Askole is the last village before the Baltoro glacier, and getting there from Skardu is the first real test of any K2 or Gondogoro La trek. The road runs about 85 to 100 kilometres, is paved only as far as Shigar, and takes roughly six to seven hours by jeep, longer if the unpaved stretch has been hit by rain.
Nobody drives this road for the scenery alone. It exists to move trekkers, porters and expedition supplies to the point where the road ends and the walking begins.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance from Skardu | About 85–100 km |
| Paved section | To Shigar, roughly the first third |
| Drive time | 6–7 hours by jeep in normal conditions |
| Vehicle needed | 4x4 jeep beyond Shigar |
| Askole altitude | About 3,050 m |
| Facilities | Basic guesthouses, camping ground, a few shops; no reliable Wi-Fi |
How long does the drive take?
Plan on six to seven hours from Skardu to Askole, and treat that as a minimum rather than a promise. The first stretch to Shigar is paved and quick. Beyond Shigar, the road narrows, loses its surface, and follows the Braldu river through the Basha and Braldu valleys on a track that climbs, drops and crosses several side streams.
Landslides and washouts are common in the summer trekking season, particularly after heavy rain, and can add hours or close the road for a day at a time. Groups heading in for an expedition or a long trek usually build a spare day into the schedule around this drive for exactly that reason.
What is the road like?
Once past Shigar the road is unpaved and rough, graded in places but often reduced to a rutted track along the valley side. Jeep is the only practical option; a normal car will not manage it. The road passes through Basha and several smaller settlements before reaching the Braldu valley proper and climbing to Askole itself.
The stretch near Hoto, closer to Askole, is one of the sections most prone to blockage after rain, and in a bad year porters have had to carry loads around a washed-out section while jeeps wait on either side. This is not a road to attempt in an ordinary sedan or without a driver who knows the current conditions.
Arranging the jeep
Jeeps to Askole are arranged in Skardu, either directly or through the trekking or expedition agency handling permits and porters. Most parties travelling to the Baltoro book the jeep as part of a package that also covers Alpine Club of Pakistan trekking permits and the porter team hired at Askole itself. For general vehicle hire in the region, see our guide to renting a car in Skardu, though Askole specifically needs a jeep booked with a driver experienced on this road, not a self-drive rental.
What is Askole like?
Askole sits at about 3,050 metres and is genuinely the last settlement before the Baltoro glacier. It has grown up almost entirely around the trekking and expedition economy: a camping ground where parties spend a night organising loads, a handful of basic guesthouses, small shops selling essentials, and the office where porters for the Baltoro are registered and hired.
Don't expect much beyond that. There is no reliable Wi-Fi, and mobile data, where it works at all, is typically slow. Bring anything you need for the trek itself, since this is the last point to buy even basic supplies before several days on the glacier and moraine.
Why everyone stops here
Almost every trek or expedition onto the Baltoro, whether headed to K2 base camp, Concordia, Gondogoro La or one of the Gasherbrum base camps, starts its walking here. Porter teams are assembled at Askole under Alpine Club of Pakistan rules, loads are weighed and split, and permits are checked before the party sets off. Our guides to the K2 base camp trek and to Baltoro glacier cover what comes after Askole in detail.
Is the drive worth doing as its own trip?
Not really, unless you are heading onto the Baltoro or one of the trails beyond it. Askole itself is a working staging post rather than a destination, and the long, rough drive is worth the discomfort only because of what lies beyond the road. If you want scenery and comfort in Baltistan without a multi-day trek, our Skardu and Deosai itinerary and tour cover the accessible highlights closer to Skardu instead.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Askole from Skardu?
About 85 to 100 kilometres, depending on the source and exact route measured, with the first third paved as far as Shigar and the rest unpaved jeep track.
How long does the jeep ride from Skardu to Askole take?
Roughly six to seven hours in normal conditions. Landslides or washouts, common in the summer rains, can add several hours or close the road for a day.
Can I drive to Askole in a normal car?
No. The road beyond Shigar needs a 4x4 jeep with a driver used to the route, not a standard sedan.
What facilities does Askole have?
A camping ground, a few basic guesthouses, small shops for essentials, and the point where Baltoro porters are hired and registered. There is no reliable internet.
Do I need a permit to travel from Skardu to Askole?
The drive itself needs no special permit, but any trek beyond Askole onto the Baltoro or into the Central Karakoram National Park does, arranged through the Alpine Club of Pakistan or a licensed trekking agency before you set off.
