Best Hikes in the Ghizer Valley: Explore the Hidden Treasures

 

Best Hikes in Ghizer Valley

If you want to Explore, study the history of the surroundings, visit the historical sites, day hikes up to viewpoints to enjoy the spectacular landscape of your surroundings. Enjoy the hospitality of the locals’ culture and traditions. Interacting with people, and discovering the uniqueness of your region are all the main objectives of the Trips Nomad.

The idea behind the Holiday Hikes is to make your holiday enjoyable, discover new areas, enjoy the natural beauty, visit historical places to learn historical highlights, Adventure events, summer pasture expeditions, and trek into the hidden treasures crossing passes. Of course, all these will be organized by experienced professionals and specialists who will make your trips exciting and stress-free. 

Where History, Culture, and Nature Meet

Walk to Jadow Malik Gahkuch:

This four to five hours walk we will start about 2 Km from the Gahkuch City down to the Tourist Picnic Point. From where a trail leads up to Upper Gahkuch above the Shandur Road fascinating walks with mind-blowing highlights along the way. Climbing up to the hills above Gahkuch gives spectacular views of the Ghizer River to the snow covering Peaks of Hindukush and Karakoram, the meeting point of the historical Hanisari River (flows from Ishkoman) from the North to Join Ghizer River near Damascus Village of Punial. Then visiting Roii Girri (stone of jinn/Fairies) in Upper Gahkuch has a mythical interesting story. To the hills called Jadow Malik is another historical story of the highlights. The ruins of the old Fort and remains of the new Fort of the early 19^th century at Upper Gahkuch are all amazing and add to the knowledge of hikers and visitors. You will come across many other exciting points and people during this day and by the afternoon we will descend down to the city and will lead to your respective homes. This trip will be full of interesting stories and fun. We are sure you will enjoy this day trip and add to the bucket of your memories.

Achamee Koi Walk: The name is Shina Language means dangerous Village we don’t know exactly the story behind it or why this name was given we will discover this on our trip here. Again the walk will begin from the village of Kanche about 3 Km from the District Head Quarter Gahkuch close to the Chinese-built bridge at the entrance of Gahkuch City. This walk will lead up from the road and three to four hours ascending to the remains of the village there are some signs of the village and small terrace farming fields (we definitely discover during the trip what is the history of the spot to add to the knowledge of participants). The view from here towards the east to the villages of Punial, Singul, Bubur, and Gurunjur along with the crystal clear Ghizer River and towards north and west villages of Damascus, Golodass, Hatoon, and above the villages we have mesmerizing views of snow covering peaks along with green plateaus on the hills with evergreen trees. This walk is a great experience having our lunch on the high hills with spectacular views and fresh breezes of the mountains gives inner side happiness and spiritual satisfaction in life. We hope you will prefer such healthy activities rather than sleeping until mid-day on Sundays and holidays of your life. 

Day Hike to Ayashi Village and down to Hattoon Bridge Shandur Road 

Ayashi is the village higher than Upper Gahkuch the Name Ayashi means (to the Sky). This day we start our walk from the same as the previous days from the Gahkuch head City. A two-hour walk on the jeep road will take you along the beautiful villages of Ayashi where the local people are tourist-friendly and ideal in hospitality and will invite you there homes and offer lovely traditional food. We will enjoy interacting with the local communities and their hospitality. We will climb the hills above the village, from where we will have amazing views of Ishkoman Valley and the point where Karakoram and Hindukush Ranges divide to the Northeast the snow cover peaks of the Karakoram and the Northwest gives you the views of Hindukush. There are several charismatic treks that lead to Naltar Valley Gilgit over Pakhora and Hayul Passes both are accessed from Ishkoman from the village of Chatorkhand and Pakhora village 4-5 days exciting treks. The famous Korumbar Lake Wakhan Corridor, Chillinji Pass to Baba Ghundi Chapursn Upper Hunza, Attar Pass, Punji Pass, and Chiantir Glacier are accessible from Ishkoman. Apart from this area is rich in "Off the Beaten tracks'' and needs to be explored. This walk goes until the end of Damass Village where it is the source of one of the famous spring water opposite the Karakoram University Ghizer Campus. I am sure you will enjoy this interesting day hike to the unique part of Ghizer. 

Hatoon Water Channel Walk from Juch Bargor to Hatoon Village

This interesting day hike will begin from Juch Bargor half an hour's drive to a small village across the Ghizer River on a suspension bridge and get to a narrow channel all the way from the village to Hatoon on the channel with great views and the breeze of Ghizer River on your way. You get down to one of the largest villages of Punial near Karakoram International University Ghizer Campus. You can walk for more hours visiting Hatoon Rock Carvings of 2nd and 3rd centuries AD historical Carvings to Hasis Village across the Hanisari River. An hour's drive to Gakhkuch along with the charming villages of Hasis, Golodass. 

If you are interested in the above walks day hikes and other adventures contact us at for more information visit Discover Pakistan

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The best trekking in Pakistan for beginners

As I mentioned in my previous post that why did I choose the field of tourism which was my desired wish in the very early age of life inspiring by some people working in this field.

I got an opportunity, 1991 I was on summer holidays in my village a trekking group from Chitral over Thui Pass to my village came across and camped near my house. There were 8 British members and four Pakistanis in the group. Their next plan was to go to Sandi Village and trek to Ishkoman Valley via Assumbar Pass it is lovely five days trek along the beautiful landscape with forests, lakes, streams, and spectacular views. You will be warmly welcomed by the local communities in the villages and summer villages during the whole trek. The people of Sandi go to the summer villages during the summer from Yasin side and Gujar Nomads in the Ishkoman side who are popular for their extraordinary hospitality in north Pakistan. I heard about it and requested a guide for joining them fortunately he agreed and the next morning we left early in the morning to Sandi from Thui and reached there around 2 p.m in the after-noon camped there. I was as a porter there but tried to help the staff members in the kitchen, the porters we were around 25 people from Thui until to Sandhi and then he had changed the porters from there. He discharged all the porters except me and one, my cousin, as I requested him to continue us in order to learning. The guide agreed and I was very happy to be with them I was speaking little broken English with group members and helping in the kitchen. We stayed overnight there and the next morning we left early in the morning the guide and the kitchen the staff made my load a bit lighter than the previous day as I was helping them in them. We stopped for lunch somewhere in a beautiful place under a shade of some trees and walked around two more hours and arrived at a beautiful small village with a couple of summer houses and the landscape in the surrounding is incredible that adds to the joy my trip and speaking English with people was something unbelievable for me the people around were surprised as I was speaking English most of them were appreciating and asked where did you learn this English, they did not know how was speaking? It was more enjoyable for me and interesting. The place was Anno Tek (means on the Pass) it is summer village with some fields crossing a long ascent that gives its name. There are a clear stream flowing and the camp on the grassy land. We pitch the tents over there and stayed the night. It was an exciting night for me counting the stars night as we were sleeping in the open air. I was waiting for the morning light as it happens to get up and speak with the people. It was awesome for me every moment of my life and was asking the guide about the procedure on how to become. He was a great guide who guided me positively encouraging replying to all my stupid questions with smiling face telling the members too as what wanted. The British members were too great people one of them was English teacher he taught me on the as remember the things today too like he taught me yesterday.

