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Snow Lake Trek – Pakistan

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21 Days
Islamabad
Skardu
Min Age : 15+
DetailItineraryFAQPhotosreviews
Snow Lake Trek (2027) – 21 days
Overview

One of the world’s great wilderness journeys, with Pamir Crest Adventure Tours

Snow Lake (Lukpe Laa) is a vast, high glacial basin in the heart of the Karakoram, ringed by granite spires and ice-draped peaks. Our 21-day trek takes you through it on the legendary Biafo-Hispar traverse, a crossing of two of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions. There are no villages, roads, or crowds, only ice, rock, and sky.

The journey begins in Islamabad, followed by the scenic drive to Skardu and on to Askole, the last village before the wilderness. From there you follow the Biafo Glacier for days, camping on moraine and ice with huge walls rising on both sides. You then reach Snow Lake, a wide white basin at roughly 4,800 meters, and cross the Hispar La, a high pass at over 5,100 meters. The route continues down the Hispar Glacier to the green valleys and villages of Hunza-Nagar, where the trek ends.

This is a demanding expedition-style trek. It involves long days, glacier travel, crevasse zones, and a high pass crossing, so it suits fit trekkers with previous multi-day, high-altitude experience. Our guides, cooks, and porters handle the logistics, route-finding, and camp setup, and we build in rest days for acclimatization and weather.

Holiday Information
What's included
What's not included

Inclusions for both International & local trekkers  

  1. All domestic flights (Checked Baggage Allowance: 20kg, Hand Carry: 7kg)
  2. All road transfers including airport transfers
  3. All hotel accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing room)
  4. All trekking accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing dome tent)
  5. All camping site fees and bridge fees
  6. All trekking logistics (all tents, non-personal equipment and tools etc)
  7. All meals in Pakistan, except those specifically mentioned under “What’s Not Included” section.
  8. Snacks, including dry fruits and tea/coffee, during the trek
  9. Free refills of boiled drinking water on the trek
  10. Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
  11. Assistant Guide (if maximum group size is reached)
  12. Islamabad and Skardu city tours including all entry fees
  13. Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
  14. Porterage -personal luggage (14kgs)
  15. Storage service for baggage in Skardu (for leaving a bag behind before going on the trek)
  16. First aid medicine kit (basic)
  17. Satellite phone for emergencies only
  18. Trekking map and trip achievement certificate

Exclusions for both International & local trekkers 

  1. International Airfare & Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents will be provided)
  2. All Hotel/Restaurant Meals (5 Lunches & 6 Dinners) (Price range per meal US $4 to $9)
  3. Mandatory government fees: Gilgit-Baltistan Permit Fee (USD 150), and Waste Management Fee (Restricted/Open Zone: USD 190/USD 100) for Central Karakoram National Park. (both fees subject to changes)
  4. Bottled water & beverages (e.g., 1.5L bottled water costs approximately USD 0.30)
  5. Personal equipment (e.g. trekking shoes, down jacket, walking sticks etc)
  6. Extra nights in Islamabad (hotel check in/out is 12pm) – additionalUSD 67 per night
  7. Excess or additional weight/baggage during the trek:USD 11 per kg
  8. Storage service for baggage in Islamabad:USD 18 per bag/piece 
  9. Tips/gratuities for guides, porters, staff etc
  10. Miscellaneous (minibar, bottled water, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
  11. Early Windup/Return Costs (e.g. early return from trek due to any reason)
  12. Costs due to Force Majure (e.g. earthquake, landslide, floods, etc)
Highlights – Snow Lake Trek
Snow Lake Trek has a lot to offer. Given below are main highlights of k2 base camp trek: Highlights
Highlights
  • Hispar La Pass (5,149m). 
  • Snow Lake – high altitude glacial basin – 16kms wide (also known as Lukpe Lawo
  • Trek along Biafo Glacier (3rd longest outside polar region) and Hispar glacier
  • Circular trek to scenic Hunza Valley from Braldu Valley
  • Views of dozens of peaks between 5,000m to 8,000m including  Latok group, The Ogre, Kanjut Sar, Kunyang Chishh, Pumari Chhish, Disteghil Sar, Trivor Sar, Lupghar Sar, Sosbun Brakk, etc.
  • Views of Glaciers (e.g. Kani Basi, Kunyang and more) , glacial lakes, waterfalls and streams
  • Meadows of Falaling Chhish
  • Karakoram Highway
  • Cultural tour of Hunza Valley
  • Sightseeing in Skardu and Islamabad
Itinerary – Snow Lake Trek
The itinerary for snow lake trek is given below.

Day 01: Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 540 m

Our guide(s) will receive you from the airport. Soon you will be transferred to hotels. On this day, our participants can relax and recover from their long journey.

Pickup information
It is very easy to spot our guide, holding orange placards with our company’s logo and your name on it. You must arrive at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad. International flights normally arrive at midnight or in the afternoon. You must give us the details of your flights, both inbound and outbound at least five days prior to your arrival in Pakistan. Our staff/guide will receive you at the gates of international arrivals unless you are taking a connecting flight from another city of Pakistan. The guide/staff will transfer you to our partner hotel. In case you do not require airport transfer, please inform us in advance.

