Adventure travel
Beyond the Classics: Snow LakeHispar La, Gondogoro La and More
A guide to the demanding glacier journeys that sit beyond Fairy Meadows and K2 base camp: the Biafo-Hispar traverse, the Gondogoro La, Rush Lake, and the Hushe valley treks. Only the well-documented ones.
- Baltistan and Nagar
- Season: mid-June to mid-September
- Licensed operators and permits
Snow Lake, Central Karakoram National Park
What this page covers
Pakistan's best-known treks are covered in our guides to K2 Base Camp and Concordia, Fairy Meadows and Rakaposhi Base Camp. This page covers the harder and less-trodden glacier journeys that serious trekkers talk about next: the Biafo-Hispar traverse with Snow Lake and the Hispar La, the Gondogoro La, Rush Lake, and the treks from Hushe. They are all in Gilgit-Baltistan, administered by Pakistan, and most are in Central Karakoram National Park or its approaches.
We include only routes for which we found specific published descriptions, and we give heights with the source. Treat all of them as expedition-style trips: they need permits, registered guides and porters, acclimatisation, and a plan for evacuation. None of this page is route advice, and the full Biafo-Hispar traverse has its own guide.
The treks
Biafo-Hispar traverse and Snow LakeThe Biafo Glacier is 67 km long, according to Wikipedia, and Snow Lake at its head is up to 1,600 m deep. The traverse crosses the Hispar La, given as 5,128 m by Wikipedia, and follows the Hispar Glacier to Nagar. Wikipedia gives about 100 km for the journey, and describes strenuous boulder hopping on the Biafo section.
Gondogoro LaA 5,545 m pass linking the Baltoro with the Hushe valley. CKNP describes the route up from Concordia to Ali Camp (4,950 m), then over the pass at dawn with fixed ropes and crampons. It says an Alpine Club of Pakistan-certified guide is required.
Rush LakePamir Times puts Rush Lake at around 4,500 m and says it is believed to be among the highest alpine lakes in Pakistan. It lies above Hopar in Nagar, and the article places Miar Peak and Spantik (Golden Peak) within about 15 km. Published heights vary.Masherbrum Base CampA two-night walk from Hushe village (3,200 m) to a camp at 4,300 m, per CKNP, below Masherbrum (7,821 m).
Charakusa Glacier and K6 Base CampCKNP lists a four-night Charakusa Glacier trek (moderate to demanding) and a four-night K6 Base Camp trek (demanding). It names K7 at 6,934 m among the peaks of the Charakusa basin.Saicho meadowA one-night walk from Hushe with a view of Masherbrum's south face, according to CKNP.How they compare
| Trek | Start | Key published height | Level and notes (as published) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biafo-Hispar traverse | Askole, Shigar | Hispar La 5,128 m (Wikipedia) | Expedition-style; days on ice; CKNP permit and registered guide |
| Gondogoro La crossing | Concordia, Baltoro | 5,545 m (CKNP) | Demanding and technical; ACP-certified guide required |
| Rush Lake | Hopar, Nagar | About 4,500 m (Pamir Times) | High-altitude camp; heights vary by source |
| Masherbrum Base Camp | Hushe | 4,300 m (CKNP) | Two nights; moderate |
| Charakusa Glacier | Hushe | K7 6,934 m (CKNP) | Four nights; moderate to demanding |
| K6 Base Camp | Hushe | none stated | Four nights; demanding |
Sources: CKNP pages, Wikipedia Biafo and Hispar Glacier articles, Pamir Times. Heights and grades are as published; confirm with a licensed operator. Dates accessed 24 October 2026.
Permits and rules
- CKNP says a trekking permit is needed for Baltoro, Biafo, Hispar, Snow Lake and the Hushe approach to Masherbrum, issued in Skardu or at the Askole and Hushe checkpoints.
- Solo trekking is not permitted in the core zone, every trek needs at least one registered porter and groups of three or more need a registered guide.
- Technical passes such as the Gondogoro La need an Alpine Club of Pakistan-certified guide.
- The Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department states that all trekking and mountaineering in the territory must be registered with it.
- Season: CKNP puts high routes at mid-June to mid-September; high-altitude trekking is closed October to April.
- Porter loads are capped at 25 kg, CKNP says; hire in Askole or Hushe so income stays in those villages.
Safety
These routes are far from roads and hospitals. The UK government notes that ambulance response in remote or mountainous parts of Pakistan can take over an hour because of poor road access, and CKNP says the realistic rescue option on the high routes is a helicopter arranged and paid for in advance. Read our guides to mountain safety and acclimatisation and to seasons, permits and ethics before you commit, and check that your operator and insurer agree on an evacuation plan.
Advisories
Gilgit-Baltistan is administered by Pakistan and forms part of the wider, disputed Kashmir region. As of the UK government's update of 13 October 2026, FCDO advice includes advising against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas; the same page does not list Gilgit-Baltistan itself among the areas it advises against. Check current advice and local authority guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Biafo-Hispar traverse?
Wikipedia gives about 100 km for the journey. Biafo is 67 km long on its own. See our Biafo-Hispar trek guide for the stages.
How high is the Hispar La?
Wikipedia gives 5,128 m (16,824 ft) for the Hispar La; other references say about 5,100 m.
What is the Gondogoro La?
A 5,545 m technical pass between the Baltoro and the Hushe valley, requiring an Alpine Club of Pakistan-certified guide, according to CKNP.
How high is Rush Lake?
Pamir Times says around 4,500 m; other sources give different figures, so treat the number as approximate.
Do I need a permit?
CKNP says a trekking permit is needed for the core zone treks. Confirm current rules and fees with CKNP, the Tourism Department or your operator.
Keep Exploring
Related places and stories on DailyLife.pk
Biafo-Hispar TrekBiafo-Hispar trek guide: the route from Askole to Hispar village via Snow Lake and Hispar LaHushe ValleyHushe Valley guide: the road from Khaplu, Hushe village, Saicho meadow, Masherbrum base campMasherbrumMasherbrum (7,821 m, K1): location above the Hushe Valley, the 1960 American-Pakistani first ascent
K2 Base Camp and ConcordiaK2 Base Camp and Concordia trek guide: the Baltoro route from Askole, permits and licensed operatorsNagar ValleyNagar Valley guide: Rakaposhi viewpoints, Minapin, Hopar and its glaciers, Rush Lake trekRakaposhi Base CampRakaposhi Base Camp trek guide: route from Minapin along the Minapin Glacier, Hapakun, best season, difficultyHow we know this
- Type Practical guide
- Sources 8 (1 official/academic)
- Reviewed October 2026
- Disputed points None
Rules and fees change, confirm with the official links below before you act.
8 sources
- Biafo Glacier, Wikipedia (used to locate primary sources)
- Hispar Glacier, Wikipedia (used to locate primary sources)
- 7 amazing photographs of Rush Lake, Nagar (4 March 2015), Pamir Times
- Visiting CKNP: permits, season, logistics, Central Karakoram National Park
- Hushe valley, Masherbrum, Charakusa, Central Karakoram National Park
- Frequently asked questions, Tourism Department, Gilgit-Baltistan
- Pakistan travel advice: health, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Pakistan travel advice: warnings and insurance (updated 13 October 2026), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Photo credits (3)
- Snow Lake Pakistan.jpg, Yousaf Feroz Gill, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Biafo Glacier 1.jpg, BlackZero_007, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Baltoro Glacier, Pakistan.jpg, Thsulemani, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
