Shimshal Pass & Pamir Trek
A 14-day supported trek from Pakistan’s highest permanent settlement through the Shimshal gorge to the Wakhi summer pastures of Shuwert on the high Pamir plateau.
Choose a scheduled window or request private dates.
| Departure | Return | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 26 June 2027 | 9 July 2027 | Planned |
| 24 July 2027 | 6 August 2027 | Planned |
| 21 August 2027 | 3 September 2027 | Planned |
| 11 September 2027 | 24 September 2027 | Planned |
Final pricing depends on group size, hotel level, porter allocation, local crew and current operating costs. Private departures are available.
From the valley of mountaineers to the high Pamir.
Shimshal lies at about 3,100 metres in Upper Hunza and remained accessible only on foot until its jeep road opened in 2003. The Wakhi community is known throughout Pakistan for producing climbers, high-altitude porters and guides, including pioneering women mountaineers.
The trail follows the Shimshal and Pamir-e-Tang river systems through narrow gorges and exposed cliff paths before reaching the summer settlement of Shuijerab. A final climb crosses Shimshal Pass at approximately 4,735 metres and enters the grasslands around Shuwert, where herding families traditionally spend part of the summer with yaks, sheep and goats.
Shimshal Valley and Pamir landscapes
A remote passage through living Wakhi pastoral country.
The trek in detail
Day 1 · Arrival in Islamabad
Meet your representative at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the hotel. The evening briefing reviews the mountain flight, remote-road conditions, personal equipment, porter loads, communications and altitude procedures.
Day 2 · Fly to Gilgit and continue to Passu
Take the weather-dependent flight to Gilgit and continue along the Karakoram Highway through Hunza to Passu. The road follows the upper Indus and Hunza corridors that historically connected the mountain valleys with routes toward Central Asia. A flight cancellation activates the overland contingency and changes the program.
Day 3 · Passu to Shimshal Village
Leave the Karakoram Highway near Passu and enter the Shimshal gorge by locally operated jeep. The roughly 50-kilometre road was completed in 2003, ending centuries of foot-only access. Settle into a simple guesthouse or homestay and meet the local trekking team.
Day 4 · Shimshal acclimatization and village heritage
Spend a full day acclimatizing with a measured walk above the settlement. Visit agricultural terraces, traditional homes and, when available, the community heritage collection. Shimshal is widely known as Pakistan’s “valley of mountaineers” and has produced generations of climbers and high-altitude workers.
Day 5 · Shimshal to Ghar Sar
Begin the trek eastward through the narrowing river gorge. The path alternates between river terraces and exposed sections above the water before reaching camp near Ghar Sar. Local guides manage pace and passage on the more confined sections.
Day 6 · Ghar Sar to Wuch Furzin
Continue through the gorge, using bridges and established cliff-side trails around the Pamir-e-Tang corridor. Water sources can be seasonal and the crew confirms each camp before departure. Camp near Wuch Furzin with increasingly open views toward the high valley.
Day 7 · Wuch Furzin to Shuijerab
Climb through the Arbab Purian area toward Shuijerab, one of Shimshal’s important summer-pasture settlements. Stone shelters and livestock enclosures reflect a pastoral system maintained over generations. An afternoon acclimatization walk is included if conditions and energy permit.
Day 8 · Shuijerab to Shimshal Pass and Shuwert
Ascend steadily to Shimshal Pass and cross onto the broad Pamir plateau. The pass lies near the watershed between river systems draining toward the Indus and the Tarim Basin. Continue to camp near Shuwert among seasonal Wakhi herding huts and high grasslands.
Day 9 · Explore the Shimshal Pamir
Use a full day to explore the plateau, lakes and grazing country around Shuwert. Weather permitting, distant views open toward the peaks of the northern Karakoram and the Minglik Sar massif. The day remains flexible to protect acclimatization and allow meaningful time with seasonal herders when they are present.
Day 10 · Shuwert to Wuch Furzin
Recross Shimshal Pass and descend through Shuijerab and Arbab Purian. The guide may divide this stage or choose an intermediate camp depending on weather, trail conditions, group pace and water availability.
