Biafo hisper & snow lake trek
per person
Biafo & Hispar trek runs through one of the most remote and fascinating landscape in all of the Greater Himalayas. Considered the longest non-polar glacier trek in the world (122km) winds through in the core of the Karakorum. This immense high way of ice and stones was historically important for trades between the legendary kingdoms of Baltistan and Hunza. This route was extensively used to connect the Silk Route with the Indian Sub-continent, China and Tibet. Mr. H. W. Tilman an English trekker claimed in 1937 that he had seen the footprints of Yeti on the glacier. Glaciologists after conducting tests on the snow lake confirmed that the thickness of snow is one mile. Here one can observe the rare species of animals in abundance like snow Leopards, Himalayan Bears, Ibex, Markhore. The panoramic Hisper Pass knots together the Biafo and Hisper Glaciers at 5150m high above sea level, forming one of the longest glacier traverses in Pakistan. The route is embellished with the charms of ‘Snow Lake’ and the romance of total wilderness prevailing over the whole area. Along the route the famous Snow Lake, a 77 sq. km snow basin ringed by a cirque of virgin jagged peaks and cliff faces. This 12 days classic trek from Askole of Baltistan to Hisper village in Hunza valley covers about 190 km making it a continually fascinating trekking experience that not to be missed.
biafo hisper & snow lake trek
Biafo & Hispar trek runs through one of the most remote and fascinating landscapes in all of the Greater Himalayas. Considered the longest non-polar glacier trek in the world (122km) winds through in the core of the Karakorum. This immense high way of ice and stones was historically important for trades between the legendary kingdoms of Baltistan and Hunza. This route was extensively used to connect the Silk Route with the Indian Sub-continent, China and Tibet. Mr. H. W. Tilman an English trekker claimed in 1937 that he had seen the footprints of Yeti on the glacier. Glaciologists after conducting tests on the snow lake confirmed that the thickness of snow is one mile. Here one can observe the rare species of animals in abundance like snow Leopards, Himalayan Bears, Ibex, Markhore. The panoramic Hisper Pass knots together the Biafo and Hisper Glaciers at 5150m high above sea level, forming one of the longest glacier traverses in Pakistan. The route is embellished with the charms of ‘Snow Lake’ and the romance of total wilderness prevailing over the whole area. Along the route the famous Snow Lake, a 77 sq. km snow basin ringed by a cirque of virgin jagged peaks and cliff faces. This 12 days classic trek from Askole of Baltistan to Hisper village in Hunza valley covers about 190 km making it a continually fascinating trekking experience that not to be missed.
Transportations: Air conditioned bus/Jeep
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Departure
Islamabad/Chilas/Skardu/Snow Lake/Hisper/Karimabad/ Khunjerab/ Gilgit/ Besham/ IslamabadIslamabad/Chilas/ Skardu/Askole/K2-Concordia /Chilas/ Islamabad
Islamabad
Arrive at the airport in Islamabad our staff will pick welcome you at the terminal and transfer to the hotel.
Islamabad – Skardu
Today early morning we will transfer to airport for onward flight to Skardu, the flight to Skardu gives a spectacular view of the mountains such as Nanga Parbat on the right and K2 on the left before landing in Skardu! But the flight is always dependant on weather conditions. Alternately, we take two day drive to Skardu, along the Karakorum Highway which is another beautiful journey of the trip, during our journey to Skardu we will have the best view of Nanga Parbat from its viewpoint along the Karakorum Highway and the junction point of the three great mountain ranges “Karakorum, Himalaya and Hindukush”.
Skardu
If we are able to fly to Skardu the last day than we have a free day for sight-seeing, acclimatization and preparations at Skardu, the capital of Baltistan and the gateway to great Karakorum mountains. OR if couldn’t make it to Skardu by air then today we will drive to Skardu from Chilas along the Indus river en-route we will stop at Nanga Parbat viewpoint and the junction point for the three great mountain ranges.
