8000m Peaks

K2

The ultimate endeavour awaits

K2
Expedition

K2 isn’t nicknamed “the savage mountain” for nothing. The world’s second-highest peak is arguably the toughest challenge in mountaineering, with one of the worst fatality rates of all the 8,000ers. For a long time, it was considered unconquerable, because of its great height, almost unbroken slopes of rock and ice, and precipitous overhangs. Despite multiple attempts, no-one had climbed it in winter until January 2021, when our Founder Nimsdai & Directors Mingma David and Mingma Tenzi stood on its majestic, 8,611m-high peak.

Country

Pakistan

Duration

47 days

grade

Technical 5E

Max Altitude

8611 m
28251 ft

Daily activity

Approx
4-7 hours

Season

Summer

Dates Available

11 Jun - 27 Jul

Starting from

USD $60,000

Aimed at climbers who’ve made multiple ascents of 8000m peaks, at least two, and are highly proficient in mountaineering - including moving safely in rock, glacier, and snowy terrain.

The mountain of the mountains

Our leaders Nimsdai, Mingma David, and Mingma Tenzi will be forever associated with K2 because of their world-first winter ascent in January 2021. But both have a history with the world’s second-highest mountain that stretches back before that remarkable feat. Mingma David led the rope-fixing team on K2 twice, leading to successful summits both times. And of course, Nimsdai summited the savage mountain as part of his ‘Project Possible’ push in 2019, when many people told him it wasn’t - around 90 percent of the expeditions turned round that year without making it to the top. 

Elite Exped’s K2 expedition plan is based on the one he successfully implemented, although with 47 days in total, we leave longer for our clients’ acclimatisation and rest days. We also allow for a full week on top of the usual climbing window, in case of weather delays.

Nims and Mingma David’s success on mountains like K2 is about more than just their supreme skill as climbers - it comes down to their ability to plan and prepare for every eventuality that can possibly be prepared for. This approach has become one of Elite Exped’s founding principles: we control the controllable, making sure we keep every aspect of expedition planning, from preparing food to fixing ropes, in-house, so we’re never left relying on third parties.

This helps ensure the best chances of summit success for our clients, but perhaps more importantly, it also helps us maintain the highest safety standards. We guarantee a 1:1 guide to client ratio on all our expeditions, with four guides always kept in reserve in case of emergencies. 

Like Nimsdai and Mingma David, all of our guides are hugely experienced mountaineers, and many of them are record-holders in their own right. They’re also trained in high altitude rescue and recovery techniques. We have evacuation plans and accessible helicopter rescue in place, ready to go at short notice should it be needed. Simply put, if you’re thinking of attempting one of the world’s hardest mountains, you could not be in safer hands.

Climbing K2 is a huge achievement and the pinnacle of any mountaineers’ career. It’s not easy, but that’s the point. As record-breakers, we recognize and respect the desire to achieve the impossible in our clients - it’s what drives us too. In fact, we don’t view our clients as clients, but as friends and fellow high achievers. If it’s your dream to conquer the savage mountain as we have previously, we’ll stand with you, and climb with you, every step of the way. 

From our clients
Jeff Evans
Mera 2017

You can trust them with the safety and satisfaction of clients. Elite was nothing less than a 10/10 in every aspect of how they executed the expedition.

Steve Davis
Manaslu 2019

Manaslu was my first 8,000er and first time with Elite. They exceeded my expectations at every level and stage.  I would have no hesitation in booking with them again! Highly recommended!!!

Amy McCulloch
Aconcagua 2018

I often felt they went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful expedition. Excellent judgments throughout the expedition led us to reach the summit safely in extreme conditions. Highly recommend!

This tried and tested itinerary is informed by decades of mountaineering experience. As with all adventurous activities of this type, however, circumstances may arise where Elite Exped is forced to make alterations, possibly at short notice. While making every effort to adhere to this published schedule, we kindly ask for your patience if the weather, or other naturally occurring circumstances, intervene.

