Famous Trek Biafo-Hispar Snow Lake Trek

The Snow Lake Hispar La is in a glacierous region which is more than 16 kilometers wide at the starting point of Biafo and Hispar La pass of the Karakoram mountain range in Pakistan. The other ones include Biafo Glacier, Snow Lake that has a length of 120kilometres combined with the Hispar Glacier making it the second longest glacier in world in the non-polar zone. Baltistan, Biafo Glacier, Snow Lake, Hispar La, the Karakoram Range, and Hunza Valley are some of the prospective treks for the starters that are located in Pakistan. There are fresh air, sightseeing opportunities, and simply the ability to get back to the nature.

Trek Highlights

• Snow Lake Hispar La trek in the Karakoram mountains, Pakistan
• Amazing mountain views on a flight to Skardu
• Explore the Baltistan and Hunza areas
• Trek on the Ancient Ice Highway, Biafo and Hisper Glacier
• Great panoramic view from the top of Hispar La
• See old forts hidden among Pakistan’s tall mountains
• Travel on the Ancient Silk Route (Karakoram Highway)
• Visit the beautiful Shigar and Hunza Valleys in Pakistan

Trek Overview

This trek Snow Lake – Hispar La takes you to the most isolated region of Karakoram where limited number of trekkinkle groups go. This region is also good habitat for many wild animals such as Himalayan bear, ibex, Markhor and snow leopard etc. The trek trails are comparatively untouched such that it is very rare for hiker to sight other hikers. The Snow Lake, Hispar La and Biafo Glacier trek is referred aptly as the ‘Ice Highway’ as it links two realms of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Hunza in the west and Baltistan in the east.

Snow Lake Hispar La trek is one of the hearty difficult but rewarding treks in the northern area of the Karakoram range. Ropes are used in some part of the trekking activities. You may have to stagger over sharp crests, icy slopes and crest through snow streams. This track provides few of the most picturesque view of the mountains and good camping grounds.

 Snow Lake Hispar La is one of the many adventure holidays offered by Adventure Lovers that has been organizing treks and other such tours in Pakistan for 40 years now. You will acclimatize to high altitude and the following is the detail of the trekking to Gokyo ri to base camp trekking itinerary taking 22 days. While the distance here is not very long for the park, the time it will take to complete the trek may be relatively shorter depending on your experience in trekking at high altitudes, the steepness of the terrain or the state of the weather at the time of trekking.

The Snow Lake – Hispar La trek begins in Islamabad which is green city of Pakistan. The guide will be expected to pick up the group from Islamabad International Airport and then transfer them to the group hotel. The next day after briefing about the trek you will take a Mountain-view flight to Skardu. And during the flight, you would have opportunity to observe the great Nanga Parbat, K2, Gondogoro La, Baltoro Glacier and other peaks of the Karakoram range which is fully covered with snow. On arrival in skardu, the rest of the day will be spent touring around the town and doing some shopping for the trekking expedition.

administered territory of Skardu is Baltistan situated in Gilgit-Baltistan region. It is a base for the Snow Lake – Hispar La trek, K2 base camp trek and many other famous treks. The Baltis are believe to be originated from Nepal, Tibet, or North Burmese, formerly using the Tibetan language, which is called Balti at the time of our visit. There is a tradition via which trekkers get the final stock that they would require in Skardu. Following the two days’ stay in Skardu, you will go through an overland transfer passing through the Indus, Shigar, and Braldu rivers and covering Shigar Valley up to Askoli. Askoli is one of the last few human habitations one finds once he starts his journey into the Karakoram range.

The tour starts at snow lake, Hispar La being the next destination after camping at the night. The itinerary that you’ll follow is K2 Base Camp trail and then divert towards the Biafo Hispar glacier. In the next days you walk over rocky moraine ridges for the next several days. Namla and Mango are the stations you will stop at before arriving at the Biantha campsite. This shall be a free day to help the body acclimatize in preparation for the high altitudes the following day. These rest stops are necessary to take during the trek because apart from the physical breaks, it gives vantage point to observe large expanses of mountains which are rarely seen anywhere in the world.

After this, you will ascend back to the Biafo Glacier following it. This is easier for me than if I were to be perusing the portions of the trek with rocky surface. You will camp at both, Marfogoro and Karfogoro before crossing the Snow Lake from where you will proceed to Hispar La. The Hispar La offers you that trespass into Pakistan at 5,151 meters on the camp of Biafo Glacier, the mesmerizing Snow Lake, Ogre, Hispar Glacier, and other snow-capped mountains of Hunza.

Once you make it to the Hispar La pass, you will be descending a little into the Hunza Valley. You will pass through Kani Basa and Bakhtur Baig, and only over the railway tracks at Shigham Baris. From Shigham Baris, you will cross a glacial moraine path from where you cross through meadows that have little streams and wild flowers to get to Bitenmal campsite. Bitenmal is a shepherd’s seasonal dwelling mounted for shepherds of Hispar village only. It is common to pay attention to fresh milk and dairy products which may be offered by the local shepherds.

Next day you will proceed for the trek of Hispar village after staying at Bitenmal the previous night. It is the first village heading through the track from Askoli. It will be the last night of camping at Hispar village today. The next day you will be driven to Karimabad the district headquarters of the Hunza Division and Valley. Karimabad can also be toured through the local bazaar as well as the Baltit and Altit forts, which are listed by UNESCO. The historical Baltit Fort was constructed 700 years back by Balti people of Baltistan. The construction of Baltit Fort architecture also followed the Ladakhi as well as Tibetan architecture like that of the Potala Palace of Lhasa.

After visiting the places of interest in Karimabad, it is suggested to drive along the Hunza River on the Karakoram Highway and reach Gilgit city with Rakaposhi Mountain in view. It is worth to mention that Gilgit is the capital of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The next day, there will be a flight back to Islamabad and get ready for the final night in the country of Pakistan. The next morning, the guide will take all the participants of the tour to the airport and see them off.

The Snow Lake Hispar La trek is one of the best treks that one can experience. These attractions include snow-capped mountains, glaciers, the gorges, waterfalls, and the most famous mountain. The diverse beauty of the Snow Lake – Hispar La trek tour would be something you would always look back to.

 Trek Itinerary