Snow Lake - Hispar Trek (2024-25) 21 days
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“In the crisp mountain air, our journey commenced, winding paths beckoning us forward as we embraced the challenges of the trail and the thrill of discovery that awaited at every turn.”
One of the most beautiful hiking routes for skiers, mountaineers, trekkers, and adventure travelers is the Snow Lake-Hispar La trip in Pakistan. At the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers is Snow Lake, a high-altitude glacial basin that stretches over 16 kilometers in width. The Hispar La is where these glaciers converge. This system has the highest concentration of glacial ice outside of Antarctica as a result. These ice rivers unite two old mountain kingdoms. It's actually a glacial basin where the third-longest glacier outside of the polar area, the Biafo Glacier, and the Hispar Glacier flow. It links Baltistan and Hunza, two ancient mountain kingdoms.
Trekkers may experience breathtaking landscapes, clean air, and a chance to re-establish a connection with nature in Pakistan's mountain kingdom of Baltistan, Biafo Glacier, Snow Lake, Hispar la, the Karakoram Range, and Hunza Valley.
Let’s plan your Snow Lake Trek with Travel Pakistani.
- Islamabad
- Skardu
- Askole village
- Namla
- Mango Trek
- Baintha Trek
- Morfogoro
- Hispar la
- Kani Basa
- Kanjut sar
- Farolinge Chhiish Camp
- Nagar Village
- Hunza
- Karimabad ?
Key Places to Visit :
Islamabad , Skardu , Askole village, Namla , Mango Trek, Baintha Trek , Morfogoro , Hispar la, Kani Basa, Kanjut sar, Farolinge Chhiish Camp, Nagar Village ,Hunza , Karimabad
Services Included :
- Visa Facility.
- Domestic Flight.
- CKNP fee
- Camping, bridges, and La crossing taxes.
- Accommodations (2/4 night Hotel)
- Licensed and expert Guide.
- Expert Cook -staff.
- Road transport from arrival to departure.
- Three-time meals during Trek.
- Meal serving staff.
- Sleeping tents+metress.
- Low altitude porters.
- Porters and staff insurance.
- Thuraya phone. Call charges are not included.
- Solar power /Electricity generator (for lighting and device charging).
Itinerary
Day 1
• Representative/guide meets guests at Islamabad International Airport.
• Transfer to hotel (40-45 minutes drive from Islamabad Airport).
• Afternoon half-day city tour includes:Faisal Mosque (built in 1986),Pakistan Monument,
Lok Virsa Museum.
• Aerial view of Islamabad from Daman-e-Koh.
• Return to hotel for overnight stay.
• Guide provides information on next day's journey.
Day 2
• Morning flight from Islamabad to Skardu.
• Spectacular views of Nanga Parbat if clear.
• If unable to fly due to weather or other reasons,
• Same day alternative: Drive to Skardu via Karakoram Highway.
• Flight operations from Islamabad to Skardu are subject to weather conditions.
• Free day upon arrival in Skardu.
• Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3
• After breakfast, walk to Kharpocho fort in Skardu on a mountain.
• Kharpocho fort offers a view of Indus and Skardu town.
• Option to visit Sadpara Lake available.
• Free shopping time in Skardu Bazaar.
• Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4
• Breakfast at hotel.
• Jeep safari to Daso through Shigar valley.
• Journey alongside Braldu river to Askole.
• Askole is the last village; start walking after leaving jeeps.
• Walking might start before Askole depending on road conditions.
• Journey takes 6-8 hours to cover.
Day 5
• Start trek on K2 Base Camp trail.
• Turn west onto Biafo Glacier.
• Ascend to left moraine, then descend onto glacier.
• Return to left bank to reach Namla camping site.
• Namla is behind a lateral moraine.
• Journey takes 7-8 hours to cover.
Day 6
• Breakfast.
• Cross fracture zone on glacier.
• Follow moraine ridges at glacier center.
• Challenging day due to loose rock.
• Set up camp on left bank of Biafo in grassy area.
• Journey takes 5-6 hours to cover.
Day 7
• Breakfast.
• Continue up center of glacier on broad ice highway.
• Easier walking than previous day.
• Cross to right and leave glacier.
