits. So here you may experience breathtaking nature sceneries of the Karakorum Mountains range both high peak and pure and quiet lake. The landscape of the area is unique with the longest glaciers in China(about 40.2 kilometers), crystal snow-capped peaks around lush valleys.
During our journey to K2, we also will visit the Kashgar, the most attraction in central Asia in the long history and the Silk Road for the famous scenic spots and historical sites and the Islamic architectures, central Asia Sunday Barzaar.
Remarks before reservation
• The participants we are looking for: Walking 7-10 hours plus a day; crossing high altitude passes over difficult terrain in remote areas; excellent physical condition required with a positive attitude and a strong determination; ropes and climbing equipment (e.g., ice axe and crampons) may be used; previous hiking/camping experience preferred. Please keep in mind that this is a general guide only. A variety of factors, including weather, may add to the challenge.
• This is a tentative itinerary. For the enjoyment of your trip a “go with the flow” attitude is necessary. Many factors will influence your trip, such as weather conditions, health, route conditions, etc. Please prepare two days more as “cushion” day in case of delays in travel due to unforeseen events.
• If there are less than four persons in a group, we reserve the right to cancel the expedition. In this case we inform you two month before the departure time and will return all the money you paid. Please understand!
• Regardless of your previous experience, it is crucial that you be self-confident, superbly fit, committed, and determined at the outset of the expedition and possess the necessary stamina and experience to be a contributing player in the ascent.
Photo and info appreciation
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Torugart_Pass.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Karakorum-kirguiz-d01.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Yarkand-calles-d01.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Kashgar-mezquita-id-kah-d01.jpg
https://summitpost.org/mount-crown-huangguan/152162
https://wiki.risk.ru/index.php/Изображение:K2_s.jpg
