Snow Lake & Biafo-Hispar Guided Trek

Welcome to Pakistan! When you arrive in Islamabad, your group leader or guide will meet you at the airport and assist you to your hotel. After a gear check and a trip briefing, relax at the hotel and rest from your travels.

Fly from Islamabad into the mountain region of Baltistan, to the city of Skardu. The route of this spectacular flight gives you a one-of-a-kind view of the Karakoram range, which is home to some of the world’s most impressive mountains. See these mighty mountains: K2 (8,611 m / 28,251 ft), Nanga Parbat (8,124 m / 26,653 ft), Rakaposhi (7,788 m / 25,551 ft), and many others, from above! Skardu is located at the place where three rivers meet - the Indus, the Shyok, and the Basha. After a day of wonders, including your first glimpse of K2, settle in at the hotel for a good night’s rest.

The flight is cancelled due to weather in Islamabad or Skardu, you will travel to Skardu on a private, air-conditioned coach. Following the Indus River, the Karakoram Highway takes you to Skardu through amazing gorges and also offers majestic mountain panoramas. Watch for clear views of Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi. The Karakoram Highway is often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World, and rightly so. The drive will take two days, and after 10-12 hours of driving you’ll arrive at Chilas and spend the night in a hotel.

Assuming you were able to fly to Skardu, today you’ll take a jeep safari to the Deosai Plains National Park, also called “The Land of Giants.” The local people know this place as “Summer’s Palace” since it is home to rich green grasses, vibrant and colourful wildflowers, and rare butterflies. The Deosai Plateau has an average elevation of 4,114 m (13,497 ft) above sea level, making it the second highest in the world, after the Changtang Plateau in Tibet. Enjoy inspirational views of Nanga Parbat (8,124 m / 26,653 ft) and scenic picnic lunch beside the renowned Sheosar Lake, all while helping your body begin the process of altitude acclimatization. Return to the hotel in Skardu by evening, full of impressions from this lovely day trip.

If the flight to Skardu was cancelled, today you will complete the journey by road from Chilas to Skardu. The drive takes about 7-8 hours, a day full of unforgettable views. You will see individual mountains, such as Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi, as well as the place where the Karakoram, Himalaya, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges all meet. At the conclusion of this amazing ride, a comfortable hotel room awaits you in Skardu.

Travel today through the Shigar and Braldu valleys by Jeep to reach the village of Askoli (3,000 m / 9,842 ft). Each of these valleys is majestic and unique. In the Shigar Valley, the journey passes through several farming villages where the staple crops are barley and wheat, as well as fruit trees full of apricots and cherries. The local people are friendly and hospitable, and will likely invite you to sample the most delicious, fresh-picked cherries and apricots you have ever tasted.

In the Braldu Valley, the landscape changes, becoming more barren and desert-like with steep gorges and rocky mountainsides. Cross the Braldu River over suspension bridges several times, which is a unique experience. The journey is unpredictable because of the nature of the terrain. If the road is blocked by rocks or landslides, it will take longer than anticipated to reach Askoli, but with patience and flexibility you will soon find yourself at your first campsite for this trek.

Askoli is a self-sufficient village, as the people there grow all their own wheat, fruits, and vegetables. They also have large herds of sheep and goats. The fully-serviced Askoli campsite is a likely place to meet up with other trekking groups and mountaineering expeditions, so it will be a fun place to mingle and get to know other hikers. After dinner is a briefing with the guide and tour leader regarding the schedule for the next day.

Today is your first trekking day and the expedition begins in earnest. Begin by trekking toward Joula. After about 30 minutes, stop at the office of the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) so your group’s entry to the park can be registered. Park entry fees are included in the cost of your tour and do not need to be dealt with at this point. Continuing your trek, follow the K2 Base Camp trail initially before turning west to the Biafo Glacier. This trail climbs over a shoulder to moraine on the left before descending onto the glacier itself. It then returns to the left bank where you will find Namla, a grassy camping area and your home for the night. In this location behind a lateral moraine, you will have an excellent view of the pyramid-shaped Bakhor Das Peak (5,810 m / 19,062 ft). As you settle into the campsite for the night, there is a chance you may get to enjoy local song and dance from the Balti porters.

