Situated in the heart of the Karakorams, is Shimshal with its high virgin peaks, its rugged terrain, its roaring rivers and green pastures. You start the trip in Islamabad and drive on legendary Karakoram Highway to Passu in Upper Hunza from where we take soft top 4x4 jeeps onto the newly built jeep road to reach the main village Shimshal. It is a 4 day trek to the summer settlement, towering above the lakes and flower filled meadows roamed by yaks. After a rest at the meadows, embark on a six day trek over three passes to arrive at the Karakoram Highway, just south of Khunjerab Pass at Pak China border. -

Itinerary

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: -Passu — Shimshal
We start the day with a short ride on soft top 4x4 jeeps from Passu village towards Shimshal valley. This jeep road has been recently completed after years of efforts by village volunteers and road engineers to carve the road in this difficult gorge. lThe jeep track passes through the narrow gorge of Shimshal river. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of Karakoram. 300 years ago Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi Saint he settled here and all Shimshali people are from his family. Camp overnight. (2/3 hours, 3300m)

DAY 04:-Shimshal Rest Day
Rest day for acclimatization and to explore the area. We will also visit some local houses this day to honor the traditional hospitality of the villagers and get to know their unique life style. 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 home
Transfer to airport for departure flight.