Snow Lake Trek

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN ISLAMABAD Arrival in Islamabad and transfer to your hotel. Meet your expedition leader and trekking team for a detailed briefing. Final equipment, permits and expedition logistics will be checked. Overnight: Hotel, Islamabad DAY 2 – ISLAMABAD TO SKARDU Fly from Islamabad to Skardu, subject to weather and flight availability. Enjoy spectacular views of the Himalaya and Karakoram during the flight. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival. Overnight: Hotel, Skardu DAY 3 – SKARDU ACCLIMATIZATION & EXPEDITION PREPARATION A full day for acclimatization and expedition preparation. Visit the local market and finalize trekking equipment, food supplies, camping equipment and porter arrangements. Overnight: Hotel, Skardu DAY 4 – SKARDU TO ASKOLE Travel by 4x4 vehicles through the dramatic Braldu Valley toward Askole, the final permanent settlement before the remote glacier region. Overnight: Camp, Askole DAY 5 – ASKOLE TO NAMLA Begin the trek toward the Biafo Glacier. The trail leads through rugged mountain terrain as the expedition enters the remote Karakoram wilderness. Trekking: Approximately 5–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Namla DAY 6 – NAMLA TO BAINTHA Continue toward the Biafo Glacier and Baintha. The landscape becomes increasingly glaciated, with spectacular mountain peaks surrounding the route. Trekking: Approximately 6–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Baintha DAY 7 – BAINTHA TO MARFOGORO Continue deeper into the Biafo Glacier system. Enjoy dramatic views of the surrounding granite towers and high Karakoram peaks. Trekking: Approximately 6–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Marfogoro DAY 8 – MARFOGORO TO KARFOGORO Continue toward the upper Biafo Glacier. Glacier travel becomes increasingly important as the expedition approaches the Snow Lake region. Trekking: Approximately 6–8 hours Overnight: Camp, Karfogoro DAY 9 – KARFOGORO TO SNOW LAKE Enter the spectacular Snow Lake region. The immense glacial basin gradually opens before you, surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Karakoram. Trekking: Approximately 5–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Snow Lake DAY 10 – SNOW LAKE ACCLIMATIZATION & EXPLORATION Spend the day around Snow Lake for acclimatization and recovery. Depending on weather and glacier conditions, your guide may organize a short exploration around the surrounding glacier basin. Overnight: Camp, Snow Lake DAY 11 – SNOW LAKE TO HISPAR LA BASE CAMP Begin the approach toward Hispar La. The route crosses high-altitude snow and glacier terrain. The expedition team will assess glacier conditions and use appropriate safety procedures where necessary. Overnight: Camp, Hispar La Base Camp DAY 12 – CROSSING HISPAR LA – APPROX. 5,150 M The major highlight of the expedition. Start early and cross the high Hispar La, connecting the Biafo and Hispar glacier systems. From the pass, enjoy spectacular panoramic views across the Karakoram. The crossing is highly dependent on weather, snow and glacier conditions. Highest Point: Approximately 5,150 m Trekking: Approximately 7–9 hours Overnight: High Camp / Hispar Glacier DAY 13 – HISPAR LA TO KANI BASA Descend from the pass onto the Hispar Glacier. The expedition begins its long descent toward the Hunza side of the Karakoram. Trekking: Approximately 5–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Kani Basa DAY 14 – KANI BASA TO JUTMAL Continue west along the Hispar Glacier. The surrounding mountain landscape gradually changes as the expedition approaches the lower glacier. Trekking: Approximately 6–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Jutmal DAY 15 – JUTMAL TO PUMORY Continue along the Hispar Glacier through remote and spectacular mountain terrain. Trekking: Approximately 6–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Pumory DAY 16 – PUMORY TO BITANMAL Continue toward the lower Hispar Glacier. The landscape gradually becomes less glaciated as the expedition approaches the inhabited valleys. Trekking: Approximately 5–7 hours Overnight: Camp, Bitanmal DAY 17 – BITANMAL TO HISPAR VILLAGE Complete the final trekking section and descend toward Hispar Village. Celebrate the successful completion of the Biafo–Snow Lake–Hispar La traverse with the expedition team. Trekking: Approximately 5–7 hours Overnight: Hispar DAY 18 – HISPAR TO NAGAR / HUNZA Travel toward the Hunza region by local transport. Enjoy a comfortable hotel stay after the demanding glacier expedition. Overnight: Hotel, Hunza DAY 19 – HUNZA RECOVERY & CULTURAL EXPLORATION A relaxed day in Hunza. Explore Karimabad and surrounding cultural attractions. Optional visits may include Baltit Fort, Altit Fort and the local bazaar. Overnight: Hotel, Hunza DAY 20 – HUNZA TO GILGIT Drive through the spectacular mountain valleys toward Gilgit. Enjoy the changing landscapes of the Karakoram. Overnight: Hotel, Gilgit DAY 21 – GILGIT TO ISLAMABAD Fly from Gilgit to Islamabad, subject to weather and flight availability. Transfer to your hotel for your final night. Overnight: Hotel, Islamabad DAY 22 – DEPARTURE Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your onward journey.