Ski tourers crossing the Snow Lake plateau in the Karakoram
Karakoram peaks ringing a high glacier basin
Wide glacier valley under a deep blue sky in the Karakoram

Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek — 2026 All-Inclusive

The Snow Lake Hisper la Trek is a 22 days guided trip in Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, topping out at 5,000 m. It is graded Strenuous — remote glacier trek — 12–14 days on foot. 6 fixed departures are open from $2,800 per person, all-inclusive from Islamabad.

The Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek is one of the most remote and spectacular high-altitude adventures on the planet. This 22-day expedition takes you across two of the world's longest non-polar glaciers — the Biafo Glacier (67km) and the Hispar Glacier (53km) — through the vast, otherworldly basin of Snow Lake (4,800m) and over the legendary Hispar La Pass (5,151m).

Together, the Biafo and Hispar glaciers form a continuous 120km ice highway — the longest glacial system outside the polar regions — linking the ancient mountain kingdoms of Baltistan in the east with Hunza Valley in the west. This historic route was once a trade link connecting the Silk Road to the Indian Subcontinent.

What Makes This Trek Extraordinary?

  • Snow Lake: A vast 77 sq km glacial basin at 4,800m — surrounded by untouched Karakoram peaks. Explorers described it as one of the finest mountain views ever witnessed.
  • Hispar La Pass (5,151m): The dramatic crossing linking the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, with panoramic views of The Ogre (7,285m) and the peaks of Hunza.
  • World's Longest Glacier Trek: 120km of continuous glacier — the Biafo and Hispar together form the longest non-polar glacier traverse on Earth.
  • True Wilderness: You will see almost no other trekkers. The campsites at Namla, Mango, and Baintha are pristine, flower-filled, and utterly remote.
  • Wildlife: This region is one of the last strongholds of the snow leopard, Himalayan bear, ibex, and markhor.

Starting from Islamabad via flight to Skardu, the trek begins at Askole (3,000m) — the same village that serves as the gateway to K2. The Biafo Glacier trail leads through Namla, Mango, and Baintha Meadows, then across the upper glacier to Snow Lake before the Hispar La crossing and the beautiful descent through the Hispar Valley into Karimabad, Hunza.

Related Treks: Great Karakoram Traverse | K2 & Gondogoro La | Four 8,000m Base Camps

Duration
22 days21 nights
Max altitude
5,000 mhighest point
Grade
Strenuous — remote glacier trek
Days on foot
12–14 days on footthe rest is travel
Best season
June – September
Departures open
6next 6 Sep 2026

Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek — 2026 Fixed Departures

One of the great glacier crossings on earth: up the Biafo Glacier to Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo), over the Hispar La at 5,151 m, and down the Hispar Glacier into Nagar and Hunza. Twenty-two days from Islamabad to Hunza, all-inclusive at $2,800 per person on a fixed departure. This is remote, committing ice travel — days on the glacier with no village in sight. You’ll cross it with Balti guides who know these passes, a sat phone in camp and a real rescue plan. Local hands, real safety, fair price.

Fixed Departures

Fixed departures are scheduled dates you join as part of a group, rather than arranging your own trip. 6 dates are currently open, each capped at 10 people. Every date is the same price, $2,800 per person. A $700 deposit reserves a place. The availability column shows how many places are left on each date.

DepartureDatesPriceAvailabilityDepositBook
Group 016 Sep – 27 Sep2026$2800 /person8 of 10 places$700Book now
Group 021 Jun – 22 Jun2027$2800 /person6 of 10 places$700Book now
Group 0320 Jun – 11 Jul2027$2800 /person9 of 10 places$700Book now
Group 0427 Jun – 18 Jul2027$2800 /person7 of 10 places$700Book now
Group 0516 Jul – 6 Aug2027$2800 /person5 of 10 places$700Book now
Group 0611 Aug – 1 Sep2027$2800 /person8 of 10 places$700Book now

Private & customised groups

These are private departures, priced by the size of your party rather than by a set date. Pick the band that matches your group and the price per person is fixed at that rate, across 4 options. The more of you who travel, the less each person pays — from $6,200 for Solo (1 Person) down to $2,800/pp for 7-10 Persons. What each band covers is set out in the table.

Group sizePriceWhat it includes
Solo (1 Person)$6,200Private departure, one trekker.
(2-3 Persons)$4,400/ppSmall group, shared crew.
(4-6 Persons)$3,200/ppBest value mid-size group.
(7-10 Persons)$2,800/ppLargest group, lowest per-person price.