The next morning, we woke up early morning the guide asked me to serve the bed tea to the clients teaching me the (Hello ladies and gentlemen it is your wake up time here is your bed tea) the members encouraged me saying me Amin you speak very good English, that made my head up. After the breakfast we left towards the next camp we walked about two hours, it was shocking news for the guide decided to return back from there rather than going up showing some snow-covered mountains as saying that the pass will not be easy to cross because there is a lot of snow but it was not that much snow there as I think today gaining experience in the field. I don’t know why he took that decision as he did not want to go across the pass. Assumbar Pass is not difficult to cross in snow as last year we organized a winter group to cross because it is not dangerous. This was some disappointing moment for me we returned back to Sandi village on the same day after six hours camped in the same garden. By the evening the guide paid us some money and the clients gave me some tips too. It was very interesting to me. We stayed overnight there in the camp. The next morning they hired s jeeps to Gilgit I with my friend walked our village as there were rarely few 50 model jeeps were running in our area most of the traveling was done on foot and some horses were used.

It was an interesting trip of my life where I got an opportunity to begin towards to bring my dreams true that’s why I remember every moment time today after 30 years. From here I began my career as to become a guide finding people in the summer vacations for the next two years and I had to quit my studies because of my father’s passing away as being the eldest among my family members’ two sisters and four brothers. I used to work as a freelance guide accompanying some guides and some times organizing single members or a couple of small groups on my own. After three years I was fortunate to join one of the largest tour agencies in Pakistan and led many large groups of trekkers to the mountains of Pakistan, cultural and historical groups in the plains of Pakistan. Today having a mass of experience in the field of tourism and being part of my own tour agency organizing groups in the country. I m proud to be a first-ever tour operator from Ghizer District.

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Why did I choose tourism as my profession

Why did I choose tourism as my profession

Life is not only to pass at the earth, bringing a human on earth has an aim to live with purposes and fulfill the duties assigned by God.  Everyone wants to live happily throughout his/her life it is natural for that we need to keep an aim afore, but most of us don’t do it 5% of people to my experience has this idea but not the other 95% in my context. I born in 70s schooling in The 80s and came to college life in 90s to the professional life in this 21^st century in a big competitive technological world now a day. Today I am happy to be in the place as I wished in my very childhood.

The story of my life is very exciting and interesting for me, my dreams always came true amazingly and surprising. I also came across some challenges an unexcited happen and face them taking part in life. The most shocking and hard time of my life was the day once my father passing away at my young age and making the responsibility of a huge family and discontinue the studies I was found of studies that were disappointing. Secondly, the 9/11 collapsed the tourism sector making jobless and turned me to move towards teaching. It was an honor for me to be part of this noble profession. It was a great opportunity for me to learn something very different from my profession in ten years of my life.

The story goes back to my very childhood once I was 7 or 8 year-old I used to go to the mountains where my grandmother lived with goats and sheep for the summer. On year we were there in the summer some of the climbers came there and camp near our village. They were 10-15 people I don’t remember exactly the number of people. I and my colleagues used to go there to the campsite and looking at their activities, everything was new and surprising for such as the tents, the kitchen utensils, the noisy stove was funny for us. The chairs and tables were beyond our imagination because by that time in our region a chair was for only school teachers and a nurse in health post who was called doctor by the people rarely someone was found for these jobs in the village. All the people were inspired by them once they send their children to school the used to say my son will become a teacher or doctor (nurse). Anyway looking at everyone sitting on a chair was something big surprising, everything inspired me campsite of this climbing team the top ones were the English Language the guide/liaison officer or the cooks inspired me the most. I was saying how lucky these people who are speaking English with the foreigner (we used to tell them Angraiz it is Pakistani word for British).

Once I completed my school studies it was 1990 free from the exam and on holidays a trekking group came across me in my village which was going to Ishkoman over Assumbar Pass from Yasin a beautiful four days trek. I requested the guide to take me with them and he hired me as a porter. We went to Sandi Village from Thui where I live and camped over there, it was a hard job for me to carry 25 kgs of load by that age. The next day we walked another 5 hours from the village Anotek camp there, this day the guide gave me a light bag it was a good day. I was very happy with my broken English with the team and asking the guide about how to become a guide he helped what to do, I was very eager in everything working with kitchen crew pitching tents and setting the campsite very happily. The third day we started early morning towards the next camp below Assumbar Pass this day the kitchen crew gave me more lightweight than the previous days as I used to help them in the Kitchen and fetching water and doing the dishes. Unfortunately, this day the guide decided to return back on the same route after walking two hours towards the pass without any reason I didn’t understand is why? We returned to Sandi Village by the evening me with my colleagues discharged. It was the first time I went with this group for four days trek as a porter and learned some basics.

The next year in 1991 I was a college student during the summer got free (holidays) in the summer I used to look around in Gilgit city for guides who were leading groups and some compensated me and worked very hard with them gradually I became familiar some of the trekking routes wrote my diary regularly reading trekking guide book of Isbol Shaw and working learned how to become a guide. For the next four years I worked as a freelance guide and achieved great experiences my hard work paid off. I was fortunate to be part of the world-leading tour agency Adventure Tours Pakistan runs by Mr. Ashraf Aman the first Pakistani K-2 climber. I got an opportunity to lead large trekking groups, climbing groups; research groups etc where I used to work very hard for twenty years with great reputation never give any chance to complain to my clients during my job with this company. My dreams always came true and have to lead some groups to the place where I inspired by the people once in my guiding I camped exactly in the Place and recall my memories of childhood and thanks to God of paid me off my work what I wished. During my guiding, I got numerous opportunities to cover the most popular treks and explore some new trekking routes now there is pass in Hindukush between  Ishkoman and Broghil (Amin Pass 5,500 m) I explored this route in 2004 with some Italian climbers climbed in Hindukush for 10 years continuously in Attar Valley from 2000 to 2010 but some people still busy there climbing around mostly unclimbed peaks in the region.

During the guiding after ten years another dream clicked me in my mind to be a tour operator with the name of Hindukush as I began this blog with (Hindukush Explorer) but unfortunately, one of my friend stole my company name and registered a tour agency (but no any development just named and registered) with some of his friends and could not get this name for my company but anyway I came up  with a  Tour Company Hindukush Karakorum Tours and Trek after 20 years of experience as co-founder and today proud to be a tour operator. Our company is focusing on Hindukush region has great potential for tourism. I am working in most of the least touristic areas and exploring new areas in Pakistan. Our team has years of experience in the field of tourism and understands the market. Each of the team members has a dedication and commitment to his responsibility. Our teamwork paid off soon and developing quickly we could be able to make our market effective in a very short time. Now I am working for hard organizing groups eagerly because my dreams always come true and that makes me more happy and inspiring towards it. 

