Snow Lake & Biafo-Hispar Traverse
The Greatest Glacial Traverse on Earth
From
￥378,000
21 Days
Duration
5,151m
Max Elevation
4–12 pax
Group Size
Gilgit-Baltistan
Region
Overview
Widely regarded as the most spectacular and challenging multi-day trek in the entire Karakoram, the Biafo-Hispar Traverse crosses two of the world's longest glaciers (Biafo: 67km, Hispar: 53km) connected by the vast Snow Lake basin (4,877m). This remote corridor sees fewer than 200 trekkers per year and requires full self-sufficiency for 15+ days with no villages, no resupply, and no escape route except forward. The crossing of Hispar La Pass (5,151m) is the technical crux, requiring crampons and rope-work. This is truly one of the last great wilderness traverses in Asia.
Trip Highlights
Biafo Glacier (67km) — longest glacier outside polar regions traversed end to end
Snow Lake basin (4,877m) — vast high-altitude snow plateau ringed by unclimbed peaks
Hispar La Pass (5,151m) — technical crossing with crampons and fixed rope
Complete isolation for 15+ days — no villages, no roads, no resupply
Under 200 trekkers per year — one of Asia's most remote and exclusive routes
Hispar Glacier descent through dramatic ice formations and crevasse fields
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1Arrive Islamabad
🏠 Hotel Islamabad🍽️ Dinner
Arrive Islamabad
Trek briefing, gear check. Strict equipment verification — any missing essential gear must be sourced here.
2Islamabad → Skardu
🏠 Hotel Skardu🍽️ Breakfast, Dinner
Islamabad → Skardu
Fly or drive to Skardu. Permit finalization.
3Skardu → Askole (jeep)
🏠 Camp Askole🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Skardu → Askole (jeep)
Drive to the trailhead at Askole via the dramatic Braldu gorge.
4Askole → Namla Camp
🏠 Camp Namla🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 15km
Askole → Namla Camp
First day on Biafo Glacier. Travel across the lower Biafo moraine.
5Namla → Mango Basa Camp
🏠 Camp Mango Basa🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 15km⛰️ 3,400m → 3,800m
Namla → Mango Basa Camp
Deeper onto the Biafo. Crevasse navigation begins.
6Rest Day — Acclimatization
🏠 Camp Mango Basa🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rest Day — Acclimatization
Essential acclimatization. Short excursion on the glacier.
7Mango Basa → Sin Ghar Camp
🏠 Camp Sin Ghar🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 14km⛰️ 3,800m → 4,200m
Mango Basa → Sin Ghar Camp
Upper Biafo — the glacier widens dramatically. Seracs and crevasse fields increase.
8Sin Ghar → Biafo Camp
🏠 Camp Biafo🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 12km⛰️ 4,200m → 4,500m
Sin Ghar → Biafo Camp
Approach to Snow Lake. The landscape becomes increasingly alien — pure ice for 360°.
9Biafo Camp → Snow Lake (4,877m)
🏠 Camp Snow Lake🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 10km⛰️ 4,500m → 4,877m
Biafo Camp → Snow Lake (4,877m)
Arrive at Snow Lake — the vast flat basin surrounded by unclimbed peaks. An otherworldly moonscape of white. Camp on the snow.
10Rest Day at Snow Lake
🏠 Camp Snow Lake🍽️ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rest Day at Snow Lake
Acclimatization and exploration of the Snow Lake basin. Afternoon glacier photography in extraordinary light.
11Snow Lake → High Camp below Hispar La
🏠 Camp Hispar La High Camp🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 8km⛰️ 4,877m → 5,000m
Snow Lake → High Camp below Hispar La
Move towards the Hispar La Pass. Establish high camp on the ice below the technical section.
12Hispar La Crossing (5,151m)
🏠 Camp Hispar Glacier🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 12km⛰️ 5,000m → 5,151m
Hispar La Crossing (5,151m)
The technical crux. Pre-dawn start. Rope up and ascend using fixed ropes on the 45° ice slope. Cross the pass at 5,151m — stunning panoramas of the Hispar side. Descend carefully onto the Hispar Glacier.
13Hispar Glacier → Jutmaru Camp
🏠 Camp Jutmaru🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 14km
Hispar Glacier → Jutmaru Camp
First day descending the Hispar Glacier. The valley opens gradually.
14Jutmaru → Khuserab Camp
🏠 Camp Khuserab🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 14km
Jutmaru → Khuserab Camp
Continue down the Hispar. Rock bands and moraine walking alternate with glacier travel.
15Khuserab → Bitanmal Camp
🏠 Camp Bitanmal🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 15km
Khuserab → Bitanmal Camp
Lower Hispar Glacier — the moraine widened and easier travel. First shrubs appear.
16Bitanmal → Hispar Village
🏠 Camp/Guesthouse Hispar🍽️ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner📏 10km
Bitanmal → Hispar Village
Leave the glacier and walk to Hispar Village — the first human settlement in 12 days. Emotional arrival. Hot tea with local family.
17Hispar → Nagar → Gilgit
🏠 Hotel Gilgit🍽️ Breakfast, Dinner
Hispar → Nagar → Gilgit
Jeep from Hispar to Nagar (Hopar) then to Gilgit. Hot showers and luxury of a real bed.
18Optional: Hunza Visit or Return Islamabad
🏠 Hotel Hunza or Islamabad🍽️ Breakfast, Dinner
Optional: Hunza Visit or Return Islamabad
Detour to Karimabad, Hunza (1.5hrs from Gilgit) or direct return to Islamabad.
What's Included
- All transport Islamabad–Skardu–Askole and Hispar–Gilgit
- Expert glacier guide with Hispar La crossing experience
- Full glacier travel equipment including rope and pickets
- Cook, porters (large team for remote route)
- All camping equipment
- All meals (21 days on trek)
- Trekking permit + CKNP fees
- Emergency satellite communication
- Islamabad hotel (2 nights pre/post)
Not Included
- Personal crampons and ice axe (mandatory — bring your own)
- Sleeping bag (-25°C rated recommended)
- Personal technical gear
- Mandatory evacuation insurance
- Tips
⚠️ Requirements & Prerequisites
- •Prior technical trekking experience with glacier travel, crampon and fixed rope use essential
- •Very high physical fitness
- •Mandatory comprehensive evacuation insurance
- •Previous multi-day high-altitude expedition experience strongly recommended
Best Season
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this trek so expensive?
The remote logistics require a very large support team — many porters, extensive food and fuel supplies for 21 days with no resupply, double permits (Biafo and Hispar zones), specialized glacier guides, and emergency equipment. The team-to-trekker ratio is unusually high.
10 people booked this trip this month
Price Calculator
$2,500 USD · 4–5 persons
Toyota Hiace / Coaster. Comfortable, most popular.
3-star hotels & clean guesthouses. En-suite bathrooms.
Includes guide, all meals, permits & accommodation.
Custom quote → info@wonderland-tours.com
Payment Methods
30% deposit to confirm. Balance due 30 days before departure.
Upcoming Departures
JUL
10
10 Jul 2026
20 total spots
JUL
24
24 Jul 2026
20 total spots
AUG
7
7 Aug 2026
20 total spots
AUG
21
21 Aug 2026
20 total spots
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