Snow Lake Trek Biafo Hisper
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It is not a lake, despite its name.
- ?Snow Lake
- Glacier
- Trek
- Hispar Pass
- Karakoram
Snow Lake Trek biafo hisper Pakistan is a high altitude Glacier basin over 16km wide located at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. The Ancient highway of Ice, which connects the two Great mountain kingdoms; Hunza in the west with Baltistan in the east. Combine the Biafo Hispar and Biafo Glacier Trek is 120 km, which make it the second longest glacier in the world outside the Polar Region. Snow Lake is a high-altitude glacial basin in the Karakoram mountain range in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. It is not a lake, despite its name. Snow Lake Trek is located 16,000 feet (4,877 m) above sea level, and is approximately 10 miles (16 km) wide. The basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61-mile (100 km) river of ice that is among the world’s longest glacier systems.
Itinerary
Day 1
Most of the International flights arrives at Islamabad International Airport in the mornings. Your Guide will meet and greet you at the airport, and then you will be transfer to the hotel. Rest of the days is free to recover from your journey. Later in the day, when everyone has arrived, we will have a group briefing about the Snow Lake – Hispar la Trek Pakistan. Depending on the time available to us, there may be an option to do some sightseeing in Islamabad, A purpose-built City in 1961 as the new capital of Pakistan.
Day 2
If case of flight cancellation, you will Drive KKH to Chilas, Isb to Chilas, 461km. 8-9 H-Drive.Today you will travel to Islamabad International Airport to take a spectacular flight (weather permitting) across the mountains to Skardu. Its a 45 minute flight which offers Spectacular Mountains views of Himalaya & Karakoram mountain range, you can also enjoy the breathtaking views of world’s 9th highest peak, Nanga Parbat (8126m), if weather is clear then we might be able to see K2 and Gandogoro Pass as well. Check in to the Hotel, res of the day will be spent visiting the local Bazar, historical forts, scenic lakes or visiting ancient rock inscriptions, one of which is of 8th century Manthal Lord Buddha Rock that shows traces of Buddhist monks and pilgrims who had influence in the area before Islam.
Day 3
In the morning you will walk up to the remains of Kharpocho Fort (build early 1700), which overlooks the town and has a great view of the Indus River. If you are into photography then this is a perfect location to take photos of Skardu Town at sunrise or sunset. (we can arrange this for you). We will then walk to a small village, called Organic village, which grows all its crops organically. The afternoon is free to explore. perhaps you would like to take an optional jeep tour to Satpara Lake or explore the bazaar.
Day 4
Following day you will drive along the Mighty Indus, Shigar and Braldu River to the lush green Shigar Valley towards Askoli. Askoli is the last village before entering in the heart of Karakoram. We will spend our first night under the Stars in Askoli, which is high above the thundering Braldu River. Askole is a single street of wooden houses, backed by irrigated fields of corn, potatoes and groves of apricot trees.
Day 5
Snow lake – Hispar la trek will start by following the K2 Base Camp trail and then turns west onto the Biafo Glacier. The trail ascends over a shoulder to reach the left moraine and descends on to the glacier then back on to the left bank where the grassy camping site called Namla is located behind a lateral moraine
Day 6
After crossing a fracture zone on the glacier we reach the centre of the glacier where you follow moraine ridges, underfoot there is loose rock making this a challenging day. We set up camp on the left bank of the Biafo in a grassy area.
Day 7
The route continues up the center of the glacier on a broad highway of ice making the walking easier than yesterday. You cross to the right and come off the glacier to a grassy area where Baintha camp is located.
Day 8
Today will be rest day for you and the porters in order to help with acclimatization to the high altitude. You can relax in the camp or if feeling energetic walk up a ridge behind camp with fine views of Latok group and The Ogre. (perfection location for photography) Look out for the Ibex that can often be seen on the grassy slopes above camp.
Day 9
This trail is steep and lose to get onto the glacier however once there we follow the flat glacier, making it relatively straightforward walking. Further along the glacier there are some crevasses to be aware of where depending on the conditions we might rope up to safeguard our passage. There are superb views of many peak including The Ogre (7,813m) and also we will get the first views of the Hispar La and Snow Lake.
Day 10
TREK TO KARPHOGORO (4680 M)
Day 11
Today you will walk to the south end of a large snowy flat area known as Snow Lake, finding our way through a network of crevasses. Snow Lake is a high altitude glacier basin over 16km wide at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. Martin Conway, the first foreign visitor, gave Snow Lake the name in 1892 and described this area as “beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold a finer.
Day 12
We traverse across the vast Snow Lake area and make the ascent to Hispar La. The climb to Hispar La is not too steep although it always feels quite strenuous at this altitude, we also have to be aware of the crevasses in this area. The views from Hispar La is fantastic, looking down Biafo glacier to Snow Lake and The Ogre and other side down Hispar glacier to peaks in Hunza.
Day 13
After an early start you will descend from Hispar La crossing a crevasse area and then later on the glacier flattens out. You have to cross Kani Basa glacier which is fracture zone where the two glaciers collide. Shortly afterwards we reach our camp located in a grassy ablation valley with good views of Kanjut Sar (7,760m).
Day 14
TREK TO BAKHTUR BEG (4470 M)
Day 15
TREK TO SIQAM BARIS (4170 M)
Day 16
After an hour you will descend down a steep bank to cross another side glacier then back to the valley as before where the walking is good. Camp at Bitanmal
Day 17
Today you will continue your trek towards Hispar village by crossing a bridge. You will certainly notice the vibrant green of the orchards and terraced fields after the black and white scenery of the Hispar Glacier. Depending on the condition of the road we may meet our jeeps in the village if the road is broken then we have a further walk followed by a short drive to our last camp of Snow Lake – Hispar La Trek Pakistan.
A jeep drive for a couple of hours to Nagar village along a rather narrow track before reaching the Karakoram Highway. You will drive up the road to Karimabad where we check into a hotel and the rest of the day is free to wash up, relax and explore the town.
Day 19
Karimabad is the capital of Hunza valley, today you have the chance to explore Karimabad, it is an interesting town spectacularly situated on a hillside to the north of the road with views of the fertile valley below (due to their extensive irrigation system) and a glimpses of snowy mountains. You will visit the Altit and Baltit Forts, dating from the 13th century the Baltit fort, once the home of the ruling Mir, guards the valley and is now a museum and the Altit fort is even more dramatic perched above the Hunza river. In the afternoon we will drive to Gilgit.
Day 20
We will hopefully take the early morning flight to Islamabad, if unable to fly then we will start the drive on KKH to Chilas (or Basham).
If driving down the KKH You will arrive in Islamabad late afternoon. If we managed to fly the day before then we will spend today sightseeing in Islamabad. In the evening we will have a final group meal.
Day 22
After Breakfast you will be Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for the flight back home. We Believe that “Snow Lake – Hispar La Trek Pakistan” will create an amazing lifelong memory which will stay with you for a long time.