Shimshal Pass Trek, Summer – 2025
Trip Duration: 16 days
Season: June – September
Grade: Moderate
Zoon: Open
Activities: Trekking, Climbing, and exploring the traditional grazing valleys
Accommodation: 16 days trip, 10 days trek, 08 nights hotel, 08 nights camping
Tour from Gilgit Airport to get to the Trek start at Shimshal.
On your drive/tour from Gilgit to Karimabad, Hunza and onto Passu (along the KKH and a section of the ancient Silk Road) and then to Shimshal you will enjoy some of the most outstanding scenery in Northern Pakistan. The Gilgit River and terraces of farmland will be beside you as you drive north. You will stop and enjoy the views of the junction of the Western edge of the Himalayas with the Karakorum and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. You will stop at the base of Rakaposhi (7,788m) and gaze up the Ghulmet Glacier at the highest unbroken slope on earth 5,838m above you. You will explore beautiful Karimabad with its delicious apricots (in the right season) and the famous Baltit Fort. The ancient roadside sacred rocks at Haldeikish and the drive north through picturesque villages and farmland and along the Khunjerab river; then to Passu with the amazing granite cathedral mountain tops surrounding you before you turn off the KKH up the narrow breathtaking gorge road to Shimshal.
About this Trek and Tour
The Shimshal Pass area is one of the summer grazing pastures of Shimshal Valley. It is one of the most attractive mountain valleys in Pakistan – located in the high pasturelands of the mysterious Pamirs just 4,735m above sea level and it lies on the watershed between South Asia and Central Asia. The area is unique for its beautiful landscape with striking isolated mass of reddish-brown stone rising like a watch-tower over the watershed. The snow capped and easy trekking peaks of Mingligh Sar 6,050m, Velyo Sar 6,030m, Quz Sar 5,900m, and the mesmerizing crystal clear water lakes give exceptional beauty to the area.
Shimshal Pass is the habitat of Wild fauna; Brown Bear, Ibex, Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, Mountain Foxes, Hare, Golden Eagle, Partridge, and Snow Cock and native flora of every kind of wildflower covering the meadows in the spring and summer.
People of Shimshal, mostly women, spend 5 months with their livestock on the pastures. They are rich in culture and tradition.
Kutch festival is one of the most exciting events, when the local people, with their flocks and herds of Yaks laden with their bedding and utensils, all move to the upland grazing grounds of Shimshal Pass (Shuwerth and Shuijerav) where they make Cheese (Qurut), Butter and other live stock products.
Short itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Islamabad – Hotel
Day 02 Fly to Gilgit or drive to Naran – Hotel
Day 03 Drive to Hunza Valley – Hotel
Day 04 Drive to Shimshal village – Hotel
Day 05 Trek to Gharsar (3 -4 hrs) – Camp
Day 06 Trek to Peryan-e-Sar (7- 8 hrs) – Camp
Day 07 Trek to Shuijerav (6-7 hrs ) – Camp
Day 08 Trek to Shimshal Pass 4,735m (2-3 hrs) – Camp
Day 09-10 Explore, acclimatize, and Climb Mingligh Sar 6,050m – Camp
Day 11 -13 Trek back to Shimshal village on same route – Camp & Hotel
Day 14 Drive to Gilgit (6 -7 hrs) – Hotel
Day 15 Fly to Islamabad or drive to Islamabad – Hotel
Day 16 Drive to Islamabad – Hotel
Our Services Include
An experienced English speaking high altitude Guide.
Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking and eating utensils and mess tent.
Wages for guides, cook, and porters.
Acclimatization day in Shimshal Pass.
Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.
Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle.
Tented camps on shared basis while trekking.
Porters will carry your large pack – one waterproof kit bag per client, – weight not to exceed 15kgs.
Excess baggage will incur extra porter wage.
Trekking permits and Khunjerab National Park and Central Karakorum Park Fees.
Safety equipment included and medical kit.
Porters, Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application.
Our Service does not include.
Bottled water, aerated drinks, alcohol, laundry and other items of personal nature
Meals except where indicated in the itinerary
Personal snacks, energy bars, energy gels, sweets
Personal gear, sleeping bags, ice axe, crampons, and harness
Personal phone calls and laundry
Tips
International airfares, Travel Insurance, Airport and departure taxes.
Single supplement
Guides and porters
Our local guides and porters are all experienced, handpicked and trained by Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali (directors of Shams Alpine) to ensure that our clients have the best opportunity for success with comfort. A porter will carry your kit bag and you will be expected to carry your own day pack which should be large enough to carry all you will need throughout the day e.g. sunscreen, raincoat, water bottle, camera, spare long-sleeved clothing, snow protection glasses, sun protection gloves, hat and scarves, snack food, etc.
Rush Lake Trek and Rush peak expedition in summer 2024
Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
Vaccinations
Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information
Singles
A single supplement is not always possible on this trip. In many instances campsite size is limited and it will be necessary to share with another team member. This also applies to mountaineering expeditions. Single supplement in hotels is available. Please contact Shams Alpine Mountaineering & Trekking Pvt Ltd for specific detail, relevant to your trip.
Entry points
Shimshal can be reached from Islamabad by plane to Gilgit city or else by road along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza. Another way is by road from Tashkurgan, China on the Karakoram Highway through Khunjerab National Park and the Old Silk Route to Passu valley.
Leader
Discover the spectacular hidden Karakoram with English speaking,
world renowned Shimshali mountain guides
Adventure travel
By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you contact us with any concerns. We are happy to answer any questions.
Responsible travel
The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact of our presence
