ПАКИСТАН
BIAFO / SNOW LAKE / HISPAR LA TREK
25 DAYS
One of the most strenuous but equally rewarding walk of over 100 kms and complete traverse 110 km Biafo and Hispar glaciers passing through 30 square miles of Snow Lake. It captures the pioneering spirit of Eric Shipton who did it in 1930. We explore the main divide of the inner Karakoram on this traverse crossing Hispar Pass at 5151m. From Askole (3090m) we follow the first few stages of the K2 trek before diverting up the Biafo Glacier. Across the cracking glacier we have breathtaking views of Ogre 7285m, Latoks and countless other virgin peaks before we reach Nagar and jeep over to Hunza Valley.
Day 1. Islamabad
Arrive Islamabad and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 2. Skardu / Chilas
- a) Fly to Skardu PK-451 (09:30 – 10:30). (Flight is subject to weather) Upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight.
- b) In case of cancellation of flight (11-12 hours) drive by coach to Chilas (480 km) on Karakoram Highway. Overnight at hotel
Day 3. Chilas / Skardu
- a) Day free at Skardu
- b) If your are driving, complete road journey (07–08 hours) to Skardu (275 km) En-route have good view of Nanga Parbat (8125m) at junction of Indus river and the rapids and fall of Indus river. Overnight at hotel
Day 4. Askole: (3090 m)
By jeeps drive to Askole (8-9 hours). The last village of about 50 houses. The villagers grow their own cereals, vegetable and fruit and own large herds of sheep’s, goats, yaks and dzos. Overnight in tent
Day 5. Namla: (3400 m)
6-7 hours walk providing panoramic views down on to the boulder strewn Biafo Glacier stretching Northwest. Campsite is a flatfish place beside a side stream with willow bushes. Overnight in tent.
Day 6. Mango: (3650m)
5-6 hours A gentle climb for a couple of hours on unstable boulders with view of Latoks Peaks ahead then cross the crevasses to the green campsite at a side stream with grass and willow bushes. Overnight in tent.
Day 7. Baintha: (4020m)
5-6 hours, first walk along the valley than heading out across the lateral crevasse to the smooth White Center of the Biafo glacier. Baintha is also known as Conway’s camp as Sir. W.Martin Conway campeo here n 1892. Baintha is a grassy area with clear stream flowing through deans willow shrubs surrounded by flowers. Overnight in tent.
Day 8. Traditional rest day. Overnight in tent.
Day 9. Napina: (4410 m)
4-5 hours gentle ascends along the Ablation valley and then crossing over crevasses out to the easy white ice. A green camp with fresh water. It is also known as Marpogoro. Overnight in tent.
Day 10. Karpogoro: (4680 m)
4-5 hours constant breezing makes the ascent colder and more thrilling. The glacier broadens as the Sim and Biafo glacier meet. Ascent is gradual. Measurements here show the ice to be almost 1.5-km in depth. Therefore, gaiters are needed and rope is mandatory. Camp at the eastern margin of the glacier, where the Sim and Biafo glaciers meet. It is guarded by a crevasse field and must be approached carefully. Overnight in tent.
Day 11. Hispar B.C: (4770m)
4-5 hours walks on snow (covered ice) with danger of crevasses. Cross intersection with Sim Gang Glacier and Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo) with one and half km thick ice flowing at bout 300m a year. Camp at snow. Overnight in tent.
Day 12. Snow Lake (Lukpe Lawo): (4770m)
Day free to optionally exploration of Snow Lake. Snow Lake was first explore in 1892 by W Martin Conway, who estimated the area at 777 square km. This was than confirmed by Eric Shipton who visited in 1937 but he measured it 700 square km. Overnight in tent.
Day 13. Hispar Pass: (5151m)
4-5 hours start very early in the morning for a steady climb (20-30 degree) to the top of Hispar Pass. The route wends gently up the center with giant crevasses. The top provides spectacular views on all sides. Camp on the wide flat top of the pass. Overnight in tent.
Day 14. KhaniBasa: (4580 m)
5-6 hours descend with hidden crevasses, on boulders, scree and moraine, near to the junction of KhaniBasa Glacier. The Hispar glacier side of the pass is more crevassed than the Biafo side. Have a view oh Kanjut Sar (7760m), the 29th highest peak of the world at the head of the KhaniBasa glacier. Overnight in tent.
Day 15. Traditional rest day. Overnight in tent.
Day 16. Yutmaru Glacier: (4350 m)
5-6 hours traverse KhaniBasa glacier relatively easy going with fine views of Kanjut Sar (7760). Camp near Yutmaru glacier in a flat sheltered field. Overnight in tent.
Day 17. Dachigan: (4050 m)
5-6 hours hard walk of boulder hopping, with last views of Hispar Pass top, from the middle of Hispar Glacier. Continue to the north where Ablation valley widens into a sheltered grassy pasture. Overnight in tent.
Day 18. Hispar Village: (3000 m)
5-6 hours easy cross of Kunyang glacier and continue on a gentle walk to Hispar Village after crossing Hispar River on a wire pulley. Small village of about 120 houses with school, small clinic and a wooden mosque. Overnight in tent.
Day 19. Hunza (2600 m)
Drive by jeep to Karimabad (4-5 hrs) and transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 20. Hunza (2600 m)
We will take you to the 600 year old Baltit Fort, the old residence of Mir of Hunza, built on a rocky outcrop at the base of the Ultar Nala. You will also visit the Altit Fort which is 200 years older than Baltit Fort. Evening you can spend your time walking in the Karimabad Bazaar and enjoy view of Rakaposhi (7788m), Diran (7266m), Golden Peak (7027m), Ultar (7388m), Distaghill (7885m) etc.
Day 21. Excursion to Khunjerab Pass (4730 m)
Early morning drive to Khunjerab Pass (4730 m) and back to Gulmit. We will pass through Gulmit, Passu and Sust (check post between Pakistan and China). The Karakoram Highway (KKH) links Kashgar in Xinjiang, China to Islamabad via the Khunjerab Pass. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22. Gulmit- Gilgit
Drive to Gilgit–150 km. (4 hours) and transfer to hotel for overnight. Afternoon visit bazaar and Kargah to see the Budgha carvings.
Touched by various invading cultures, Gilgit was an important staging point on the Silk Route and remained a part of the Buddhist Kingdom from 3rd to 11th century. Today Gilgit, capital town of Northern Pakistan is thriving on the Karakorum Highway to China and along with Baltistan, Diamer and Ghizer forms one of the administrative divisions of Northern Areas.
Day 23. Islamabad / Besham
- Fly to Islamabad PK-606 (07:45 – 08:40) (subject to weather) and transfer to hotel for overnight.
- In case of cancellation of flight drive to Besham 345 km (9-10 hrs).
Day 24. Islamabad
- Leisure day. Overnight at hotel.
- In case of cancellation of flight drive from Besham – Taxila – Islamabad (275 km in about 7-8 hrs). Overnight at hotel.
Day 25. Transfer to airport for your homebound flight.