Trekking in the finishing line of Pakistan, with a scurfy track makes it more interesting and inspiring, the remoteness of the valley has been unveiling though still uniqueness exists. Walking through the off beaten track is joyful for the new comers to explore new cultures in this part of the world. Natural environment sample civilization and true spirit of humanity and hospitality the gist of the community. The location of the valley makes it appearance in the Karakorum the most remotest mountain valley. The village has the exact appearance as the Oases in the Barren Mountain landscape. The gruffly and jacket mountain range makes the entire trek awe-inspiring.
During the ‘Great Game’ period Colonel Francis Young Husband walked through the Shimshal pass to Shimshal from China (Raskum) where he came across his Russian Counter part Captain Grombtchevski. In history, it was during British Raj in India. The Russians were suspicious and frequently sent her troops to review the area through passes.
Shimshal area is fully blessed of natural resources the wild animals particularly Marco polo Sheep, blue sheep, Ibex are easily viewed during the trek.
In Shimshal a series of high mountains from 5000m and reaching to the height of 7885 (Dastagir the ninth highest in Pakistan) is worth visiting and Kunyang chish, Traver Sar, Kunjut Sar, Yazghal Dom are one of the Challenging Peaks, still waiting for daring mountaineers to make their first successful attempt to these unsurmounted peaks. In this part of the world one can experience in wilderness, his/her best trek. The path is through rough mountain terraces and cliffs. We strongly recommend our so dear valued guests to experience this part with deep intentions.
Yak Racing Festival is the rarest game in the world, participating in yak Racing would be real joy for the new comers, this game has been the practice of the dwellers for last many decades. This yak racing and yak Chasing is unique in the world of sports in mountain region of the world.
Beside yak Race festival, fishing in this part is some thing very extraordinary. Fishing in Braldo River is one of the best experience else where in the world.
Day-01: Islamabad
Arrival at Islamabad, meet our Guide ,transfer to hotel, afternoon sights seeing in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Visit Shakarparian hill and take lunch with good view to City. Your tour commences with a visit to the Institute of Folk Heritage, a small ethnological museum displaying numerous costumes and artefacts from all over Pakistan,I Islamabad is new Capital 37 years old well-planed city of Pakistan is lush green at the footsteps of Potohar hills. Evening back to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day-02: Islamabad-Besham
After breakfast in hotel at Rawalpindi drive to Besham, 265km, almost 6-7 hours drive, enroute we will visit Taxila Museum, further we will make a stop for lunch at Abbottabad, further drive to Besham, dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day-03: Besham-Karimabad
Early in the morning we do our breakfast, drive via Karakoram highway to Karimabad, Karakoram highway is 8th wonder of the World. The Karakoram highway was constructed jointly by Chinese and Pakistanis, begun in 1960s and finally constructed in 1976 as a link road between Pakistan and China. Almost 385km 9-10 hours, from Besham to Karimabad. enroute we do our stop for lunch at Chilas, proceed to Karimabad, dinner and overnight in hotel at Karimabad.
Day-04: Karimabad 2500m
Early in the morning we drive to duiker for sun rising on top of some beautiful Mountains around Hunza and Nagar Valley, like Rakaposhi Peak 7788m Diran Peak 7266m Golden Peak,7027m Ultar Peak 7388m. Breakfast in Eagle Nest hotel duiker with some Panoramic view of Hunza and Nagar Valley. Drive back to Altit, visit 900 years old Altit Fort walk to Karimabad. Meet local people see the real culture of Hunzukoz, Lunch in local Restaurant in Karimabad, afternoon visit above 700 years old Baltit Fort, evening back to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day-05: Karimabad-Shimshal 3100m
After breakfast at Karimabad Hunza. We drive towards Shimshal. It is the remotest area of the Hunza Valley, near the Chinese border, located on three hours driving distance from the Karamoram Highway, 53km Jeep road (accessible for the first time in October 2003 by Jeep). It is only accessible through a narrow, barrow gorge across the Passu area and Hunza River. Shimshal covers the largest territory of the Gojal of the Hunza. From its western reaches border by Hunza River. Its area extends as far as Baltistan to East and it northern Khunjerab River. demactes the frontier with China. Lunch dinner and overnight in Camp.
