Our adventure with Black Yak Adventure will take off with an incredible 50-minute flight from Islamabad to Skardu. If the sky is clear, it will be the perfect world class view over Nanga Parbat 8,126m and her siblings who are standing proudly in the snowy sky like gigantic icy soldiers of the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges. After our arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel to relax and unpack, after which you are free for the rest of the afternoon - perhaps a relaxing nap or a visit to the lively Skardu Bazaar where local arts and craft of mountains await you. In the meanwhile, our representatives will manage all the essential government trekking and visa formal procedures at the local tourism office.

Today is packed with a mixture of last minute preparations and final logistical coordination before we start the real expedition! While the Black Yak Adventure team has a bit of a busy day sourcing out last minute provisions and ensuring the group gear is perfectly packed, you will get to soak up the distinctive atmosphere of Skardu!

Spend your morning and early afternoon exploring the bustling bazaars and town centre at your own pace. This afternoon, we offer an optional tour to the ancient Kharpocho Fort, commanding spectacular views of the Indus River and the Skardu Valley below.

Our adventure officially kicks off today as we journey towards Askole, our last stop in the civilized world before we step into the imposing realm of the Central Karakoram National Park. After an early breakfast at the hotel, the Black Yak Adventure team will gear up and load our hardy 4x4 jeeps to drive through the remote Shigar Valley, which is a full-day 6 to 8 hour drive, varying on current road conditions, from Skardu town to Askole, the final motorable point in the region. Along the way, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch with some of the most incredible desert and mountain views in Pakistan.

Our expedition starts following the historic K2 Base camp route for a short distance then turn west into the magnificent and immense Biafo Glacier. After traversing a gently rising shoulder the trek descends into a glacier for which we get an initial feel for Karakoram glacial landscape, followed by ascending to the left moraine.

We reach our first campsite at Namla which nestles behind a protective lateral moraine and this is our initiation into the wilderness. After an initial descent into the glacier, we again re-route to its left bank.

Moving past the glacier’s fault zone, we come into the main valley and trace our route along existing moraine ridges. Today's trekking has some of the more satisfying difficulties including patches of rock and pebble fields demanding solid foot placement. We finish our trekking day in Mango, our tranquil camp site located on the left bank of the Biafo Glacier. This is a truly unusual alpine camp set in a grassy, secluded setting.

Afterwards we continue and travel through the middle section of the glacier. Our route is relatively flat and easy today as we are walking across a wide "ice highway" to maintain a good pace. In due course we will break away to the right and leave the glacier ice, joining Baintha Camp which is located on green alpine slopes – a rare find in these mountains.

Today is the last day of rest and acclimatisation for the Snow Lake-Biafo-Hispar La trek before the journey continues into the heart of the glacial system. The planned stop at Baintha (Base Camp) ensures that both our trekkers and porters have time to allow their systems to adjust to the altitude prior to our continuing exploration of the ice. Some people will opt for the comfort of the camp for a relaxing day off.

Others, with surplus energy, may wish to take a short trek up the ridge behind camp where there are excellent, intimate views of the Latok Group and the famous Ogre (Baintha Brakk).

The journey to Marfoghoro begins with a technical and demanding ascent onto the glacier. While the initial climb features steep and uneven terrain, the path eventually levels out into a broad, flat glacial expanse that allows for a more consistent trekking pace.

Navigating this section requires focus, particularly near the glacial crevasses. Depending on the current ice conditions, our expert Black Yak Adventure guides may secure the passage by roping up to ensure the highest safety standards for all guests.

Today, our trek leads us to the southern edge of the vast and legendary Snow Lake. Navigating carefully through a scenic labyrinth of glacial crevasses, we will reach this massive high-altitude basin, which spans over $16text{km}$ at the historic confluence of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers.

The importance of this lake to alpinism is reflected in the 1892 event in which the first foreigner ever to set foot in these areas, Martin Conway, upon observing the splendid scenario, christened the lake “Snow Lake,” for the immensity of snow present on its surroundings. Conway the described it as “beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold”; even today, any traveller reaching these altitudes feel something similar.

The high elevation on our long traverse of Snow Lake is one of the exciting aspects of the trek today. From Snow Lake we commence the slow incline to Hispar La. Although the approach to the pass is relatively gentle and not precipitous, it is nonetheless a strenuous day on account of the altitude and demands a certain level of concentration and endurance on a regular basis.

