Askole Village (3,040m)
The Final Frontier of the Karakoram
The highest and most remote settlement in the Braldo Valley. Askole is the legendary gateway where the road ends, civilization fades, and the world's greatest alpine wilderness begins.
Where the road ends
The Final Stop BeforeThe Glaciers
Askole, Askoli, or Askoly (Urdu: اسکولی) is a small town located in the Braldo Valley (district Shigar), in the Gilgit–Baltistan region. Placed at 3,040 meters (9,970 feet) above sea level, this is the absolute end of the road before the wilderness of the high Karakorams begins.
Today, the village remains the undisputed gateway to four of the world's 14 Eight-thousanders. Beyond this final settlement, there are no villages or permanent roads — only a vast labyrinth of rock, ice, and sky.
For centuries, the hardy Balti people survived brutal, snow-bound winters through subsistence farming. The arrival of mountaineering profoundly changed the village. It is now the launchpad for expeditions to K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums, and the expansive Baltoro Glacier network.
Today, Askole is an incredible juxtaposition of eras. You will see ancient stone dwellings, wooden mosques, and traditional yak herding blending seamlessly with satellite phones, solar panels, and the colorful chaos of expedition staging. It is a place every climber and trekker holds deeply in their memory.
“Askole is the green harbor before the great frozen ocean of the Baltoro.”
More Than Just aStarting Point
The Start of the K2 Trek
Every step toward the Savage Mountain begins here. Askole is the undisputed gateway to K2 Base Camp.
Balti Hospitality
Experience the legendary warmth of the Balti people, whose resilience and strength make Karakoram expeditions possible.
Time-Capsule Village
Wander through ancient stone alleys and terraced fields that offer a window into a centuries-old way of life.
The Final Camp
The last night sleeping in a lush, green valley before entering the endless expanse of rock and ice of the Baltoro.
The Green Jewel of theBraldu Gorge
The Braldu Gorge
Askole sits precariously on a shelf above the torrential Braldu River, deep within a steep-sided gorge. The river is fed by the meltwaters of the Baltoro, Biafo, and Panmah glaciers. This deep gorge creates a micro-climate and isolates the village during winter snows.
The Final Outpost
Beyond Askole, there are no permanent human settlements, no cell service, no shops, and no roads. The trail out of the village plunges straight into the greatest concentration of high-altitude glaciers on Earth. It is the true edge of the wilderness.
Proximity to Glaciers
Askole is the starting point for multiple legendary trekking routes: east to the Baltoro Glacier (towards K2 and Concordia), north to the Biafo Glacier (towards Snow Lake and Hispar La), and towards the Panmah Glacier. It is the central hub of the Karakoram.
Agricultural Oasis
The village is a stark contrast of vibrant green terraced fields against towering walls of barren, brown rock and distant snow peaks. This agricultural miracle is sustained by an ancient system of aqueducts ("kuhls") that channel glacial meltwater to the crops.
Expeditions LaunchedFrom Askole
Askole is the primary launchpad for ascents to an astonishing cluster of major peaks, including four Eight-thousanders and the highest cliffs in the world.
Scale
14+ Major Peaks
K2
8,611 mSecond highest peak in the world
Gasherbrum I
8,080 m11th highest in the world
Broad Peak
8,047 m12th highest in the world
Gasherbrum II
8,035 m13th highest in the world
Gasherbrum III
7,946 mSubpeak of Gasherbrum II
Gasherbrum IV
7,932 m17th highest in the world
Masherbrum (K1)
7,821 m22nd highest in the world
Chogolisa
7,665 m36th highest in the world
Baintha Brakk
7,285 m'The Ogre', formidable spire
Muztagh Tower
7,273 mIconic Karakoram tower
Snow Dome
7,160 mProminent glaciated peak
Biarchedi
6,781 mBaltoro Muztagh summit
Trango Towers
6,363 mHighest cliffs in the world
Mitre Peak
6,010 mConcordia landmark
Major Glaciers ofAskole Valley
Askole is the gateway to some of the longest and most spectacular glacial systems outside the polar regions.
Baltoro Glacier
~63 kmOne of the longest outside polar regions. The legendary trek to K2 Base Camp and Concordia flows along its icy expanse.
