Snow Lake
per person
- Difficulty: Hard
- Duration: 10-14 days
- Region: Gilgit Baltistan
Out of all the treks on this list, only K2 could truly put up a fight against Snow Lake. Snow Lake isn’t really a lake at all, but rather a massive expanse of hundreds of feet of packed snow. And no–it never melts! Snow Lake is a glacial lake located at 4800m and the trek takes you over not just this majestic glacial basin, but also the Hisper La mountain pass and the Biafo Glacier which is often described as a “runway” due to how flat it is. Most journeys to this winter wonderland begin in Askole in Skardu, though it can also be reached from the village of Hispar in Nagar. Keep in mind that Snow Lake is one of the most extreme treks you can do in Pakistan short of summiting a mountain, and you absolutely, 100% need a guide and porters. And a really high-quality jacket. While it’s definitely one of the best hiking places in Pakistan, it’s also far more dangerous than most. Considering you’re also going to want to eat throughout the 10-14 day trek, you’re going to want to bring a cook along, too. Broke backpackers, keep in mind that treks are ALWAYS cheaper when you join forces with other adventurers! Also: don’t forget the altitude sickness medication. You’ll cover an altitude of over 16,800 ft when crossing Hispar La.