Town or village
Hispar
Nagar district · 3,200 m
The last village on the Hispar side: the fields stop and the glacier begins.
Hispar sits at 3,200 m at the end of the valley, in Nagar. Above it the Hispar glacier runs away for a long way to the east. It is the finishing point of the Snow Lake and Hispar La crossing from the Biafo glacier, and the first village with roofs, apricots and walnuts for anyone arriving off the ice. Imagine a bowl of fresh apricots after weeks on the glacier.
Kind Town or villageDistrict NagarElevation 3,200 mPosition 36.100° N, 75.000° E
About Hispar
The book lists Hisper (the older spelling) in Nagar 1, on the south bank of the Hunza river. The Hopper Valley trek ends here too: from Hopper the trail crosses the Barpu moraine, uses a wire bridge over the Hisper glacier near Barpu Giram, follows the river and comes down to the village. The distance is about 20 km, a full day of lovely walking.
On our Snow Lake and Hispar La itinerary, Hispar village is day 14, after weeks of glacier travel. It is a short jeep ride from the village down the Hispar valley to Nagar, and then on to Karimabad for a well-earned rest.
Elsewhere in Nagar
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
Summit · 7,788 m
Rakaposhi
At 7,788 m, Rakaposhi rises nearly six vertical kilometres straight off the highway, one of the steepest rises from valley floor to summit in the Karakoram, and you can enjoy it from your window.
Base camp · 3,500 m
Rakaposhi BC
A green meadow at Tagaphari, 3,500 m above Minapin, two walking days from the road and directly under Rakaposhi and Diran.
Town or village · 2,000 m
Minapin
The roadhead for Rakaposhi: the trek begins at the end of the village lane, and the mountain is above the roofs.
Town or village · 2,700 m
Nagar Khas
The old Nagar capital, facing Karimabad across the Hunza gorge, with a proud history shared with its neighbour.
Glacier · 2,800 m
Hopper Glacier
A black ice tongue below the village bowl at Hopper, and the start of the walk to Rush Lake.
Lake or water · 4,694 m
Rush Lake
At 4,694 m, Rush Lake is one of the highest alpine lakes on earth, set under the Spantik massif.
Town or village · 2,300 m
Bagrote
Seven villages under the Diran icefall, an hour off the highway and a quiet side trip away from the usual circuit.
Pass · 5,151 m
Hispar La
At 5,151 m, the pass that links the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, the high point of one of the great glacier journeys in the Karakoram.