21 days
Daily Tour
16 people
English
Embark on an extraordinary adventure with Hunza Explorers as you delve into the heart of the Karakoram Range in Pakistan on the Biafo, Hispar & Snow Lake Trek. Renowned as the longest non-polar glacier trek in the world, spanning a staggering 122km, this journey unfolds through a mesmerizing landscape. Traversing the historic trade route that connected the legendary kingdoms of Baltistan and Hunza, this trek played a crucial role in linking the Silk Route with the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Tibet.
As you venture into this remote wilderness, you’ll follow in the footsteps of explorers like Mr. H. W. Tilman, who claimed to have witnessed the legendary Yeti’s footprints on the glacier in 1937. Glaciologists later confirmed the astounding thickness of the snow at one mile in the spectacular Snow Lake. Amidst this pristine environment, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter rare wildlife such as snow leopards, Himalayan bears, ibex, and markhor.
The trek reaches its pinnacle at the majestic Hispar Pass, standing at an elevation of 5150m above sea level. This pass intricately connects the Biafo and Hispar Glaciers, offering a panoramic spectacle and forming one of the longest glacier traverses in Pakistan. Throughout the journey, the allure of Snow Lake, a 77 sq. km snow basin surrounded by untouched, jagged peaks, adds to the romance of the untamed wilderness.
This 12-day classic trek, spanning from Askole in Baltistan to Hispar village in the Nagar Valley, covers approximately 190 km. Prepare to be captivated by the continual fascination of this trekking experience, making it an adventure of a lifetime not to be missed.
Arrival at Islamabad international airport, our guide and driver will meet you upon your arrival at the international arrival or at your location in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, after meeting and greetings by our staff drive to the hotel.
Drive to the airport in Islamabad and fly to Skardu, arrive and start preparing for the trek
Paticipants will explore around, our staff will take care of required documents by the government offices in Skardu, the process can take upto 2 days there, in case of the delay in documentation we will adjust the extra days here we have on return from the trek.
After having an early breakfast we will start our jeep journey along the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askoli village, the last permanent settlement of Shigar Valley. This seven hours hard drive is an extremely spectacular and fascinating journey through little changed traditional villages and orchards. Arrive and fix the tents for overnight stay.
After breakfast we will distribution the luggage to the porters and start the trek along the turbulent waters of the Braldu River, after 2 hours hike we will pass through the steep slope to enter into the Biafo glacier.
Today is another day to walk on the Biafo glacier, the first stage of the trek is hard in the boulders and gravels and the second part is comparatively easy along the moraines and summer pastures.
After an hour walk through willow bushes and on the grassy moraine we come down to the Biafo glacier to negotiate the unstable boulders and crevasses to cross the glacier. After the glacier we have easy and gentle walking along the grassy moraines of Baintha. Today we have beautiful views of Latok-1 (7145m), Latok-2 (7108m) and Hisper Pass, with mountain walls on either side rising to 6,000 meters. The Baintha campsite in the ablation valley with dense willow shrubs surrounded by wild flowers makes one of the best camp sites of this trek.
Rest day/Explore around
Today is another beautiful day of the trek, the early hours of the trek is a lovely stroll along the ablation valley with many small lakes surrounded by willow bushes and wild flowers. After one hour we come down to the Biafo glacier which offers easy walking opportunity with gradual climb over smooth ice. At this point the gravels and boulders are very minimal and are careful for the frequent crevasses.
Today we will enter into the Snow Lake which looks like an ocean of snow. We will rope up to stay away from the hidden crevasses. With steady plod we arrive in two hours to the junction point of Snow Lake and Simgang glacier. Today we will camp at around 4,900 m in a flat bowl near the pass.
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 Workmann 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.
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.
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.
Rest day at Bitanmal/Explore around
3 hours easy walking along the Hisper River takes us to Huru/Hisper (3100m) village. From where we ends our trekking and transfer in jeeps for 2 hours drive through Nagar Valley to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza valley. Enjoy some snowcapped mountains in its surrounding such as Ultar peak (7400m)Rakaposhi (7788m), Golden Peak (7027m) and many others.
Day to relax OR visit Altit & Baltit forts, local bazzar, channel walk and evening to Duiker village. Dukier offers the best view of the Hunza valley and the snowcapped mountains on its surroundings. The beautiful Hunza Valley will warmly welcome you from your long trek. The rich fruit orchards,
Drive to Passu/Gulmit/Ghulkin, stop en-route at sacred rocks of Hunza, Attabad Lake, later drive to Passu/Gulmit/Ghulkin, arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Day to explore around upper Hunza, today we will visit Passu glacier, Borith Lake, Gulmit Old House and Passu suspension bridge.
Full day excursion to Khunjerab Pass, in the afternoon drive back to Sost, before we reach Sost we will visit misgar village. Arrive in Sost and have lunch, after lunch we will drive to Chipurson valley. Arrive in Chipurson and transfer to the guest house.
Departure for Besham on Karakorum Highway which takes approx 12 hours, en-route we will stop for lunch and short stops for photography. Arrive and transfer to the hotel
Drive to the airport and fly to destination (our service will end after the transfer to the airport in Islamabad)
The trek starts in Askole, Baltistan, and concludes in Hispar village in the Nagar Valley.
The best time for the Biafo Hispar & Snow Lake Trek is from May to September.
The trekking zone is open for exploration.
The trek is considered to be of moderate difficulty.
Yes, wildlife encounters are possible, and the region is home to species such as snow leopards, Himalayan bears, ibex, and markhor.
The Hispar Pass, standing at 5150m above sea level, intricately connects the Biafo and Hispar Glaciers, forming one of the longest glacier traverses in Pakistan.
The trek encompasses the mesmerizing Snow Lake, a 77 sq. km snow basin surrounded by untouched, jagged peaks.
The trek spans 12 days, covering approximately 190 km.
Yes, the Biafo Hispar & Snow Lake Trek can be organized as a private tour upon request.
Depending on the current regulations, there may be additional permits required, and our team will assist in obtaining them as needed.
Yes, camping is the primary accommodation option for the Biafo Hispar & Snow Lake Trek due to the remote nature of the route.
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