Why Trek to Snow Lake and Hispar La?
The Snow Lake Trek, also known to trekkers as the Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek or the Biafo Hispar La Trek, is the most remote glacier crossing you can walk in Pakistan's Karakoram. It connects the Shigar district of Baltistan to Hunza/Nager. It takes roughly 10+ days you link two of the longest glaciers on Earth outside the poles into a single, unbroken highway of ice and forests of snow along the way, camping beneath a wall of unclimbed and legendary peaks and finishing in the remote Hispar valley of Nager, roughly a 2 hours jeep/offroad drive from Hunza valley. This is not a walk to cross the glaciers, dive into sceneries and back, but it is a true wilderness traverse from Baltistan into Gilgit, and it belongs on the short list of the world's great treks.
The Karakoram holds the greatest concentration of glaciers anywhere on the planet outside the polar regions, and the Snow Lake trek runs straight through its frozen heart. Where the Biafo and Hispar glaciers meet lies Snow Lake — Lukpe Lawo — a glacial basin more than 16 kilometres wide, ringed by peaks that were still being named and mapped within living memory. The British explorer Sir Martin Conway reached this basin in 1892 and famously judged it the finest mountain view he had ever seen. More than a century later, that verdict still holds.
Trek Highlights
- Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo): one of the largest interior glacial basins on Earth, a silent white amphitheatre of ice.
- Hispar La (5,150 m): a spectacular high pass where sunrise light spills across the Biafo on one side and the peaks above Hunza on the other.
- The Biafo–Hispar ice highway: nearly 100 km of continuous glacier — the longest such system outside the poles.
- A true point-to-point traverse: start among the Balti villages of Baltistan and finish in the Burusho valleys of Hunza and Nagar.
- A wall of giants: The Ogre (Baintha Brakk), the Latok group, Kanjut Sar, Kunyang Chhish, Disteghil Sar, Pumari Chhish and dozens more.
- Rare Karakoram wildlife: ibex on the grassy slopes and, for the fortunate few, snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear and Marco Polo sheep.
- Hunza's living culture: finish in Karakoram orchards famous for apricots, ancient forts and the legendary hospitality of the mountain people.
Snow Lake Trek Itinerary — Day by Day (20 Days)
Camp names, altitudes and walking times are indicative. Karakoram weather and glacier conditions change fast, so your guide may adjust the schedule for safety and acclimatisation. Two contingency days are built into the plan to protect your international flight home.
- DAY01
Arrival in Islamabad
~540 mOur representative meets you at Islamabad International Airport and transfers you to your hotel. The evening is set aside for a full trek briefing, gear check and final paperwork over a welcome dinner. Rest and recover from your flight — an early start follows. Overnight: hotel, Islamabad.
- DAY02
Fly Islamabad to Skardu
~2,230 mWeather permitting, you take the stunning morning flight over the Karakoram to Skardu, with Nanga Parbat filling the window on a clear day. If cloud grounds the flight, we drive the Karakoram Highway instead (an overnight en route). The rest of the day in Skardu is free to relax at altitude. Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
- DAY03
Acclimatisation and preparation in Skardu
~2,230 mA vital day to adjust to the thinner air while the team finalises food, fuel, porters and permits. Options include a walk up to Kharpocho Fort for sweeping views over the Indus, a short trip to Satpara Lake, or browsing the bazaar for last-minute supplies. Overnight: hotel, Skardu.
- DAY04
Jeep drive Skardu to Askole
~3,000 mA dramatic 4x4 journey up the Shigar and Braldu valleys, past barley fields, poplar stands and apricot orchards little changed in centuries. Askole is the last permanent village on the route; beyond it lies pure wilderness. We pitch our first camp here. Drive: 6–8 hrs. Overnight: camp, Askole.
- DAY05
Trek Askole to Namla
~3,570 mThe walk begins gently on the K2 Base Camp trail before turning west onto the snout of the Biafo Glacier. We cross moraine and ice to reach Namla, a green campsite tucked behind a lateral moraine — a soft landing after a demanding first day on the glacier. Trek: 7–8 hrs, ~12 km. Overnight: camp, Namla.
- DAY06
Trek Namla to Mango
~3,715 mWe pick our way across a fractured section of the glacier onto the central ice highway, following moraine ridges over loose rock. Camp is set on a grassy shelf on the flank of the Biafo. Trek: 5–6 hrs, ~7 km. Overnight: camp, Mango.
- DAY07
Trek Mango to Baintha
~4,041 mThe going eases as we walk the broad white spine of the Biafo. Baintha is one of the loveliest camps on the trek — a grassy oasis beside the ice, with the Latok spires and the Ogre rising ahead. Trek: 6–7 hrs, ~11 km. Overnight: camp, Baintha.
