Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek

Biafo Glacier, a 63 km (39 mi) long glacier in the Karakoram Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, joins the 49 km (30 mi) long Hispar(Nagar) Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m (16,400 ft) at Hispar La (Pass) to form the world’s longest glacial system outside the polar regions. This icy highway connects two ancient mountain kingdoms, Nagar (just south of Hunza) in the west and Baltistan in the east. The traverse utilises 51 of the Biafo Glacier’s 63 kilometres and the entirety of the Hispar Glacier to create a 100-kilometer (62-mile) glacier path.
Snow Lake is situated at an altitude of 16,000 feet (4,877 m) and has a width of around 10 miles (16 km). The basin is located at the beginning of the Biafo and Hisparglaciers, which flow down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions to form a 100-kilometer-long (61-mile) river of ice, one of the longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions. The central Karakoram, which was discovered and charted for the first time between 1937 and 1939, is arguably the wildest of all. It is a region of expansive glaciers, towering mountains, and isolated passes.

Biafo Glacier is 68 kilometres (42 miles) long and has a total size of 625 square kilometres. It begins in Korofong atop the Askole town. The length of Hisper Glacier is 52 kilometres. The only thing between the Hisper Glacier and Biafo Glacier is the Hisper Pass. However, the majority of geographers believe the two glaciers to be one and refer to it as the Biafo-Hisper Glacier. Consequently, the 120-kilometer-long (75-mile-long) biafo Hispar Glacier would become the second-longest glacier in the world, if true.

En route to Snow Lake Following a long ice highway, a large glaciated basin at 4,500 metres, there may be a few crevasse spots where ropes are required. Here, we can see Biantha Brak (7,284 m), Snow Lake mountain, and Simkiang glacier. From here, we ascend the Hisper La and camp on its summit, affording us panoramic views of the Biafo – Hispar region at sunset and sunrise.

Departure/Return Location Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad
Departure Time Mountain Range: Karakoram
Elevation: 4,877m Best Time: Mid-July to End-August
Duration: 22 Days Zone: Open

Please contact us for further inquiry at [email protected].

Additional information

time22 Days

Day

01: Arrival Islamabad

arrival at airport and then transfer to hotel. Overnight stay in hotel at Islamabad.

Day

02: Islamabad to Skardu (By Air)

Early morning flight to Skardu (flights are subject to weather), if unable to fly we will depart for Skardu by road with overnight stay at Chilas. Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.

Day

03: Chilas to Skardu

In case of flight has operated we will go for sightseeing tour of Skardu and in case no flight, the day will be used for over land travel from Chilas to Skardu (total drive is 22 – 24 hrs from Islamabad to Skardu). Overnight stay in hotel at Skardu.

Day

04: Rest day at Skardu

Sight seen in Skardu final packing for the Trek.

Day

05: Skardu to Askole

After breakfast we will embark jeeps for a full day ride on a winding jeep trail to Askole – The last inhabitance on our way to the Great Glaciers. (Tent)

Day

06: Askole to Namla

Today we will leave the last inhabited village of Askoli. For the remaining portion of our journey we will rely on our local team who will carry our food and equipment and sustain our Trek. We start the trek and walking along the turbulent waters of the Braldu River, after 2 hours we climb a steep slope to enter into the Biafo glacier. Most of the day we will walk on the boulders and along the lateral moraines (Tent)

Day

07: Namla to Mango

After breakfast Trek to Mango this is short and moderate trek on the glacier to Mango. (Tent)

Day

08: Mango to Baintha

After breakfast Trek to Baintha. we cross the jumble boulders to the moraine ridges in the centre of the glacier. Soon we reach the ‘miracle highway’ of white ice which provides easier walking cross over to the east side of the glacier to make camp at Baintha. This is a splendid camping place, with lush grassland, an abundance of flowers and birds and the chance to spot shy ibex on the mountain slopes above the camp. (Tent)

Day

09: Rest day Baintha

Rest day at Baintha, since the alpine loveliness of this camp is not something to be rushed, bearing in mind that there is absolutely nothing in the way of greenery beyond this point for some considerable distance. This rest stop also allows the porters the opportunity to bake a supply of Balti bread and chapattis to last them over the coming days. There is the very worthwhile option today of ascending a peak above the camp for fantastic views down the glacier and across to the Latok group of mountains and the Ogre. (Tent)

Day

10: Baintha to Simgang

After breakfast Trek to Simgng. We will trek on the crevassed Biafo to Simgang Biafo junction. A hard & long day rewarded with breathtaking views of dozens of nameless peaks from 5060 m to Sosbun Brakk 6413 m. (Tent)

Day

11: Simgang to Snow Lake

After breakfast Trek to Snow Lake. This will be a strenuous walking day so far but the most rewarding and perhaps the most memorable day of your life. Cruising first the crevassed glacier & later the upper ice flow, follow the footsteps of Conway, Shipton and Workmans’ to reach Snow Lake. The workmans, on their first sight of this magical place were bound to declare it “A huge basin of ice & snow that seemed in no way of this world” (Tent)

