Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
Vaccinations
Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information
Singles
Hotel rooms are on share bases, Single supplement in hotels is available. In case of single supplement Please contact Shams Alpine Mountaineering & Trekking Pvt Ltd for specific detail.
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.
Tagham Festival – Shimshal Valley
Duration: 11 days
Season: April
Grade: Moderate
Activities: explore the traditional valleys of Gilgit, Hunza and Nagar
Accommodation: 17 days trip, 9 days trek &Yak Safari, 9 nights hotel, 8 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 breath taking gorge road to Shimshal.
About this Festival
Ancient Spring Festival celebrated in Shimshal village, upper Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Tagham Festival, is an ancient ‘Wakhi culture’ agricultural celebration held on 01, April every year in Shimshal village, upper Hunza District. This area is keeping alive the rich traditions of Wakhi culture in the foothills of the Pamir region of Northern Pakistan. Tagham in Wakhi, means seed. Hence Tagham, is the spreading of seeds, a symbolic ritual celebrating the beginning of the spring farming season. Tagham has been celebrated for centuries on the arrival of spring, when the glaciers start melting, streams and rivers are again filled with fresh water and Tagham festival is celebrated by communities to welcome the fresh water for ploughing and to start cultivation and seed sowing for the new season. It is one of the most popular and fun festivals in the district. Tagham is a time of laughter, frivolity and good food shared by all in the community.
The most interesting and exciting part of the Tagham festival is the Tuman, during which members of the “Shogun Putuk” (initiators) tribe officially announce the start of the cultivation season by setting fire to leaves of a Juniper plant called “Yarz” and by throwing wheat seeds on the roof of an old house from inside the house through an opening in the ceiling called “Ricin” in Wakhi language.
The next big thing in the Tagham festival is a game that features a man dressed in a bull costume and acting like a bull! He entertains the audience by performing different playful acts. After the game, the start of the farming season is demonstrated with the Shogun Putuk ploughing the field in a traditional way (with the help of bulls), and small children being introduced to farming in a process called “Sk Spunder Khak.”
The festival goers then share a celebration meal of traditional dishes prepared by the village families and brought to a central location in Shimshal to share company and their food.
Short itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Islamabad (600m), stay – Hotel
Day 02 Fly to Gilgit or drive to Chilas, stay – Hotel
Day 03 Drive to Hunza, Karimabad (2,400m), Stay – Hotel
Day 04 Drive to Shimshal village (3,100m), Stay – Hotel
Day 05 Attend Tagham Festival, stay in Shimshal Valley – Hotel
Day 06 Drive to Karimabad, Hunza, stay – Hotel
Day 07 Dive to Hopper Valley excursion and drive back to Karamabad, Hunza, stay – Hotel
Day 08 Drive to Gilgit city, stay – Hotel
Day 09 Fly to Islamabad or drive to Bisham, stay – Hotel
Day 10 Market visiting in Islamabad or second day drive to Islamabad, stay – Hotel
Day 11 Departure from Islamabad to home
Our Services Include
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application.
Assistance on your arrival and departure
An experienced English speaking high altitude Guide.
Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.
Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle.
Guides, and other staffs daily wages and insurance.
Service does not include
Bottled water, aerated drinks, laundry and other items of personal nature
Meals except where indicated in the itinerary
Personal snacks, energy bars, energy gels, sweets, Personal phone calls and laundry
Tips for guide and other crew members
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 (director of Shimshal Mountaineering School) and Qudrat Ali (Manager of Shimshal Mountaineering School) 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.
