Snow Lake Trek (Biafo Hispar Traverse)
Central Karakoram / Gilgit-Baltistan — 5,151m
Known locally as Lukpe Lawo, Snow Lake is a vast high-altitude basin of ice and snow sitting at 4,870 meters deep in the Central Karakoram Range. Spanning over 16 square kilometers, this icy wilderness is fed by massive glaciers radiating in every direction, forming one of the longest non-polar glacial systems on Earth when combined with the Biafo Glacier (67 km) and Hispar Glacier (49 km).
Crossing the Hispar La (5,151m) links the ancient Kingdom of Baltistan (Askole) with the Hunza Valley (Hispar/Nagar), following the legendary high-altitude traverse pioneered by Martin Conway in 1892 and later explored by Eric Shipton.
Key Trek Specs
| Attribute | Details |
| Max Elevation | 5,151m (Hispar La Pass) |
| Location | Central Karakoram National Park (Askole, Baltistan to Hispar, Nagar) |
| Trek Grade | Strenuous / Extreme Alpine Glacier Traverse |
| Permit Status | Restricted Zone (Trekking Visa, NOC Permit & Licensed Guide Required) |
| Primary Base | Skardu (Entry) → Askole → Hispar → Karimabad / Hunza (Exit) |
| Best Season | Late June to Mid-August |
⛰ 540m
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel. Pre-trek briefing, document verification, and gear inspection.
🏠 Hotel in Islamabad
⛰ 2,230m | ⏱ 45 min flight (or 11–12 hrs drive)
Board a morning flight over Nanga Parbat to Skardu (weather permitting). If flights are grounded by bad weather, begin the overland journey via the Karakoram Highway to Chilas.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu or Chilas
⛰ 2,230m | ⏱ 8–9 hours drive
If traveling overland, complete the drive along the Indus River into Skardu. If arrived by air on Day 2, spend the day acclimatizing around Kharpocho Fort or Katpana Desert.
🏠 Hotel in Skardu
⛰ 3,000m | ⏱ 6–7 hours drive
Drive in 4x4 jeeps through the Shigar Valley to Askole—the ultimate roadhead and gateway to the high Karakoram glaciers. Meet porters and arrange expedition loads.
🏕 Camp at Askole
Leave Askole, cross the Braldu River, and head north onto the snout of the Biafo Glacier to reach Namla campsite along the lateral moraine.
🏕 Camp at Namla
⛰ 3,700m | ⏱ 5–6 hours trek
Trek along the edge of the Biafo Glacier over granite moraine and boulder fields to reach the grassy campsite at Mango.
🏕 Camp at Mango
⛰ 4,000m | ⏱ 5–6 hours trek
Cross crevassed lateral glacier zones to Baintha, a lush green meadow campsite with running water, ideal for rest and acclimatization beneath towering granite spires.
🏕 Camp at Baintha
⛰ 4,000m | ⏱ Rest / Day Hike
A dedicated rest day to build red blood cells before stepping onto the continuous snow zone. Optional day hike up the ridge behind Baintha for sweeping views of the Biafo Glacier.
🏕 Camp at Baintha
⛰ 4,450m | ⏱ 6–7 hours trek
Move onto the smooth white ice of the upper Biafo Glacier. Trek north through vast snowfields toward the junction of the Sim Gang Glacier.
🏕 Camp at Napina
⛰ 4,870m | ⏱ 5–6 hours trek
Rope up to navigate crevassed snowfields into the vast, blindingly white amphitheater of Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo). Set up camp surrounded by majestic, unnamed Karakoram peaks.
🏕 Snow Camp at Snow Lake
⛰ 4,950m | ⏱ 4–5 hours trek
Trek across the snow basin, ascending gradually toward the eastern foot of the pass. Establish high camp on the snowfields below Hispar La.
🏕 Snow Camp at Hispar La High Camp
⛰ 5,151m (Pass) / 4,300m (Camp) | ⏱ 7–8 hours trek
An early morning push to cross Hispar La (5,151m) for panoramic views back across Snow Lake and down into the Nagar Valley. Descend the steeper Hispar Glacier side to set up camp at Kani Basa.
