ROUND TREK TO SHIMSHAL PASS PAKISTAN

20 Days
Day-00 Fly to Pakistan

Day - 01 Islamabad - Besham Arrive Islamabad, after short stay for fresh up and breakfast drive on the Karakoram Highway to Besham in air conditioned transport. Overnight stay in hotel. (260 km, 6/7 hours)

Day - 02 Drive to Passu Exciting drive through the gorge of Indus & Hunza rivers. En route visit the meeting point of the worlds three highest mountain ranges; Himalayas, Hindukush and Karakoram. Enjoy views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) & Rakaposhi (7,788 m). Overnight in hotel. ( 515 km, 8/9 hours)

Day - 03 Start the trek We start the day with a short ride on soft top 4x4 jeeps from Passu village towards Shimshal valley. The jeep track passes through the gorge of Shimshal river and ends at Dai Kut, an hour from KKH. We start the trek with ascent and traverse in the gorge along the right bank of the river. The landscape is dry, with many loose scree slopes flowing from the high mountains. After 2 hours relatively easy walk by the river, we arrive at the ‘travelers hut’ of Ziarat for overnight camp. Some 600 years ago a Sufi Saint (Shah Shams) from central Asia arrived here and stayed here for several nights. He also preached Islam in this region. From Ziarat we can see Karoon 1 (7164m) Peak. In Ziarat we will find fresh spring water for drinking and washing. (jeep 1 hour & 3/4 hours trek)

Day - 04 Ziarat - Shimshal The trek is long this day so we’ll take an early morning start. As we start our trek we walk on the main valley ground, along the river. We cross two suspension bridges and few small streams joining the river from side valleys. After four hours trek we will be in Kuk, opposite to Mulungudi glacier, with hot springs. We have beautiful view of Dastagil Sar (7885m). As we walk from Kuk, we cross the river on another foot bridge and then climb a gradually ascending hill and finally emerge on the starting point of the valley. From here it is easy descend to the main valley and an hour & half to main village. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of Karakoram. 900 years ago Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi Saint he settled here and all Shimshali people are from his family. Camp overnight. (7/8 hours, 3300m)

Day - 05 Shimshal - Furzin For the next two days, our walk would mostly be traverse through the really narrow gorge of Shimshal river. But our walk from the village for the first two hours today is in the open valley along the river. Soon we leave the main valley and turn to left to enter the gorge. Mostly the trek is safe, although at few places you would need good balance on the narrow foot track. Enroute enjoy views of Kunianchish and Yazgildoom. Furzin, a narrow camp along the side stream is known for its Birch trees. Overnight in Furzin. (5/6 hours)

Day - 06 Furzin - Arbab Parian This might be the hard part of the trek. We start from the camp with a steep ascend of 200 meters on the cliff
facing the camp, traverse gradually for half an hour and then descend steeply to Shimshal river. We cross the river on foot bridge and then walk for another hour to Pariyan camp for cool breeze off the Maidur Nallah and fresh lunch. After lunch we take up the last part of gorge walk, involving one and half hour’s ascend on a well maintained yet steep foot trek (pariyan) to the top, called Pariyan Sar, with fascinating views of our peak Manglik and many other summits. Here you enjoy the vista and take relaxing hour’s walk to the camp. Our camp Arbabparian is a shepherds settlement for winter, with plenty of fresh water. (4/5 hours)

Day - 07 Arbab Parian - Shunjerab Compared to last two days, it is a relaxing walk along the river with views of peaks soaring above 6,000 meters. In our way we will pass Ganj Dour Valley, leading north to China border with many pastures for the yaks and goats. This valley is known for its substantial population of blue sheep, Marcopolo sheep, Ibex and also few snow leopards and bears. Shunjerab is the summer home of Shimshalis, with 60 houses and huge yards to house the animal & human population. People stay here in May & June and then proceed over Shimshal pass to Shuwart to spend the winter. Camp overnight (4/5 hours)

Day - 08 Shunjerab - Shuwart East from Shunjerab is Gulchi Washk (carpet of flowers), a 200 meters gradual ascent to bring us just under Manglik Sar. We walk in wide open valley running east to west, with two lakes located just before the Shimshal Pass. In summer we find Yaks, goats and sheep who roam the green pastures. In afternoon one could walk over to Shuwart summer settlement, consisting of 60 houses. Inevitable we might get invited for dinner, a great chance to visit local houses and also to taste the energetic nomad food made from Yak’s cheese, butter and wheat flour. Camp overnight. (4/5 hours, 4735m)

Day - 09 Shuwart Rest day. We will visit some local houses this day. Shuwart glacier is one of the places here to visit. Camp overnight.

