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Pakistan · Trekking
The journey
Go on a 21-day Hispar trek and explore some of the remote and fascinating landscapes of the Greater Himalayas. Learn about the trade routes between the legendary kingdoms of Baltistan and Hunza, once used to connect the Silk Route with India, China, and Tibet, as you cross the longest non-polar glacier in the world.
Arrive at the top of Hispar Pass (5,150 m) and enjoy some of the finest views of the Karakoram, with Ogre Peak (7,285 m) in the background of Snow Lake's wide plateau and Hispar Glacier stretching as far as the eye can see, with the white pyramid of Workman Peak to its north.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Your local guide will pick you up from Islamabad Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Islamabad.
Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and rest for a while.
Later, visit some of the city's major attractions, including Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, and Lok Virsa.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Fly to Skardu town. If the flight is cancelled, drive to Chilas or Naran instead.
Drive for a few hours and stop for lunch midway.
Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and rest for a while before your guide briefs you about the trek.
Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, visit Kharpucho Fort. Considered the king of forts, it is located near Skardu city in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
Drive to the Katpana Desert area and explore the cold-arid desert.
The rest of the day is free for shopping and relaxation.
After an early morning breakfast, drive to Askole (3,048 m). It takes about 7 hours to drive from Skardu to Askole.
Enjoy the fascinating journey through traditional villages and orchards.
Arrive and set up the tents for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, distribute the luggage to the porters and start the trek along the turbulent waters of the Braldu River.
After a 2-hour hike, pass through the steep slope to enter the Biafo Glacier.
Later, arrive at the campsite for dinner and an overnight stay.
Today, walk on the Biafo Glacier. The first stage of the trek is hard, and travellers have to cross numerous boulders and gravel.
Continue hiking and arrive at the second part, which is comparatively easy and has several moraines and summer pastures.
Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, start the 5-hour trek and reach Biantha campsite (3,892 m), overlooked by Biantha Brakk (7,285 m).
Dinner and overnight stay in camp.
Acclimatization and rest day.
Have an early morning breakfast and trek towards Karfogoro (4,300 m).
Enjoy a scenic lunch near the glacier.
Upon arrival, check in, have dinner, and stay overnight at the camp.
Have an early morning breakfast and trek to Hispar La Base Camp (4,590 m).
Cross numerous crevasses and stop for a lunch break after 4 hours of trekking.
Upon arrival at Hispar La Base, have dinner and enjoy an overnight stay in camp.
Wake up at 3:00 am. After breakfast, start hiking towards the Hispar La (5,151 m) crevasse area.
After the long day, have dinner and stay overnight in camp.
Today, wake up early in the morning and leave after breakfast.
Start trekking and try to reach before sunrise.
Arrive at the top of Hispar Pass (5,150 m) and enjoy some of the finest views of the Karakoram, with Ogre Peak (7,285 m) in the background of Snow Lake's wide plateau and Hispar Glacier stretching as far as the eye can see, with the white pyramid of Workman Peak to its north.
After some refreshments and a photo stop, proceed to the other side of the pass, which takes 3 hours to reach the campsite at Khani Basa.
Most of the day is spent walking through snow in single file with a rope to avoid hidden crevasses.
Return to the base camp if you cannot cross the crevasse area.
Dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, trek towards Jutmal (4,170 m).
Stop for a lunch break after 4 hours of trekking.
Arrive at Jutmal campsite, followed by dinner and an overnight stay in camp.
After breakfast, trek towards Bitanmal (3,760 m).
Stop for a lunch break after 5 hours of trekking.
Arrive at Bitanmal campsite for dinner and an overnight stay in camp.
After breakfast, trek towards Falaling Chhish. It takes around 5 hours to hike from Bitanmal to Falaling Chhish.
Dinner and overnight stay in camp.
Go for an early morning trek towards Hisper Valley (2,438 m).
Stop for a lunch break after 6 hours of trekking.
Upon arrival, have dinner and stay overnight.
Today, after breakfast, drive to Karimabad Hunza (2,438 m).
Stop for lunch in Hunza.
Upon arrival, have dinner at Pamir Pizza. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, explore the Hunza area and visit the forts in this region.
Drive to Gilgit in the afternoon. Stop for a lunch break at Rakaposhi viewpoint.
Dinner and overnight stay in Gilgit.
Fly to Islamabad. If the flight is cancelled, drive to Islamabad instead.
Upon arrival, transfer to the international airport for your onward journey.
Where this trip takes you
Biafo Glacier, Hispar La, Snow Lake plateau, Skardu Fort
The route
The fine print
Government trekking permit fees and paperwork.
Licensed professional guide (government requirement).
High-altitude porters.
Low-altitude porters.
Cook and cook helper.
Airport transfers on the first and last day.
All domestic flights and transfers.
Road transport in Pakistan.
4x4 jeeps from Skardu to Askole and from Hisper to Hunza-Gilgit.
Hotel accommodation in Pakistan (twin-sharing rooms).
Trekking accommodation in Pakistan (twin-sharing tents).
Hotel meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Trekking meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
All campsite fees and bridge fees.