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Where you will enjoy the Natural Beauty

                Batura Trek in Karakorum Upper Hunza Valley Pakistan

This the trek goes along one of the largest glaciers in Pakistan Karakoram Range located in upper Hunza Valley measured 62 kilometers long starting from the Karakorum Highway ( the eighth wonder of the world while traveling China). The trek is exciting with superb views of Batura peaks in the Karakorum Range. There is five to seven days trek passing through a mesmerizing landscape, lush green meadows, icefalls from the Karakorum mountains incredible. The walk along the glacier is exciting.

                                                                            

 

Day1      Arrival Islamabad and transfer to hotel in the afternoon visit to the federal capital of Pakistan which has been built under the shade of MargallaHills of Photwar mountains of Pakistan. You will visit Shah Faisal Mosque it is one of the largest mosques in South Asia built-in 1977 with a donation of King Shah Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The architecture of the mosque gives an amazing experience of the Muslim Worl. There is the Islamic University in-ground flower. 

Day2      Drive to Chilas  (10-12 Hours)The journey on the Karakorum Highway is most exciting and thrilling. It is a monument to the engineering feast and one of the most spectacular roads and the world’s highest metalled border crossing. It connects Pakistan and China stretching over a distance of 1300km between Islamabad and Kashgar, winding through three mountain ranges and following the ancient Silk route along the Indus Valley to the Chinese border at Khunjerab Pass. Soon after  an hour drive from Islamabad, we pass through the historical town of Taxila, beautiful hill station of Abbottabad, quake-affected lush green towns of Mansehra, Shinkiari, and finally meet the great Indus on Thakot Bridge. From there onward the road snails along the bank of the Indus with contrasting landscape after every two kilometers. We pass through Besham, Dassu, Komila and Shatial to arrive at Chilas with many rocks carving and inscriptions along the way left by Chinese pilgrims and ancient travelers of 5th century A.D. Overnight at Shangri-La Midway House.

Day3      Drive to Passu five to six hours exciting journey on Karakorum Highway starts from Chilas visiting the ancient rock carvings along the mighty Indus River left by travelers, invaders, conquerors and pilgrims on their way to the subcontinent from central Asian countries who crossed the mountain passes of Hindukush and Karakorum mountains to access sub-continent. -You will the giant Killer Mountain Nanga Parbat 8,125 m the second highest in Pakistan and ninth in the world from the viewpoint. You will also view Rakhaposshi 77,88 m, Haramosh 7,400 m, and Diran Peak 6225 m to the north from the same viewpoint. The interesting moment is to stop at the junction of three mountain Ranges of Pakistan to the North Karakorum, to the South Himalaya, and to the west Hindukush along with the meeting point of Indus and Gilgit River. Three hours after Chilas you will turn towards Hunza Valley before entering Gilgit city which the administrative center of Gilgit-Baltistan. Another mind-blowing highlight of the day is the old Silk route on your way. We will cross Central Hunza Valley passing through Attabad Lake and charming villages Gojal Upper Hunza Valley and will reach Passu a beautiful village with superb views of Passu Cones and numerous snow-covered mountains in the surrounding. Overnight stay in the hotel and preparation of the porters for the next days trekking.

Day 4     Trek to Yazbin It is an easy three hours walk from Passu to the camp along the left side of Batura Glacier will be hot if there is a sunny day. The campsite on the moraine Glacier with a single hut which is used by the people on their way to summer pastures and trekking the water source from the glacier camping on the sandy campsite. In the afternoon there is an interesting hike up to Yazbin Pass above the camp. It takes two ascending to the pass a baren flat ground with magnificent views of Batura Glacier and the mountains ahead where you will go in the next days. It is worth going on this hike in order to acclimatize.  

Day 5     Trek to Yashprit(6-7 hours) this morning we will walk about two and a half hours on the moraine of the glacier on a clear path and then crossed to the lateral moraine of the Batura Glacier sometimes you will come across under trees and sometimes in baren land breezing from the glacier. You will reach in a beautiful lush green summer village with a couple of huts which was used to full with the people who stayed for the summer with cattle but now a few male use to live here. It is one of the beautiful campsites with spring water and view at 3800 m. 

Day 6     Trek to Kalohukhil(3-4) This morning we live Yashprit along the lateral moraine with lush green meadows to right and snow-covering mountains towards the left side of the glacier. The mind-blowing views are inspiring and lifetime experience it is not parallel to any other trek of the Karakorum Mountains. You will arrive at Khikhil a summer village with a couple of small huts with flower sheets in the surroundings you will find hundreds of colorful herbs and bushes. Camp at 4000 m. 

Day 7     Trek to Guchisum(4-5 hours) It is an exciting walk to the next camp following the stream flowing from Urthom Nala from the northeast. We get to the huge plane meadow with an amazing landscape, unlike the other days as we go higher new views with different clours and natural beauty, the Yaks around here add to the beauty of the valley looking surprisingly. The day is easier than the previous days. you will reach a place with some remains summer house with stone circles which was used to stay during the summer by the people Passu some years ago, but now everyone went out home the advent of education change the life of the people from the beautiful mountains to the crowded cities of the country and some moved beyond the country too. You will camp here at about 4,500 m with superb views of Batura Glacier and the sky-touching mountains.

Day 8 and 9    Trek to Yashprit and Passu:  you can return back to Passu easily in two days I have done it several times in this way. If you wish to stay more days here Yashprit is the best place to have a day to relax and enjoy the natural beauty.

Day 10  Drive to Karimabad two hour drive to Karimabad Visit to Altit & Baltit Forts,   

We will start our day by visiting fairy-tale like a castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a landmark built about 900 years ago, in 2004 tentatively enlisted UNESCO’s World Heritage.  After lunch at a traditional Hunza home, we will visit Altit Fort and Duiker. We will witness the mesmerizing sunset view at Eagle’s Nest Duiker and an awe-inspiring view of Hunza. Duiker is situated at an altitude of 2935 meters high above sea level.  Overnight stay at Egle Nest Hotel

Day 11 Drive to Gilgit: This morning we will drive two-hour drive to Gilgit and visit the Gilgit City and British Graveyards who were buried here during the Brish era in Gilgit-Baltistan, this visit will give you the brief history of Gilgit-Baltistan and British rule in Pakistan. Another highlight in Gilgit is worth visiting Kargah Budha 6 Km to the westKargah Buddha, a rock carving beside the KargahNullah (steam) 6km west of Gilgit along the old road to Punial, is the most popular short outing from Gilgit. The Buddha figure is about 3m tall and looks down protectively over Gilgit. It was carved in the 7th century and its workmanship reveals a talented master.