Skardu – Askoli
After having an early breakfast we will start our jeep journey along the Shigar and Braldu valleys to Askoli village, the last permanent settlement of Shigar Valley. This seven hours hard drive is an extremely spectacular and fascinating journey through little changed traditional villages and orchards. Arrive and fix the tents for overnight stay.
Askoli – Namla
After breakfast, we will distribute the luggage to the porters and start the trek along the turbulent waters of the Braldu River, after 2 hours hike we will pass through the steep slope to enter into the Biafo glacier.
Aamla – Manggo
Today is another day to walk on the Biafo glacier, the first stage of the trek is hard in the boulders and gravels and the second part is comparatively easy along the moraines and summer pastures.
Mango – Baintha
After an hour walk through willow bushes and on the grassy moraine we come down to the Biafo glacier to negotiate the unstable boulders and crevasses to cross the glacier. After the glacier, we have easy and gentle walking along the grassy moraines of Baintha. Today we have beautiful views of Latok-1 (7145m), Latok-2 (7108m) and Hisper Pass, with mountain walls on either side rising to 6,000 meters. The Baintha campsite in the ablation valley with dense willow shrubs surrounded by wildflowers makes one of the best campsites of this trek.
Baintha
Rest day/Explore around
Baintha – Karfogoro
Today is another beautiful day of the trek, the early hours of the trek is a lovely stroll along the ablation valley with many small lakes surrounded by willow bushes and wildflowers. After one hour we come down to the Biafo glacier which offers easy walking opportunity with the gradual climb over smooth ice. At this point, the gravels and boulders are very minimal and are caring for the frequent crevasses.
Karfogoro - Snow Lake
Today we will enter into the Snow Lake which looks like an ocean of snow. We will rope up to stay away from the hidden crevasses. With steady plod, we arrive in two hours to the junction point of Snow Lake and Simgang glacier. Today we will camp at around 4,900 m in a flat bowl near the pass.
Snow Lake - Hisper Pass (5150m) - Khani Basa
Today we will wake up early in the morning and leave as soon as we are done with breakfast, we will try to reach the pass before the sunrise. From the top of Hispar Pass (5150m), some of the finest views of the Karakorum, Ogre Peak (7285m) in the background of Snow Lake's wide plateau and Hispar Glacier stretching as far as the eye can see, with the white pyramid of Workman peak to its north. After a refreshment and photo stop, we will proceed to another side of the pass which takes three hours to reach the campsite at Khani Basa. Most of the day we will walk through deep soft snow in a single file with rope to avoid the hidden crevasses.
Khani - Yutmuro Glacier
Today we will traverse through and cross the Khanibasa glacier that takes around 2 hours. During the day we have spectacular views of Kanjut Sar 1 (7700m) and the glaciers. The great numbers of the wildflowers make again this day pleasant.
Yutmuro – Bitanmal
An easy stroll through ablation valley brings us to Yutmaru glacier, which takes approx 2 hours to reach the viewpoint of Hisper Pass in the backdrop. The campsite of Bitanmal is filled by willow bushes and wildflowers.
Bitanmal
Rest day at Bitanmal/Explore around
Bitanmal – Hisper – Karimabad
3 hours easy walking along the Hisper River takes us to Huru/Hisper (3100m) village. From where we end our trekking and transfer in jeeps for 2 hours drive through Nagar Valley to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza valley. Enjoy some snowcapped mountains in its surroundings such as Ultar peak (7400m)Rakaposhi (7788m), Golden Peak (7027m) and many others.
Karimabad
Today we will visit Altit & Baltit forts, local bazzar, channel walk and evening to Duiker village. Dukier offers the best view of the Hunza valley and the snowcapped mountains on its surroundings. The beautiful Hunza Valley will warmly welcome you from your long trek. The rich fruit orchards,
Karimabad – Besham
Departure for Besham on Karakorum Highway which takes approx 12 hours, en-route we will stop for lunch and short stops for photography. Arrive and transfer to the hotel
Besham – Islamabad
Departure for Islamabad, arrive and transfer to the hotel
Islamabad
Rest day/Shopping
Islamabad – Destination
Drive to the airport and fly to the destination (our service will end after the transfer to the airport in Islamabad)