Can you do this trek?

Yes, with some training behind you. Plenty of first-timers do this one and finish strong.

Graded Strenuous — remote glacier trek.

12–14 days on footDays on footthe rest is travel
5,000 mhighest pointWe build in time to acclimatise.

What to expect

The highest point is 5,000 m, so altitude counts here. The itinerary is built around acclimatising and your guide sets a pace that gets you there comfortably.

You’re ready ifyou hike regularly, are happy with long days, and have spent some time above 3,000 m.
Give yourself a little longer ifyour longest recent day was under six hours. Give it a few months of hill walking with a pack and you will be ready.
This might not be your trip ifthis would be your first time at altitude. Start with a shorter Karakoram trek and come back to this one — you will enjoy it far more.

One thing we do insist on: travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.

Travel Experience

Itinerary — Snow Lake Hisper la Trek

The Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek is one of the most remote and spectacular high-altitude adventures on the planet. This 22-day expedition takes you across two of the world’s longest non-polar glaciers — the Biafo Glacier (67km) and the Hispar Glacier (53km) — through the vast, otherworldly basin of Snow Lake...
22 days

Touch down in Islamabad. Our team meets you, runs through the route, and checks your gear before the flight north.

Fly or drive to Skardu (2,230m), the gateway to the Karakoram. Settle in and rest after the journey.

A full day for permits, NOC paperwork and a final gear check before we head into the wilderness.

By 4x4 jeep up the Braldu valley to Askole (3,000m), the last village before the glaciers.

Step onto the Biafo Glacier and trek to Namla camp (3,500m). The ice world begins.

Continue up the Biafo to Mango camp (4,000m), gaining height steadily on the ice.

Cross to Baintha (3,900m), a green oasis on the glacier and a fine spot to recover.

An acclimatisation day at Baintha. Short walks, rest, and letting the altitude settle.

Push deeper into the range to Marpogo (4,300m) as the glacier opens out.

Reach Lukpe Lawo, the legendary Snow Lake (4,800m) — a vast basin of ice ringed by peaks.

A day to explore and acclimatise in the Snow Lake basin before the high pass.

Climb to high camp below Hispar La (5,000m), positioned for an early start.

Cross Hispar La (5,151m), the high point of the traverse, and descend to Khani Basa (4,600m).

Trek down the Hispar Glacier to Yutmaru camp (4,200m).

Continue along the glacier to Bitanmal (4,000m).

Leave the ice for Hispar village (3,200m), the first settlement on the Nagar side.

Drive through Nagar to Hunza (2,400m). Hot food and a real bed.

Recover in Karimabad. Visit Baltit Fort and take in the Hunza valley.

A spare day held in reserve for weather or delays on the high route.

Drive the Karakoram Highway south (1,200m), descending out of the mountains.

Complete the journey back to Islamabad. A reserve day in case of road delays.

Final breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

What’s included in the price

Every fixed departure is all-inclusive from Islamabad. This is exactly what your $2,800 per person covers, and the handful of things it does not — so there is nothing to settle at the trailhead.

Included in the price

  • Local Balti guides and porters
  • All camping and kitchen crew
  • All meals on trek
  • Tents
  • Mess and toilet tents
  • Cooking gear
  • Skardu transfers by 4×4 jeep to Askole
  • Hotel nights in Skardu
  • Permits and NOC fees
  • Satellite phone in camp and an emergency rescue plan with established helicopter contacts

Not included

  • International flights and Pakistan visa fees
  • Personal trekking gear (boots
  • Sleeping bag
  • Down jacket)
  • Travel and rescue insurance
  • Tips for crew
  • Any cost arising from early descent
  • Weather delays or evacuation

Why Karakoram Venture

Because the people who take you up this mountain are from it. Our guides grew up in these valleys, and they are our own team — not a booking desk handing you to whoever is cheapest that week. Every one of them is certified by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, holds Wilderness First Aid, and has between five and twenty years on high-altitude ground.

Because the safety is real, and we will name it rather than imply it. A satellite phone travels in every camp, we hold established helicopter-rescue contacts for this region, and we tell you exactly which travel insurance to carry. Budget operators cut precisely these things, because you cannot see them on a web page.

Because the price is honest. Local infrastructure is why $2,800 per person covers the trip from Islamabad rather than a stripped-down base rate. Exactly what it includes — and the handful of things it does not — is set out above.

