The Biafo Hispar La Trek is one of the most spectacular and remote trekking adventures in Pakistan. This extraordinary journey crosses the heart of the Karakoram, linking the Biafo Glacier in Baltistan with the Hispar Glacier in Nagar through the vast and breathtaking Snow Lake basin.
Starting from Askole, the route follows the Biafo Glacier deep into the mountains, passing through remote camps and enormous glacial landscapes before reaching Snow Lake and crossing the approximately 5,150-metre Hispar La.
From the high pass, the journey descends along the Hispar Glacier towards Hispar Valley, eventually reaching Hispar village and the greener landscapes of Nagar.
Unlike conventional trekking routes, the Biafo Hispar La Trek is a true wilderness and glacier traverse. There are no roads or permanent settlements for much of the journey, and trekkers spend extended periods travelling across glaciers and remote mountain terrain.
This trek is designed for experienced and physically prepared trekkers who are comfortable with long trekking days, high altitude, glacier travel and remote wilderness conditions.
Duration: 20–22 Days
Trekking Days: Approximately 12–15 Days
Maximum Altitude: Approximately 5,150 m / 16,900 ft
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Best Season: June to September, subject to glacier and weather conditions
Starting Point: Islamabad, Pakistan
Trek Starting Point: Askole, Baltistan
Trek Ending Point: Hispar, Nagar
Accommodation: Hotels and camping
Meals: As specified in the itinerary
Group Size: Subject to the selected departure
The Biafo Hispar La Trek is suitable for experienced trekkers who are physically prepared for a demanding high-altitude glacier journey.
This is considerably more remote than many of Pakistan’s popular trekking routes. The trek involves long days on glaciers, sustained exposure to high altitude, rough terrain and changing weather conditions.
Participants should have previous experience with multi-day trekking and preferably previous experience at high altitude.
The route may involve glacier travel with appropriate safety equipment and trained trekking staff. Participants should be comfortable walking on uneven glacial terrain and following the instructions of their guides and safety team.
This trek is best suited to adventurous travellers looking for a genuine wilderness experience rather than a conventional mountain holiday.
Please review our booking, payment, cancellation and expedition terms before confirming your participation.
Journey from Askole along the Biafo Glacier to the spectacular Snow Lake, cross the high Hispar La and descend through the remote Hispar Glacier before reaching Hispar Valley and Nagar.
| Day | Route / Location | Trekking / Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Islamabad | Airport pickup, transfer to hotel and trek briefing | Hotel – Islamabad |
| 2 | Islamabad → Skardu | Scenic flight to Skardu; road journey if flight is cancelled | Hotel – Skardu |
| 3 | Skardu | Acclimatization, preparation, permits and equipment check | Hotel – Skardu |
| 4 | Skardu → Askole | 4WD jeep journey through Shigar and Braldu Valley | Camp – Askole |
| 5 | Askole → Namla | Begin trekking towards the Biafo Glacier and Namla | Camp – Namla |
| 6 | Namla → Mango / Shafong | Continue deeper into the Biafo Glacier region | Camp – Mango / Shafong |
| 7 | Mango / Shafong → Baintha | Trek towards Baintha with views of the surrounding peaks | Camp – Baintha |
| 8 | Baintha | Rest and acclimatization day | Camp – Baintha |
| 9 | Baintha → Marpogoro | Continue along the Biafo Glacier towards higher elevations | Camp – Marpogoro |
| 10 | Marpogoro → Karpogoro | Trek across increasingly remote glacial terrain | Camp – Karpogoro |
| 11 | Karpogoro → Hispar La Base Camp | Continue towards the head of the Biafo Glacier and Snow Lake | Camp – Hispar La Base Camp |
| 12 | Snow Lake → Hispar La | Cross Snow Lake and ascend to Hispar La at approximately 5,150 m | Camp – Hispar La / Glacier Camp |
| 13 | Hispar La → Khani Basa | Descend onto the Hispar Glacier towards Khani Basa | Camp – Khani Basa |
| 14 | Khani Basa → Jutmal | Continue through glacial terrain, moraine and side-glacier sections | Camp – Jutmal |
| 15 | Jutmal → Shiqam Baris | Trek through the remote Hispar Glacier valley | Camp – Shiqam Baris |
| 16 | Shiqam Baris → Bitanmal | Descend towards greener alpine meadows and summer pastures | Camp – Bitanmal |
| 17 | Bitanmal → Hispar Village | Final trekking day; leave the glacier environment and reach Hispar Village | Camp / Lodge – Hispar |
| 18 | Hispar → Karimabad | 4WD journey from Hispar towards Hunza and Karimabad | Hotel – Karimabad |
| 19 | Karimabad | Rest day and opportunity to explore Hunza Valley | Hotel – Karimabad |
| 20 | Karimabad → Islamabad | Travel towards Islamabad by road or according to the confirmed travel plan | Hotel – Islamabad |
| 21 | Departure from Islamabad | Airport transfer and onward journey | — |
The itinerary is a sample and may be adjusted according to weather, glacier conditions, road conditions, group pace, permits and safety considerations.