After lunch and some rest at the hotel (ideally if you are arriving in the morning between 9am to 12pm), our guide/representative will pickup all our guests around 6pm for briefing and remaining payments at our office followed by a dinner. If you are coming late, we will manage remaining payments and briefing in Skardu.

Day 02: Fly to Skardu, Karakoram

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m

Participants on this morning will take the spectacular flight from Islamabad airport to Skardu airport. You will be able to see Nanga Parbat if clouds allow. After arrival in Skardu, the day is free.

Day 03: Spend free day in Skardu

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 2,498 m

After breakfast, the participants will walk to Kharpocho fort in Skardu, which is located up on a mountain. The Kharpocho fort gives a splendid view of the Indus and Skardu town. The participants will also have an option to take a tour to Sadpara Lake followed by free shopping time in Skardu Bazaar.

During sightseeing, our staff will take care of further government documentation required in Skardu. This can sometimes take two days. We have contingency days towards the end of the trek incase of any delays.

Day 04: Drive to Askole village

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 3,015 m

The participants will begin the jeep safari towards Daso, the passage will go through the Shigar valley. The journey will be followed on the sides of Braldu river which extends to Askole. Askole will be the last village on our route; the participants will start walking after leaving jeeps behind. However at times the participants may begin their walk before arrival in Askole but it depends on the road conditions. Overall it will take you between six hours to eight hours in covering the distance.

Day 05: Trek to Namla (3,571m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 3,571m
Time: 7-8 hours

The trek starts by following the K2 Base Camp trail and then turns west onto the Biafo Glacier. The trail ascends over a shoulder to reach the left moraine and descends on to the glacier then back on to the left bank where the grassy camping site called Namla is located behind a lateral moraine.

Day 06: Trek to Mango (3,715m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 3,715m
Time: 5-6 hours

After crossing a fracture zone on the glacier we reach the centre of the glacier where we follow moraine ridges, underfoot there is loose rock making this a challenging day. We set up camp on the left bank of the Biafo in a grassy area.

Day 07: Trek to Baintha (4,041m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,041m
Time: 5-6 hours

The route continues up the centre of the glacier on a broad highway of ice making the walking easier than yesterday. We cross to the right and come off the glacier to a grassy area where Baintha camp is located.

Day 08: Acclimatization and rest (4,041m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,041m

This is a rest day for you and the porters in order to help with acclimatization to the high altitude. You can relax in camp or if feeling energetic walk up a ridge behind camp with fine views of Latok group and The Ogre. Look out for Ibex that can often be seen grassy slopes above.

Day 09: Trek to Morfogoro (4,298m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,298m
Time: 5-6 hours

The trail is steep and loose to get onto the glacier however once there we follow the flat glacier making relatively straightforward walking. Further along the glacier there are some crevasses to be aware of where depending on the conditions we might rope up to safeguard our passage. There are superb views of many peak including The Ogre (7,813m) and also we will get the first views of the Hispar La and Snow Lake.

Day 10: Trek to Hispar La Base Camp (4,585m)

On this day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,585m
Time: 5-6 hours

Today we walk to the south end of a large snowy flat area known as Snow Lake finding our way through a network of crevasses. Snow Lake is a high altitude glacial basin over 16km wide at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. Martin Conway, the first foreign visitor, gave Snow Lake the name in 1892 and described this area as “beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold a finer.

Day 11: Cross Snow Lake and trek to Hispar La (5,149m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 5,149m
Time: 5-6 hours

Today we traverse across the vast Snow Lake area and make the ascent to Hispar La. The climb to Hispar La is not too steep although it always feels quite strenuous at this altitude, we also have to be aware of the crevasses in this area. The views at Hispar La are fantastic looking down Biafo glacier to Snow Lake and The Ogre and other side down Hispar glacier to peaks in Hunza.

Day 12: Trek to Kani Basa (4,468m)

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 4,468m
Time: 6-8 hours

After an early start we descend from Hispar La crossing a crevassed area and then later on the glacier flattens out. We have to cross Kani Basa glacier which is facture zone where the two glaciers collide. Shortly afterwards we reach our camp located in a grassy ablation valley with good views of Kanjut Sar (7,760m).

Day 13: Trek to Jutmal (4,168m)

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 4,168m
Time: 6-7hours

This is a challenging day as we have to find our way through a series of moraine ridges; climb a loose scree slope then cross several glacial streams. Jutmal camp is on a grassy area along the side of the glacier.

Day 14: Trek to Bitanmal (3,765m)

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 3,765m
Time: 7-8 hours

After an hour we descend down a steep bank to cross another side glacier then back to the valley as before where the walking is good. Camp at Bitanmal is in a large meadow often used by herders from Hispar village.

