Snow Lake & Biafo-Hispar Traverse
The Greatest Glacial Traverse on Earth
From
RsΒ 700,000
21 Days
Duration
5,151m
Max Elevation
4β12 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) β longest glacier outside polar regions traversed end to end
Snow Lake basin (4,877m) β vast high-altitude snow plateau ringed by unclimbed peaks
Hispar La Pass (5,151m) β technical crossing with crampons and fixed rope
Complete isolation for 15+ days β no villages, no roads, no resupply
Under 200 trekkers per year β 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
π Hotel Islamabadπ½οΈ Dinner
Arrive Islamabad
Trek briefing, gear check. Strict equipment verification β any missing essential gear must be sourced here.
2Islamabad β Skardu
π Hotel Skarduπ½οΈ Breakfast, Dinner
Islamabad β Skardu
Fly or drive to Skardu. Permit finalization.
3Skardu β Askole (jeep)
π Camp Askoleπ½οΈ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Skardu β Askole (jeep)
Drive to the trailhead at Askole via the dramatic Braldu gorge.
4Askole β Namla Camp
π Camp Namlaπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 15km
Askole β Namla Camp
First day on Biafo Glacier. Travel across the lower Biafo moraine.
5Namla β Mango Basa Camp
π Camp Mango Basaπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 15kmβ°οΈ 3,400m β 3,800m
Namla β Mango Basa Camp
Deeper onto the Biafo. Crevasse navigation begins.
6Rest Day β Acclimatization
π Camp Mango Basaπ½οΈ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rest Day β Acclimatization
Essential acclimatization. Short excursion on the glacier.
7Mango Basa β Sin Ghar Camp
π Camp Sin Gharπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 14kmβ°οΈ 3,800m β 4,200m
Mango Basa β Sin Ghar Camp
Upper Biafo β the glacier widens dramatically. Seracs and crevasse fields increase.
8Sin Ghar β Biafo Camp
π Camp Biafoπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 12kmβ°οΈ 4,200m β 4,500m
Sin Ghar β Biafo Camp
Approach to Snow Lake. The landscape becomes increasingly alien β pure ice for 360Β°.
9Biafo Camp β Snow Lake (4,877m)
π Camp Snow Lakeπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 10kmβ°οΈ 4,500m β 4,877m
Biafo Camp β Snow Lake (4,877m)
Arrive at Snow Lake β the vast flat basin surrounded by unclimbed peaks. An otherworldly moonscape of white. Camp on the snow.
10Rest Day at Snow Lake
π Camp Snow Lakeπ½οΈ Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rest Day at Snow Lake
Acclimatization and exploration of the Snow Lake basin. Afternoon glacier photography in extraordinary light.
11Snow Lake β High Camp below Hispar La
π Camp Hispar La High Campπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 8kmβ°οΈ 4,877m β 5,000m
Snow Lake β 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)
π Camp Hispar Glacierπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 12kmβ°οΈ 5,000m β 5,151m
Hispar La Crossing (5,151m)
The technical crux. Pre-dawn start. Rope up and ascend using fixed ropes on the 45Β° ice slope. Cross the pass at 5,151m β stunning panoramas of the Hispar side. Descend carefully onto the Hispar Glacier.
13Hispar Glacier β Jutmaru Camp
π Camp Jutmaruπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 14km
Hispar Glacier β Jutmaru Camp
First day descending the Hispar Glacier. The valley opens gradually.
14Jutmaru β Khuserab Camp
π Camp Khuserabπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 14km
Jutmaru β Khuserab Camp
Continue down the Hispar. Rock bands and moraine walking alternate with glacier travel.
15Khuserab β Bitanmal Camp
π Camp Bitanmalπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 15km
Khuserab β Bitanmal Camp
Lower Hispar Glacier β the moraine widened and easier travel. First shrubs appear.
16Bitanmal β Hispar Village
π Camp/Guesthouse Hisparπ½οΈ Breakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinnerπ 10km
Bitanmal β Hispar Village
Leave the glacier and walk to Hispar Village β the first human settlement in 12 days. Emotional arrival. Hot tea with local family.
17Hispar β Nagar β Gilgit
π Hotel Gilgitπ½οΈ Breakfast, Dinner
Hispar β Nagar β Gilgit
Jeep from Hispar to Nagar (Hopar) then to Gilgit. Hot showers and luxury of a real bed.
18Optional: Hunza Visit or Return Islamabad
π Hotel Hunza or Islamabadπ½οΈ 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 IslamabadβSkarduβAskole and HisparβGilgit
- 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 β bring your own)
- Sleeping bag (-25Β°C rated recommended)
- Personal technical gear
- Mandatory evacuation insurance
- Tips
β οΈ Requirements & Prerequisites
- β’Prior technical trekking experience with glacier travel, crampon and fixed rope use essential
- β’Very high physical fitness
- β’Mandatory comprehensive evacuation insurance
- β’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 β 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 Β· 4β5 persons
Toyota Hiace / Coaster. Comfortable, most popular.
3-star hotels & clean guesthouses. En-suite bathrooms.
Includes guide, all meals, permits & accommodation.
Custom quote β 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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