Snow Lake Trek ( Biafo Hispar Trek ) 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 longest glacial system outside the polar regions. This highway of ice connects two ancient mountain kingdoms, Nagar (immediately south of Hunza) in the west with 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 16 kmwide. 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 longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions.The central Karakoram, first explored and mapped in 1937 and 1939, is perhaps the wildest of all. It is an area of vast glaciers, high mountains and remote passes.
Length of Biafo Glacier is 68 kilometers 42 miles long with a total area of 625 sq. km. It starts from Korofong above Askole village. Hisper Glacier is 52 Kilometers long. It is only the Hisper pass, which separates the Hisper Glacier and Biafo Glacier. However, most geographers consider the two glaciers as one; they call Biafo-Hisper Glacier. If that be so then the 120 kilometers 75 miles long biafo Hispar Glacier probably becomes 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 have the opportunity to 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 a panoramic sunset and sunrise views of the whole Biafo – Hispar.
Snow Lake Trek ( Biafo Hispar Trek ) Lake is located 16,000 feet 4,877 m above sea level, and is approximately 10 miles 16 kmwide. 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 longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions.
Detailed Trip Itinerary
Day 01 | Receive from Islamabad airport and transfer to the hotel. |
Day 02 | Drive to Gilgit |
Day 03 | Drive to Karimabad, Site seeing of Karimabad Hunza. Hotel |
Day 04 | Drive to Hispar Valley, overnight camping |
Day 05 | Trek to Biafo Hispar, BC |
Day 06 | Climbing on Biafo Hispar Glacier |
Day 07 | Trek back to Hispar Valley |
Day 08 | Drive back to Karimabad Hunza |
Day 09 | Drive to Chilas |
Day 10 | Drive to Islamabad |