Snow Lake Trek

Itinerary

Day 1 – Islamabad Arrival

Arrive at Islamabad airport where you will be met by our staff; we’ll ferry you to the hotel where you can chill out and freshen up. We recommend arriving in Islamabad at least one day early so that you can settle in and be ready to go on the morning of day one.

Note: accommodation pre-tour is not included.

Day 2 – Fly to Skardu

The plan is for our whole group to catch an early morning flight to Skardu (50 minutes), the largest city in Baltistan. If the weather is clear, we can catch some truly epic views of Nanga Parbat and other massive peaks in the area.

Once in Skardu guests will have free time throughout the day to rest and to explore the city and the bazaar. Today, we will finalize our trekking permits at the local government office and have dinner together as a group. 

 Day 3 – Market Day in Skardu

Today, the team is busy food shopping and packing all of the group supplies. Team members have free time in the city during the morning and early afternoon. In the late afternoon (time permitting), we will visit the Kharpocho Fort as a group for those who want to come. We will have dinner again as a group before setting off in the morning.

*If the group is arriving overland from Islamabad, the entire schedule is bumped back a day, to allow for a day of rest in Skardu (that is why we schedule in buffer days!)

 Day 4 – Drive from Skardu to Askole Village

Today, our adventure begins in earnest! Our team will assemble early at the hotel and after breakfast, we will load up the 4×4 jeeps and begin the bumpy, dusty drive to Askole – the gateway to Central Karakoram National Park. The journey from Skardu takes between 6-8 hours depending on road conditions. We will eat lunch en route.

We will arrive at Askole in the late afternoon and camp out on the grounds of a simple lodge.

It is also possible that we will need to spend an extra day in Skardu finalizing our permits if they are not ready the day before (again, this is why we schedule buffer days!).

Day 5 – Trek to Namla (3,571m)

Walking 12km (7 to 8 hours)

The trek starts by following the K2 Base Camp trail and then turns west onto the Biafo Glacier.

The trail ascends over a shoulder to reach the left moraine and descends on to the glacier then back on to the left bank where the grassy camping site called Namla is located behind a lateral moraine.

Day 6 – Trek to Mango (3,715 m)

Walking 7km (5 to 6 hours)

After crossing a fracture zone on the glacier we reach the center of the glacier where we follow moraine ridges, underfoot there is loose rock making this a challenging day.

We set up camp on the left bank of the Biafo in a grassy area.

Day 7 – Trek to Baintha (4,041m)

Walking 11km (6 to 7 hours)

The route continues up the center of the glacier on a broad highway of ice making the walking easier than yesterday. We cross to the right and come off the glacier to a grassy area where Baintha camp is located. 

Day 8 – Acclimatization and Rest (4041m)

This is a rest day for you and the porters in order to help with acclimatization to the high altitude. You can relax in camp or if feeling energetic walk up a ridge behind the camp with fine views of Latok group and The Ogre.

Look out for Ibex that can often be seen on grassy slopes above.

Day 9 – Trek to Morfogoro (4,298m)

Walking 11km (5 to 6 hours)

The trail is steep and loose to get onto the glacier however once there we follow the flat glacier making relatively straightforward walking.

Further along the glacier, there are some crevasses to be aware of where depending on the conditions we might rope up to safeguard our passage. There are superb views of many peaks including The Ogre (7,813m) and also we will get the first views of the Hispar La and Snow Lake.

Day 10 – Trek to Hispar LA Base Camp (4,585m)

Walking 10km (8 hours)

Today we walk to the south end of a large snowy flat area known as Snow Lake finding our way through a network of crevasses. Snow Lake is a high-altitude glacial basin over 16km wide at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers.

Martin Conway, the first foreign visitor, gave Snow Lake the name in 1892 and described this area as “beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold a finer.”

