Biafo Hispar Snow Lake Trek

The Biafo Glacier is a 63 km (39 mi) long glacier in the Karakoram Mountains of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, which meets the 49 km (30 mi) long Hispar(Nagar) Glacier at an altitude of 5,128 m (16,824 ft) at Hispar La (Pass) to create the world’s most extended glacial system outside the polar regions. This ice highway connects two ancient mountain kingdoms, Nagar (immediately south of Hunza) in the west and Baltistan in the east. The traverse uses 51 of the Biafo Glacier’s 63 km and all of the Hispar Glacier to form a 100 km (62 mi) glacial route.
Snow Lake is located 16,000 feet, 4,877 m above sea level, and is approximately 10 miles and 16 km wide. The basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hisparglaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61-mile (100 km) river of Ice that is among the world’s most extended continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions. The central Karakoram, first explored and mapped in 1937 and 1939, is perhaps the wildest. It has vast glaciers, high mountains, and remote passes.

The length of Biafo Glacier is 68 kilometers 42 miles long with a total area of 625 sq. km. It starts at Korofong above Askole village. Hisper Glacier is 52 Kilometers long. Only the Hisper pass separates the Hisper Glacier and Biafo Glacier. However, most geographers consider the two glaciers to be one; they call it the Biafo-Hisper Glacier. If so, the 120-kilometer, 75-mile-long Biafo Hispar Glacier will probably become the second-longest glacier in the world.

Approaching Snow Lake following a broad highway of Ice, a huge glaciated basin at 4500 meters, there could be a couple of crevasse areas where it will be necessary to rope up. Here, we can view Biantha Brak (7284 m), Snow Lake Peak, and Simkiang Glacier. From here, we ascend the Hisper La and camp on the summit, which gives us panoramic sunset and sunrise views of the whole Biafo – Hispar.

	Departure/Return Location		International Airport, Islamabad
	Departure Time		Mountain Range: Karakoram
	Elevation: 4,877m		Best Time: Mid-July to End-August
	Duration: 22 Days		Zone: Open

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Additional information

time	22 Days

Day

01: Arrival Islamabad

arrival at the airport and then transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

Day

02: Islamabad to Skardu (By Air)

Early morning flight to Skardu (flights are subject to weather). If unable to fly, we will depart for Skardu by road with an overnight stay at Chilas. Overnight stay in a hotel at Skardu.

Day

03: Chilas to Skardu

In case of flight has operated, we will go for a sightseeing tour of Skardu, and in case of no flight, the day will be used for overland travel from Chilas to Skardu (total drive is 22 – 24 hrs from Islamabad to Skardu). Overnight stay in a hotel at Skardu.

Day

04: Rest day at Skardu

Sight seen in Skardu final packing for the Trek.

Day

05: Skardu to Askole

After breakfast, we will embark jeeps for a full day ride on a winding jeep trail to Askole – The last inhabitance on our way to the Great Glaciers. (Tent)

Day

06: Askole to Namla

Today we will leave the last inhabited village of Askoli. We will rely on our local team for the remaining portion of our journey, who will carry our food and equipment and sustain our Trek. We start the Trek and walk along the turbulent waters of the Braldu River. After 2 hours, we climb a steep slope to enter the Biafo glacier. Most of the day, we will walk on the boulders and along the lateral moraines (Tent)

Day

07: Namla to Mango

After breakfast, Trek to Mango is the short and moderate Trek on the glacier to Mango. (Tent)

Day

08: Mango to Baintha

After breakfast, Trek to Baintha. We cross the jumble of boulders to the moraine ridges in the glacier’s center. Soon, we reach the ‘miracle highway’ of white ice, which provides easier walking to the glacier’s east side to make camp at Baintha. This is a splendid camping place, with lush grassland, abundant flowers and birds, and the chance to spot shy ibex on the mountain slopes above the camp. (Tent)

Day

09: Rest day Baintha

Rest day at Baintha, since the alpine loveliness of this camp is not something to be rushed, bearing in mind that there is absolutely nothing in the way of greenery beyond this point for some considerable distance. This rest stop also allows the porters to bake a supply of Balti bread and chapattis over the coming days. Today, the very worthwhile option is ascending a peak above the camp for fantastic views down the glacier and across to the Latok group of mountains and the Ogre. (Tent)

Day

10: Baintha to Simgang

After breakfast, Trek to Simgng. We will trek on the crevassed Biafo to Simgang Biafo junction. A hard & long day rewarded with breathtaking views of dozens of nameless peaks from 5060 m to Sosbun Brakkk 6413 m. (Tent)

