BIAFO HISPER LA SNOW LAKE TREK

 

Duration: 20 Days  
Range: Karakoram
Maximum Elevation: 5151M
Zone: Open
Best Time: June to mid of September
Grade of difficulty: Strenuous
Camp Nights: 10  
Hotel Nights: 09



 

 

 

 

 

 

Biafo Glacier (60 km. long) and Hispar Glacier (61 km long) meet at the 5,151m. Hispar Pass to form one of the longest glacial systems outside the polar regions. This highway of ice connects two ancient mountain kingdoms; Hunza in the west with Baltistan in the east.

 

In olden times warriors from Hunza would use this natural pathway to invade the peoples of Askolie in Baltistan. Later, the well known sport of "Polo," a Balti word meaning ball, served as a more positive outlet for aggression between these two kingdoms and matches were played on stretches of level ground in this locality.

 

Because the Biafo-Hispar region is very remote it serves as the last stronghold for many animals; including Himalayan bear, ibex, markhor and the snow leopard. H.W. Tilman, an English adventurer, claimed he saw footprints of the Yeti during his trek there in 1937.

 

At the base of Hispar Pass on its eastern flank rests Snow Lake, a basin of ice (16 km. wide) surrounded by granite pinnacles yet to be climbed. Glaciologists have conducted various experiments on the lake and have found the ice to be approximately 1.6 km. deep. Some go as far as to say that Snow Lake represents the last of the original ice cap in the earth's temperate zones.

 

The first segment of the journey from Islamabad to Askolie is identical to that of the K-2 Trek (see enclosed). We begin our walk from Askolie towards K-2 then shortly head west onto the Biafo Glacier. After trekking three to four days we arrive at Baintha Campsite located on an ablation valley below the granite peaks of the Ogre (7,813m).

 

The walk takes us past glistening clear lakes, bright spots of green grass, glorious wild flowers and the ever present vertical snow covered peaks hanging above to complete this dazzling scene. The next two days take us over the white covered Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake. We then make the exhilarating walk up to Hispar Pass continuously overwhelmed by the incredible views.

 

Having reached the highest point of our journey atop Hispar Pass (5,151m) we begin the descent into Hunza; a land where the language, culture and ethnic background is vastly different than that of Baltistan. We follow the Hispar Glacier past massive mountains such as Kanjut Sar (7,760 m) and Disteghil Sar (7885 m.) reaching the end of the glacier in four to five days.

 

The green oasis of Hispar Village awaits us signaling only another day is walk before a jeep transports us to Karimabad, Hunza. First sight of the lush valley of Hunza is breathtaking and in some ways makes up for the nostalgia one feels after completing a long walk. We spend one night in Karimabad then we are off to Gilgit by way of the KKH. Depending on weather conditions we then fly or drive back to Islamabad. 

 

Itinerary:

Days

Areas

Overnight

01 Arrival Islamabad. Hotel
02 Drive to Chilas. Hotel
03 Drive to Skardu. Hotel
04 Sightseeing in Skardu. Hotel
05 Jeep Drive to Askoli. Camp
06 Trek to Namla. Camp
07 Trek to Mango. Camp
08 Trek to Baintha. Camp
09 Trek to Napina. Camp
10 Trek to Hisper Base Camp (4800 m). Camp
11 Crossing the pass to Khanibasa. Camp
12 Trek to the Yutmaru Glacier. Camp
13 Trek to Dachigan. Camp
14 Trek to Hisper Village. Camp
15 Jeep Drive to Karimabad. Hotel
16 Free for sightseeing in Karimabad. Hotel
17 Drive to Chilas. Hotel
18 Drive to Islamabad. Hotel
19 Free day in Islamabad. Hotel
20 Destination Flight. ---
Snow Lake Biafo Hisper La Trek
Snow Lake Biafo Hisper
Biafo Hisper Snow Lake Trek

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