Day 12 Fly to Islamabad and overnight stay. A wonderful one hour flight over the great mountains Karakorum, Hindukush, and Himalaya. 

Day 13 Fly to home sweet home

   

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The Top easy Trek for Biginners in Hindukush Pakistan

                  

Day-1

A British mother and son arrived on Monday 23rd August 2019 at Islamabad Airport  9:30 a.m and continued to Naran by the same day for the first three hours on the Karakoram Highway to Manserah and towards Kaghan and Naran which is full of highlights and one of the amazing tourist destinations in Pakistan thousands of nature lowers visit here during the summer to enjoy their holidays. The lush green meadows, alpine forest, waterfalls, site streams, and beauty of Kunhar River add to the joy of your holidays, and it one the unforgettable moments of life going through these valleys. We had some lovely stops and reached our hotel Parina Cottage that welcoming with natural beauty and welcoming staff. The infrastructure and location at the side of the Kunhar River flowing make it more attractive and enjoyable. The food in the hotel is awesome and spent a homelike stay at this hotel.

Day-2

On the second day, we woke up at 6:30 a.m and continued journey on the Babusar Road along the beautiful Kunhar River and charming villages early morning scenario is mind-blowing along with the people working in the fields and women with animals to graze it is full of joys and interesting. We stopped in a restaurant for breakfast which was so delicious especially the Chole (a kind of lentils) in breakfast has no words to describe. We continued our journey and passed through many highlights Lulusar Lake on the way is one of the charming lakes in Pakistan. Further up on hour from here takes you the Babusar Pass 4,100 m between Chilas and Naran with lovely breeze welcomes with fantastic views gives joys of life and makes your journey full funs. We continued down from the pass and came down to Karakoram Highway the eighth wonder of the word. We came to the viewpoint of the giant mountain Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) the ninth highest mountain in the world and second after k 2 in Pakistan we had a great view and enjoyed shooting it. The Junction and meeting point of the three great mountain ranges (Karakoram Hindu Kush and Himalaya) in Pakistan, joining of mighty River Indus and Gilgit, and historical Purtab Pul are the great highlights on the Karakoram Highway. In the afternoon we continued to Hunza and Gulmit as our plan to stay there. Hunza is the greatest destination for tourism in Pakistan Raka Poshi (7788m) mountain in the Karakoram adds to the beauty and attractions of the valley. We stopped at the viewpoint of Rakaposhi and took pictures and had Chap Shero one of the greatest fast foods and appetizers of Hunza Valley. Our journey continued another two hours to get to Gulmit passing through Hunza and Nagar Valleys passing along the Ataabad Tunnel Lake which took us to Upper Hunza which is call Gojal the center of upper Hunza Vally.

Gulmit is the capital of Gojal, is a small village at about 2400m, well above the flooded river. Much has changed here since the rise of the new ‘Attabad Lake’. There are also many superb days walks near the Karakoram Highway from Gulmit. The Gulmit Museum, full of traditional ethnic artifacts, is in a room of Raja Hussain Ali Khan’s house, beside the Marco Polo Inn, and is well worth a visit. Old Gulmit is at the north end of the polo ground. Here you will find the Mir of Hunza’s summer residence, which is no longer used, the old Shia mosque with carved woodwork, the Tomb of Silum Khan III, water mills, and old houses. Drive to Passu, offer some of the best day walks and longer hikes in the area. The village is over 150 years old and owns the grazing rights up the north side of the 56km long Batura Glacier, so is able to support large herds of yaks, cattle, sheep, and goats, but is less fortunate with its agricultural land. We ended the day visiting to Local Restaurant Bozlanj with traditional organic local food dinner at the small restaurant the delicious food prepare by ladies in the restaurant in the village. It was a great experience.

Day-3

 Day hike over Gholkin Glacier to Borith Lake and Passu Glacier Breez Hotel (Apricot Cake). It was an interesting day for my clients because the mum had never been on such a walk on the glacier even she had not seen a glacier-like this as she went and walk on this day. It took us two hours to Borith Lake from Gholkin a small village above Karakoram Highway from Gulmit in the snout of the glacier. We went to the glacier which has large boulders in the beginning and moraine with gravels it is an easy walk for normal trekkers we enjoyed a delicious tea with double parathas on the Borith lake and walked up to the village and viewpoint. We had a great opportunity to visit a local home to explore the local culture and living standards of the people. We went to the viewpoint and took an unusual way down to get to Glacier Breeze Hotel along the left side of Passu Glacier on a moraine with great views of Passu Glacier, Passu Peak, Shispar, Batura Peaks, and Passu Cones it was very interesting to walk of two hours downwards from the viewpoint I can recommend for all to do this tour if you are there. We came to the Glacier Breeze and enjoyed the apricot cake. We had some rest and derived up to the snout of Baltoro Glacier to some pictures of Batura Glacier (62 Km long one of the largest Glaciers in the Karakoram) on the way back we had a short visit of Shamshal Bridge too nearby the Karakoram Highway.

We came back to Passu by late afternoon and ended our day having dinner in another local restaurant with local dishes of Upper Hunza. Yes I should miss mentioning the wonderful music of this evening at Silk Route Lodge celebrated by the locals with local songs and dances it was an amazing event and full of funs.

Day-4

This day we left Gulmit early morning visited Karimabad Hunza and the 800-year-old Baltit Fort which shows the history of the region it was a beautiful morning we could be able to Rakaposhi, Diran, and the surrounding peaks Karakoram and shooting were awesome. We left around midday towards Ishkoman via Gilgit en-route visited Gilgit Bazaar, Kargah Budha, and other tourist attractions in Gilgit. In the afternoon derived westwards on the Shandur Road along the Ghizar River through charming villages of Punial, arrived Royal Guest House Birgal Ishkoman for an overnight stay it is a paradise with fruit trees and fantastic garden make flowing sound of the Running Rivers make your night joyful. You will have great sleep and sweet dreams.

Day-5-7  

 These interesting three days of the trekking take you to the real natural beauty and the calm atmosphere of the pastures of Hindukush. The first two days ascending to the 4,100 m Asumbar Pass along the charming summer villages of Asumber along the crystal clear Asumber stream and side by springs, charming summer villages and the hospitable inhabitants are warmly welcoming on the trek invite you for the tea that is unlike anywhere else in the world. The camping sites and the trails are grassy and meeting the domestic animals' goats and sheep, yaks and cows all along the way and numerous species of colorful birds are another highlights of the trek. The fragrance of the many kind flowers and herbs and The thick forest on both sides of the pass are amazing. The view from the Asumbar Pass is mind blowing you will have a great view of the highest mountain (Tirichmir 7790 m) of Hindukush Range in a distance is mind blowing you will witness the great accomplishment of the nature from here.