The Biafo and Hispar glaciers are dynamic mountain environments. Camp locations and daily stages may change depending on route conditions, snow cover, crevasses, river crossings and the assessment of the trekking team.
Crossing Hispar La depends heavily on suitable weather and glacier conditions. Safety will always take priority over the planned itinerary.
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Let us arrange your transportation as part of a complete travel experience, including tours, accommodation and local travel services.
International guests travelling to Pakistan should review the current visa, permit, travel and expedition requirements before making travel arrangements.
Visa requirements, mountaineering permissions, trekking regulations and government policies may change. We strongly recommend checking the latest information directly from the relevant official authorities before travelling to Pakistan or planning a mountaineering expedition.
The Biafo Hispar La Trek is a genuine wilderness adventure.
For much of the route, there are no roads, hotels or permanent settlements. You will spend several days camping in remote mountain environments and travelling across glaciers.
Expect:
The reward is an extraordinary sense of isolation and the opportunity to experience one of the great glacier journeys of the Karakoram.
The Biafo Hispar La Trek is a very challenging high-altitude trek. Participants should be physically fit and prepared for long trekking days, sustained glacier travel, rough terrain and significant changes in altitude.
The highest point of the journey is Hispar La at approximately 5,150 metres / 16,900 feet.
The route includes several days above 4,000 metres and involves prolonged exposure to high-altitude conditions.
Participants should have previous multi-day trekking experience and ideally previous experience at high altitude.
Physical preparation should focus on:
Acclimatization is an important part of the itinerary, and participants must follow the advice of their guides and trekking staff.
Weather in the Karakoram can change rapidly.
Conditions may include:
Weather can also affect domestic flights and road journeys between Islamabad, Skardu and the trekking region.
Participants should maintain flexibility before and after the trek to allow for possible travel delays.
Thank you for choosing Karakoram Holidays for your mountain expedition, trek or adventure in Pakistan.
Our expeditions and mountain journeys involve extensive planning, permits, transportation, accommodation, staff, equipment and other logistical arrangements. Please read the following booking and cancellation terms carefully before confirming your trip.
To reserve your place on an expedition, trek or other adventure programme, an advance deposit may be required.
The required deposit amount and payment schedule will be communicated to you during the booking process and may vary depending on the selected expedition, services, permits and logistical requirements.
A booking will be considered confirmed only after the required deposit has been received and accepted by Karakoram Holidays.
The remaining balance must be paid according to the agreed payment schedule before the start of the expedition or trip.
For certain expeditions, particularly high-altitude mountaineering expeditions, advance payments may be required for permits, government fees, accommodation, transportation, logistics and other arrangements.
These costs may be non-refundable once they have been paid or committed to third-party service providers.
Payment instructions and available payment methods will be provided during the booking process.
