BIAFO HISPER trek in (Pakistan), is known as Lukpe Lawo, is a vast glacial basin in the Karakoram mountains at 4,877m elevation. It connects Hunza and Baltistan through the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, creating a unique 110km glacial traverse.
Highlights
The Biafo Hispar Trek presents a wealth of compelling highlights. Herein, we outline the principal focal points of this exceptional expedition:
- Conquer the challenging Hispar La Pass, standing at an impressive 5,149 meters.
- Traverse the high-altitude glacial basin, spanning an expansive 16 kilometers, known as Snow Lake or Lukpe Lawo.
- Trek alongside the Biafo Glacier, the third-longest outside the polar regions, and the majestic Hispar Glacier.
- Embark on a circular trek that leads from the picturesque Braldu Valley to the enchanting Hunza Valley.
- Behold a breathtaking panorama of peaks between 5,000 and 8,000 meters, including Latok group, The Ogre, Kanjut Sar, Kunyang Chishh, Pumari Chhish, Disteghil Sar, Trivor Sar, Lupghar Sar, Sosbun Brakk, and more.
- Enjoy views of glaciers like Kani Basi and Kunyang, glacial lakes, cascading waterfalls, and pristine mountain streams.
- Explore the serene meadows of Falaling Chhish, surrounded by natural beauty.
- Journey along the iconic Karakoram Highway, a marvel of engineering.
- Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Hunza Valley through a cultural tour.
- Discover the beauty of Skardu and Islamabad through captivating sightseeing opportunities.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival at International Airport, Islamabad
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 540 meters
Upon your arrival in Islamabad, typically in the afternoon, our experienced guides will warmly welcome you at Gandhara International Airport. Subsequently, you will be smoothly transferred to your designated standard hotel. This day provides an opportunity for participants to unwind and rejuvenate after their journey. An informative briefing will be conducted once the entire group is assembled, and there may also be a visit to the Ministry of Tourism for an official orientation.
Day 02: Fly to Skardu
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 2,498 meters
Day 02 commences with a captivating flight from Islamabad airport to Skardu airport. Weather permitting, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of Nanga Parbat, a majestic Himalayan peak. Upon your arrival in Skardu, take the day to acclimatize and immerse yourself in the surroundings. In the unlikely event of a flight cancellation, overnight lodging will be arranged in Chilas. Welcome to the gateway of the Karakoram, where your adventure amidst pristine landscapes begins.
Day 03: Spend free day at Skardu
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 2,498 meters
After breakfast, participants will ascend to the Kharpocho Fort, perched high on a mountain, offering mesmerizing vistas of the Indus River and Skardu town. Optional visits to the serene Sadpara Lake and leisurely shopping in Skardu Bazaar are available. While you explore, our team will handle essential government documentation in Skardu, which can take up to two days. Contingency days are built into the itinerary to accommodate any potential delays. This day combines exploration, cultural immersion, and vital preparations, ensuring a seamless and
captivating journey into the heart of the Karakoram.
Day 04: Journey to Askole Village
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 3,015 meters
Day 04 commences with a captivating jeep safari to Daso, following the picturesque route through the Shigar Valley alongside the winding Braldu River. Upon reaching Askole, the final accessible village by road, participants bid farewell to the jeeps, initiating their trekking adventure. Depending on road conditions, trekking may commence before reaching Askole, with the journey spanning approximately six to eight hours. This day marks the auspicious beginning of your expedition into the heart of the Karakoram.
Day 05: Trekking to Namla
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 3,571 meters
Day 05 sets in motion with a trek that initially follows the K2 Base Camp trail before veering westward onto the Biafo Glacier. The path ascends over a ridge, granting access to the left moraine. From there, it descends onto the glacier itself before returning to the left bank. Here, nestled behind a lateral moraine, you’ll discover the verdant camping grounds known as Namla.
Day 06: Trekking to Mango
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 3,715 meters
Continuing our journey, we encountered a fracture zone on the glacier before arriving at the glacier’s center. Here, we navigate along moraine ridges, treading carefully on loose rocks, which makes this day quite challenging. Our campsite for the night is situated on the left bank of the Biafo Glacier in a serene
grassy land.
Day 07: Trekking to Baintha
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 4,041 meters
Our journey for the day leads us along the central path of the glacier, a wide and relatively smooth ice highway that eases our trek compared to the challenges of the previous day. We transition to the right side of the glacier and depart from the ice terrain to find respite in a grassy enclave where Baintha camp awaits, nestled at this higher altitude.
Day 08: Acclimatization and Rest
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 4,041 meters
Day 8 is dedicated to rest and acclimatization for both you and the porters to adapt to the high altitude. You have the option to unwind at the campsite or, if you’re up for it, embark on a leisurely hike up a ridge situated behind the camp. From there, you can enjoy splendid views of the Latok group and The Ogre. Keep an eye out for Ibex, as they are frequently spotted on the lush slopes above.
Day 09: Trekking to Morfogoro
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 4,298 meters
Today’s trek presents a challenging start as we navigate a steep and loose trail to access the glacier. However, once on the glacier itself, the terrain becomes flat, offering relatively straightforward walking. As we progress along the glacier, it’s important to remain cautious of crevasses, and depending on conditions, we may employ roping techniques to ensure safe passage. Along the way, be prepared to be captivated by panoramic views of majestic peaks, including The Ogre (7,813 meters), as well as the initial glimpses of the Hispar La and the vast Snow Lake, marking a momentous phase of our journey.