🏕 Camp at Kani Basa
⛰ 3,800m | ⏱ 6–7 hours trek
Trek west along the lateral moraine of the Hispar Glacier, crossing side streams and rocky scree trails to reach the summer pastures of Bitanmal.
🏕 Camp at Bitanmal
⛰ 3,200m | ⏱ 5–6 hours trek
Complete the final stretch of glacier moraine descent down to Hispar Village in the Nagar Valley. Celebrate the successful traverse with your porter team.
🏕 Camp / Guest House in Hispar Village
⛰ 2,400m | ⏱ 4–5 hours drive
Board 4x4 jeeps out of Hispar Village to join the Karakoram Highway and drive to Karimabad, Hunza. Enjoy hot showers, comfortable beds, and views of Baltit Fort and Rakaposhi (7,788m).
🏠 Hotel in Karimabad
⛰ 1,500m or 1,265m | ⏱ 6-7 hours drive
Spend the morning exploring Baltit and Altit Forts in Hunza, then drive south along the Hunza River to Chilas and cross the Babosur Top and stay in Naran-Kaghan
🏠 Hotel in Chilas/Naran Kaghan
⛰ 540m
Complete the overland drive to Islamabad or use this reserve day as a buffer for mountain flight delays.
🏠 Hotel in Islamabad
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward international flight home.
✈ Airport Transfer
Foot
- Walking/ hiking boots.
- Gaiters. A pair of knee high gaiters used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground.
- Wool Socks and liner socks.
- Sandals (for use around camp and river crossings).
- Trainers or trail shoes. Can be used on arrival to camp.
Clothing
- Gore-Tex shell jacket and trousers. For use if it rains or snows during the trek.
- Light trekking trousers. Minimum two pairs of trousers.
- Long sleeve, light colored polypropylene shirts. Minimum two shirts.
- Microfleece.
- Mid to heavyweight fleece jacket (Polartec 200 to 300).
- Sleeveless/ gilet or body warmer type fleece. This will help keep your core warm while not bulking when layering up. Gilet fleece can be used in combination with base layers, other fleeces and down jacket to provide maximum warmth and insulation.
- Lightweight synthetic long underwear for both top & bottom.
- Light to mid weight fleece pants (Polartec 100 to 200).
- Medium weight down jacket (recommended
Hand Wear
- Fleece gloves.
- Warms mittens and/or gloves
Head Wear
- Warm wool or fleecy hat/balaclava.
- Sun hat or baseball cap.
- Bandana or scarf. Very useful for the often dusty jeep rides and for protection on hot days
- Light weight climber’s headlamp for use at night around the camp. Bring extra batteries and spare bulbs.
- High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Most effective for blocking sunlight are the wrap around type or side covers
Personal Equipment
- 4 season sleeping bag (maximum overnight low -15C).
- Fleece or silk liner for your sleeping bag. A liner protects your sleeping bag from getting dirty and helps by adding extra insulation to keep you warm at night.
- Thermosets self-inflating pad and/or foam mat.
- Backpack. Recommended size is 50 liters or larger as you need to have enough space to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing as well down jacket for days on the glacier. It is also a good idea to bring a pack cover to keep the contents dry.
- Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organized. Or even better are fold dry bags such as from Expend.
- Two 1 liter water bottles (Nalgene wide mouth bottles are the best) and Camelback type water carrier 2 liter capacity. ·
Pee bottle. Highly recommended as means you do not have to get up to find toilet tent at night! For men you can use an old water bottle for women take a look at She Wee at http://www.shewee.com/ · Sunscreen and lip salve with an SPF 30 or better.
- Insect repellent.
- Water purification tablets (Pristine, Biox Acqua or Acqa Mira). You will be provided with boiled water at camp however if you refill water bottle at a water tap or steam during the day you should use water purifiers.
- Hand sanitizer. We suggest you keep this in your day pack for use after a toilet break during the trek or before eating any snacks.
- Favorite snack food.
- Paperback books, iPod and cards.
- Trekking poles (Black Diamond with “Flick Lock” are best). Having two poles is mandatory as required for your safety on steep and loose sections of the trail and for walking through deep snow higher up.
- Umbrella. You are likely to get some rain on this trek and also useful for providing shade when hot. · Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
- Insurance certificate
- Baby wipes (optional)
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