Descending to the Yasin side from the pass is another beauty you will walk on grassy flats with small bushes of tamarisk for first one hour and come across many beautiful spots, springs, lakes, lush green meadows, old summer houses(not in use anymore) calling golden marmots is another great experience on this trek. You will go through all along the juniper and birch thick forest. Having lunch seating nearby a fast flowing stream under the shade of trees has no words to describe. The young staff of HK Tours & Treks, services are extraordinary. The last part of the trek approaching to the beautiful village of Yasin Valley is a bit hot if there is clear. I recommend it early morning or late afternoon is the best. Your treks end here and you say goodbye to your lovely porters who carried your language for the last four days and accompanied. There are many options once you get to Yasin whether if you have more days to enjoy trekking or drive to Gilgit or to Chitral over Shandur Pass 3743 m to Mastuj and Chitral and down to Peshawar through Lawari Tunnel, Dir and Swat Valleys en-route staying in Chitral and visiting Kalash Valleys (it is another experience in Pakistan especially in Chitral) there are many to see and enjoy.  

I hope you will be enjoyed reading it. If you wish to see more are want to go on this trip contact Hindukus Karakoram Tours and Trek (www.hkttreks.com) hktours.treks@gmail.com

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Skardu the heart of mountains

Skardu

Skardu is the capital of Baltistan District in northern Pakistan at the altitude of 2500 meters. It is the heart of the great mountains of Karakorum with the second highest mountain K2, other three 8000s along with more than one hundred 7000 and numerous 6000 meters peaks are accessible from Skardu. There are the largest glaciers out of Polar Regions are located. The people of Skardu are considered to the Tibetan origins speaking the language is called Balti. It is one of the touristic places in the north Pakistan because of its charming landscape and hospitable inhabitants who are tourist friendly.  Until this century Baltistan was the trade, route from Tibet and Ladakh, following the mighty Indus and Shayoke Rivers and another route crossing the deserted Deosia Plateau from Srinagar and there was snowy pass led across the Karakorum to China the west Mustagh Pass blocked by ice in the early nineteenth century. It was divided into four kingdoms Skardu, Khapulo, Shigar and Rundo which guarded the Indus Gorge to the west.

Skardu is accessible both by air and by road from Islamabad, the flight takes 45 minutes and by road it is two days on the Karakorum Highway to Gilgit and then another 170 km on the Skardu Road. Skardu crowded town with bazaar, all the supplies are available. There are 230 villages around it and all are accessible from the main town that is why it always stays busy. There exciting trips from Skardu a day hikes or long treks could be organized here. There are day trips such Sadpara Lake, Kachura Lake, Shigar Village and Khapulo from Skardu with jeeps to Deosia b Plateau. You can visit to the villages and walk around to enjoy your holidays. There is half an hour easy walk to the ruins of historical Kharpucho Fort up the enormous rock of Skardu which was built by Kashmiri Dogra troops when they captured Baltistan in 1846. You can explore the ruined rooms and wall and there is great view of Skardu Town too from the Fort.

The famous Baltoro , Ghondoghoro, K2 Base CampTrek and Biafo Hispar are started from Sakardu on the Askole Road along the Braldo River on the adventurous jeep track takes us to the last village of  Shigar District Askole through charming villages.

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Trekking from South Face of Nanga Parbat to North Face

31-07-2016. Fairy Meadows to Tarashing

On July 31, 2016 we left from Fairy Meadows to Tarashing which is the last village of Astore district from where the trek to South face of Nanga Parbat and Mazino Pass begins. We arrived at Raikot Bridge at 1 o’ clock in the after-noon because the road from Tato was blocked and one of our jeep driver did not arrive to pick us which we had already reserved that made us late. Having lunch at Raikot we left at 2 o’ clock and reached at Tarashing by half past 6 in the evening. The beginning of the Astore road was terrible and took us long time by driving in a very slow speed and the last part of the road ten km to reach to the last village was completely rough that made us tired when we reached at Astore. My clients were too tired too and some the members were not felling well and couldn’t have supper by that day. It was not a good day for all of us. We stayed night at Nanga Parbat Hotel at 2,911 meters.

August 1, 2016: Tarashing to Latboi

 The next morning we started trek it was a great day with good weather, we began a bit late in the morning it was hot day up to Hilligkoffer base camp the first cam site crossing Tarashing Glacier  and lush green beautiful villages of lower and upper Rupal. We reached here walking four hours from Tarashing. We had our lunch here it was nice time and the clients were happy with the beautiful scenery of the landscape and magnificent views of Nanga Parbat and other snow-capped high mountains of Himalaya. We decided to walk another two hours to the next camp of Latboi and moved to this camp which is at the altitude of 3,550 meters with green meadows and thick forest all around with superb views of Nanga Parbat it is also called second base camp with clear spring water and cluster summer houses there were the people from Tarashing and offered us local dishes with yoghurt from cow and goats milk it is nice campsite we enjoyed our day trip. One of our lady members was not feeling well and after two hours of walk she got weak and decided to ride on donkey and we managed it and arrived to the camp riding.

August 2, 2016: Latboi to Shaigiri

It was short day of two hours walk we set off at 8 a.m and arrived at the campsite of Shaigiri a gentle walk along the juniper and birch trees, the campsite here is at 3,660 meters under the trees with grassy flat for tents with clear fresh spring water. The views from here to the South is amazing of 5,484 meters Rupal peak and beautifu snow-capped 5,600 meters Liala peak ahead adds to the joy of the trek. The porters here always get on strikes for little things and always noisy unlike the porters in other parts of  Gilgit Baltistan that makes you disturb you there should be professional guide to deal with the porters of this trek. The porters from High camp to the end the trek come from Chilas who the worst. I dealt very technically and did not give them a chance to strike on the way. I had a little problem to dismiss two porters from here where their language was finished but handled it quickly. We had some drops of rain this after-noon.

August 3, 2016. Shaigiri to Mazino Base Camp:

This morning we set off towards Mazino Base camp a walk of three hours, the path follows northern lateral moraine of Toshain Glacier with great views of Liala peak and Rupal peak backwards and Nanga Parbat on one side, the walk was very interesting the first two hours were very hot because it was sunny day. We arrived at the camp around 12 at noon and the weather began to change we had a strong wind,   tents were almost to blown up by the wind but it stopped soon. The camp site is green meadow at 4,200 meters, with bubbling streams and dry juniper bushes,looking down Toshain Glacier is interesting from here. We enjoyed this day very much because all of group member were happy to be on 4000 meters without any problems.

August 4, 2016 Mazino Base Camp to High Camp:

It took us five hours with lunch break on the way for an hour. The track turns north and climbs steadily up to the lateral moraine of the Mazino Glacier which descends directly from the Mazino Pass. The first two hours on green meadows and then on the rocky path leads to the high camp at 4,700 on the north side of the Mazino glacier with glacier water. Here our porters from Chilas joined us for the next days trek towards the north face of Nanga Parbat. We had enough time to be relaxed here and prepare for the next day to go to cross the Mazino Pass I was a bit afraid of some my clients who were seemed not able to reach the pass but fortunately it got opposite my guessing they did well on this day which was beyond my expectations at all. We had our dinner 5:30 p.m in order to sleep early because we had to leave by 3:00 a.m to make sure to reach at the pass on time and descend down to the other side before sun rising to avoid rock fallings which very dangerous part of this trek and made it on time and very happy to be on the Loiba Glacier crossing the Mazino Pass. We had 19 porters and six members of the group and we were three staff members on this trek.