- DAY08
Rest and acclimatisation at Baintha
~4,041 mA well-earned rest day for both trekkers and porters. Wash up in the stream, do laundry, or hike the ridge behind camp for outstanding views of the Ogre (Baintha Brakk) and Latok group. Watch for ibex grazing the higher slopes. Overnight: camp, Baintha.
- DAY09
Trek Baintha to Marphogoro
~4,298 mBack onto the glacier, where the walking is straightforward but the crevasses demand care — we may rope up here. The greenery falls behind and the world becomes rock, snow and ice, the Ogre towering to the right. First glimpses of Snow Lake and the Hispar La appear. Trek: 5–6 hrs. Overnight: camp, Marphogoro.
- DAY10
Trek Marphogoro to Snow Lake / Hispar La Base Camp
~4,585 mWe thread a network of crevasses to reach the southern edge of Snow Lake — Lukpe Lawo — the vast glacial basin at the head of the Biafo. Camp is pitched at the foot of the Hispar La. Step out after dark: the star fields here are unforgettable. Trek: 6–8 hrs. Overnight: camp, Hispar La Base Camp.
- DAY11
Cross Snow Lake and Hispar La; descend to Kani Basa
5,150 mThe big day. We rope up and traverse Snow Lake before making the steady climb to Hispar La at 5,150 m — not technically hard, but the altitude makes every step count. The summit panorama, the finest on the trek, looks back over the Biafo and forward to the peaks of Hunza. We start early so the snow stays firm, then descend the crevassed Hispar side to a green camp at Kani Basa (~4,468 m), beneath Kanjut Sar (7,760 m). Trek: 8–9 hrs. Overnight: camp, Kani Basa.
- DAY12
Trek Kani Basa to Jutmal
~4,168 mA rugged day weaving through glacial moraine, loose scree and side-glacier crossings, with several streams to ford. Jutmal camp sits on grass beside the Hispar Glacier. Trek: 6–7 hrs. Overnight: camp, Jutmal.
- DAY13
Trek Jutmal to Bitanmal
~3,765 mWe cross a further tributary glacier and drop into easier valley walking. Bitanmal is a broad summer meadow used by herders from Hispar village — a welcome patch of green. Trek: 7–8 hrs. Overnight: camp, Bitanmal.
- DAY14
Trek Bitanmal to Falaling Chhish
~3,605 mThe final glacier crossing of the trek — over the Kunyang Glacier — then a short climb to the shepherds' meadows of Falaling Chhish, with Makrong Chhish rising across the Hispar. Trek: 4–5 hrs. Overnight: camp, Falaling Chhish.
- DAY15
Trek to Hispar Village; drive to Hunza
~2,300 mA bridge over the Hispar torrent brings us to Hispar village — the first settlement since Askole, and a riot of green terraces after days of black-and-white glacier. We meet our jeeps and drive down through Nagar to the Hunza Valley, checking into a hotel with hot showers and a real bed. Trek: 3–4 hrs then drive. Overnight: hotel, Hunza.
- DAY16
Rest day in Hunza
A relaxed day to recover and explore Karimabad. Visit the 700-year-old Baltit and Altit forts, wander the bazaar for local handicrafts, and soak up views of Rakaposhi (7,788 m) and Lady Finger across the valley. Overnight: hotel, Hunza.
- DAY17
Drive Hunza to Gilgit
A scenic morning in Hunza before the afternoon drive down the Karakoram Highway to Gilgit, positioning us for tomorrow's flight. Overnight: hotel, Gilgit.
- DAY18
Fly Gilgit to Islamabad
~540 mWe fly back to Islamabad (or, if weather grounds the flight, drive the KKH over the Babusar route). A final group dinner celebrates the crossing. Overnight: hotel, Islamabad.
- DAY19
Contingency day
A buffer day held in reserve against weather or travel delays earlier in the trip — a standard and important safeguard for any Karakoram itinerary. If unused, it is free time to sightsee, shop for souvenirs or simply rest. Overnight: hotel, Islamabad.
- DAY20
Departure from Islamabad
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward flight home, carrying the memory of one of the last great wilderness treks on Earth.
Dates for 2027
| Ex-Islamabad | From | To | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Departure | 26 Jun 2027 | 15 Jul 2027 | 20d / 19n |
| 2nd Departure | 03 Jul 2027 | 22 Jul 2027 | 20d / 19n |
| 3rd Departure | 10 Jul 2027 | 29 Jul 2027 | 20d / 19n |
| 4th Departure | 24 Jul 2027 | 12 Aug 2027 | 20d / 19n |
| 5th Departure | 07 Aug 2027 | 26 Aug 2027 | 20d / 19n |
| 6th Departure | 21 Aug 2027 | 09 Sep 2027 | 20d / 19n |
How Difficult Is the Snow Lake Trek?