Your daily schedule

  • Day 01

    Arrival in Islamabad & transfer to the Hotel

  • Day 02

    Preparation day in Islamabad

  • Day 03

    Fly from Islamabad to Skardu

  • Day 04

    Rest day in Skardu: Expedition briefing and final preparation

  • Day 05

    Drive from Skardu to Jhula

  • Day 06

    Trek from Jhula to Paiyu

  • Day 07

    Rest day in Paiyu

  • Day 08

    Trek from Paiyu to Urdukas

  • Day 09

    Trek from Urdukas to Goro II

  • Day 10

    Trek from Goro II to Concordia

  • Day 11

    Trek from Concordia to K2 Basecamp

  • Day 12-39

    Climbing period (Basecamp- Summit- Basecamp)

  • Day 40

    Cleaning up Basecamp: Preparation for descending back

  • Day 41

    Trek from basecamp to Goro II

  • Day 42

    Trek from Goro II to Kurburtze

  • Day 43

    Trek from Kurburtze to Mundung

  • Day 44

    Trek from Mundung to Jhula and drive back to Skardu

  • Day 45

    Farewell and debriefing in Skardu

  • Day 46

    Fly from Skardu to Islamabad & transfer to Hotel

  • Day 47

    Transfer to the International Airport for final departures

Training

Build your skills

Our tailored approach to training will help you improve as a climber, developing the mental and physical skills you need to achieve your dreams. Learn more

Nimsdai 1:1

Climb every step with Nims.

Nimsdai oversees all our expeditions and operations. But you can also guarantee that he’ll be your personal, 1:1 guide on the mountain. Visit Nimsdai.com for more information and achieve your new possible.

Above + Beyond + Adventure

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

The following frequently asked questions may help answer any queries you have about Elite Exped, what this expedition involves, and what is required. If your question isn’t answered here please check our dedicated FAQ support page, otherwise don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What skillset and fitness level are required?

All Elite Exped expeditions are within extreme high altitude environments, with differing requirements for ability. Due to the nature of these operational landscapes it is essential you provide concise, honest descriptions of relevant experience and current fitness levels. Upon receipt we will review your experience and respond accordingly. At this point if we consider there to be any shortfalls, we can collectively discuss the opportunities and/or provide a training support plan to achieve your goals.

Will I get my own guide?
What communication / office facilities will be available?
What equipment is provided?

Why choose
Elite Exped?

Unparalleled
leadership

Nimsdai Purja and Mingma David Sherpa’s mountaineering world records speak for themselves, but our founders are more than just supremely-talented climbers. While some choose to direct operations from a back office, Nimsdai and Mingma David lead from the front. Their experience of every aspect of guiding and climbing - from fixing ropes, to organising logistics - is unparalleled. It’s no surprise that when they’ve worked together they have a perfect, 100 percent success rate when it comes to summiting 8,000m peaks.

Safety through
self-sufficiency

If it’s controllable we control it, this is key to attain and maintain our industry leading strategy for success and safety. We maximise our options, agility and responsiveness by running totally self-sufficient expeditions, not relying on any other teams on the mountain to achieve our objectives. We are capable of setting up our own fixed lines (with a proven track record on all 8,000m peaks) and have backups to cover all scenarios, from secondary oxygen supplies through to the ability and experience to operate our own rescue missions if the situation arises.

A unique
perspective

With his Nepalese roots, and UK residency, our co-founder Nimsdai Purja brings a unique perspective of the world of mountaineering, and an unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between Western and Himalayan climbing cultures. We can assemble trusted teams and networks anywhere in the world, but our founders’ roots are a particular advantage when it comes to summiting the world’s very highest peaks. An intimate knowledge of how things work on the ground ensures that everything runs smoothly when you’re 8,000m above sea-level.

Your adventure
Ready to take on
the challenge?
Enquire Now
Combo Packages

K2 isn’t nicknamed “the savage mountain” for nothing. The world’s second highest peak is arguably the toughest challenge in mountaineering, but nearby Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain, is the perfect stepping stone to tackling this daunting challenge. This expedition offers you the chance to conquer two of the Karakorum’s most iconic peaks in the space of a single summer climbing season.

Jun-Jul
$80,000
8000m Peaks

Mount Everest, known to locals as Sagarmatha, is undoubtedly on the bucket list of every climber. Who wouldn't want to conquer the highest mountain on the planet? Reaching the top of the world, exactly 8,848.86m above sea-level, is no easy task, but Elite Exped’s expert team will be with you every step of the way - guiding you from the moment you sign up, all the way to the summit and back.

Apr-Jun
$45,000
8000m Peaks

Characterized by its sharp, picturesque peak, Manaslu dominates the Mansiri-Himal subrange of the Himalayas. First summited by a Japanese team in 1956, the world’s eighth-highest mountain has a long association with Japanese climbers, but among Europeans remains one of the less well-known peaks. Reaching the summit at 8,163m is a serious undertaking, but one that Elite Exped is ideally equipped to help you achieve.