August 5, 2016. Mazino High Camp to Chatti crossing the Mazino pass 5399 meters:

This morning we at 3 o’ clock with headlights and walked on the Mazino glacier which is smoothly climbing up and came to beginning of the steep towards mazino we got the day light. We been very lucky with the weather on this trek it was always with us, this morning we had blue sky and came to the with magnificent views from the pass to Mazino Ridge, Nanga parbat and many other peaks around. We came to the pass at 6 a.m and fixed the rope to descend down there was an another group of Pakistani trekkers along with ten porters and we started descending one by one I make my members to be first to go down then our porters followed us fortunately everybody did reach the camp safe and sound and it was interesting day for all my clients they were very happy to be here and one of the challenging trips their lives as their comments. We came to camp side Chatti at 4700 meters on green meadows after 10 hours of walking. On the way we gave them a light lunch and had the lunch at the camp. We had heavy rain this afternoon the evening was very cold. The camp site is at 4,200 meters, but our option was to cross another pass Kao/Sargalio Band Pass 5140 meters and camp here to go on this pass and go the base camp of Noth face of Nanga Parbat. We did it on the next day.

August 06, 2016. Chatti to Sargallio crossing Sargalio Band pass 5,140 meters.

It was really a tough day for my clients because this is an unusual pass/trek rarely is done as our porters we are the people after four years on this trek. The path is on the moving rocks from the very beginning and too steeply going up an up to reach the pass and slippery gravels in some parts of the. Some my members hated this day and told me that stupid people will come to such a trek we came to the pass in four hours hardly looking towards the North face of Nanga parbat is amazing the view down is superb from the pass. We took some pictures here and descended down to green meadows with crystal clear spring water where our porters and staff were waiting for our lunch. We arrived here by 1:30 p.m. Our cook Karim was working with stove because it was not working that porters made it out of order on the way we had dry lunch unlike every day. We had our lunch the descended down to Sargalio a camp site with green flat and huge juniper trees an awesome campsite. There were few of our porters it was surprising because most of the porters had gone to Kutgali where they for summer with all our language it was really bad job they did because there is another two hour walk to go there but our members were already exhausted and were not able to move any more. We called back all of them and stayed night there at 3740 meters. We had some rain drops last night.

August 7, 2016: day trip to Nanga Parbat Base Camp (North Face):

On this day five members of the group visited to the base camp they left from the camp at 8:30 a.m and came back at half past five in the afternoon. It was day rest for me and the porters. We spent washing our clothes of last week trekking and we stayed the second night here. Our clients decided to go in one day from here to Chilas but in our program it was a two days plan it should be done in two days because it is long day especially for porters it is quite hot on barren gorge down to Halala and Bunar Dass. My clients were optimistic to reach Chilas by the same day and we did it, but our porters arrived late in the evening.

August 8, 2016: Sargalio to Chilass via Halala and Bunar Dass:

It was long day walk as I mentioned that my clients were optimistic to do in one day we did it six hours. We left at 7 a.m and reached at Halala polly bridge by 1 p.m running all the way down sometimes there was beating heat when the sun was shining but again the weather was with us most part of day stayed cloudy and we had a rain too when we were at the jeep road and waiting for the jeeps. We hired Toyota from here and came to Chilas by standing in it as it was a tradition with this kind of vehicles to reach the villages of North Pakistan long ago, but here still the same. We arrived at Shangrila Chilas by 5 p.m.

August 9, 2016 Chilas to Islamabad:

This morning we left from Chilas at 9 a.m and reached Islamabad at 10 p.m driving 13 hours on the way to Naran ad Kaghan valleys over Babusar Pass 4,173 meters. It was wonderful day travelling safe sound.I hope you will enjoy reading this post. If you wish to visit Pakistan please write me on amin25952@gmail.com

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French climbers on the top of Hindu Kush

The brave young climber approaching the summit of the highest peak of Hindukush the Terichmir (7708 m).

The climbers reached Chitral on 13th of June 2016, It was surprising for the local people that after a long period of time there was no one to take the name of this mountain. The climbers have been lucky throughout this trip to fly to Chitral and having clear blue sky during the trek to the base camp having good views of the white towering peaks of the Hindu Kush which is magnificent. They enjoyed the whole trek to reach to the base camp at the altitude of 4,700 meters in two long days of walking ( I would suggest having 3 days of trekking to the base camp) and it is an interesting point that they had previous experience of being the highest point on Mount Blanc but here the base camp is as that height. It was unexpected for me that they would reach to the summit of the Highest mountain of Hindu Kush with this previous experience I really appreciate there great courage, struggle, and enthusiasm to be on the top of Terichmir and they did it on 9th July 2016. They were very happy to be here with the organization of our agency ( the Adventure Tours Pakistan) of the whole logistic support and organization. In the first week, they climbed some of the surrounding peaks of 6,000-meter peaks for acclimatization there the first attempt was Gul Lasht Zom of 6,400 meters one of the beautiful peaks. They climbed up to 6,200 meters but to much snow forced them to return back from this point but it was a great effort. Secondly, they spent 5 days to reach Camp 3 and returned back to the base camp and had a rest of three days and thirdly climbed Dir Gol Zom 6,300 meters. In the third week, they reached the summit of the Terichmir which was their aim of the trip. We spent almost four weeks in these mountains with great weather.
  About their experience to climb this mountain is the right time is the month of June, to avoid the dangers of huge crevasses to approach and climb Terichmir.
 With this successful trip, we set off back from the base camp on 13th July 2016 and reached to Shagrom the last village in a long day walking ( again better to do it in two days) because it is exhausting doing it in one day.

 On 14th July we drew to Chitral on the way back of 6 hours along with the beautiful villages of Terich valley. It was a great trip as the comment of the clients. Luckily we got the plane to Islamabad by 6 o'clock in the evening an unexpected flight of experience of my life from Chitral because the weather was not favorable this day again I found these people very lucky and had been always positive to every situation and we enjoyed the whole trip.
 

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French climbers on the top of Hindu Kush

The brave young  climber approaching the summit of the  highest peak of Hindukush the Terichmir (7708 m).

