Explore the world with tourHQ
Pakistan · Trekking
The journey
Embark on an adventurous expedition to breathtaking Snow Lake via Hispar Pass, trekking across the ancient ice highway of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. Along the way, take in glorious views of peaks including Sosbun Brakk, Mango Gusor, Bakhor Das, Latok, and Baintha Brakk, while camping high in the Karakoram near Hispar Pass. The journey also connects Baltistan, Skardu, and Hunza, with travel along the legendary Karakoram Highway and time to explore Karimabad, Baltit Fort, and the surrounding valley.
The view of Snow Lake from the top of Hispar Pass at 5151 m is inspirational.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
Meet and greet your tour guide, receive a trek briefing, and transfer to the hotel.
For the rest of the day, explore the bazaars of Rawalpindi and the new town of Islamabad.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Begin with a morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Skardu, followed by a transfer to the resort. This flight is subject to suitable weather conditions, so if it is cancelled, we will drive by road to Naran/Chilas.
Meals and overnight stay at the hotel.
If we travel by road, we will make the journey from Chilas to Skardu. If you travel by air, then enjoy a free day in Skardu.
Overnight in the hotel with meals.
Set off in soft-top 4x4 jeeps for a bumpy ride to the trekking trailhead.
Enjoy the views of Mango Gusor (6208 m) and Bakhor Das (5809 m) peaks.
Camp at 2950 m at Askoli.
Walk alongside the Braldu River for about an hour to reach the village of Askoli. This is the last permanent settlement along our trekking route.
Proceed to the Biafo Glacier.
After setting foot on the glacier, arrive at Namla campsite at 3400 m.
Cross an area of crevasses where extreme care is needed. It is important to follow our guide closely.
Gently ascend the glacier, enjoying spectacular views of Latok 1 (7145 m) and Latok 2 (7108 m) along the trek. The track follows the ablation valley past a small lake, then heads out across the lateral crevasses to the smooth white centre of the Biafo Glacier.
Spend the night at the campsite at Biantha at 4025 m on a grassy area with a clear stream flowing through dense willows and alpine flowers.
Spend the first hour of the trek on a lovely walk along the valley, crossing many small lakes surrounded by willows and wildflowers. This area is the habitat of bears and Himalayan ibex.
Make a gradual climb over smooth ice. If there is fresh snow on the glacier, we must rope up and walk using a flying belay while enjoying stunning views of Sosbun Brakk (6418 m).
Camp at 4025 m.
Make a predawn departure from camp to walk safely over the soft snow on the medial moraine.
After two hours of steady plodding, arrive at the intersection of the Sim-gang Glacier with Snow Lake.
Camp at around 4780 m close to Hispar Pass.
Enjoy the spectacular views of Snow Lake. For the first 40 years of the last century, explorers believed that Snow Lake was an ice cap like those in polar regions, from which glaciers flow in each direction, and its size was estimated at 777 sq. km. It is now estimated to cover 77 sq. km. The lake was named by explorer Martin Conway in 1892, who gave a dramatic account of the area in his book 'Climbing expeditions in Karakoram - Himalaya'.
Make an early morning departure to climb the pass. Gaiters are essential, as snow can be deep even in the morning.
Hike in single file, roped together. The route passes through the centre of the pass around giant crevasses and striped, greenish-blue seracs towering on either side. The view of Snow Lake from the top of Hispar Pass at 5151 m is inspirational. Numerous glaciers emerge from Snow Lake and disappear between nameless unclimbed Karakoram peaks. The highest of these peaks is Baintha Brakk (7285 m), Ogre, first climbed by Chris Bonington and Doug Scott in 1977. On the other side of the pass, the snow-covered Hispar Glacier stretches as far as the eye can see, and to the north rises the white pyramid of Workman Peak (19,300 ft.).
Descend from the pass to camp on the glacier's northern moraine at 4580 m.
Soon after leaving camp, spend about 90 minutes crossing the Khanobasa Glacier. Enjoy spectacular views of Kanji Sar (7700 m), the 29th highest peak in the world.
Follow the lateral moraine and marvel at the hanging glaciers and frequent avalanches on the southern ice walls. Yutmaru at 4330 m is a flat, sheltered field in a valley, surrounded by willows and alpine flowers. It also offers fine views of Hispar Pass and the Balchish Range.
Go for an hour's leisurely walk through the valley to the Yutmaru Glacier, which we then take about two hours to cross, negotiating high ice walls and deep crevasses.
Make a steep climb that provides panoramic views back to Hispar Pass. As we descend, there are also views of the Kunyan Chish Range (7852 m), the 22nd highest peak in the world. The Pumari Chish Glacier flows south from this mighty mountain.
Walk along a path 100 m above Hispar Glacier to reach our campsite at 3902 m.
Rest in the Bitanmal valley. The Bitanmal valley campsite is a wide-open summer pasture surrounded by willows and flowers. In summer, shepherds from Hispar Village move here to live with their herds of goats, sheep, and yaks. It is a perfect place for a rest day.
Walk through the green pastures, past willows and cedars, and among herds of goats, sheep, cattle, and donkeys.
Reach the south bank of the Hispar River and a vast alluvial fan rippling in terraces down to a cliff above the river.
Cross a wooden bridge over the river and climb steeply to enter Hispar village, with its mud houses, apricot, willow, and poplar trees, and fields of wheat, peas, and beans, along with the ever-present wild poppies and marijuana.
After spending some time here, walk for another hour to our camp close to a roaring river at 3200 m.
In the morning, walk for two hours through the dry landscape to Huru and board soft-top 4x4 jeeps for the short ride to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza Valley. You are never short of spectacular views here - Rakaposhi (7788 m), Ultar 1 (7388 m), Ultar 2, and Golden Peak tower above the valley.
Enjoy a free afternoon.
Meals and overnight stay at the hotel.
Enjoy free time in Karimabad to explore the valley and visit the Altit and Baltit forts.
If time permits, we may drive 35 km further north along the Karakoram Highway to the picturesque village of Passu for thrilling views of the Passu and Batura glaciers.
Enjoy a Hunza cultural dance in the evening.
Meals and overnight stay at the hotel.
Begin with a morning excursion to Upper Hunza to enjoy the views of Passu Peak, Passu Glacier, Batura, and other peaks of the Karakoram.
Drive back along the Karakoram Highway to Chilas.
Meals and overnight stay at a hotel.
Proceed towards Islamabad with your Pakistani mountain guide.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Proceed to the airport and board your return flight.
The route
The fine print
Domestic/international airfares and airport taxes
Any expenses due to cancellation of flights, landslides, other natural calamities, or acts of God beyond the control of Rock Valley Tours, their staff, and suppliers
Any expenses of a personal nature not mentioned above
Logistics
Your 19 days finish where they began, in New Islamabad Airport Rd.
Watch the film
Create your own adventure
Say goodbye to travel stress.
Starting from
When
Travellers
Total
—