Sep-Oct
$15,000
8000m Peaks

K2

The ultimate endeavour awaits

K2
Expedition

K2 isn’t nicknamed “the savage mountain” for nothing. The world’s second-highest peak is arguably the toughest challenge in mountaineering, with one of the worst fatality rates of all the 8,000ers. For a long time, it was considered unconquerable, because of its great height, almost unbroken slopes of rock and ice, and precipitous overhangs. Despite multiple attempts, no-one had climbed it in winter until January 2021, when our Founder Nimsdai & Directors Mingma David and Mingma Tenzi stood on its majestic, 8,611m-high peak.

Country

Pakistan

Duration

47 days

grade

Technical 5E

Max Altitude

8611 m
28251 ft

Daily activity

Approx
4-7 hours

Season

Summer

Dates Available

11 Jun - 27 Jul

Starting from

USD $60,000

Aimed at climbers who’ve made multiple ascents of 8000m peaks, at least two, and are highly proficient in mountaineering - including moving safely in rock, glacier, and snowy terrain.

The mountain of the mountains

Our leaders Nimsdai, Mingma David, and Mingma Tenzi will be forever associated with K2 because of their world-first winter ascent in January 2021. But both have a history with the world’s second-highest mountain that stretches back before that remarkable feat. Mingma David led the rope-fixing team on K2 twice, leading to successful summits both times. And of course, Nimsdai summited the savage mountain as part of his ‘Project Possible’ push in 2019, when many people told him it wasn’t - around 90 percent of the expeditions turned round that year without making it to the top. 

Elite Exped’s K2 expedition plan is based on the one he successfully implemented, although with 47 days in total, we leave longer for our clients’ acclimatisation and rest days. We also allow for a full week on top of the usual climbing window, in case of weather delays.

Nims and Mingma David’s success on mountains like K2 is about more than just their supreme skill as climbers - it comes down to their ability to plan and prepare for every eventuality that can possibly be prepared for. This approach has become one of Elite Exped’s founding principles: we control the controllable, making sure we keep every aspect of expedition planning, from preparing food to fixing ropes, in-house, so we’re never left relying on third parties.

This helps ensure the best chances of summit success for our clients, but perhaps more importantly, it also helps us maintain the highest safety standards. We guarantee a 1:1 guide to client ratio on all our expeditions, with four guides always kept in reserve in case of emergencies. 

Like Nimsdai and Mingma David, all of our guides are hugely experienced mountaineers, and many of them are record-holders in their own right. They’re also trained in high altitude rescue and recovery techniques. We have evacuation plans and accessible helicopter rescue in place, ready to go at short notice should it be needed. Simply put, if you’re thinking of attempting one of the world’s hardest mountains, you could not be in safer hands.

Climbing K2 is a huge achievement and the pinnacle of any mountaineers’ career. It’s not easy, but that’s the point. As record-breakers, we recognize and respect the desire to achieve the impossible in our clients - it’s what drives us too. In fact, we don’t view our clients as clients, but as friends and fellow high achievers. If it’s your dream to conquer the savage mountain as we have previously, we’ll stand with you, and climb with you, every step of the way. 

From our clients
Jeff Evans
Mera 2017

You can trust them with the safety and satisfaction of clients. Elite was nothing less than a 10/10 in every aspect of how they executed the expedition.

Steve Davis
Manaslu 2019

Manaslu was my first 8,000er and first time with Elite. They exceeded my expectations at every level and stage.  I would have no hesitation in booking with them again! Highly recommended!!!

Amy McCulloch
Aconcagua 2018

I often felt they went above and beyond to ensure we had a successful expedition. Excellent judgments throughout the expedition led us to reach the summit safely in extreme conditions. Highly recommend!

This tried and tested itinerary is informed by decades of mountaineering experience. As with all adventurous activities of this type, however, circumstances may arise where Elite Exped is forced to make alterations, possibly at short notice. While making every effort to adhere to this published schedule, we kindly ask for your patience if the weather, or other naturally occurring circumstances, intervene.

