The Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek is a high-altitude expedition that traverses a 120km corridor of ice. The centerpiece is Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo), a massive glacial basin over 16km wide, surrounded by unclimbed granite spires. Crossing the Hispar La (5,151m) requires teamwork, resilience, and often the use of ropes to navigate crevasse zones safely. This trek is significantly more remote and challenging than the K2 Base Camp trek, making it a true connoisseur’s choice for 2026.
The Highway of Ice: Traverse the 63km Biafo Glacier and the 49km Hispar Glacier back-to-back.
Snow Lake: Stand in the center of a high-altitude “ice sea” that glaciologists have found to be nearly a mile deep.
Hispar La (5,151m): Stand at the watershed between the Shigar and Hunza valleys with panoramic views of the Latok group and The Ogre 7,285m
Remote Wilderness: Unlike more commercial routes, you may go two weeks without seeing another trekking group.
Expert Safety: Guided by Karakoram Mountain Experts, with satellite comms and specialized crevasse rescue equipment.
You will be met at Islamabad International Airport by the Karakoram Mountain Experts team. After a transfer to your hotel and some rest, we conduct a detailed gear check and trip briefing. Evening welcome dinner with the team.
A 45-minute mountain flight takes us to Skardu 2,228m. On a clear day, you’ll see Nanga Parbat and the Karakoram giants. (If the flight is cancelled, we drive the KKH to Chilas).
A day for final logistics. While we finalize trekking permits, you can explore the Skardu Bazaar or hike to Kharpocho Fort for a view of the Indus Valley.
A 7-hour Jeep journey through the Shigar Valley takes us to Askole 3,050m, the last village before the wilderness. We camp here and meet our team of porters.
We leave Askole and follow the K2 trail briefly before veering west onto the snout of the Biafo Glacier. A 6-8 hour walk brings us to Namla 3,570m, a green campsite tucked behind the lateral moraine.
We walk along the glacier’s edge, navigating rocky moraine and fracture zones. The views of the granite towers begin to open up. We camp at Mango 3,720m, another grassy oasis.
Today we move onto the “White Glacier”—the smooth, central part of the Biafo. The walking becomes easier on the ice. We arrive at Baintha 4,035m, a lush area with small streams.
A critical day for your body to adjust to the altitude. We may do a short hike to a viewpoint of the Latok peaks and “The Ogre.”
We return to the ice highway. The glacier is wide and flat, but we stay alert for crevasses. We camp at Marfogoro 4,300m, surrounded by a cathedral of ice and rock.
We continue deeper into the wilderness. The terrain becomes more snow-covered as we approach the head of the glacier. Camp is at Karfogoro 4,680m.
A magnificent 6-hour walk brings us to the vast expanse of Snow Lake. We camp in the middle of this 16km-wide basin at 4,800m. The scale of the landscape here is truly humbling.
The most challenging day. We rope up early to cross the Hispar La (5,151m). The view from the top is one of the finest in the world. We then descend into the Hunza side to reach Kani Basa (4,510m).
We navigate the Kani Basa glacier, which can be a maze of ice walls. We descend to Jutimal 4,380m, a campsite with incredible views of Kanjut Sar (7,760m).
We continue down the Hispar Glacier, crossing tributary glaciers along the way. We reach the summer pastures of Bitanmal (3,760m), where we encounter the first signs of vegetation and local shepherds.
A 5-hour trek brings us to Hispar Village 2,300m. After nearly two weeks on ice, the sight of stone houses and apricot trees is a warm welcome.
We board Jeeps for a 5-hour drive to Karimabad. We rejoin the Karakoram Highway and enjoy a well-deserved hot shower and a soft bed.
A day of relaxation and culture. Visit the Baltit and Altit Forts and enjoy the local cuisine in Karimabad.
A scenic 3-hour drive takes us to Gilgit, the administrative capital of the region.
We take the morning flight back to Islamabad. Afternoon free for shopping or visiting the Faisal Mosque.
A vital buffer day in case of flight delays or road blocks. Farewell dinner in the evening.
Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Expert expedition leader and high-altitude cook from Karakoram Mountain Experts.
All domestic flights and 4×4 Jeep transfers.
Hotel accommodation (Islamabad, Skardu, Hunza) and expedition-grade tents.
Full board: Three fresh meals a day, plus high-energy snacks.
Specialized safety gear (ropes, sat-phone, pulse oximeters).
Porters to carry 15kg of your personal gear.
All trekking permits, CKNP fees, and insurance for porters.
International airfare.
Pakistan Trekking Visa.
Personal mountaineering gear (Crampons, ice axe—can be rented in Skardu).
Travel insurance (Mandatory: must include helicopter rescue).
Tips for the crew ($300 – $350 total recommended due to the technical nature of the trek).
It is considered “Advanced Trekking.” While not a climb, you will be roped together for safety on the glaciers, and you may need crampons depending on the snow conditions on Hispar La.
Late July and August are the best months. Earlier in the season, the snow is too deep; later in the season, the crevasses open up and become harder to cross.
You should be in excellent physical condition and have previous experience with multi-day high-altitude trekking.
The Hispar La crossing is high-stakes. Our guides are veterans of this specific route and understand the shifting patterns of the Biafo and Hispar crevasses better than anyone.