Namla campsite (3,300 m / 10,827 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Today you’ll be trekking from Namla to Shikonfon.

Enjoy a scenic trek to Baintha.

Taking a rest day today will help the whole group with altitude acclimatization. Relax and enjoy the campsite, staying on the lookout for ibex grazing in the grassy slopes nearby. There is an optional walk up to a ridge behind the campsite that offers wonderful views of Latok I (7,151 m / 23,461 ft), Latok II (7,108 m / 23,320 ft) and Latok III (6,949 m / 22,799 ft) as well as Baintha Brakk/The Ogre (7,285 m / 23,900 ft). In the evening, join the porters to learn their local songs and dances.

Today’s trek begins on a loose, steep trail taking you up onto the glacier. Once you’ve come up to the glacier, the walk becomes easier as you follow a flat, white, ice highway. There will be some crevasses along the way to pay attention to. It might be necessary to rope up for safety, but this depends on the conditions. Expect exceptional views of several peaks, including Baintha Brakk, also called The Ogre (7,285 m / 23,900 ft). You will also enjoy seeing the Hispar Pass (5,150 m / 16,896 ft) and Snow Lake in the distance. Leave the glacier to the right when you reach the Marfogoro campsite on a barren stretch of land at the foot of Uzum Brakk, also known as Conway Ogre (6,422 m / 21,070 ft).

Morfogoro campsite (4,300 m / 14,108 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Once again, the day begins with a loose, steep trail up onto the Biafo glacier, but the walking will be easier once you have reached the flatter area on the glacier. You will need to navigate a number of smaller crevasses over the course of the day, but you can expect to be surrounded by rugged walls of granite contrasting with the gleaming white of the glacier, making for stunning views all along the way. It will be a beautiful day. Your campsite for the night, Karpagoro, is located at the edge of Snow Lake on a raised, rocky area. Camping at Napina is also an option. Napina is greener and offers access to water, but requires a long detour. With input from the group, the guide and group leader will decide which campsite to choose.

Karpogoro campsite (4,583 m / 15,036 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Today you carefully navigate a network of crevasses to reach the southern end of Snow Lake, a large, flat area of snow. Named by Martin Conway, who was the first foreigner to visit here, Snow Lake is a 16 km wide high altitude glacial basin. Where Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo) and the Sim Gang glacier intersect, the path to the Hispar Pass branches off to the west. Here, the ice is approximately 1.5km thick and it flows at a rate of approximately 300 m per year. In this flat ice bowl, surrounded by rugged mountains, is the campsite for tonight. The views here are spectacular, especially at sunrise or sunset, and the night sky is also unforgettable.

Hispar Pass Base Camp (4,770 m / 15,650 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Enjoy a rest day at the Hispar Pass Base Camp to have time to explore this amazing area. If you are camping below the pass, take this opportunity to climb the pass for spectacular panoramic views. Climbing further will give even more impressive views of more distant vistas.

If weather conditions are favourable, the guides and trip leaders may decide it is best to make the Hispar Pass crossing to reach Khani Basha today, which would make tomorrow a rest day instead.

Today’s trek begins in the middle of the night, at about 3:00 am, so that you can cross the Hispar Pass (5,151 m / 16,900 ft) and make the descent across the snow before the daytime temperatures soften the snow. The trek to the top of this flat pass takes about 2 hours, and though it is not especially steep you will notice the high altitude. As you reach higher elevations, look back in the direction you have come to see the indescribable beauty of Snow Lake, Biafo Glacier, and the surrounding mountain peaks. On the other side of the pass, as you look toward Hunza, the view of the many peaks of Hispar Glacier is also stunning.

Be especially focused on safety today. There are large crevasses in this area, so you should remain roped up and vigilant at all times. Trek along the Balchish and Tah Rutum mountains, then descend to the green campsite before the place where the Khani Basa Glacier meets the Hispar Glacier. You’ll notice that the views are changing as the peaks are much closer than the earlier days of the trek, and the combination of ice and rock creates a striking black and white impression. Contrast these views with those at Biafo and appreciate the unique beauty of each. When you reach the Khani Basa campsite, you will be greeted by the astounding white wall of the Balchish range.