Biafo Glacier
~67 kmStarts near Askole and runs north. Combined with Hispar, it forms the longest glacial system outside the poles.
Godwin-Austen Glacier
TributaryA major tributary of the Baltoro leading directly to K2 Base Camp, surrounded by 8,000m giants.
Trango Glacier
TributaryFlows into the Baltoro Glacier, sitting directly beneath the imposing vertical rock walls of the Trango Towers.
Snow Lake
Ice BasinA colossal glacial basin (Lukpe Lawo) at the head of Biafo and Hispar glaciers. Over 16 km wide.
Culture &Expedition Life
For a few brief summer months, Askole transforms into an international hub of mountaineering, bustling with climbers, trekkers, and hundreds of local porters.
The Jeep Journey
The journey to Askole is an adventure in itself. A 7–8 hour drive from Skardu along the Braldu River gorge on a narrow, precipitous dirt road cut directly into the cliff faces. It is widely considered one of the most thrilling and nerve-wracking drives in the world.
Porter Allocation
Expedition mornings in Askole are a spectacle of controlled chaos. Hundreds of local porters gather to be weighed-in and allocated to different expeditions. It is the lifeblood of the village economy and a fascinating logistical ballet that has remained unchanged for decades.
The Traditional Village
Walking through the narrow, stone-walled alleys of the original village offers a glimpse into medieval Karakoram life. The houses are built from tightly packed stones and timber to withstand brutal winters, and ancient wooden mosques still serve the community.
Terraced Apricot Orchards
Despite the harsh terrain, the villagers have carved lush green terraces into the mountainside, irrigated by glacial meltwater. In late summer, these fields are golden with ripening wheat and apricots — an oasis of life before the barren ice of the Baltoro.
From Isolation toGlobal Icon
The evolution of Askole tells the story of early exploration, legendary mountaineering triumphs, and the resilience of its Balti inhabitants.
Pre-Modern Settlement
Askole was settled by the Balti people centuries ago. Completely isolated during the severe winter months, the villagers relied on subsistence agriculture — growing barley, wheat, and apricots in short summer windows — and raising ibex and yaks. It was a closed, self-sustaining community with limited contact with the outside world.
Arrival of Early Explorers
British surveyors and explorers like Henry Godwin-Austen reached Askole while mapping the Karakoram. They found a hardy, resilient community completely adapted to the high-altitude environment. Askole became the final point where expeditions could hire local guides and porters before pushing into the uncharted glacier systems.
The Italian K2 Expedition
A massive turning point for Askole. Ardito Desio's Italian expedition to K2 employed hundreds of Balti porters from Askole and surrounding villages. The successful first ascent of K2 put Askole firmly on the global mountaineering map as the essential staging ground for all Karakoram giants.
The Trekking Boom
As the K2 Base Camp and Concordia treks gained worldwide fame, the village's economy shifted dramatically. Askole evolved from a purely agrarian society to an expedition economy. Portering, guiding, and providing campsite services became the primary source of income for almost every family.
The Shigar-Askole Road
A rough, unpaved jeep track was blasted through the Braldu gorge, finally connecting Askole to Skardu by motorized transport. Before this, expeditions had to trek for several additional days just to reach Askole. The road remains incredibly treacherous, often blocked by landslides, but it revolutionized village logistics.
The Modern Gateway
Today, Askole sees thousands of trekkers and climbers during the short summer season (June–August). While the influx of tourism has brought prosperity and modernization (including solar power and satellite communication), the village retains its ancient stones, terraced fields, and deeply rooted Balti culture.
Frequently AskedQuestions
What travelers and climbers most want to know about Askole.
Where exactly is Askole located?+
Why is Askole famous?+
How do you get to Askole?+
Is there cell service or Wi-Fi in Askole?+
Can I buy trekking supplies in Askole?+
What is the role of Balti porters from Askole?+
Do people live in Askole year-round?+
Start Your Adventure
Walk the Path ofLegends from Askole
Join our Askole-born team as we guide you through our ancestral lands. Whether you are trekking to K2 Base Camp, Concordia, or preparing for an 8,000m peak, your journey starts here with us.