Day

11: Simgang to Snow Lake

After breakfast, Trek to Snow Lake. This will be a strenuous walking day but the most rewarding and memorable day of your life. Cruising first the crevassed glacier & later the upper ice flow, follow the footsteps of Conway, Shipton, and Workmans to reach Snow Lake. The workmen, on their first Sight of this magical place, are bound to declare it “A huge basin of ice & snow that seemed in no way of this world” (Tent)

Day

12: Snow Lake to Hisper Pass (5150m) and Khani Basa

After breakfast, Trek to 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 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 the other 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 single file with rope to avoid the hidden crevasses. (Tent)

Day

13: Khani basa to Yutmuro Glacier

After breakfast, Trek to Yutmuro.Today, we will traverse the Khanibasa glacier, which takes around 2 hours. During the day, we have spectacular views of Kanjut Sar 1 (7700m) and the glaciers. The great numbers of wildflowers make this day pleasant again. (Tent)

Day

14: Yutmuro to Bitanmal

After breakfast, Trek to Bitanmal. An easy stroll through Ablation Valley brings us to Yutmaru Glacier, which takes approximately 2 hours to reach the viewpoint of Hisper Pass in the backdrop. Bitanmal’s campsite is filled with willow bushes and wildflowers. (Tent)

Day

15: Rest day at Bitanmal

Rest day at Bitanmal and Explore around (Tent)

Day

16: Bitanmal to Hispar Village

After breakfast, Trek to Hispar village. An early start is essential each morning as we descend the Hispar Glacier. This is because the side streams must be negotiated to be much less formidable before the heat of the day (and associated snowmelt) swells them to impassable proportions. After crossing the Kiang Glacier, there is a steep climb to regain the path that leads through the grazing grounds of Daltanas and Falolingkish. One large stream has to be crossed just before Falolingkish, and then a footbridge leads across to Hispar Village. (Tent)

Day

17: Hispar Village to Karimabad

After breakfast, we will drive to Karimabad. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to the hotel and check in. In the afternoon, you will be free at leisure to go for a walk around. Overnight stay in Karimabad.

Day

18: Rest day at Karimabad

After breakfast, we will visit Baltit Fort, and later on, we will proceed to Attabad Lake for a cruise excursion (16 km) alongside KKH. Overnight stay in a hotel in Karimabad.

Day

19: Karimabad to Chilas

After breakfast, we will depart for Chilas; en route, lunch stop at Gilgit will also visit the local bazaar. Afternoon drive to Chials. Overnight stay in a hotel at Chilas.

Day

20: Chilas to Islamabad

In the early morning, we will depart for Islamabad, vis Babusar pass. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

Day

21: Islamabad

After breakfast, we will do a full-day sightseeing of the twin city Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The rest of the time is reserved for shopping.

Day

22: Islamabad to Flight out

Transfer to airport for flight back home

Please Note: Gilgit Baltistan flights are subject to weather and backlog, in case of flight cancellation we will travel by road, and one night of Islamabad will be adjusted in overland travel.

Services included as following

Hotels:

02 nights hotel in Islamabad (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
01 night in Hotel Naran (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
02 nights in Hotel Hunza (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
02 nights in Skardu (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Transport:

Pick up from group when arrive and drop to the airport when group Departure Air-condition van from Islamabad –Skardu-Islamabad
Flight Tickets Islamabad-Skardu
Arrange transport on briefing and debriefing occasions
Sightseeing the capital city of Islamabad

4 x 4 Jeeps:

Jeeps from Skardu – Askoli-Hispar-Hunza

Trekking Food:

Food (during the Trek (we will serve breakfast, lunch and Dinner)

Porters:

Carry on member’s personal equipment, foodstuff, camping crew, etc. All porters insurance
16 Kg porter facility for members’ gear. (Above 16 Kg will be separately charged from a member on the spot, as per Porter rate per Kg)

Staffs:

Guide Cook and assist cook wages, camp food, transport, and insurance

Camping Equipment:

Mess tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent mattress, chairs, Tables

Kitchen utensils:

Complete kitchen utensils (crockery)

General Services:

Tips for baggage handling at airports & hotels
Fess: (CKNP, Bridge crossing, cable crossing, camping)
International flights tickets re-confirmations
Custom clearing assistance

Services not included in the given price

Member international flight tickets
Helicopter emergency rescue fees Members any climbing gears
Member personal insurance
Sleeping bag and all personal expenses such as telephone calls, fax, email charges, liquor or soft drinks,
Room service, gratuities for personal services, items of a purely personal nature
Custom clearing charges (import and export of equipment)
Any unforeseen expenses (like road block extra hotel stay or if members stay more days at Base Camp) will be paid according to the number of days bases.

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