Day

12: Snow Lake to Hisper Pass (5150m) and Khani Basa

After breakfast Trek to Khani basa. Today we will wake up early in the morning and leave as soon as we are done with breakfast, we will try to reach the pass before the sunrise. From the top of Hispar Pass (5150m), some of the finest views of the Karakorum, Ogre Peak (7285m) in the background of Snow Lake’s wide plateau and Hispar Glacier stretching as far as eye can see, with the white pyramid of Workman peak to its north. After a refreshment and photo stop we will proceed to another side of the pass which takes three hours to reach to the campsite at Khani Basa. Most of the day we will walk through deep soft snow in single file with rope to avoid the hidden crevasses. (Tent)

Day

13: Khani basa to Yutmuro Glacier

After breakfast Trek to Yutmuro.Today we will traverse through and cross the Khanibasa glacier that takes around 2 hours. During the day we have spectacular views of Kanjut Sar 1 (7700m) and the glaciers. The great numbers of the wild flowers makes again this day pleasant. (Tent)  

Day

14: Yutmuro to Bitanmal

After breakfast Trek to Bitanmal. An easy stroll through ablation valley brings us to Yutmaru glacier, which takes approx 2 hours to reach the view point of Hisper Pass in the backdrop. The campsite of Bitanmal is filled by willow bushes and wild flowers. (Tent)

Day

15: Rest day at Bitanmal

Rest day at Bitanmal and Explore around (Tent)

Day

16: Bitanmal to Hispar Village

After breakfast Trek to Hispar village .An early start is essential each morning as we descend the Hispar Glacier. This is because the side streams which must be negotiated are much less formidable before the heat of the day (and associated snow-melt) swells them to impassable proportions. After crossing the Kiang Glacier, there is a steep climb to regain the path which leads through the grazing grounds of Daltanas and Falolingkish. One large stream has to be crossed just before Falolingkish, and then a footbridge leads across to Hispar Village. (Tent)

Day

17: Hispar Village to Karimabad

After breakfast we will drive for Karimabad. Up on arrival we will be transferred to hotel and check in. Afternoon will be free at leisure or go for a walk around. Overnight stay in hotel at Karimabad.

Day

18: Rest day at Karimabad

After breakfast we will visit Baltit fort and later on we will proceed to Attabad Lake for cruise excursion (16 kms) alongside KKH. Overnight stay in hotel at Karimabad.

Day

19: Karimabad to Chilas

After breakfast we will depart for Chilas, en route lunch stop at Gilgit, will also visit local bazaar. Afternoon drive to Chials. Overnight stay in hotel at Chilas.

Day

20: Chilas to Islamabad

Early morning we will depart for Islamabad, vis Babusar pass. Overnight stay in hotel at Islamabad.

Day

21: Islamabad

After breakfast we will full day sightseeing of twin city Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Rest of time reserve for shopping.

Day

22: Islamabad to Flight out

 Transfer to airport for flight back home

Please Note: Gilgit Baltistan flights are subject to weather and backlog, in case of flight cancellation we will travel by road, and one night of Islamabad will be adjusted in overland travel.

Services included as following   

Hotels:

  • 02 nights hotel in Islamabad (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  • 01 nights in hotel Naran (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  • 02 nights in hotel Hunza (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
  • 02 nights in Skardu (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Transport:                

  • Pick up from group when arrive and drop to airport when group Departure Air-condition van from Islamabad –Skardu-Islamabad
  • Flight Tickets Islamabad-Skardu
  • Arrange transport on briefing and debriefing occasion
  • Sightseeing the capital city of Islamabad

4 x 4 Jeeps:

  • Jeeps from Skardu – Askoli-Hispar-Hunza

Trekking Food:

  • Food (during the Trek (we will serve breakfast, lunch and Dinner)

Porters:

  • Carry on member personal equipment, foods stuffs and camping crew etc. All porters insurance
  • 16 Kg porter facility for member’s personal gear. (Above 16 Kg will be separately charged from member on spot, as per porter rate per Kg)

Staffs: 

  • Guide Cook and assistance cook wages, camp food, transport and their insurance

Camping Equipment:

  • Mess tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent mattress, chairs, Tables

Kitchen utensils:

  • Complete kitchen utensils (crockery)

General Services:

  • Tips for baggage handling at airport & at hotels
  • Fess: (CKNP, Bridge crossing, cable crossing, camping)
  • International flights tickets re-confirmations
  • Custom clearing assistance

Services not included in given price

  • Member international flight tickets
  • Helicopter emergency rescue fees Members any climbing gears
  • Member personal insurance
  • Sleeping bag and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks,
  • Room service, gratuities for personal services, items of a purely personal nature
  • Custom clearing charges (import and export of equipment’s)
  • Any unforeseen expenses (just like road block extra hotel stay or if members stay more days at Base Camp) then members will be pay according to the numbers of days bases.