Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek
The Snow Lake Trek is a 22-day roped glacier expedition: up the Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake, one of the largest ice basins outside the polar regions, and over the Hispar La (approx. 5,150 m) to Nagar and Hunza.
- Duration22 Days
- DifficultyStrenuous
- Max Altitudeapprox. 5,150 m
- Best SeasonJuly – August
- Trekking Days14 Days
A Glacier Highway Across the Karakoram
The Snow Lake Trek follows the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, which together form a 100 km ice corridor across the Karakoram, one of the longest glacier systems outside the polar regions. Starting from Askole in Baltistan, we walk up the Biafo Glacier past Baintha and Marpogoro to Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo), a huge basin of ice surrounded by granite spires.
From Snow Lake we cross the Hispar La (approx. 5,150 m) and descend the long Hispar Glacier to the villages of Nagar and on to Hunza. Above Baintha the glacier is covered in snow with hidden crevasses, so the whole team walks roped together. This is a true expedition, and our team arranges the permit, licensed guide, glacier equipment, cook and porters.
Trip Highlights
- Walk the length of the Biafo Glacier, one of the longest outside the polar regions
- Camp at Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo), a vast ice basin at about 4,800 m
- Cross the Hispar La (approx. 5,150 m) between Baltistan and Nagar
- Roped glacier travel with an experienced licensed guide
- Finish in the Hunza Valley with a well-earned rest day
- Restricted-zone permit, glacier gear, cook and porters arranged by TGA
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening briefing on the expedition and glacier safety.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Skardu (approx. 2,230 m)
Mountain flight to Skardu past Nanga Parbat. If the flight is cancelled we drive along the Karakoram Highway (two days).
Overnight: HotelDay 3Skardu: briefing and gear check
Permit formalities and a full check of your gear, harness and crampons with your guide.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Jeep to Askole (approx. 3,000 m)
About 7 hours by 4x4 jeep through the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askole.
Overnight: CampDay 5Askole to Namla (approx. 3,600 m)
We climb onto the Biafo Glacier and follow its lateral moraine to the campsite at Namla. About 6–7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 6Namla to Mango (approx. 3,800 m)
Walking on and beside the glacier, with views of the granite peaks of the Latok group. About 5–6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 7Mango to Baintha (approx. 4,000 m)
To the grassy ablation valley of Baintha, the last green campsite before the snow. About 5–6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 8Rest and acclimatisation at Baintha
A rest day below the Ogre (Baintha Brakk) and a glacier training session with ropes and crampons.
Overnight: CampDay 9Baintha to Marpogoro (approx. 4,300 m)
From here we walk roped on the snow-covered upper Biafo Glacier. About 6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 10Marpogoro to Karfogoro (approx. 4,600 m)
A steady climb up the glacier with wide views of the Biafo basin. About 6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 11Karfogoro to Snow Lake (approx. 4,800 m)
We reach Snow Lake, the great ice basin at the head of the Biafo, ringed by snow peaks. About 5–6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 12Explore Snow Lake
A day to rest and explore Snow Lake, and a spare day if the weather turns.
Overnight: CampDay 13Snow Lake to Hispar La base (approx. 5,000 m)
A gradual climb to the camp below the Hispar La. About 5 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 14Cross the Hispar La (approx. 5,150 m)
We cross the pass early while the snow is firm and descend onto the Hispar Glacier. About 8–9 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 15Hispar Glacier to Khani Basa (approx. 4,500 m)
Down the long Hispar Glacier, crossing side glaciers on the way. About 7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 16Khani Basa to Jutmaru (approx. 4,200 m)
Grassy ablation valleys and summer pastures along the Hispar Glacier. About 6–7 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 17Jutmaru to Bitanmal (approx. 3,800 m)
Another day down the Hispar valley, with juniper and wild roses returning. About 6 hours.
Overnight: CampDay 18Bitanmal to Hispar village, drive to Hunza
Walk to Hispar village (approx. 3,300 m), then a jeep through the Nagar Valley to Karimabad in Hunza.
Overnight: HotelDay 19Rest day in Hunza
Relax in Karimabad, visit Baltit Fort and enjoy the apricot orchards of the Hunza Valley.
Overnight: HotelDay 20Drive to Gilgit and fly to Islamabad
Drive to Gilgit for the flight to Islamabad, or continue by road along the Karakoram Highway if flights are cancelled.
Overnight: HotelDay 21Spare day
A buffer day for weather on the glacier or cancelled flights. If not needed, explore Islamabad.
Overnight: HotelDay 22Depart
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Overnight: —Mountain itineraries can change with weather, flights and group pace. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Islamabad
- Hotels in Islamabad, Skardu and Hunza
- Domestic flights or road transport between Islamabad, Skardu and Gilgit
- 4x4 jeeps Skardu–Askole and Hispar–Hunza
- Restricted-zone trekking permit and licensed guide
- Ropes and group glacier safety equipment
- All meals during the trek, cooked by our trekking cook
- Tents, mattresses, dining and kitchen tents on the trek
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Porters to carry your main luggage and camping gear
- Local fees and registration at checkpoints
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance with high-altitude rescue cover
- Personal trekking gear, clothing and sleeping bag
- Tips for guides, drivers, cooks and porters
- Personal harness, crampons and ice axe (can be rented in Skardu)
- Extra nights or costs caused by flight cancellations, landslides or road closures
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Snow Lake Trek?
The Snow Lake Trek is one of the great glacier journeys on earth. For two weeks you walk through a world of ice and granite, far from roads and villages, and arrive at Snow Lake, a white basin so big that it is easy to lose your sense of scale.
The Snow Lake Trek is for strong, experienced trekkers who are comfortable with long days, cold nights and roped glacier travel. If you have done the K2 Base Camp Trek or the Gondogoro La Trek, this is the natural next step.
The trek ends in Nagar, close to the Hunza Valley, so you can easily add a few relaxed days there. Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance; rescue cover is essential.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Fitness
The Snow Lake Trek is strenuous. Expect 5–8 hour days on moraine, ice and snow for two weeks, with heavy boots and crampons. Previous multi-day trekking at altitude is required.
Altitude
We climb slowly, with a rest day at Baintha and a spare day at Snow Lake, so that you are well acclimatised before crossing the Hispar La.
Permits & Safety
The Biafo and Hispar glaciers are in a restricted zone, so a trekking permit and licensed guide are required. Because of hidden crevasses, the team walks roped together above Baintha.
When to Go
July and August are the best months for the Snow Lake Trek, when the snow bridges are most stable. See our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Trek
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for your Snow Lake expedition.