The climbers reached at Chitral on 13th of June 2016, It was surprising for the local people that after a long period of time there was no one to take the name of this mountain. The climbers have been lucky throughout this trip to fly to Chitral and having clear blue sky during the trek to the base camp having good views of the white towering peaks of Hindu Kush which is magnificent.They enjoyed the whole trek to reach to the base camp at the altitude of 4,700 meters in two long days of walking ( I would suggest to have 3 days of trekking to the base camp) and it is an interesting point that they had previous experience of being the highest point on Mount Blanc but here the base camp is as that height. It was unexpected for me that they would reach to the summit of the Highest mountain of Hindu Kush with this previous experience I really appreciate there great courage, struggle and enthusiasm to be on the top of Terichmir and they did it on 9th July 2016. They were very happy to be here with the organization of our agency ( the Adventure Tours Pakistan) of the whole logistic support and organization. In the first week they climbed some of the surrounding peaks of 6,000 meter peaks for acclimatization there first attempt was Gul Lasht Zom of 6,400 meters one of the beautiful peak. They climbed up to 6,200 meters but to much snow forced them to return back from this point but it was great effort. Secondly, they spent 5 days to reach to Camp 3 adnd returned back to the base camp and had a rest of three days and thirdly  climbed Dir Gol Zom 6,300 meters. In the third week they reached to the summit of the Terichmir which was their aim of the trip. We spent almost four weeks in these mountains with great weather.
  About their experience to climb this mountain is the right time is the month of June, to avoid the dangers of huge crevasses to approach and climb Terichmir.
 With this successful trip we set off back from the base camp on 13th July 2016 and reached to Shagrom the last village in a long day walking ( again better to do it in two days) because it exhausting doing it in one day.

 On 14th July we drew to Chitral on the way back of 6 hours along the beautiful villages of Terich valley. It was a great trip as the comment of the clients. Luckily we got the plane to Islamabad by 6 o' clock in the evening an unexpected flight of experience of my life from Chitral because the weather was not favorable this day again I found these people very lucky, and had been always positive to every situation and we enjoyed the whole trip.
 
(Dir Gol Zom 6,300 meters)

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Yasin to Chitral over Thui and Shah Janali Pass to Rich Valley of Chitral

·        An interesting 10 days open zone trek

This trek could be started from either sides from Yasin or Rich from Chitral. The drive from Gilgit to Yasin to the starting point of Thui pass takes 4 hours and from Chitral to Rich takes 6 hours along the beautiful villages of Chitral and Yasin valleys with spectacular views and stopping points on the way to eat and take rest.

This is an easy interesting trek of  8 to 10 days in the Hindu Kush range. The best season to go on it from June to October, enjoy the landscape and meeting local communities along the way and Explore about their ways of living, culture, and traditions. These experiences add to the joys of your holidays as I have experienced during my guiding. The people are friendly and helpful always. It gives amazing scenery of the snow-capped mountains all along the way welcoming the climbers to Explore them and be the first ones most of them are unclimbed yet.

 The treks takes a week time from Islamabad to Islamabad.

   The trek starts from Nalti Thoi a village at the altitude of 2600 meters with 150 houses holding eight members in average in every household.

  
 Nalti to Lasht 3 to 4 hours.

     

The walking starts on jeep road up to one hour and then on clear path along the Thoi River with amazing scenery ahead with the views of Thoi 1 6600 meters. After a 3 hours walk you will reach to summer village lasht with clear spring water and soft grassy campsite. Your porters will celebrate the evening with camp fire singing songs. you will have great stay night here.

Lasht to Sholtalling 3 to 4 hours t ice and some parts on the rocky moraines of the glacier your guide will take care of you of the crossing some of the wide crevasses on the glacier.Soon after crossing the glacier you will be in the campsite of Gashuchi a nice camp site with mountain onions around the campsite as the name of the place Ghashu for onions in the local language Brushaski which is spoken by the people of Yasin and Hunza. The campsite is at the altitude of  4100 meters you may feel a bit cold after the sun set and before the sun rise in the morning.I hope you will enjoy the scenery of the valley which gives amazing views backwards the valley you come up.

Gashuchi to Golpigal 6 to 7 hours

  The most interesting day of trek that you are going to cross the Thui Pass 4999 meters and get into another region Yarkhun Valley an amazing valley of Chitral district KPK(N.W.F.P).

   This day will be little hard for you until to reach the pass you have to climb about 500 meters from the campsite on a steep way along the grassy path in the first two hours with superb views of the white peaks of the both sides of the pass and the on the rocky path close to the. \\\if you are lucky to have clear weather for the views from the pass is incredible. From the pass you are descending to the campsite of Golpigal which is wonderful campsite with clear spring water to drink and wash. dYou will have comfortable stay night after long day walk as I experienced in the past.

Golpigal to Gazin or directly to Chitral 3 to 8 hour  

  This is the last day of your wonderful trek you can stay in Gazin after 3 hours smooth walk or either can continue to Mastuj or Chitral town from Golpigal you have options here to enjoy more of you holidays in the Yarkhun valley or in the historical city of Chitral. There many amazing trekking and climbing opportunities you can enjoy. You can also go to Gilgit by Shandur Pass on a bus with your special transport or drive to Peshawar over Laworri Pass/t annul. If you wish fly from Chitral and lucky enough with the weather you can do it.

 This day gives immense joy to the nature lover to walk along the river which is called Mushibar River is the name of the valley, it flows down from Keronbar to the east and Qalandargum and Gashuchi glaciers you will have gigantic views of the both of the glaciers next day of your trek. The path is smooth along the juniper and birch trees and with grea.t views of snow-capped peaks ahead the valley. You will reach to the campsite Sholtalling a place with stone shelter and grassy campsite with superb views of the valley that adds to the joy of your holidays.

Day-6 Gazin to Yashkist:

An easy walk of four to five hours on jeep road along the Yarkhun River takes you to the village of Yashkhist the camp site for your trek Shah Janali Pass. The villagers are unbelievable hospitable. Many people will gather around you and help you for setting up your camp pitching the tents and invite you to their traditional homes and offer the local dishes you must taste them to encourage their hospitality. The view from here towards the Kurumbar and Darkot Pass is heart touching. You will camp at 3,100 meters.

Day-7 Yashkist to Ishperu Dok:

There are six to seven hours walk ascending up to the campsite about 800 meters along the Ishperu Dok stream flows down from the hills above. There are superb views up and back the villages of Yarhkun from all along the way and snow-capped white towering peaks of Hindukush. You will cross the stream on bridges and reach to wide flat meadow with spring water campsite at 3,900 meters. Ishperu Dok (means white hillside) is a large summer settlement of the Yarkhun and there are about ten to twelve huts where the women stay with their herds of goats and sheep. The men guard the herds and women milk mornings and evening, making butter inside the huts. You will be welcome by the shepherds on your arrival and offer you yogurt milk and butter. You can visit inside the huts and experience the living standard of the people on such places for long summer months in a very simple ways, it is an amazing experience for the people who live in the towns of Pakistan and foreigners who have luxurious living standard. You will enjoy the camp here.

