SHIMSHAL TREK
 

Shimshal is the last remnant of true Hunza culture that exists near Pakistan's Pamir range, east of the town of Passu in upper Hunza valley.Our walk begins at Dut and we reach the remote village of Shimshal in about three days. At each step we are amazed how a path has been carved in this deep and narrow ravine on the way to Shimshal. The reason why Shimshal was located in such an out-of-the-way place is because this is where the Mir (ruler) of Hunza used to send his people who were found guilty of crimes and also those who he just did not like!

Shimshalis now are a proud and hardy folk. Their hospitality is legendary and the natural beauty that they inhabit makes us feel that perhaps the Mir sentenced them to heaven, not hell!Shimshalis now are a proud and hardy folk. Their hospitality is legendary and the natural beauty that they inhabit makes us feel that perhaps the Mir sentenced them to heaven, not hell!

Our trek now veers northwards from Shimshal and we enter the lovely and remote Ghujerab valley. Here we cross the Boesam Pass and the Chapchingiol Pass to reach the trail head at Kuksel. This is where we meet the KKH and our jeeps, which will transport us back to Hunza.

 ITINERARY

  Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
Day 04
Day 05
Day 06
Day 07
Day 08
Day 09
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21

Rawalpindi/Islamabad
Islamabad to Gilgit (1,500 m 4,900 ft)
Gilgit to Gulmit (2,400 m 7,870 ft)
Gulmit to Dut (2,600 m 8,530 ft)
Dut to Ziarat (2,600 m 8,530 ft)
Ziarat to Malunguti (2,800 m 9,200 ft)
malunguti to Shimshal (2,900 m 9,500 ft)
Shimshal (2,900 m 9,500 ft)
Shimshal to Zardgarben (3,800 m 12,460 ft)
Zardgarban to Jaffar Wasshk (4,300 m 14,100 ft)
Jaffar wasshk to Hindjerab (4,000 m 13,120 ft)
Hindjerab to Wierben (3,600 m 11,800 ft)
Wierben to Chapchingiol Valley (3,700 m 12,140 ft)
Chapchingiol Valley to Chapchingiol High Camp (4,000 m)
Chapchingiol High Camp to Kuksel Valley (4,600 m)
Kuksel Springs (4,400 m 14,430 ft)
Kuksal Spring to Gulmit (2,400 m 7,870 ft)
Gulmit to Karimabad (2,440 m 8,000 ft)
Karimabad to Chilas
Chilas to Islamabad
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