Your daily schedule

  • Day 01

    Arrival in Islamabad & transfer to the Hotel

  • Day 02

    Preparation day in Islamabad

  • Day 03

    Fly from Islamabad to Skardu

  • Day 04

    Rest day in Skardu: Expedition briefing and final preparation

  • Day 05

    Drive from Skardu to Jhula

  • Day 06

    Trek from Jhula to Paiyu

  • Day 07

    Rest day in Paiyu

  • Day 08

    Trek from Paiyu to Urdukas

  • Day 09

    Trek from Urdukas to Goro II

  • Day 10

    Trek from Goro II to Concordia

  • Day 11

    Trek from Concordia to K2 Basecamp

  • Day 12-39

    Climbing period (Basecamp- Summit- Basecamp)

  • Day 40

    Cleaning up Basecamp: Preparation for descending back

  • Day 41

    Trek from basecamp to Goro II

  • Day 42

    Trek from Goro II to Kurburtze

  • Day 43

    Trek from Kurburtze to Mundung

  • Day 44

    Trek from Mundung to Jhula and drive back to Skardu

  • Day 45

    Farewell and debriefing in Skardu

  • Day 46

    Fly from Skardu to Islamabad & transfer to Hotel

  • Day 47

    Transfer to the International Airport for final departures

Training

Build your skills

Our tailored approach to training will help you improve as a climber, developing the mental and physical skills you need to achieve your dreams. Learn more

Nimsdai 1:1

Climb every step with Nims.

Nimsdai oversees all our expeditions and operations. But you can also guarantee that he’ll be your personal, 1:1 guide on the mountain. Visit Nimsdai.com for more information and achieve your new possible.

Above + Beyond + Adventure

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

The following frequently asked questions may help answer any queries you have about Elite Exped, what this expedition involves, and what is required. If your question isn’t answered here please check our dedicated FAQ support page, otherwise don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What skillset and fitness level are required?

All Elite Exped expeditions are within extreme high altitude environments, with differing requirements for ability. Due to the nature of these operational landscapes it is essential you provide concise, honest descriptions of relevant experience and current fitness levels. Upon receipt we will review your experience and respond accordingly. At this point if we consider there to be any shortfalls, we can collectively discuss the opportunities and/or provide a training support plan to achieve your goals.

Will I get my own guide?
What communication / office facilities will be available?
What equipment is provided?

Why choose
Elite Exped?

Unparalleled
leadership

Nimsdai Purja and Mingma David Sherpa’s mountaineering world records speak for themselves, but our founders are more than just supremely-talented climbers. While some choose to direct operations from a back office, Nimsdai and Mingma David lead from the front. Their experience of every aspect of guiding and climbing - from fixing ropes, to organising logistics - is unparalleled. It’s no surprise that when they’ve worked together they have a perfect, 100 percent success rate when it comes to summiting 8,000m peaks.

Safety through
self-sufficiency

If it’s controllable we control it, this is key to attain and maintain our industry leading strategy for success and safety. We maximise our options, agility and responsiveness by running totally self-sufficient expeditions, not relying on any other teams on the mountain to achieve our objectives. We are capable of setting up our own fixed lines (with a proven track record on all 8,000m peaks) and have backups to cover all scenarios, from secondary oxygen supplies through to the ability and experience to operate our own rescue missions if the situation arises.

A unique
perspective

With his Nepalese roots, and UK residency, our co-founder Nimsdai Purja brings a unique perspective of the world of mountaineering, and an unparalleled ability to bridge the gap between Western and Himalayan climbing cultures. We can assemble trusted teams and networks anywhere in the world, but our founders’ roots are a particular advantage when it comes to summiting the world’s very highest peaks. An intimate knowledge of how things work on the ground ensures that everything runs smoothly when you’re 8,000m above sea-level.

Your adventure
Ready to take on
the challenge?
Enquire Now
Combo Packages

K2 isn’t nicknamed “the savage mountain” for nothing. The world’s second highest peak is arguably the toughest challenge in mountaineering, but nearby Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain, is the perfect stepping stone to tackling this daunting challenge. This expedition offers you the chance to conquer two of the Karakorum’s most iconic peaks in the space of a single summer climbing season.

Jun-Jul
$80,000
8000m Peaks

Mount Everest, known to locals as Sagarmatha, is undoubtedly on the bucket list of every climber. Who wouldn't want to conquer the highest mountain on the planet? Reaching the top of the world, exactly 8,848.86m above sea-level, is no easy task, but Elite Exped’s expert team will be with you every step of the way - guiding you from the moment you sign up, all the way to the summit and back.

Apr-Jun
$45,000
8000m Peaks

Characterized by its sharp, picturesque peak, Manaslu dominates the Mansiri-Himal subrange of the Himalayas. First summited by a Japanese team in 1956, the world’s eighth-highest mountain has a long association with Japanese climbers, but among Europeans remains one of the less well-known peaks. Reaching the summit at 8,163m is a serious undertaking, but one that Elite Exped is ideally equipped to help you achieve.

Sep-Oct
$15,000