Batura Glacier Trek

The Batura Glacier is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions, stretching approximately 57 kilometers through the Batura Muztagh subrange of the Karakoram in upper Hunza. The glacier flows from the slopes of Batura Sar (7,795m) and Shispare (7,611m) — two of the highest peaks in the region — down toward the Karakoram Highway near the village of Passu. Trekking along this massive river of ice offers an experience of glacial scale and mountain grandeur that is difficult to find anywhere else on Earth.

The trek begins from Passu village, one of the most scenic settlements along the KKH, famous for its jagged cathedral-like Passu Cones and the thrilling Passu Suspension Bridge. From the village, the route follows the lateral moraine of the Batura Glacier, ascending through increasingly dramatic terrain. The lower sections offer views of Borith Lake — a peaceful, turquoise body of water — while higher up, the full scale of the glacier and its surrounding 7,000m peaks becomes apparent.

The Batura Glacier Trek is one of the least-visited treks in the Karakoram, offering solitude and wilderness that is increasingly rare in the popular trekking regions of Pakistan. The route passes through no permanent settlements once you leave Passu, and the only companions are the glacier, the peaks, and the occasional ibex or golden eagle. For trekkers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure in one of the world's greatest mountain ranges, this is an exceptional choice.