Participants are responsible for any bank charges, transfer fees or other transaction costs associated with their payment.
Any outstanding balance must be settled according to the agreed payment schedule.
Failure to complete payment within the agreed timeframe may result in the cancellation of the booking.
If you wish to make changes to your booking, please contact us as soon as possible.
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested changes. However, changes may be subject to availability, additional costs, permit requirements and the policies of third-party service providers.
Certain expedition arrangements, permits, transportation services and other bookings may not be changed once they have been confirmed.
Any additional costs resulting from changes requested by the participant may be the participant’s responsibility.
We understand that unexpected circumstances may require you to cancel your expedition or trip.
If you need to cancel your booking, please notify Karakoram Holidays in writing as soon as possible.
The cancellation will take effect from the date on which written notification is received.
Refund eligibility will depend on the timing of the cancellation and the costs that have already been incurred for permits, government fees, accommodation, transportation, logistics and other expedition arrangements.
Certain costs may be non-refundable once they have been paid or committed.
These may include:
• Government permits and fees
• Mountaineering permits
• Trekking permits
• Expedition royalties
• Visa support documentation
• Hotel reservations
• Transportation bookings
• Domestic flights
• Equipment and logistical arrangements
• Payments made to third-party service providers
• Other services specifically arranged for the participant
Any non-refundable costs already incurred may be deducted from any applicable refund.
Refunds, where applicable, will be calculated according to the cancellation terms agreed during the booking process.
The amount of any refund may depend on:
• The date of cancellation
• The type of expedition or trip
• Government and permit costs already incurred
• Payments made to service providers
• Transportation and accommodation arrangements
• Expedition logistics already organised
• Other non-recoverable expenses
We strongly recommend that participants obtain appropriate travel and trip cancellation insurance.
Mountain expeditions and travel in remote regions can be affected by circumstances beyond our control.
We reserve the right to modify, postpone or cancel an expedition or trip when necessary due to factors including:
• Severe weather
• Unsafe mountain conditions
• Natural disasters
• Road closures
• Landslides
• Flight cancellations or delays
• Government restrictions
• Security concerns
• Political situations
• Permit issues
• Natural emergencies
• Other circumstances beyond our reasonable control
In such circumstances, we will make reasonable efforts to provide suitable alternatives where possible.
However, additional costs resulting from circumstances beyond our control may be the responsibility of the participant.
All itineraries should be considered flexible.
Mountain expeditions and trekking programmes operate in environments where weather, road conditions, flights, glacier conditions, snow conditions and other factors can change unexpectedly.
The itinerary may therefore be modified for operational or safety reasons.
The expedition leader or relevant team members may make changes to the itinerary when necessary.
For high-altitude expeditions, climbing rotations and summit attempts depend on:
• Weather conditions
• Mountain conditions
• Route conditions
• Snow and ice conditions
• The health and acclimatisation of participants
• Team readiness
• Safety considerations
Safety will always take priority over the planned itinerary or summit objective.
Participants should understand that unexpected delays may result in additional expenses.
These may include:
• Additional hotel accommodation
• Extra meals
• Extended transportation services
• Additional domestic travel costs
• Extra expedition logistics
• Additional accommodation before or after the expedition
• Changes to international flights
• Other personal expenses
Where additional expenses result from circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Karakoram Holidays, these costs may be the responsibility of the participant.
We strongly recommend maintaining sufficient financial flexibility and allowing additional time when arranging international travel.
For mountaineering expeditions, a successful summit cannot be guaranteed.
Mountain conditions, weather, health, altitude, physical condition and other factors may prevent a participant or the entire team from reaching the planned summit.
Participants must be prepared to turn back at any point if continuing becomes unsafe.
Failure to reach a summit or complete the planned itinerary does not automatically entitle a participant to a refund.
THE SUMMIT IS OPTIONAL. RETURNING SAFELY IS ESSENTIAL.
Participants are strongly advised, and may be required depending on the selected expedition, to obtain appropriate travel and expedition insurance.