Day-06: Shimshal-Furzin 3360m
Early in the morning breakfast at Camp in Shimshal. We start trek towards Furzin, on the way we cross the Shimshal river to Bandsar Village, After an easy 2 hours walk we reach to Pamirthung. again here we cross the Pamirthung River by suspension bridge to Garsar, which is almost steep climbing. We do lunch at Garsar with a spectacular view of Yazghill glacier. Whitehorn, Dastagil Sar and other several Peaks, after lunch further trek to Furzin, total walk,5-7 hours.
Day-07: Furzin-Arbab Pariyan 3925m
Breakfast at Camp, Trek to Arbab Pariyan.7-8 hours, first 1 hour steep climb and then decent to Woochfurzin, here are some huts and we continue decent towards the hard part of the way to Pamirthung, Here we cross the bridge Chgichan Bridge. Mr. Chichan donated to build this Bridge and it is called Chichan Bridge. After lunch 2 hours climb to Parinsar,from here we could see Maidur Valley, Chashkin Peak(6000m) Minglik Sar 6050m, further walk to Arbab Pariyan. Dinner and overnight in Camp.
Day-08: Arbab Pariyan-Shuijerab 4350m
Breakfast at camp at Arbab Pariyan,Trek to Shuijerab,5-6 hours easy Trek,Shuijerab is a summer settlement of Shimshalies and each year shepherds stay 3 to 4 months here with their cattle,s sheep,s goats and Yaks.dinner and overnight at Camp.
Day-09: Shuijerab-Shimshal Pass 4745m
There is quite steep strenuous trek from shuijerab to Shimshal Pass and oward to Gulchinwask and here we reach lush green meadows a paradise for all adventure lovers,there are two beautiful lakes,lupwhooyee and Zaklayee lake. here we do our camp beside of lake.
Day-10,11,12: 3 Days for Acclimatization and Climbing.
We have 3 full days to Climb Manglik Sar, We start at mid night almost 2:30 AM to climb Minglik Sar, It will take 9-10 hours to reach summit and back. Please note that Manglik Sar is not demanding or technical mountaineering skills, You may need to know some basic climbing technique also required good physical fitness. From the summit you can see Mighty K2 8611m.Yashkun Garden7400m Baraldu Valley, Mustagh ranges, Pamir and Kanjut Sar 7765m. Back to base camp, overnight in Camp.
Day-13: Shimshal Pass-Shujerab 4350m
After breakfast at camp trek down to Shuijerab, 4-5 hours easy walk, dinner and overnight in camp.
Day-14: Shuijerab-Arbab Pariyan 3925m
Breakfast at camp, trek down to Arbab Pariyan, 4-5 hours walk, overnight in camp.
Day-15: Arbab Pariyan- Furzin 3360m
Breakfast at camp, trek down to Furzin, 4-5 hours walk, dinner and overnight in Camp
Day-16: Furzin -Shimshal 3100m
Morning we do our breakfast at camp, trek down to Shimshal,4-5 hours easy walk, afternoon visit Shimshal Village, meet local people, visit some old Traditional local houses, dinner and overnight at camp.
Day-17: Shimshal-Gilgit
Early Morning after breakfast we drive to Gilgit, enroute we do our lunch at Rakaposhi view point, further drive to Gilgit, 6-7 hour drive from Shimshal to Gilgit, transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day-18: Gilgit-Besham
Early Morning drive to Besham,330km. Almost 9-10 hour drive, enroute photo stop at Rock carving Chilas and Shatiyal, Lunch at Dassu, Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day-19: Besham-Islamabad
Breakfast in hotel at Besham, drive to Islamabad,6-7 hours. Transfer to hotel. evening free for shopping. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day-20: Fly homeland.
