Snow Lake Trek – Pakistan
Snow Lake Trek (2024-25) – 21 days Snow Lake Trek (Pakistan), also known as Biafo Hi
General
Snow Lake Trek (2024-25) – 21 days
Snow Lake Trek (Pakistan), also known as Biafo Hispar Trek, is one of the most remote and pure nature adventures in the world. The trail is unparrallel to any other trails in the world. Before reading any further, please have a look at our top trekking adventures apart from snow lake trek given in the table below. In addition to this K2 viewpoint holiday, we also offer the following K2 viewpoint holiday options as detailed in the table below.
Snow Lake Trek Options
Price (USD)
Price (EUR)
Snow Lake Trek Options
Price (USD)
Price (EUR)
Dates & Cost – Snow Lake Trek (USD 2,995)
Summers are ideal for Snow Lake trek. The start and end dates in the table below are your dates of arrival and departure from Pakistan. These months mentioned below are the ideal months for trekking in Karakoram region of Pakistan. We have at least 2 guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs are given below. Snow lake trek costs USD 2,990 during July departures.
Start Dates
End Dates
Price (USD)
Availablity
Deposit
Registration
Start Dates
End Dates
Price (USD)
Availablity
Deposit
Registration
Highlights – Snow Lake Trek
Snow lake trek has a lot to offer. Given below are main highlights of snow lake trek:
- 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
Itinerary – Snow Lake Trek
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.
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.
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 towns.
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 in case of any delays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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).
On this day
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.
On this Day
GPS Data
Altitude: 538 m
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.
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.
Holiday Information
Inclusions for both International & local trekkers
- Implementation of government in case of new pandemic variants.
- All domestic flights (Checked Baggage Allowance: 20kg, Hand Carry: 7kg)
- All road transfers including airport transfers
- All hotel accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing room)
- All trekking accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing dome tent)
- All camping site fees and bridge fees
- All trekking logistics (all tents, non-personal equipment and tools etc)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and beverages/water during meals
- Snacks including dry fruits and tea/coffee during the trek
- Free refills of boiled drinking water on the trek
- Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
- Government trekking permit fees and paperwork
- Waste management fees (government requirement)
- Islamabad and Skardu city tours including all entry fees
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
- Porters – personal luggage (14kgs) and mountaineering equipment (8kgs)
- Storage service for baggage in Skardu (for leaving a bag behind in Skardu before going on the trek)
- First aid medicine kit (basic)
- Satellite phone for emergencies
- Trekking map and trip achievement certificat
Exclusions for both International & local trekkers
- Personal travel insurance (Recommendation/Rescue Partners: Global Rescue)
- Visa to Pakistan (five supporting documents will be offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipment (e.g. trekking shoes, down jacket, walking sticks etc)
- Personal mountain equipment (crampon, mountaineering boot, ice axe, harness, two carabiners, helmet etc)
- Extra nights in Islamabad (hotel check in/out is 12pm) – additional USD 67 per night
- Additional trek weight/baggage: USD 11 per kg
- Storage service for baggage in Islamabad: USD 28 per bag/piece
- Tips/gratuities for guides, porters, staff etc
- Miscellaneous (minibar, bottled water, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
- Early Windup/Return Costs (e.g. early return from trek due to any reason)
- Costs due to Force Majure (e.g. earthquake, landslide, floods, etc)
Why Register Early?
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 less than peak-season.
2. 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.
3. Pay Balance after arrival in Pakistan: In these unusual times, 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.
4. Deposit valid for 3 years: We understand the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic (Covid-19). As part of our relaxed booking conditions following Covid-19, deposits are valid for 2 years.
6. Pay Minimum Deposit: The deposits for the holiday are also early-bird discounts and automatically change accordingly:
- 1st October: USD 190
- 1st November: USD 290
- 1st January: USD 350
- 15th February: USD 400
- 1st March: USD 450
- 1st May: USD 490
Note: The same dates above apply to next season’s deposits.
Refund Policy for All
Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable (but valid for 2 years) as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements.
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 Pound 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.