How to book this trip

Four steps from here to the mountains

  1. 1Pick your dateA fixed departure above, or private dates you choose.
  2. 2Send the requestThe form on this page, or WhatsApp. Name, party size, date.
  3. 3Pay $700 per personThat holds your place. We reply within 24 hours.
  4. 4Balance 30 days beforeThen we take over: flights, hotels, permits, crew.

No card details on this page. Nothing is charged until you confirm.

More About the Snow Lake & Hispar La Trek

Booking & Payment

  • A 25% deposit confirms your seat on a fixed departure
  • The balance is due 30 days before the trek starts
  • Payment by bank transfer or Wise. Card payment can be arranged on request
  • Your seat is held only once the deposit clears

Cancellation Policy

  • More than 45 days out: deposit refunded less bank charges
  • 30-45 days: 50% of total retained
  • Under 30 days: no refund — the permit
  • Porters and logistics are already committed
  • We strongly recommend trip-cancellation and high-altitude rescue insurance

Permits & Documentation

  • This trek enters a restricted glacier zone and requires a Trekking & Mountaineering visa (not a tourist visa) plus an NOC — we guide you through both
  • A valid passport (6+ months) and trekking insurance covering high altitude and helicopter rescue are mandatory
  • We handle the GB permit and NOC paperwork
  • You provide passport copies and photos in advance

Health & Fitness Requirements

  • This is a long
  • Cold
  • High-altitude glacier trek — you must be fit and comfortable with multi-day walking on moraine and ice
  • No technical climbing skills are needed
  • But good cardio fitness and prior multi-day trekking are expected
  • A doctor’s clearance is advised if you have any heart
  • Lung or blood-pressure condition

Important Notes

  • Carry at least 2 recent passport-size photos for verification and documentation.
  • A valid passport (foreign nationals) or CNIC (Pakistani nationals) is mandatory for booking and travel.
  • Keep your original passport or CNIC with you throughout the tour for security checks and hotel check-ins.
  • Foreign nationals need a valid passport and the correct visa; any NOC and trekking/restricted-area permits are arranged by Karakoram Venture.

Special Information

  • Professional and experienced Tour Manager available from start to end of the trip.
  • Delicious and fresh daily meals included from Day 1 until departure.
  • No complimentary meals provided on flights or during transit stops.
  • Follow updated state travel policies carefully for a hassle-free journey.

Transportation Details

  • Comfortable and spacious A/C Coaches for long trips and intercity travel.
  • Sturdy 4x4 jeeps for mountain roads and sightseeing (up to 7 pax per vehicle).
  • Reliable 4x4 vehicles (Land Cruiser / Prado) for off-road and high-altitude excursions.

Arrival & Departure Guidelines

  • Day 1: Report at the designated airport on time as per schedule.
  • Final Day: Depart after successfully completing the full itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Snow Lake Hisper la Trek cost?

$2800 per person on our scheduled departures. The package page lists exactly what is included; private and custom-group pricing is available on request — just ask.

How long is the trip?

22 Days - 21 Nights, start to finish.

When is the best time to go?

Summer (June - September). We will help you pick the best window for your dates.

How hard is the Snow Lake Hisper la Trek? Do I need climbing skills?

This is a serious high-altitude trek, though not a technical climb — no general mountaineering skills are needed on the route. Expect long days on glacier and moraine, cold camps, and real altitude with no road access once you are in. Come with strong cardio fitness and ideally some prior multi-day trekking.

How high do you go?

The high point is Hispar La at 5,151m.

What permits or visa do I need?

Trekking here needs a Pakistan Trekking & Mountaineering visa, which is different from a standard tourist visa, plus trekking permits and an NOC for the national park. We arrange the permits and guide you through the visa paperwork before you travel.

What about insurance, safety and rescue?

We require mountaineering or adventure travel insurance that includes high-altitude helicopter-evacuation cover, valid to this trek’s maximum altitude. Out here heli-evacuation is the emergency option and its cost falls to the client and their insurer, so sort it before you travel. Every expedition carries a satellite phone, and we maintain helicopter-rescue contacts for the region.

Who guides the trek?

Your team is 100% local Balti — guides and porters from the valleys themselves, our own staff, never handed to a third-party broker.

How do I get to the start?

Fly Islamabad to Skardu (about an hour, weather permitting) or drive the Karakoram Highway, then 4x4 jeep to the trailhead. We arrange pickup and all ground transport.

Can I do this as a private or custom trip?

Yes — every itinerary can run as a private departure and be tailored to your dates, pace and group size. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build it around you.

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