Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek
The Biafo and Hispar glaciers — together the longest ice corridor outside the polar regions — joined at Snow Lake and the Hispar La.
From Baltistan to Nagar over the ice
This is one of the great wilderness journeys of the Karakoram. We walk the full length of the Biafo glacier from Askole, past the granite spires around Baintha, to Snow Lake — a vast basin of snow ringed by peaks. From there we climb to the Hispar La and descend the Hispar glacier into the Nagar valley, coming out close to Hunza.
Above Baintha the route is on snow-covered glacier, where the whole party travels roped together. It suits fit, experienced trekkers who are happy with long days and several nights camped on the ice. There are no villages for almost two weeks, so the crew carries everything.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Days 1 – 3
Islamabad & Skardu
Arrival, permits and the flight to Skardu, with a day to prepare.
- Day 4
Askole
By jeep up the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole.
- Days 5 – 8
The lower Biafo
Onto the Biafo glacier via Namla and Mango to Baintha, a meadow camp with a rest day for acclimatization.
- Days 9 – 11
To Snow Lake
Roped travel on the upper glacier through Marpogoro and Karpogoro into the Snow Lake basin.
- Days 12 – 13
Over the Hispar La
Up to camp on the pass, then down to Kani Basa on the Hispar side.
- Days 14 – 17
The Hispar glacier
Down the long Hispar glacier past summer pastures to Hispar village.
- Days 18 – 19
Hunza
Jeep to Karimabad for a well-earned rest, with time for Baltit and Altit forts.
- Days 20 – 22
Islamabad & departure
Back to Islamabad by air from Gilgit or by road, with a contingency day.
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