Transfer to Islamabad airport, Fly homeland, end of services.
Cost Not Included
What does Packages not Include?
► Travel insurance
► Visa to Pakistan (Letter of Invitation and other supporting documents will be offered by us for visa application)
► International flights (return tickets)
► Tips for guides, porters, staff etc
► Early Wind-up
► Miscellaneous (drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc at hotels)
► Souvenirs
► Things that is not mentioned above
Equipment List
Equipment List We are providing you with three lists for the Trek. List 1 and 2 contain items and equipments that you must bring. The third list contains optional items you might need on your trekking holiday. Based on your own judgment you can select things that you might need from the third list. List 1 – Must Bring Items:
- First Aid Pack (Diamox (Altitude), Dioralite (re-hydration salts), antiseptic cream, blister treatment, throat lozenges, plasters, Imodium (diarrhea treatment), painkillers)
- Hiking Backpack (Day Pack) 32-42 Litres
- Fleece jacket with hood or a warm jumper
- Mittens or gloves
- Gloves (Thermal)
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Hiking boots
- Sleeping bag (-16°C comfort rated)
- Sandals (sports) or old shoes (to cross rivers)
- Sun protection cream (including total block for nose, lips etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Thermarest or any similar mat/pad for sleeping
- Warm hat
- Warm jacket (down)
- Water bottles 1 liter (x2)
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof over-trousers
- Antibacterial hand wash
- Shirts/T-shirts
- Small towel
- Socks
- Spare laces
- Underwear (normal and thermal)
- Trekking poles (highly recommended)
- Wash-bag and toiletries
- Walking socks (2/3 pairs)
- Baselayer – leggings (Thermal)
- Trekking Trousers
- Baselayer thermal shirts (2 long sleeves, 2 short sleeves)
- Mountaineering equipment (See “List 2” below)
List 2 – Mountaineering Equipments:
- Crampons
- Mountaineering boots that must be compatible with your crampons. Minimum Grade B2.
- Ice axe
- Climbing harness
- Karabiner/Carabiner (screwgate type x 2)
- Climbing helmet
- Prusik loops X two (2) – (4 meters of 6 mm cord makes up 2)
- Sling (120 cm)
List 3 – Optional:
- Buff or scarf
- Small padlock (for locking your bag)
- Camera
- Insect repellant
- Pen-knife (important: pack sharp tools in hold luggage)
- Repair kit (e.g. thread, needle, duct tape)
- Liner (for sleeping bag)
- Travel clothes
- Bottle for Pee
Minimum Group Participants and holiday Status The required number of participant bookings i.e. six (6) registrations are required to conduct the “Fixed departures”. Although we receive several guests for each fixed departure, we feel that it is important to mention it. You can make sure of the trip status on this page. Status “available” means we are registering guests and “guaranteed” means we have crossed the required number of participants and the trip will commence on the given dates. We will constantly be in touch with all our guests who register. We will timely guide you step by step regarding visa applications and flight reservations to Pakistan etc. Travel Documents & Visa In order to apply for visas to Pakistan, you generally need a passport expiring later than (6) months. For more reliable and updated information, we suggest you to contact the nearest Pakistani consulate or embassy in your country. We expect that you will take full responsibility for ensuring you have the right travel documents. Normally if you are visiting non-EU countries, you must check for 2 vacant pages in your travel document (passport) for every country you plan to travel. A tourist visa (visit visa) is required to come to Pakistan for trekking. People on work visas (already in Pakistan/abroad) require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) which normally takes up to 6 weeks. The requirements and fee for tourist visas to Pakistan is normally around 200 USD but for accurate information you should consult Pakistani consulates nearby. To apply for a tourist visa, you will need a Letter of Invitation from our company and sometimes a duplicate (copy) of the “government trekking permit” for the group, processed by us. We will help you with all necessary documents to obtain the visa once you register with us. For more information please write us at info@karakorumexpedition.com