• Reach Baintha camp in grassy area.
• Journey takes 5-6 hours to cover.
Day 8
• Acclimatization and rest (4,041m)
• Rest day for participants and porters.
• Aim: Acclimatization to high altitude.
• Relax in camp or take energetic walk.
• Walk up ridge behind camp for views of Latok group and The Ogre.
• Look for Ibex on grassy slopes above camp.
Day 9
• Trek to Morfogoro (4,298m)
• Breakfast.
• Steep, loose trail to glacier.
• On glacier, walking is relatively straightforward.
• Beware of crevasses ahead; might rope up for safety.
• Superb views of peaks, including The Ogre (7,813m).
• First views of Hispar La and Snow Lake.
• Journey takes 5-6 hours to cover.
Day 10
• Trek to Hispar La Base Camp (4,585m)
• Breakfast.
• Walk to south end of Snow Lake.
• Navigate through network of crevasses.
• Snow Lake: high altitude glacial basin, 16km wide.
• Named by Martin Conway in 1892.
• Conway described it as "finest view of mountains ever seen".
• Journey takes 5-6 hours to cover.
Day 11
• Cross Snow Lake and trek to Hispar La (5,149m)
• Traverse across Snow Lake to Hispar La ascent.
• Hispar La climb not too steep but strenuous due to altitude.
• Beware of crevasses in the area.
• Hispar La views: Biafo glacier, Snow Lake, The Ogre.
• Views of Hispar glacier and peaks in Hunza.
• Journey takes 5-6 hours to cover.
Day 12
• Trek to Kani Basa (4,468m)
• Early start, descend from Hispar La.
• Cross crevassed area; glacier flattens out later.
• Cross Kani Basa glacier at fracture zone.
• Camp in grassy ablation valley.
• Views of Kanjut Sar (7,760m) from camp.
• Journey takes 6-8 hours to cover.
Day 13
• Trek to Jutmal (4,168m)
• Breakfast.
• Challenging day navigating moraine ridges.
• Climb loose scree slope.
• Cross several glacial streams.
• Jutmal camp located on grassy area by glacier.
• Journey takes 6-7 hours to cover.
Day 14
• Trek to Bitanmal (3,765m)
• Descend steep bank to cross side glacier.
• Return to valley with good walking conditions.
• Camp at Bitanmal in large meadow.
• Meadow often used by herders from Hispar village.
• Journey takes 7-8 hours to cover.
Day 15
• Trek to Falaling Chhish (3,605m)
• Breakfast.
• Cross last side glacier over Kunyang Glacier.
• Walk up steep path.
• Cross stream.
• Reach meadows at Falaling Chhish.
• Journey takes 4 hours to cover.
Day 16
• Trek to Hispar Village (2,297m)
• From Faroling Chhish camp, cross bridge to Hispar village.
• Notice vibrant green orchards and terraced fields.
• Depending on road condition, meet jeeps in village.
• If road is broken, further walk then short drive to last camp.
Day 17
• Drive to Karimabad (2,440m)
• Jeep ride to Nagar village for a couple of hours.
• Narrow track until reaching Karakoram Highway.
• Drive to Karimabad.
• Check into hotel.
• Free time to wash up, relax, and explore town.
Day 18
• Contingency day/sightseeing
• Day allocated for potential trekking delays.
• Prevent missing domestic flights due to delays.
• Delays can be from factors like road blocks.
• Time can be used for Hunza valley sightseeing.
• Explore Karimabad town on hillside with views of valley and snowy mountains.
• Visit Altit and Baltit Forts .
• Afternoon drive to Gilgit.
Day 19
• Fly to Islamabad
• Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad.
• Relax at hotel in Islamabad.
• Sometimes domestic flights can be cancelled due to weather.
• If flight cancelled, drive to Naran or Besham for overnight stay.
• Drive duration: 8 to 9 hours by vehicle.
Day 20
• Reserve day for flight cancellations
• Day allocated for potential flight delays.
• Depart early morning from Chilas to Islamabad.
• Drive duration: Up to ten hours.
• If flight operates, free day for sightseeing in Islamabad.
Day 21
• Fly to home country
• Breakfast at hotel.
• Drop off at airport according to flight timings.
• End of services.