Khani Basa campsite (4,511 m / 14,800 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Trek for about 1-2 hours across the Khani Basa Glacier. Here, the peaks that surround the Hispar Glacier will be so close that you can shout and listen to the echo. Clouds often hang in beautiful layers through the valley, or stick to the peaks like cotton. Expect more breathtaking scenery and unforgettable views today, including Kanjut Sar’s white dome (7,760 m / 25,459 ft). The trail leads above the glacier, following the lateral moraine and offering marvellous views of hanging glacier across the valley. Tonight’s campsite at the edge of Yutmaru Glacier is grassy and green. Enjoy a pleasant night among willow trees and flowers.

Yutmaru campsite (4,330 m / 14,206 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

The Yutmaru glacier takes at least 2 hours to cross, with high ice walls and deep crevasses to negotiate. On the other side climb steeply up under the cliff to a good possible campsite with a panoramic view back to the Hisper pass (but on the water in September). We will have to cross few screes, and there is a shortage of water, but flowers and fine views make this otherwise idyllic. There are at least 5 possible campsites along the way. The lower path, following the edge of the glacier, is more difficult and not as scenic.

The trail today will be very similar to yesterday’s trail. Trek for about one hour, then begin to descend down a very steep bank in order to cross another side glacier. Again, this type of trekking is difficult and requires extra caution. Just as before, when you reach the valley the walking will become much easier. Spend the night at Bitanmal campsite, which is another large meadow that the Hispar herders often use.  With the crossing of the Hispar Pass successfully behind them, the porters are likely to be relaxed and happy, so they may share their local songs and dances with you in the evening.

Bitanmal campsite (3,808 m / 12,493 ft) is fully serviced and offers toilet and bath facilities maintained by the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).

Today is your last trekking day for this tour! From the Bitanmal campsite, a short walk will bring you to a recently-made Jeep trail which leads to the village of Hispar. Cross the suspension bridge there over a muddy river. The trek to Hispar Village takes approximately 6-7 hours. After days of black and white scenery, the vibrant green color of the orchards and fields will catch your attention. The local villagers from Hispar, who are very friendly, are led by Prince Karim, the Aga Khan.

 Overnight Location: Hotel in Hispar

In Hispar, it will be time to separate from the crew, who will have become your friends after many days on the trail together. Your travels continue with a 2-hour Jeep ride to Karimabad in the Hunza Valley. Local villagers welcome travellers and extend warm hospitality by sharing fresh apricots and cherries from their orchards. Before settling in for a comfortable night in a hotel, spend the evening debriefing the trek with the tourism department.

Today you’ll enjoy a drive to Duiker Valley. On your way you’ll visit two beautiful forts: Baltit and Altit.

Get an early start today for the 2-hour drive from Karimabad to Gilgit along the Karakorum Highway. Watch for amazing views of Rakaposhi (7,788 m / 25,551 ft) along the way. Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad, looking down upon some of the world’s mightiest mountains in the Karakoram range, including Nanga Parbat (8,124 m / 26,654 ft). Spend the evening in Islamabad, sightseeing and shopping. Eat dinner at the Monal restaurant in the Margalla Hills, which offers wonderful city views.

If weather conditions cause the flight from Gilgit to Islamabad to be cancelled, you will instead travel to Islamabad by air-conditioned coach along the Karakorum Highway. The journey by road is long, but you will get to experience more of the Karakorum Highway, which is often called the 8th wonder of the world.  Drive for about 6 hours and spend the night in Chilas.

If you were able to fly from Skardu to Islamabad, you will have more time today to explore Pakistan’s capital city, go shopping or sightseeing, or simply relax in the hotel. If your day starts in Chilas, you have another 10 hours on the coach to look forward to in order to reach Islamabad. Either way, spend the night in a centrally located hotel in Islamabad, resting after your incredible tour and preparing for the trip back home.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Islamabad

After breakfast, your group leader and/or guide will help you transfer to Islamabad Airport in time for your flight home.