Day - 10 Shuwart - Arbab Parian Same trek we have passed through on our way to Shuwart. But it will take us very short time because of the continues gradual descend of the trek. Camp overnight. (5/6 hours)

Day - 11 Arbab Parian - Maidur It is an easy walk. We follow a stream flowing from Shuwart to Maidur. There are many summer settlements in Maidur Valley. We will pitched our tents at a small settlement having only two or three houses. It is a beautiful Valley and water is easily accessible here. Camp overnight. (4/5 hours)

Day - 12 Maidur - Shapodin Today we take early morning start to cross Shapodin Pass (5150m). The climb up to pass is not technical and one can climb it with the help of walking poles only. Passu Peak (7478m) and Shispar Peak (7611m) are visible from the Pass. Water is easily available in the way. After crossing the Pass we will arrive at the camping place of Shapodin which is also a summer settlement. Camp overnight. (7/8 hours)

Day - 13 Shapodin - Mandik Shlaq We will cross Boisam Pir Pass (5090m) this day. Its an easy trek up to the Pass. Kanjut Sar (7760m) Peak is visible from the Pass. After the pass there is a beautiful lake of blue water. Enroute short stay for rest and lunch at Pachodewashk. Proceed towards Mandikshlakh. There are seven houses in Mandikshlakh and water is easily available for washing. Camp overnight. (5/6 hours)

Day - 14 Mandik Shlaq - Werbin Quite easy trek. We will start after break fast. Enroute stay at Havdiji . Havdiji is also a settlement and there are seven houses. The local people will stop us here for lunch and without serving us they will not let us go forward so we take a break here. Proceed towards Werbin. Camp overnight. (4/5 hours)

Day - 15 Werbin - Chafchingol Pass Base Camp We will cross three small rivers in this days trek which will be a great fun and adventure is the water level goes up in the rivers. The place is also famous for Ibexes. Camp overnight. (5/6 hours)

Day- 16 Trek Over Chafchingol Pass To KKH It will be an early start with pack lunch because the trek is strenuous and long this day. From the base camp its a steep slope of 300 meters up to Chafchingol Pass (5151m). We can see Dastagil Sar (7885m) Peak from the Pass. After the Pass water is available and the walk is also quiet normal. We will reach on KKH at Kuksil (4150m) just 15 kilometers from Khunjerab Pass. The area is in Khunjerab National Park. Our vehicle will be ready in Kuksil to take us to Hunza. Proceed to Hunza. Overnight at hotel. (7/8 hours trek +2/ 3 hours drive)

Day17 Karimabad Day free at Karimabad to explore the valley and possible excursion to Passu & Batura glaciers & visit the forts. Altit & Baltit forts are the landmarks of the times when Hunza was a well sought after staging post on the Karakoram Branch of the Silk Route. The frost were erected by the locals of safeguard themselves against the invaders coming mostly from Central Asia, over the high passes. Overnight at hotel. Meals and overnight at hotel. Hunza cultural dance in evening.

Day - 18 Drive Karimabad - Besham Early morning drive Air Conditioned transport on the Karakoram High way towards Besham. Lunch in Dassu. Proceed towards Besham. Overnight at Motel. (11/12 hours )

Day - 19 Drive Besham - Islamabad After break fast we will drive on Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. We could stop at Taxila to visit the archaeological site of Gandhara Buddhist civilization, dating from 500 BC to 500 AD. Half day SS in Islamabad after lunch. Evening free. Overnight at Hotel. (5/6 hours)

Day - 20 Fly back to home destination.
Morning transfer to Islamabad airport for international departure flight.