Karakoram, Gilgit-Baltistan
The Biafo to Hispar traverse links Askole with Hunza across Snow Lake and the Hispar La (5,128 m), a remote, committing journey over 100 kilometres of connected glacier.
Snow Lake is one of the last great wilderness treks. The Biafo and Hispar glaciers meet at a vast snow basin, forming a 100-kilometre ice highway between Baltistan and Hunza.
This is a serious expedition-style trek for experienced parties. There are crevasse fields, a high glacial pass and long remote days, all handled by our specialist glacier crew.
Day 1 to 3
Transfer to Skardu and jeep to Askole.
Day 4 to 8
Ascend the Biafo to Snow Lake over several roped glacier days.
Day 9 to 10
Cross the great basin and the Hispar La (5,128 m).
Day 11 to 15
Long descent to Hispar village in upper Hunza.
Day 16 to 19
Drive out via the Karakoram Highway with buffer days.
Expedition tents at every camp, including exposed glacier sites on Snow Lake.
Full board with a trek cook; carefully planned rations for a remote route.
For very experienced, very fit trekkers. Roped glacier travel, a high pass and long remote days. Previous glacier trekking is essential.
Pakistan visa with LOI, trekking permit and park fees, all arranged. A specialist itinerary requiring advance planning.
Roped travel across crevasse fields, a trained glacier crew, oxygen and a full medical kit. Turnaround and weather rules are strict on this route.
Read our altitude and safety guide and is Pakistan safe for foreign trekkers.
Snow Lake is a vast glacial basin where the Biafo and Hispar glaciers meet, forming one of the longest continuous glacier systems outside the polar regions.
Very hard. It involves roped glacier travel, crevasse fields and a 5,128 m pass over three weeks in remote terrain. It suits experienced trekkers only.
Basic comfort with roped glacier travel and crampons helps. Our specialist crew manages ropes and route-finding, but this is not a beginner trek.
July to September, when the glacier system is most stable. It is a short, weather-sensitive window.
It crosses from Askole in Baltistan to Hispar village in upper Hunza, so you finish in a completely different valley from where you started.
The K2 Base Camp trek walks the length of the Baltoro Glacier to Concordia and the foot of K2 (8,611 m). It is the classic Karakoram adventure and the trip most foreign trekkers ask us about first.
Spantik, or Golden Peak (7,027 m), rises above the Chogo Lungma Glacier. This trek reaches its base camp through the quiet Nagar valley and pairs well with a Hunza visit.