Day-8 Ishperu Dok to Janali Gari crossing the pass:

Five to six hours exciting day of your trek. You will start your day climbing up towards the pass with spectacular views and flowers along the way on white sandy ridge with views to north of granite spires of Chapkar peak (5,804 meters) a mountain scarred by black rubble strewn glacier running of it. The surrounding hillsides are overgrazed pastures and countered by goat paths, the herds of horses, cattle, goat and sheep are here from Yarkhun Valley. You will reach the pass a green flat gentle area polo ground of the king that gives the name of the pass ( 4,259 meters) with several lakes around. You can enjoy the views from here the white towering mountains of Hindu Kush, if you are lucky having good weather on this day and worth to spend more time, I usually stop for lunch here during my trek. It is paradise on earth the most beautiful spot in Pakistan as I have seen other parts of the country.

From the pass, it is gentle descending towards the camp of Janali Gari, a deserted shepherds’ settlement with three stone circle beside a clear stream fringed by few willow bushes, you camp here and enjoy the night at 3,700 meters.

Day-9 Janali Gari to Dhershal:

 Four to five hours trek, this is a beautiful walk through knee-high grass and flowers and across plenty of side streams surrounded by groves of willows with the Shah Janali River well below on your right, you will reach in a summer settlement people from Rich village stay here in the month of June and move up in July. There are some shepherds’ huts sat in a flat pasture surrounded by birch trees at 3,350 meters, a wonderful camp site it is worth to have a rest day if you have time to be relaxed. There are fine views down to the valley.

Day-10 Dhershal to Rua

Five to six hours trek of the last of your trek. The walk is along the south of Shah Janali River in the juniper bushes, steadily goes down. While going if there is a clear weather this will be hot day because the land here barren, across stones and scree along the west bank of the Rich River about two hour the village Rua. On the way there are views ahead to the North is mountain wall of 6,000 meters high, blocking the way to Afghanistan.

Rua is the last village of Rich valley it takes six to seven hours by jeeps to Chitral. There is good camping site with clear water and your jeeps will arrive by the evening of your arrival either you can manage to leave to Chitral by the same day if you have already planned it. Mostly we use to stay the night here and move to our next destination by the next morning. The travelling from here to Chitral is amazing passing through different villages of Rich Valley with distinctive cultures and traditions. 

 I hope you will enjoy reading about this wonderful trek, if you wish to visit here you can contact on my mail and enjoy going on this trip.

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TREK OVER NAZBAR AND ZAGAR PASSES TO YARKHEN VALLEY CHITRAL PAKISTAN

Five to six days trekking in Hindu Kush Mountains:

This trek starts from couple of kilometers from Yasin a village is called Nazbar. You arrival in Gilgit is an access this village there are public van services from Gilgit to Yasin if you wish to do this trek on your own. If you are with an organized group with a guide will manage all. There is three and half hour s travel on metal road to Yasin and three km from Yasin to Nazbar on a smooth rough road. You come across beautiful villages of Punial and Gupis on the Shandur Road along the crystal clear Ghizar River.

Nazbar is village with about 300 houses. The villages will warmly welcome you on your arrival of the village, and help for your camp to sat up tents and show you reason place with clean water for drinking and cooking. You will arrange you porters from for the trek, it is better to have someone with you if you are without guide from the village to show you the way, because this trek is rarely used you will not find any path to approach to the passes.

Day-1 Nazbar Village to Shukan:  Four to five hours trek of the day, the trek starts on an easy smooth path the Nazbar people take tractors for wood up to the pastures during the months of October and November for the winter collection. You will walk trough summer settlement all the way with superb views of the natural beauty with amazing landscape. There are fields of barley and wheat where you will find people working in the fields and they will convey regards and invite you their homes and offer tea it is long tradition of the local you may have nice experience of the local culture. You will find some with little speaking English sometime a good speaking one because the education in the valley is top priority of the people Yasin.100% children go to school and study English from the very beginning. You go across the summer village in four hours reach to your camp site Shukan a place with clear spring water and camping areas for your tents. There is good view panorama of small snow capped peaks all around.

Day-3 Shukan to Ano gol across the Nazbar Pass (4,977 meters): It takes about three hours walk steeply towards the pass on rocky fields you cannot see any path on the rocks better to have some for day until to reach the pass otherwise there are many spots seem like a pass all around you may not miss the pass. There will be snow on the pass if you are here early summer or late autumn. I made it once in mid-August there was not snow on the pass. You need to have enough water from the camp for the three hour because there is no water until to cross the pass. There is nice view from here to both sides backwards and ahead. From here you will walk about two hours descending all the way to the camp of Ano Gol. A beautiful camping spot with grass and spring water and magnificent views of natural scenery of the Ano Gol an Baustter Gol, once I had this trek with a Japanese researcher of flowers. There are huge fields of flowers in the Bauster Gol we spent two weeks and enjoyed a lot. The valley has amazing peaks to climb for the inexperienced people to enjoy climbing.

Day-3 Ano Gol to Dedero Shall:

From here we cross the bridge on Bauster stream and reach to the first summer settlement Harigal Shall on the crossing Nazbar pass. The women from Shamaran stay here in the summer with cattle and warmly welcomed us with gifts of local dishes and it was surprise for them when my friend was working with the flowers. You walk down about a five kilometers and reach to the summer settlements of Dedero Shall, at the junction of the Zagaro Stream which flows down from the ZagarPass. There is beautiful campsite with trees at about 3,500 meters.

Fom here you have two options whether you go to cross Zagar Pass to Mastuj in Yarkhun Valley, in the district of Chitral or go down Shamaran a village of Phunder Valley on the way to Shandur Road. It takes two more days to go to Mastuj and to Chitral and one day to reach Shamaran and to Gilgit.

Day-4 Dedero Shall to Zagar Base camp across the Pass (5008 meters).Six to seven hours of the day trek it is bit harder walk the previous three days to go up to the pass. It takes four to five hour to reach to the pass it is a snow covered pass. The view from the pass adds to joy of holidays you can see two different kinds of landscape the one towards the Chitral and the other towards Ghizar district.  You walk another seven kilometers down on a clear path to the campsite of the Zagar Base camp at 3,700 meters.

Day-5 Zagar Base camp to Malo/ Chapali: We continue down the other side about eight kilometers, across rolling pasturelands with occasional shepherds, goes a trail with superb views of the mountains ahead Yarkun Valley and towards the Chamarkhan Pass ( A pass between Barsat and  Chamarkhan)  Chapali, which on the jeep road about 11 kilometers upriver  Mastuj. Your jeep will catch you there and drive down Chitral or Gilgit over Shandur Pass as you programmed. You can stay in Mastuj there are hotels to stay and worth to walk around The drive from here to Chitral takes 6 to 7 hour and to Gilgit 8 to 10 hours across the beautiful Phunder Valley there are many options on the way to stay nights and enjoy the holidays, if you are not in hurry, worth to spend more days in Chitral too, here is unique culture places to visit such as Kalash Valleys (will be described in the next posts).   

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