As you crest the pass at 5,150 meters on your final pass, Hispar La, one of the most spectacular views of the entire Karakoram will spread out before you. On one side the views look back across the Biafo Glacier toward Snow Lake and the rugged Ogre is visible in the distance. Looking west, down the slopes to the Hispar Glacier, you have a commanding view of a multitude of peaks into the heart of the Hunza Valley.

You can greet your day with a spectacular sunrise over the pristine Snow Lake and Biafo Glacier, with the first beams of light washing over the snow-covered peaks of the Hunza region. After a wholesome breakfast, you can get yourself and the trekking gear ready for one of the most challenging but the most exciting days of this trek. You will then proceed over the Hispar La 5,150m and start descending to the beautiful Hunza Valley.

While navigating across the crevasses, there will be segments of a relatively easier and flat walk.

Crossing the Khani Basa Glacier, which is the junction where the Hispar and Khani Basa glaciers meet, would be the most thrilling experience of the day.

Day 4 Jutmal – Karakoram high country It will be another rewarding but tough day trekking over a series of rough moraine ridges and down a steep technical scree section. We will cross some glacial streams and need to concentrate on our footwork and maintain a reasonable pace.

We will arrive in the green patch that is Jutmal camp, located beside the glacier which is a pleasant welcome for a much-needed rest after trekking in the remote Karakoram.

Today, fourteenth day of our trekking; we carry on our path on the heart of glacier with wide & flat terrain like mountain highway for about an hour and after a deep and abrupt crossing of the lateral side glacier, we once again land on normal valley trail with quite convenient path and easier terrain; we reach at Bitanmal Camp; a wide verdure meadow; it is traditionally utilized as camp site for the herdsmen of the village Hispar.

We have the last of the large glacier crossings of the Snow Lake-Biafo-Hispar La Trek today as we tackle the Kunyang Glacier. The trail beyond has a steep but obvious rise through which we will trek upward after completing the glacier crossing. Crossing a stream a further climb opens out onto the rich pastures of the Falaling Chhish which make for a wonderful camp setting to finish our trip off with.

And so, after leaving the comfort of our base camp at Falaling Chhish, we’re on the last stretch. We’ll cross an iconic suspension bridge over to Hispar Village, a picturesque haven with green orchards and cultivated fields providing a welcome burst of color to the pale expanse of the Hispar Glacier.

Our Black Yak Adventure 4x4 jeeps will be waiting in the village (or on the road, if circumstances prevent them from reaching Hispar) and after a short hike if necessary, we’ll make the final short journey to our campsite. The end of an incredible Karakoram trek!

After spending this lovely day exploring the wilderness of Hispar Village we head back toward the historic centre of the Nagar and Hunza valleys.

The day starts with a bumpy one hour Jeep drive along narrow, old local tracks through the villages of Nagar. After reaching the junction of the rivers of Nagar and Hunza we make contact with the legendary Karakoram highway. Traveling alongside the bright turquoise waters of the Hunza River we visit the village of Ganish and continue on to ascend to Karimabad.

Once we check in to one of the best available hotel you can rest and relax your self in comfortable beds and take a long steaming shower after a tiresome but exciting day.

You are free to relax at your hotel and take short walk in the Karimabad village famous for their vibrant cultures and splendid view of the peaks of Rakaposhi & Ultar Sar.

Early in the morning on day 18, we leave the Hunza Valley for our onward journey, via a private coaster or bus to either Chilas or Naran Kaghan area. It is said that this stretch itself is as scenic as the trek itself, a "visual symphony of majestic Karakoram mountains, alpine valleys and clean river systems".

From the stark beauty of Chilas to the pleasant greenery of Kaghan Valley, our clients get to enjoy it all, through Black Yak Adventure tours. This leg also gives a nice pause to reflect upon the recently completed trek and enjoy the stunning scenery in Northern Pakistan.

The final segment of your trek on the journey down from Chilas (by way of Karakoram Highway) or Naran/Kaghan (by way of Babusar Pass), the trip is an unforgettable transformation from jagged, remote mountain pinnacles to the lush valleys of Northern Pakistan. Take in some of the area's most scenic areas, with the forests of the Kaghan Valley and flowing rivers guiding you on the approach to the Potohar Plateau. It will be a peaceful visual finish to your trek as we drive you to the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad.

Your time with Black Yak Adventure will end with a private transfer to the Islamabad International Airport for your departing flight. We will see you off from the airport and wish you a safe journey home. We at Black Yak Adventure feel privileged to have guided you to the formidable Snow Lake on what has been an epic and demanding undertaking, we hope you return to the Karakoram for your next big adventure!