Snow Lake & Hispar LA Trek
Introduction:
Snow Lake Trek, also known as Biafo Hispar Trek, is one of the most remote and pure nature adventures on planet earth. The trail is unparalleled to any other trails in the world. The Lake is actually a high-altitude glacial basin with a width of more than 16 KM, found at the convergence of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers.
The basin lies 16,000 feet above sea level behind the Hispar LA pass in the Karakoram Mountain range. These two glaciers link up at Hispar LA (5151-M), making the greatest concentration of glacial ice outside the Polar Regions. The icy rivers connect two ancient mountain kingdoms, one of which is Baltistan in the east and Hunza in the west.
This is a strenuous/technical level ‘E’ trek that requires physical & mental fitness, good stamina and prior trekking experience.
Cost Included/Excluded
- Skardu & Hunza Hotel Stay(s)
- All Trek and Travel Meals
- Services of Trek Leader, Guides, Porters and Kitchen Staff
- Tents on twin-sharing basis
- All NOCs/Permits/Park Fee/Tolls etc.
- Booked 4x4 vehicles from Skardu to Askole and Hispar to Hunza.
- Satellite phone for emergency outgoing calls
- Garmin GPS device for continuous connectivity, location tracking and weather forecasts.
- First Aid Kit
- Mess Tent with seating and light arrangement
- Generator (selected hours) if permitted by the government
- Porters for personal luggage of up to 15kg
- Backend Liaisons and POC in Skardu/Islamabad
- Support and guidance on gear requirement and procurement
- End-to-End Mentorship, Guidance and Expectations Setting for each Individual
- Travel To/From Skardu/Hunza
- Personal Equipment (e.g. Sleeping Bag, trekking shoes, hiking gadgets, harness etc.)
- Personal Insurance/Emergency Rescue
- Tips to Guide/Porters/Staff etc.
- Any unforeseen/unplanned expenses like additional stay due to roadblocks etc.
- Insurance liability and other under force majeure conditions, medical aid and helicopter rescue coverage of members etc.
Itinerary
Flights or public/private transport. Meet & greet at the hotel, get to know each other over local fare. We’ll collect CNICs and passports which are submitted to local authorities for trekking permits, normal procedures. Documents are returned before we leave.
Rest up and explore the town and nearby valleys; complete any last-minute pre-trek shopping. Dinner in the evening, introductions and initial briefing; questions and answers
Group breakfast in the hotel, leaving for Askole on 4 x 4 vehicles. Lunch enroute near Dasu. Explore Askole village in the evening. Overnight in Tents at Askole Campsite.
Today, the walking session of Snow Lake and Hispar LA trek will start by following the K2 Base Camp trail and then turn west onto the Biafo Glacier.Night stay at Namla camp.
Start the trek on the side of the glacier. Set up your camps on the left side of the Biafo glacier, on a grassy area. Night stay at Mango campsite.
Continue walking on the lateral moraine of the Biafo glacier on a broad highway of ice, which makes walking easier than yesterday. Cross to the right and come off the Biafo glacier to a grassy area where Baintha camp is located. Night stay at Biantha campsite.
Having a rest day here will help your body to get used to the thin air at this high altitude. You can relax in the camp or walk up a ridge behind the camp with fine views.
Start the trek and follow a steep and loose trail to rejoin the Biafo glacier and for the first time, you will see Hispar LA and Snow Lake. Night stay at Marfogoro camp.
Wake up to a breathtaking sunrise view across the Snow Lake and over the Hispar pass. Spectacular trekking day on the highway of ice that has been used by explorers for many centuries. Night stay at Karfogoro campsite.
Trek to the Hispar LA base camp. Start walking on the south end of a large snowy flat area known as Snow Lake, finding your way through a network of crevasses. Night stay in camps at Hispar LA basecamp.
Start trekking on Snow Lake towards Hispar LA pass. Traverse across the vast Snow Lake area and make the ascent to Hispar LA Pass. Night stay at Hispar La pass camp.
Wake up to a breathtaking sunrise view across the Snow Lake, Biafo glacier, and the snow-covered mountains of Hunza. Cross Hispar LA and trek to Kani Basa by descending towards Hunza valley. Night Stay in camps at Kani Basa.
Today is a tough trekking day for our Snow Lake trek. Continue descending on Hispar glacier towards Bakhtur Baig camp. Night stay at Bakhtur Baig camp.
Wake up early for another challenging day and continue descending on the glacier towards the Shigham Baris campsite. Shigham Baris camp is beautifully located on the grassy land. Night stay at Shigham Baris camp.
Trek to Hispar village by crossing a bridge and a small glacier. After crossing the glacier, you will see Hispar village further down the valley. Another 4 hours jeep ride till Karimabad, the capital of Hunza valley. Overnight in hotel.
