Biafo & Snow Lake Trek
BiafO & Hishper glaciers combine together forms the world,s longest glacier out side the polar region. The Snow Lake & the
Hishper pass give an unmatched trekking experience. After seven hours jeep journey from Skardu the trek will begin at Askole
for the 115 km ice corridor trek walking on dancing stones, crossing splashing streams. camping on the summer pastures on
the lateral moraines, crossing the 5150 m Hishper pass & four major side glaciers, We will end up the trek at Hishper village, the
first permanent settlement after leaving Askoli.
The first seat of power of the formerly Hunza State was Altit. Later it shifted to Baltit (modern-day Karimabad). Until the fall of
princely state in 1974. Baltit served as political center of Hunza and hence its capital. Today. Baltit is one of the major tourist
destinations in Hunza. The center of activities has however shifted to the nearby Aliabad. which is a commercial hub in the
region and has most Of the governmental infrastructure.
Details
Depart from your own destination, arriving Islamabad the next day and transfer to the hotel for a few hours'
sleep. After an early breakfast we return to the airport for the flight to Skardu. which usually departs mid-
morning. Given good weather this is perhaps the most spectacular commercial flight in the world. with
magnificent views of Nanga Parbat the ninth highest mountain in the world. The flight however will not
operate in poor weather. and you must be prepared for a wait in Islamabad if the flight is cancelled
In case Of cancellation Of flight (13-14 hrs) drive by coach to Chilas (480 km) on Karakoram Highway. Or Drive
to Chilas via the Babusar Pass 4173m. Babusar Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.173 m (13.691
ft) above the sea level. The pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley, Pakistan. The pass connects the
Kaghan Valley via the ThakNaIa with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. It's one of the famous hair pinned roads
in the world.
Complete road journey (10-11 hrs) to Skardu (275 km) En-route has good view of Nanga Parbat (8125m) at
junction of Indus River and the rapids and fall of Indus River.
Full day for official formalities and final preparation of Trek at Skardu.
After a free day in Skardu, we travel by Jeep to Askole, the last village between us and K2. This journey takes
about 7 hours and is on very rough narrow tracks often blocked / damaged by landslides.
Trek begins. The walk from Askoli to Namla is on an easy gentle plain first and then becomes difficult as we get
on to the snout of Biafo Glacier. This will take about 6 to 8 hours. The first sight of the pinnacles of the Paiyu
Group is stunning.
This can take 7 hours or more. We walk on the moraines of Biafo Glacier as well as in an ablation valley. This is
not an easy walk as we trek on rocks most Of the time.
From Mongo we get on to the white BiafO Glacier where the walking is easier and then we diagonally walk
across the Biafo to reach its other side near Biantha. The difficult parts here are getting on to the glacier and
then getting Off it. This takes about 6 hours of walking and will give us our first sight Of the Latok Group. The
campsite is located in a green meadow.
Wash Up, Relax, Read, Climb On A Steep Ridge For Outstanding Views
Behind The Camp, Sing And Dance With The Porters!
Six to eight hours of walking. Getting on to the glacier is tricky. Once on it, the walk is pretty straight forward
on the white glacier. However, we are careful to avoid crevasses here. The greenery Of Biantha campsite is only
a memory now. We are in the dramatic and awesome expanse of the Biafo with its jagged pinnacles. The Ogre
(7.813 m.) towers high above us on our right. There is only snow and rock now.
The trek takes about 6 to 7 hours over ice and snow. Once again we are careful to avoid crevasses along the
way. Snow Lake is a magical place. Be sure to get out of the tent to experience the stars in the night. It is an
unforgettable experience!
A 6 to 7 hour walk on slopes of about 30 degrees takes us to the top of the pass. Once again. we are careful to
avoid crevasses. Even though the climb is on gentle slopes. we find it difficult due to the rarefied air. When on
top we see a panorama described by an early explorer: "Beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it
has been my lot to behold." On one side the Biafo lies and on the other side we look towards the Hispar Glacier
and the peaks above Hunza valley. The view of sunrise from the pass is another sight to behold.
This is a long day's walk and can take more than 8 hours. We want to make sure that we leave the pass early
before the snow becomes soft. On the way down, once again. we are careful to avoid crevasses. We will have
to cross the Kani Basa Glacier before we can camp on a green campsite. which is a welcome sight and site
after being on snow for the last few days. On the way we can see the famous Kanjut Sar (7,760 m.) towering
high above the Kani Basa Glacier.
This will take about 7 hours and on the way we will cross the Jutmal Glacier. It is tricky here as the route
through the glacier is like a maze with high ice walls. After crossing it. another hurdle that we face is the climb
up on a loose cliff face. Once up the face, we now enter a beautiful campsite with lovely views across the
Hispar Glacier. Some streams have to be crossed on the way.
This section takes about 8 hours. On the way Pumory Glacier is crossed and also a stream. The crossing Of
Pumory is not that difficult as the Jutmal. However. once again. we have to descend on to the ablation valley
and once again we have to climb the cliffs on our right to get to the campsite. This is an exhaustive process.
One more glacier to cross! This is Kunyang Glacier. The walking does get a little easier. However, crossing the
Kunyang is tedious and the climb on rocks on the other side can be difficult. This is a short day consisting of
about 4 hours. Our camp is in a shepherd's meadow where villagers from Hispar bring their yaks for the
summer. The view of Makrong Chhiish (6.607 on the other side of Hispar Glacier, is outstanding.
Another short day of about 4 hours. Some streams have to be crossed on the way, but the walking is relatively
gentle. A bridge over the Hispar stream has to be crossed and then a climb on a good path brings us into the
village proper. It is strange to see habitation as the villagers gather around us!
Our jeeps will transport us back to Karimabad, Hunza. The first sight of this lush green valley surrounded with
huge white peaks will remain an imprint on our minds for a long time.
We drive to Gilgit in about three hours and have ample opportunity to visit the Central Asian bazaars and do
some sightseeing.
Having breakfast in Hotel we transfer you to Gilgit airport to depart Islamabad. The flight however will not
operate in poor weather. in this case we drive from Gilgit - Babusar Top 4170m and drive continue to Narang
Valley overnight in Hotel.
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