Biafo and Hispar Glaciers with Snow Lake

Biafo and Hispar Glaciers with Snow Lake
biafohispar.jpg
Camp on the Hispar glacier
Dates: July 11 to August 3 2008 & July 10 to August 2 2009

Grade & trek days:

Strenuous expedition grade (grade 5), 15 trekking

Number of days:

24

Accommodation:

8 nights hotels, 15 nights camping

Trip cost '08:

Ex Islamabad: £1695

Min group size:

5

Download Trip Dossier for detailed trek information and photographs.

Online quotation for trekking insurance

Information on booking international flights

Roland Hunter, owner and founder of The Mountain Company, first visited Pakistan in summer 2004 while leading the International Broad Peak expedition and is looking forward to returning in 2009 to lead the Snow Lake trek.

This unique journey crosses the longest glacial system in the Karakoram which itself has the greatest concentration of glacial systems outside Antartica.

The route connects Baltistan with the green and fertile Hunza valley by traversing the the huge Biafo and Hispar glacial systems and past Snow Lake where the two meet. Snow Lake, referred to by the famous mountaineer explorer, Eric Shipton, as ‘this last blank on the map'.

Once we leave Askole we will be a self contained expedition for the next two weeks. Due to the gradual ascent to altitude this trek is an excellent in terms of acclimatisation.

This is a challenging trek in a remote mountain environment. The route passes over moraine and boulders and there will be several days where roped glacier travel will be necessary.

If you would like more information about this trip click here to download the Trip Dossier.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

  • Day 1 Arrive in Islamabad.
  • Day 2 Drive to Chilas on the Karakoram Highway (KKH).
  • Day 3 Driving to Skardu.
  • Day 4 Skardu to Askole (3,050m) by jeep, 6 to 7 hours driving.
  • Day 5 Trek to Namla (3,566m), 8 hours walking.
  • Day 6 Trek to Mango (3,639m), 5 hours walking.
  • Day 7 Trek to Baintha (4,227m), 6 hours walking.
  • Day 8 Rest day.
  • Day 9 Trek to Morfogoro (4,300m), 6 hours walking .
  • Day 10 Trek to Karfogoro (4,590m), 4 hours walking .
  • Day 11 Hispar La (5,151m), 7 hours walking.
  • Day 12 Descend from Hispar La and trek to Khani Basa (4,649m), 6 hours walking .
  • Day 13 Trek to Hugura Shanga (4,305m), 7 to 8 hours walking.
  • Day 14 Rest day at Hugura Shanga.
  • Day 15 Trek to Shigam Baris (4,120m).
  • Day 16 Trek to Bitanmall (3,835m).
  • Day 17 Trek to Falolingkish (3,353m)
  • Day 18 Trek to Hispar village (2,302m).
  • Day 19 Finish the trek, drive to Karimabad (2,438m), 2 hours walking and 2 hours driving.
  • Day 20 At leisure in Karimabad.
  • Day 21 Drive to Gilgit, 3 hours driving.
  • Day 22 Fly to Islamabad.
  • Day 23 At leisure in Islamabad.
  • Day 24 Fly back home.

Recommended books and maps:

Pakistan

Take a look at our other Pakistan treks:

Nanga Parbat and the Hunza valley
K2 basecamp and Gondogoro la