Day 11 – Cross Snow Lake and Trek to Hispar LA High Camp(5,149m)

Walking 11km (5 to 6 hours)

Today we trek up to the vast Snow Lake area and make the ascent near Hispar La. The climb to Hispar La is not too steep although it always feels quite strenuous at this altitude, we also have to be aware of the crevasses in this area. The views at Hispar La are fantastic looking down Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake, The Ogre and another side down Hispar glacier to peaks into Hunza.

The goal is to actually camp below Hispar La to take in the views and vibe of this special place, making the La crossing in the morning.

Day 12 – Trek to Kani Basa (4,468m)

Walking 4km (5 hours)

After an early start, we descend from Hispar La crossing a crevassed area, and then later on the glacier flattens out. We have to cross Kani Basa glacier which is a fracture zone where the two glaciers collide. Shortly afterward we reach our camp located in a grassy ablation valley with good views of Kanjut Sar (7,760m).

Day 13 – Trek to Jutmal or Yutmaru (4,138m)

Walking 10.5km (6 to 7 hours)

This is a challenging day as we have to find our way through a series of moraine ridges; climb a loose scree slope then cross several glacial streams. Jutmal camp is on a grassy area along the side of the glacier.

Day 14 – Trek to Bitanma (3,765m)

Walking 8km (6 to 7 hours)

The route continues up the center of the glacier on a broad highwayAfter an hour we descend down a steep bank to cross another side glacier then back to the valley as  before where the walking is good. Camp at Bitanmal is in a large meadow often used by herders from Hispar village.

Day 15 – Trek to Falaling Chhish (3,605m)

Walking 5km (4-6 hours)

We make the last side glacier crossing over the Kunyang Glacier, then walk up by a steep path and cross a stream to get to the meadows at Falaling Chhish.

Day 16 – Trek to Hispar Village (2297m) - Drive to Aliabad

Walking 15km (7 to 8 hours)

From our camp at Falaling Chhish we cross a bridge to reach Hispar village. You will certainly notice the vibrant green of the orchards and terraced fields after the black and white scenery of the Hispar Glacier.

Depending on the condition of the road we may meet our jeeps in the village if the road is broken then we have a further walk followed by a short drive to our last camp on this trek. If the road is in a fine state, we will drive back to Aliabad on this day. 

Day 17 – Rest Day or Drive to Aliabad in Hunza (2440)

We take a jeep for a couple of hours to Nagar village along a rather narrow track before reaching the Karakoram Highway.

We drive up the road to Karimabad where we check into a boutique eco-lodge in Aliabad and the rest of the day is free to wash up, relax, and just chill the F out after so many days of trekking.

Day 18 – Contingency day / Sightseeing

This day is allocated for any potential delays during trekking. We do not want our guests to miss their domestic flights due to delays and at the same time we can’t rush the trek if the weather turns. These delays can be caused by multiple factors including (but not limited to) roadblocks. This time can be utilized for sightseeing in Hunza valley.

Hunza valley is truly spectacular and today we have the chance to explore Karimabad, it is an interesting town spectacularly situated on a hillside to the north of the road with views of the fertile valley below (due to their extensive irrigation system) and a glimpse of snowy mountains.

There is an option to visit Altit Fort – which is more than 1000 years old, once the home of the ruling Hunza king dynasty.

Day 19 – Fly to Islamabad

Early Morning Flight to Islamabad from Gilgit.

We will have a chill day in Islamabad and an epic feast all together OR we will be driving the KKH en route to Islamabad if we have flight delays. 

Day 20 – Contingency Day in Islamabad

We booked in an extra day in Islamabad in case of travel complications getting back from Gilgit. Since you have just completed the most epic hike of your life, we do not want to add any group stress by making the departure window tight.

Today will be a free day in the city with group breakfast and dinner included. After a final meal together, our epic journey of a lifetime has come to an end and the time has come to say goodbye.

Day 21 – Departure Day

We arrange for transfers to the airport for those who are flying out over the next 12 hours.

Check-out of the hotel is around 11 am on Day 21. You can choose to stay on at the same hotel if you are not flying home right away, though any additional nights at the hotel are not covered.