Day 15: Trek to Falaling Chhish (3,605m)

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 3,605m
Time: 4 hours

We make the last side glacier crossing over the Kunyang Glacier, then walk up by a steep path and cross a stream to get to the meadows at Falaling Chhish.

Day 16: Trek to Hispar Village (2,297m)

On this Day

GPS Data

Altitude: 2,297m

From our camp at Falaling Chhish we cross a bridge to reach Hispar village. You will certainly notice the vibrant green of the orchards and terraced fields after the black and white scenery of the Hispar Glacier. Depending on the condition of the road we may meet our jeeps in the village if the road is broken then we have a further walk followed by a short drive to our last camp on this trek.

Day 17: Drive to Karimabad (2,440m)

On this Day

We take a jeep for a couple of hours to Nagar village along a rather narrow track before reaching the Karakoram Highway. We drive up the road to Karimabad where we check into a hotel and the rest of the day is free to wash up, relax and explore the town.

Day 18: Contingency day/sightseeing

On this Day

This day is allocated for any potential delays during trekking. We do not want our guests to miss their domestic flight due to delays. These delays can be caused by multiple factors including (but not limited to) road blocks. This time can be utilised for sightseeing of Hunza valley.

Hunza valley is very beautiful and today we have the chance to explore Karimabad, it is an interesting town spectacularly situated on a hillside to the north of the road with views of the fertile valley below (due to their extensive irrigation system) and a glimpses of snowy mountains. We will visit the forts of Alti and Baltit dating from the 13th century the Baltit fort, once the home of the ruling Mir, guards the valley and is now a museum and the Alti fort is even more dramatic perched above the Hunzariver. In the afternoon we drive to Gilgit.

Day 19: Fly to Islamabad

On this Day

GPS Data
Altitude: 538 m

On this day the participants will take a flight from the airport in Skardu to Islamabad aiport. You will have a good time to relax at the hotel in Islamabad.

The domestic flights sometime get cancelled due to weather conditions. Incase of flight cancellation, you will drive to Chilas for overnight. It takes eight to ten hours by a vehicle.

Day 20: Contingency day for flight cancellation

On this Day

This day is allocated for any potential delays in case the domestic flight does not operate the previous day. Our guests will depart early morning from Chilas to Islamabad which can take up to ten hours. However it will be a free day in case the participants make it to Islamabad on the domestic flight. This time can be utilized for sightseeing in Islamabad.

Day 21: Fly to home country

On this Day

Meals included: Breakfast

Our staff will transfer all our guests to the airport on their respective departure timings. The checkout time of all our partner hotels is 12pm.

Important Notes
  • Why Register Now?

    1. Early Bird Discount: The given prices for the holiday are limited-time discount offers and are subject to change. Service providers, including but not limited to airlines and hotels, increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost us less than peak season. 

    2: Limited Space in Peak Months: The peak months in the peak season attract the highest number of international guests and are therefore sold out earlier. We have restricted one group size to a maximum of 12 travelers. We are taking registrations on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

    3. Limited Flight Seats: Domestic flight seats to the Karakorams and Himalayas are sold out way ahead of time because there are only two daily flights during peak season. Among other things, the deposit is used to book domestic flights for you in advance.

    4. Pay Balance after arrival in Pakistan: We appreciate that paying the final balance for your trip may cause concern. Our policy is to only receive your final balance once you arrive in Pakistan. The only payment before arrival is the deposit.

    5. Pay Minimum Deposit: The deposits for the holiday are also early-bird discounts and automatically change according to the late deposit schedule above. The same dates above apply to next season’s deposits.

    Deposit (Advance) for Pakistani nationals

    The deposit for Pakistani nationals is PKR 100,000, or 30% of the total price, whichever is greater. The deposit is non-refundable.

    Refund Policy for All

    Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable, as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements. For Pakistan nationals, the deposit is non-refundable in all cases too.

    Balance: Pay the balance only after arrival in Pakistan on the first day. Payment guidelines will be shared timely.

    Currency

    All international travelers can pay in US dollars (USD) or equivalent in euros (EUR) or pounds sterling (GBP). Pakistani travelers are charged the equivalent in Pakistani rupees (PKR).

    Single Supplement

    Separate hotel rooms (single supplement) will cost an additional USD 290. This includes all hotel nights. This payment should be made with the balance upon arrival.
    Separate tents (single tent) will cost an additional USD 180. This includes the cost of additional porterage. This payment should also be made with the balance in Pakistan.

Recent Pictures
Overview – Snow Lake Trek

Although it is considered a challenging trek, Snow lake trek doesn’t require any technical or mountaineering skills to cross Hispar La but it is rather a high altitude walk where you traverse through snow lake and Hispar La. The increase in altitude is very gradual and to help with the walk, acclimatization is required.

The participants will walk at an average of 6 to 8 miles every day that can take between 5 to 6hours. The walking trail is mostly made of rubble and stone except when walking on glaciers

You might also want to check out our 24 days Karakoram Trek which is a circular trek.

Read More

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