Make no mistake: the Snow Lake trek is graded extremely strenuous and is widely considered harder than the K2 Base Camp trek. What makes it demanding is not technical climbing but the combination of remoteness, sustained glacier travel and altitude. Roughly two-thirds of the route is on ice, and crossing Hispar La means roping up to move safely through crevassed terrain. There are no teahouses, no road access and no phone signal for the best part of two weeks — everything is carried in and camped.
Who This Trek Is For
- Fit trekkers with previous multi-day, high-altitude experience above 4,000 m.
- Those comfortable with long days (up to 8–9 hours) on rough, uneven glacier and moraine.
- Adventurers seeking genuine isolation rather than a busy, popular trail.
Preparation: build a base of three to six months of cardio and hill training before departure. Strong legs, good balance and the stamina to carry a light daypack for long hours are worth far more than raw speed.
Best Time to Do the Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek
The trekking window runs from late June to early September, when the Karakoram enjoys its most stable weather. Unlike the Himalaya, this range sits largely outside the monsoon, so summer skies are often bright and clear.
- June: firm snow and quieter trails, but cold nights and some snow underfoot on the higher glacier.
- July–August: the peak window — the warmest, most settled conditions and the best glacier visibility.
- Early September: clear skies and fine views, with colder temperatures as the season closes.
Temperatures on the trek can swing from pleasant daytime walking conditions to well below freezing at the high camps. Be ready for sudden weather at any time — the mountains here set their own rules.
Essential Packing List
A full kit list is sent in your pre-departure dossier. The essentials include:
- Sturdy, broken-in trekking boots over the ankle, plus camp sandals for river crossings.
- A four-season sleeping bag (comfort-rated to around −15 °C) and an insulated sleeping mat.
- Layered clothing: thermal base layers, fleece, an insulated down jacket, and waterproof shell and over-trousers.
- Warm hat, sun hat, glacier-grade sunglasses, insulated gloves and a headtorch with spare batteries.
- Trekking poles, a personal first-aid kit (including altitude and re-hydration essentials), sunscreen and lip block.
- Two one-litre water bottles or a thermos, plus water-purification tablets.
Basic glacier gear such as ropes and an ice axe for the group is provided by Third Pole Adventures; you do not need personal crampons for this route unless advised.
What's Included and Excluded
Included
- All domestic flights and road transfers within Pakistan, including airport pick-up and drop-off.
- Hotel accommodation on twin-sharing basis in Islamabad, Skardu, Hunza and Gilgit.
- All camping equipment on trek: two-person tents, mess and kitchen tents, mattresses, tables and chairs.
- All meals during the trek and full-board where specified, plus tea, coffee and trail snacks.
- Licensed English-speaking mountain guide, cook and support crew.
- Porter service for personal luggage (up to the stated weight limit) and all group loads.
- National park and trekking permits, camping and bridge fees, and a letter of invitation for your visa.
- Group safety gear, basic first-aid kit and satellite phone for emergencies.
Excluded
- International airfare and the Pakistan visa fee.
- Personal travel and rescue insurance (mandatory for this trek).
- Personal trekking gear and equipment.
- Some meals in the cities, bottled and soft drinks, and items of a personal nature (laundry, calls, souvenirs).
- Tips for guides, cooks and porters, and any cost arising from delays beyond our control.
Our Social Responsibility: Three Trekkers, One Child in School
Every Snow Lake expedition is made possible by the strength and good humour of the Balti and Hunza porters who carry our loads across the ice. At Third Pole Adventures we believe that adventure tourism should give something lasting back to the communities that host it — so we have made education the heart of our giving.
For every three foreign trekkers who join us, Third Pole Adventures funds a full year of schooling for one child in the remotest corners of Gilgit-Baltistan.
These are the villages at the very end of the road — and often beyond it — where a single sponsored school year can change the course of a child's life. We prioritise support on the basis of need, and we place particular emphasis on girls' education, because the evidence is overwhelming: educating girls in mountain communities lowers infant and maternal mortality, reduces early marriage, and lifts the long-term wellbeing and economy of the whole valley.
Travelling with us means your journey across the ice leaves a trail of opportunity behind it. Guests who wish to give more can sponsor additional students directly — just ask our team for details.
Ready to Walk the World's Greatest Glacier Highway?
Book your Snow Lake Trek with Third Pole Adventures. Scheduled 2027 departures are open now, and private or custom dates can be arranged on request.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Both are serious high-altitude treks, but Snow Lake is more remote, spends far more time on glaciers, and includes the crossing of Hispar La — so it is generally rated the tougher of the two.
Scenes from the trail