Insurance requirements may include coverage for:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Personal accidents
• Search and rescue
• Emergency evacuation
• Helicopter evacuation where available
• High-altitude mountaineering
• Trekking activities
• Trip interruption
• Trip cancellation
• Repatriation
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their insurance provides appropriate coverage for their selected activity and altitude.
Standard travel insurance may not cover high-altitude trekking or mountaineering.
Participants joining high-altitude expeditions should carefully confirm that their policy specifically covers the intended activity and maximum altitude.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are physically and mentally prepared for the selected expedition or trip.
Participants must provide accurate information regarding their health, fitness and previous mountaineering experience where required.
For high-altitude expeditions, participants may be asked to provide details regarding:
• Previous climbing experience
• Highest mountains climbed
• Technical climbing experience
• High-altitude experience
• Relevant mountaineering skills
Participants must follow reasonable instructions provided by expedition leaders, guides and authorised team members.
Failure to follow safety instructions may result in a participant being asked to discontinue participation in certain activities.
Karakoram Holidays cannot be held responsible for delays, changes, cancellations or additional expenses resulting from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
These may include natural disasters, severe weather, earthquakes, landslides, floods, road closures, flight disruptions, government actions, political situations, security concerns, pandemics or other unforeseen events.
In such circumstances, reasonable efforts will be made to modify the itinerary or provide suitable alternatives where possible.
By confirming a booking, participants acknowledge that they have read and understood the applicable booking and cancellation terms.
Participants also acknowledge that mountain travel, trekking and mountaineering involve inherent risks and that itineraries may change due to weather, safety and operational conditions.
We encourage all participants to carefully review these terms and contact Karakoram Holidays if they have any questions before confirming their booking.
The specific terms, prices, inclusions, exclusions, payment schedules, permit requirements and expedition services may vary depending on the selected expedition or programme.
Any specific terms agreed for an individual booking or expedition will be communicated during the booking process.
International participants travelling to Pakistan for an expedition, trek or mountain adventure should carefully review the relevant travel, visa, insurance and expedition requirements before making final travel arrangements.
Mountain travel in Pakistan involves remote regions, changing weather conditions and specialised logistical arrangements. Requirements may vary depending on nationality, destination and the nature of the planned activity.
The following information provides general guidance for international participants.
International visitors travelling to Pakistan should ensure that they have a valid passport and meet the applicable entry requirements for their nationality.
Visa and entry requirements may change from time to time. Participants are responsible for checking the latest official requirements before making travel arrangements.
Karakoram Holidays may provide appropriate supporting documentation where applicable for confirmed participants. However, visa decisions and entry permissions remain the responsibility of the relevant government authorities.
We recommend beginning the visa process well in advance of your planned departure.
Certain trekking and mountaineering activities in Pakistan may require official permissions, permits or other documentation.
Requirements may vary depending on:
• The destination
• The selected mountain or trekking region
• The type of activity
• The nationality of the participant
• Government regulations
• The specific expedition programme
High-altitude mountaineering expeditions may involve additional permits, government fees and administrative requirements.
Karakoram Holidays will provide appropriate guidance regarding expedition-related arrangements. However, participants are responsible for ensuring that they understand and comply with applicable official regulations.
International participants normally begin their journey by travelling to Pakistan’s main international airports.
Depending on the selected expedition or programme, the journey may continue by domestic flight or road transportation towards the mountain region.
Many expeditions in northern Pakistan involve travel through remote areas where weather, road conditions and flight operations can affect the schedule.
Domestic flights, particularly flights to mountain regions, may be affected by weather conditions.
Road travel may also be affected by:
• Weather
• Landslides
• Road closures
• Traffic conditions
• Seasonal conditions
• Other operational factors
Participants should maintain flexibility when arranging their international travel and avoid scheduling tightly connected international flights immediately after the planned expedition.
Additional days may occasionally be required because of travel delays.
Participants are responsible for obtaining appropriate insurance for their selected activity.