Day 10: Trek to Hispar La Base Camp
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 4,585 meters
Day 10 journey takes us to the southern edge of Snow Lake, a vast, snow-covered expanse. As we make our way through a maze of crevasses, Snow Lake reveals itself as a high-altitude glacial basin, extending over 16 kilometers and situated at the convergence of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. This awe-inspiring location was christened by Martin Conway, the first foreign visitor in 1892, who aptly described it 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”.
Day 12: Trekking to Kani Basa
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 4,468 meters
With an early start, we commence our descent from Hispar La, initially traversing a crevassed terrain. As our journey continues, the glacier terrain gradually levels out. We then encounter the Kani Basa glacier, a fracture zone formed by the convergence of two glaciers. Subsequently, we arrive at our campsite nestled in a verdant ablation valley, offering splendid vistas of the towering Kanjut Sar peak (7,760 meters).
Day 13: Trekking to Jutmal
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 4,168 meters
Day 13 presents a challenging endeavor as we navigate a complex terrain. Our path leads us through a succession of moraine ridges, ascends a loose scree slope, and requires us to cross multiple glacial streams. Ultimately, we will establish our camp at Jutmal, situated on a grassy expanse flanking the glacier. This day demands determination and showcases the rugged beauty of the Karakoram landscape.
Day 14: Trekking to Bitanmal
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 3,765 meters
This day unfolds with an initial descent, leading us down a steep slope to traverse another side glacier. We subsequently return to the valley, resuming our journey on terrain that offers favorable walking conditions. Our campsite at Bitanmal is nestled within a vast meadow, often frequented by herders from Hispar village. It’s a day that combines diverse landscapes and cultural encounters against the backdrop of the Karakoram’s natural beauty.
Day 15: Trekking to Falaling Chhish
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 3,605 meters
Day 15 journey today marks the final side glacier crossing, as we traverse over the Kunyang Glacier. Following this, we ascend along a steep path and navigate a stream, leading us to the picturesque meadows of Falaling Chhish. It’s a day of transition, showcasing the Karakoram’s diverse landscapes and culminating in the serenity of this high-altitude meadow.
Day 16: Trekking to Hispar Village
Accommodation: Camping/Tent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 2,297 meters
Departing from our camp at Falaling Chhish, our journey leads us to Hispar village. The stark black-and-white scenery of the Hispar Glacier transitions into a vibrant green landscape as you notice the orchards and terraced fields. Depending on the road conditions, we may rendezvous with our jeeps in the village.
If the road is inaccessible, we continue with a further walk, followed by a short drive to our final camp on this memorable trek. It’s a day of transition, blending natural beauty with cultural encounters in the heart of the Karakoram.
Day 17: Drive to Karimabad
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 2,440 meters
On day 17 our day begins with a scenic jeep ride, lasting a couple of hours, leading us to Nagar village via a picturesque but narrow track. Upon reaching the Karakoram Highway, we continue our journey by road, heading to Karimabad. Here, we settle into our hotel accommodations, and the remainder of the day is yours to unwind, refresh, and explore this charming town. It’s a seamless transition from the wilderness of the Karakoram to the comfort and cultural delights of Karimabad.
Day 18: Backup and Hunza Valley Discovery
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 18 is our backup day to account for possible trek delays, ensuring your travel plans go smoothly, including domestic flights. Delays, like roadblocks, can happen, so we’re prepared to handle them. In addition, we get to explore the stunning Hunza Valley. Karimabad sits on a hillside, offering breathtaking views of the lush valley below, with its intricate irrigation system and glimpses of majestic snow-covered mountains. We’ll visit the historic Altit Fort and Baltit Fort, both from the 13th century. Baltit Fort, once a royal residence, is now a museum and Altit Fort sits dramatically above the Hunza River. Later, we’ll take a scenic drive to Gilgit, continuing our journey through this captivating region.
Day 19: Flight to Islamabad
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 538 meters
Day 19 will board a flight at Gilgit airport destined for Islamabad. Upon arrival in Islamabad, you’ll have ample time to unwind and rejuvenate at the hotel. Please note that domestic flights can be subject to weather-related cancellations. In the event of such a cancellation, an alternative plan will be implemented, involving an eight-hour vehicle journey to either
Naran or Besham for an overnight stay. Your comfort and safety remain our priorities throughout the journey.
Day 20: Contingency Day for Flight Arrangements
Accommodation: Standard hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Altitude: 538 meters
Day 20 has been thoughtfully allocated to accommodate any potential delays that may arise. Our primary concern is to ensure that our guests do not miss their international flights due to any unforeseen delays caused by various factors, including flight cancellations, roadblocks, or government paperwork (as mentioned on Day 3). Weather conditions can also lead to flight cancellations. However, should participants arrive in Islamabad on schedule, this free time can be optimally utilized for sightseeing in the capital city. Your comfort and seamless travel experience are of paramount importance to us.
Day 21: Departure to Home Country
Meals: Breakfast
On this day, our dedicated staff will provide airport transfers for all our valued guests, ensuring a smooth and convenient departure process as you head back to your home country. Your journey with us concludes with warm wishes for safe travels and lasting memories of your remarkable adventure.
Time duration
Number of Days: 21
Number of Nights: 20