TreksVERY DIFFICULT
Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan4,900m
Alpine Peaks
Snow Lake - Hispar La Trek
Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Very DifficultAlpine Peaks5,151m4 - 8 Climbers Ratio
4.9(124 climber reviews)
Snow Lake - Hispar La Trek
Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan•20-25 Days•June - August
Expedition Synopsis
Overview & Mountain Character
“An extraordinary high-altitude glacial traverse crossing the vast Biafo and Hispar glaciers through the legendary Hispar La Pass.”
Spanning over 120 km across unbroken glacial fields, this world-renowned expedition connects Baltistan with Hunza along what is often referred to as the 'Highway of Ice'. Leaving Askole, the route marches up the Biafo Glacier to the vast white plateau of Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo) before surmounting the 5,151m Hispar La Pass and following the Hispar Glacier into the green terraces of Nagar and Hunza. Requiring technical roped glacier travel and solid physical endurance, this stands as one of the ultimate wilderness treks in the Karakoram.
5,151m
Summit Elevation
20-25 Days
Total Duration
4 - 8 People
Climbers Ratio
June - August
Ideal Season
Technical Grade: Very Difficult
Strenuous high-altitude technical climbing on ice walls & rock faces
Day-by-Day Expedition Log
Route Timeline & Rotation Plan
22 Itinerary Milestones
Arrival at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to your accommodations. Spend the day resting, followed by an evening operational briefing on the Snow Lake – Hispar La journey. Optional sightseeing in Islamabad. Overnight: Hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Board the 45-minute mountain flight to Skardu (2,228m) with views of Nanga Parbat and K2. Browse local bazaars or Manthal Buddha Rock. (If cancelled, drive 8-9 hours to Chilas via the KKH). Overnight: Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Acclimatize in Skardu with walks to Kharpocho Fort, organic farms, or Satpara Lake. Road travelers will complete the Chilas-to-Skardu drive today. Overnight: Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive 7 hours through the Shigar Valley to Askole (3,000m), the final village settlement, where the expedition camp is set up for the night. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin hiking (6-7 hours) along the trail before turning west onto the Biafo Glacier, camping at Namla (3,566m) behind the lateral moraine. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike 5-6 hours over the fractured moraine of Biafo Glacier to the grassy shelf of Mango (3,720m) on the left bank. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Follow the lateral moraine for 6 hours along the ice corridor, crossing over to the green ablation valley of Biantha (4,035m). Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rest day at Biantha for acclimatization, photography of the Latok group and The Ogre (Baintha Brakk), and observing wildlife. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A 6-hour walk back onto the Biafo Glacier, using fixed ropes and harnesses to navigate crevassed zones up to Marfogoro (4,300m) with views of The Ogre and Hispar La. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Trek 6 hours across the glacier ice sheet to reach Karphogoro camp (4,680m) surrounded by towering Karakoram walls. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Advance 6 hours into the vast 16 km glacial bowl of Snow Lake, negotiating crevasse fields to reach Hispar La Base Camp (4,590m). Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A steady 6-hour ascent across snowfields to the crest of Hispar La (5,150m), unlocking dramatic views over Biafo, Hispar, and the Hunza mountains. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend 5 hours into the Hunza drainage, traversing the junction of Hispar and Kani Basa glaciers to camp at 4,510m facing Kanjut Sar (7,760m). Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike 6 hours along the right bank of the Hispar Glacier, crossing moraines and glacial torrents to Bakhtur Baig (4,470m). Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A 7-hour descent over lateral scree and moraine into the vegetated meadows of Shigham Baris (4,170m). Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A 6-hour descent leading to the wide pastures of Bitenmal (3,760m), meeting local shepherds from Hispar. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike 4 hours down to the orchards and terraced fields of Hispar Village (2,300m) for the final camping night. Overnight: Full-service Camping.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to 4x4 jeeps for a 4-hour drive along the Nagar River to Karimabad (2,440m) in Hunza for hotel lodging and hot showers. Overnight: 3-Star Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Tour Altit and Baltit Forts in Karimabad, then take the afternoon drive south to Gilgit. Overnight: 3-Star Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Board the early flight from Gilgit to Islamabad. (In case of poor weather, drive via the KKH to Chilas/Besham). Overnight: Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Buffer day to protect against road or flight delays, or free day for leisure in Islamabad. Overnight: Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Prerequisites & High Points
Highlights & Climber Prerequisites
Expedition Highlights
1
Traverse of Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo) glacial basin
2
Crossing the 5,151m Hispar La Pass
3
Continuous 120km trek over Biafo and Hispar glaciers
4
Grand views of The Ogre (Baintha Brakk) and Latok peaks
5
Trans-Karakoram journey connecting Baltistan to Hunza
6
Remote expedition-style mountaineering terrain
Mandatory Climber Requirements
Previous 6000m peak experience
Good technical climbing skills
Excellent physical condition
Medical fitness certificate
Mountaineering insurance required
Transparent Coverage
Services Included & Excluded
What's Included in Expedition
- Government royalty fee (as per seasonal rates)
- Liaison officer including allowance and equipment fee
- Base Camp accommodation (single supplement available)
- All meals during the trek to Base Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All meals at Base Camp (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All internal and domestic transport and flights within Pakistan
- Airport transfers and ground transportation
- Personal baggage allowance during expedition logistics
- Full-service Base Camp setup
- Dining tent, bathroom facilities, and shower tents
- Solar charging facilities at Base Camp
- Solar power system with backup electricity generator
- Hot water availability at Base Camp
- Free Wi-Fi at Base Camp (subject to network availability)
- Satellite phone service at Base Camp (fixed calling service)
- Communication radios (walkie-talkies)
- Regular weather updates from European forecasting services
- Emergency equipment at Base Camp
- Experienced Pakistani cook and full kitchen staff
- Porters for all expedition and Base Camp supplies
- Staff insurance for guides, cooks, assistants, and porters
What's Excluded
- High-altitude climbing leader or Sherpa (available upon request)
- Rope-fixing Sherpa team (available upon request)
- Accommodation above Base Camp
- Meals above Base Camp (high-altitude food and snacks)
- Group climbing equipment above Base Camp (tents, ropes, ice screws, snow bars, etc.)