Day 11 · Wuch Furzin to Shimshal Village
Complete the return through the gorge, carefully retracing the bridge and cliff-path sections to Shimshal. Arrive to a warm welcome, a simple guesthouse or homestay, and time to rest after the remote trekking stages.
Day 12 · Shimshal to Passu and Gilgit
Return by jeep to the Karakoram Highway near Passu and continue to Gilgit. The schedule includes flexibility for the Shimshal road, which can be affected by rockfall, water crossings and local conditions.
Day 13 · Gilgit to Islamabad
Fly to Islamabad, subject to weather and operational conditions. Transfer to the hotel and keep the remainder of the day relaxed. If the flight is cancelled, travel overland and adjust the program. An additional Islamabad buffer night is recommended before international departure.
Day 14 · Islamabad departure
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport according to your onward schedule. Extra nights, Taxila or a cultural extension can be arranged separately.
Follow EP-009 day by day.
- Day 1 · Islamabad — Arrival and expedition briefing
- Day 2 · Islamabad → Gilgit → Passu — Conditional flight and Karakoram Highway transfer
- Day 3 · Passu → Shimshal — Jeep journey into the remote Shimshal Valley
- Day 4 · Shimshal Village — Acclimatization and Wakhi community day
- Day 5 · Shimshal → Ghar Sar — Begin the gorge trek
- Day 6 · Ghar Sar → Wuch Furzin — Cliff trail and river crossings
- Day 7 · Wuch Furzin → Shuijerab — Climb through Arbab Purian to summer pasture
- Day 8 · Shuijerab → Shuwert — Cross Shimshal Pass to the Pamir plateau
- Day 9 · Shimshal Pamir — Explore Shuwert and high grazing grounds
- Day 10 · Shuwert → Wuch Furzin — Recross the pass and descend
- Day 11 · Wuch Furzin → Shimshal — Complete the gorge descent
- Day 12 · Shimshal → Passu → Gilgit — Jeep and road transfer
- Day 13 · Gilgit → Islamabad — Conditional mountain flight
- Day 14 · Islamabad departure — Final airport transfer
Accommodation, support and expedition readiness.
Accommodation plan
| Islamabad | 2 nights |
|---|---|
| Passu | 1 night |
| Shimshal | 3 nights |
| Ghar Sar camp | 1 night |
| Wuch Furzin camp | 2 nights |
| Shuijerab / Shuwert camps | 3 nights |
| Gilgit | 1 night |
Trek profile
| Reference | EP-009 |
|---|---|
| Grade | Challenging · 4 of 5 |
| Highest point | Approx. 4,735 m |
| Longest day | Up to 7–9 hrs |
| Terrain | Gorge, cliff trail, bridges and high plateau |
Important route note
This is a remote trek without road access, permanent lodges or shops beyond Shimshal. Good fitness, previous multi-day trekking experience, appropriate insurance and flexibility are essential. Final camps and stage lengths are controlled by the guide’s daily assessment.
What is and is not included.
Services Included
- 13 nights in twin-sharing hotels, simple guesthouses, homestay and shared camping tents
- Private ground transportation, Shimshal jeep transfers and airport transfers
- Experienced guide and specialist Shimshali trekking crew
- Porters within the stated personal-load allowance
- Camping tents and group camping equipment
- Entrance, community and local trekking fees where charged
- Visa-support documentation and applicable service taxes
Services Not Included
- International and domestic airfare; booking assistance is available
- All meals and beverages
- Sleeping bag, personal trekking equipment and excess porter loads
- Travel, medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- Visa fee, personal expenses and tips
- Disruption, rescue or evacuation costs
- Anything not listed under Services Included
Related trekking journeys
Compare this high-Pamir journey with the Patundas Meadows trek, the Rakaposhi Base Camp trek, or the Rush Lake trek.
Walk from Shimshal to the high pastures.
EP-009 operates on planned or private dates, subject to road, trail, weather, flight and local pasture conditions.