Standard travel insurance may not provide sufficient coverage for trekking, mountaineering or high-altitude activities.
Depending on the selected programme, appropriate insurance may include coverage for:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Personal accidents
• Search and rescue
• Emergency evacuation
• High-altitude trekking
• High-altitude mountaineering
• Helicopter evacuation where available
• Trip interruption
• Trip cancellation
• Repatriation
Participants must carefully check the terms and limitations of their insurance policy.
For high-altitude expeditions, the insurance policy should specifically cover the intended mountaineering activity and appropriate altitude.
The specific insurance requirements for each mountain may be provided on the relevant expedition page.
Participants are responsible for arriving with appropriate personal clothing and equipment suitable for their selected expedition or trekking programme.
Mountain conditions can vary significantly depending on:
• Altitude
• Weather
• Temperature
• Season
• Terrain
• Snow and ice conditions
High-altitude expeditions require specialised clothing and mountaineering equipment.
Participants should carefully review the equipment requirements for their selected expedition before travelling.
A detailed equipment list may be provided during the preparation and booking process.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that their personal equipment is appropriate, functional and suitable for the planned activity.
High-altitude mountaineering and trekking require careful physical and mental preparation.
Participants should prepare appropriately before joining an expedition.
Preparation may include:
• Physical fitness training
• Endurance training
• Strength training
• Previous trekking or climbing experience
• Technical mountaineering training
• Acclimatisation planning
• Equipment preparation
The experience and fitness requirements vary depending on the selected mountain.
Participants should carefully review the requirements of their chosen expedition.
For major mountaineering expeditions, previous high-altitude and technical climbing experience may be required.
Participants should plan for personal expenses that may not be included in the selected expedition package.
Depending on the programme, personal expenses may include:
• International flights
• Visa costs
• Travel insurance
• Personal equipment
• Additional hotel nights
• Meals not included in the programme
• Personal purchases
• Tips
• Communication expenses
• Additional transportation
• Costs caused by unexpected delays
• Other personal expenses
Participants should maintain sufficient financial flexibility during their journey.
Unexpected weather or travel delays may occasionally result in additional expenses.
Pakistan uses the Pakistani Rupee (PKR).
Access to banking and payment facilities may be limited in remote mountain regions.
International participants are advised to make appropriate financial arrangements before travelling towards remote areas.
Cash may be required for certain personal expenses.
Participants should discuss any questions regarding expedition payments and included services with Karakoram Holidays before confirming their booking.
Mobile and internet coverage may be limited or unavailable in remote mountain regions.
Communication services may vary by location and selected expedition.
Participants should not expect reliable mobile or internet access during all stages of a mountain expedition.
Communication arrangements at Base Camp and other remote locations may depend on the available facilities and services.
Participants should inform family members that communication may be limited at certain points during the journey.
Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are physically prepared for their selected activity.
Participants should provide accurate information regarding relevant experience, fitness and any information necessary for safe expedition planning.
High-altitude environments can place significant physical demands on the human body.
Participants must follow reasonable safety instructions provided by expedition leaders, guides and authorised team members.
If a participant is considered unable to continue safely, the expedition team may recommend or require changes to their participation.
Safety decisions made during an expedition must be respected.
The Karakoram, the Himalaya, and other mountain regions of Pakistan are environmentally and culturally important.
We encourage participants to respect:
• Local communities
• Local traditions
• Mountain environments
• Glaciers
• Wildlife
• Cultural sites
Participants should minimise unnecessary waste and follow responsible travel practices throughout the journey.
We believe that responsible tourism and mountaineering play an important role in protecting Pakistan’s mountain environments for future generations.
The requirements, regulations and logistical arrangements for each expedition may vary.
Participants should carefully review the specific information provided for their selected mountain or programme.
Government regulations, visa requirements, permits and travel conditions may change.
The information provided by Karakoram Holidays is intended as general guidance. Participants are encouraged to confirm their current requirements with the relevant official authorities before travelling.