Invitation letter for the visa process.
Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipment, and tools).
Support staff (cook, assistant(s), etc.).
Porters for trekking equipment, kitchen supplies, tools, crockery, gas, and personal luggage.
Travel insurance (recommendations only).
Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents offered).
International airfare.
Personal equipment (list provided on registration or request).
Tips for guides, porters, staff, etc.
Staff insurance.
Miscellaneous expenses (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
COVID-19 PCR test.
Sleeping bag.
Trekking boots and thermal socks.
Camp shoes.
Crampons.
Liner socks.
Polyester fleece/pile jacket or pullover.
Polyester fleece pants.
Rain gear.
Wicking long innerwear (tops and bottoms).
Ski hat.
Mittens or gloves.
Brimmed sun hat.
Bathing suit.
Toiletries.
Headgear.
Parka.
Wool shirt and trousers.
Sweater.
Cotton shirt and pants.
Gloves and mittens.
Rain/wind suit.
Cotton and wool inner garments.
Socks (cotton and wool/synthetic).
Boots.
Belt.
Down jacket.
Shalwar kameez (cotton).
Spare laces for boots.
Miscellaneous items.
Sunglasses.
Towel.
Washcloth.
Bandanna/scarf for covering your mouth while riding in a jeep.
Water bottle with a durable screw top.
Sunscreen.
Headlamp with flashlight, extra batteries, and bulb.
Insect repellent.
Swiss Army knife or a similar one.
Nylon cord for a clothesline.
Personal medical kit.
Pocket-size sewing kit.
Lighter or matches for general use.
Wristwatch.
Thermarest.
Stuff sacks of various sizes for storing your used clothes.
Toilet paper or a travel pack of tissues.
An interesting book.
Notebook and pen for a journal.
Snacks.
Binoculars.
Camera, film, extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and extra lenses.
Sports gear (playing cards/Frisbee).
Water purification tablets.
Trekking Gear and Clothing:
While on an organized trek, it is best to pack all items for your trip in one large piece. The large piece must be a duffel bag (weighing not more than 12.5 kg) because duffels are easier for porters to carry. A small day pack is suggested as a carry-on to keep items that you will use during the trek or while on the bus or jeep.
Luggage: Large duffel bag with a lock. It is not recommended to put your stuff in backpacks, as the straps might get damaged while being transferred from bus to jeeps, jeeps to campsites, and during loading and unloading by porters each day. A small padlock that fits through the zipper of your duffel bag is recommended.
Day Pack: Large enough for camera gear, cap, sunglasses, water bottle, jacket, and other items you may like to use while on the trek.
Extra carry-on: For storing city clothes in Skardu.
Money Belt: A small fanny pack, money belt, or around-the-neck passport bag is suggested for safely keeping your passport, travel documents, and money.
Packing list for your duffel:
Sleeping bag.
Trekking boots and thermal socks.
Camp shoes.
Crampons.
Liner socks.
Polyester fleece/pile jacket or pullover.
Polyester fleece pants.
Rain gear.
Wicking long innerwear (tops and bottoms).
Ski hat.
Mittens or gloves.
Brimmed sun hat.
Bathing suit.
Toiletries.
Clothing:
With your knowledge of Pakistani culture, you are well aware of the precautions to be taken while travelling through remote areas. Clothes for the trek should be durable, comfortable, and easy to wash and dry. In good weather, you will spend much of your time in a T-shirt or medium shirt and outdoor trousers. You will need warmer clothes for the evening in the camps. Temperature falls rapidly as soon as the sun goes down.
Men could wear shorts once you are through the populated areas, i.e. the third day of the trek. Women are advised to use cotton salwar kameez (loose long shirts and baggy trousers), the traditional Pakistani dress, as these are comfortable in the warm conditions and are also appreciated and respected by the locals.
Check List:
Headgear.
Parka.
Wool shirt and trousers.
Sweater.
Cotton shirt and pants.
Gloves and mittens.
Rain/wind suit.
Cotton and wool inner garments.
Socks (cotton and wool/synthetic).
Boots.
Belt.
Down jacket.
Shalwar kameez (cotton).
Spare laces for boots.
Miscellaneous items.
Sunglasses.
Towel.
Washcloth.
Bandanna/scarf for covering your mouth while riding in a jeep.
Water bottle with a durable screw top.
Sunscreen.
Headlamp with flashlight, extra batteries, and bulb.
Insect repellent.
Swiss Army knife or a similar one.
Nylon cord for a clothesline.
Personal medical kit.
Pocket-size sewing kit.
Lighter or matches for general use.
Wristwatch.
Optional items.
Thermarest.
Stuff sacks of various sizes for storing your used clothes.
Toilet paper or a travel pack of tissues.
An interesting book.
Notebook and pen for a journal.
Snacks.
Binoculars.
Camera, film, extra batteries, cleaning supplies, and extra lenses.
Sports gear (playing cards/Frisbee).
Water purification tablets.
Logistics
Your 21 days finish where they began.
Watch the film
Create your own adventure
Say goodbye to travel stress.
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