- Supplemental oxygen for climbers
- Oxygen cylinders or bottles
- Oxygen sets including regulator, mask, and hoses
- Personal climbing Sherpa
- Summit bonus for personal Sherpa
- International airfare to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fees
- Mandatory mountain climbing rescue and evacuation insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Personal climbing equipment for 8,000m peaks
- Personal equipment cargo transport to and from Islamabad
- Expenses due to early summit or expedition wind-up
- Costs resulting from unforeseen delays
- Personal communication costs outside Base Camp
- Tips and gratuities for staff and porters
Expedition Pricing
Pricing on Request
Every expedition is customized according to your group size, climbing season, and specific route requirements. Contact us directly to receive an itemized proposal.
Get Itemized Expedition Pricing
Reach out directly to our Karakoram expedition coordinators on WhatsApp or Email for complete pricing, dates, and logistics tailored to your team.
Risk Mitigation
High-Altitude Mountain Safety Protocols
High-Altitude Acclimatization Schedules
Carefully calculated elevation increments with acclimatization rotations and designated rest camps to prevent AMS and HAPE.
Dual Satellite & VHF Communications
Continuous satellite phones (Iridium) and high-frequency VHF handheld radios linking high camps, Basecamp, and Islamabad logistics.
UIAA Certified Expedition Hardware
All fixed ropes, snow pickets, high-altitude dome tents, and multi-fuel stoves meet rigorous international UIAA safety ratings.
Licensed Sirdars & High-Altitude Crews
Guided by certified high-altitude mountain leaders and seasoned Balti climbers with multiple Karakoram summit ascents.
This expedition navigates altitudes reaching 5,151m. All international climbers must hold high-altitude emergency search and helicopter evacuation insurance policy coverage prior to departure from Islamabad.
Climber Reviews & Testimonials
Real climber stories, feedback, and high-altitude photos on Snow Lake - Hispar La Trek.
5.0(6 reviews)
Write ReviewExpedition Reviews6
Verified mountaineers & travelers
Sarah Mitchell
United Kingdom•2026-10-18
expeditionK2 Base Camp Expedition
“An absolutely life-changing experience. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, safety was never compromised, and the views of K2 were beyond anything I could've imagined. This team truly understands how to craft an unforgettable journey.”
Photos by Sarah (3)
James Carter
Canada•2026-10-14
trekkingFairy Meadows Trek
“From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized. The local insights and personal attention made this trek feel completely unique. I've traveled extensively, but this was by far one of the best-managed trips I've been on.”
Photos by James (2)
Elena Rodriguez
Spain•2026-10-09
cultural toursHunza Valley Cultural Tour
“The warmth of the local culture combined with breathtaking landscapes made this tour unforgettable. Our guide shared stories and history that brought every village to life. I'd book with them again in a heartbeat.”
Photos by Elena (2)
Michael Chen
Australia•2026-09-25
trekkingRush Lake Trek
“Professional, passionate, and precise — this team exceeded every expectation. The logistics were flawless even in remote terrain, and the camaraderie among the group made the challenging trek feel effortless.”
Photos by Michael (2)
Julian Meyer
Munich, Germany•2026-09-12
trekkingK2 Base Camp & Concordia Trek
“Standing face-to-face with K2 at Concordia was an experience words cannot capture. The mountain guides, high-altitude Balti porters, and hot campsite chef service were nothing short of exceptional. Karakoram Mountain Explore handled every permit and internal flight flawlessly.”
Photos by Julian (1)
Sophie Laurent
Lyon, France•2026-08-30
expeditionBroad Peak Summer Climb (8,051m)
“Our Broad Peak climb was a masterclass in safety and high-altitude logistics. The base camp infrastructure with solar arrays and heated dining tents made our acclimatization comfortable. Their liaison support in Islamabad and Skardu was seamless.”
Photos by Sophie (1)
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