Chillinji Pass Trek

Day 1 – Arrival in Islamabad

Welcome to Pakistan! Upon landing at Islamabad International Airport, our representative will receive you and escort you to your hotel in the capital. The rest of the day is relaxed: a detailed briefing will be held about the upcoming trek, permits will be finalized, and there's time for a short orientation tour to visit the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, and viewpoints like Daman-e-Koh. Take the evening to rest, because adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 2 – Drive: Islamabad → Swat Valley

Your road trip begins with a scenic drive northwest to the lush green Swat Valley—once dubbed the “Switzerland of the East.” The route passes through historical towns and rolling countryside. En route, you'll stop at the ancient Buddhist ruins of Takht-e-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Swat, check into your hotel, and enjoy the alpine ambiance as the Swat River flows beside you.

Day 3 – Drive: Swat → Chitral

Set off early for an epic drive to Chitral, crossing the rugged Lowari Pass or taking the 9-km Lowari Tunnel, depending on the season. The winding mountain road offers glimpses of deep gorges and conifer-covered ridges. By afternoon, you’ll reach Chitral—a vibrant town at the edge of the Hindukush. After checking in, you can stroll through Chitral Bazaar or visit the iconic Shahi Mosque and Chitral Fort.

Day 4 – Excursion to Kalash Valleys

Today is a cultural highlight: a day trip to the Kalash Valleys, home to one of the world’s most unique indigenous communities. Drive through narrow roads and forested hills to reach Bumburet and Rumbur villages, where the Kalash people still practice an ancient animist faith. Admire their traditional wooden houses, colorful dresses, and sacred temples. Return to Chitral by evening, spiritually enriched and culturally enlightened.

Day 5 – Jeep Drive: Chitral → Lasht

Leave the comforts of town behind and hop aboard a rugged 4×4 jeep for a journey deep into the Upper Chitral wilderness. The road winds past Mastuj, crossing steep valleys and wooden bridges until you reach Lasht, a remote Wakhi settlement at around 3,050 m. This marks the threshold of true isolation—your camp will be set here beneath open skies.

Day 6 – Trek: Lasht → Kishmanja

Lace up your boots for the first real trekking day. The trail leads along the riverbank, gradually ascending through rocky terrain toward Kishmanja (3,300 m), a scenic pastureland with dramatic views of snow-covered peaks. This is Wakhi territory, and you may spot shepherds tending their livestock. Camp is pitched beside a stream, perfect for stargazing under a crystal-clear sky.

Day 7 – Trek: Kishmanja → Ishkarwarz

Today, your route narrows into a rugged gorge as you head toward Ishkarwarz (3,600 m), just near the Afghan frontier. The landscape is stark but awe-inspiring—marked by scree slopes, turquoise rivulets, and jagged ridgelines. This is one of the most remote inhabited corners of Pakistan, a place few outsiders ever reach. Camp near glacial streams and listen to the sound of solitude.

Day 8 – Trek: Ishkarwarz → Lashkargaz

The trail continues through remote Wakhi grazing lands to Lashkargaz, another high-altitude settlement at around 4,000 m. Expect an easier day with a moderate incline and plenty of scenic reward: soaring peaks to the west, glimpses of glaciers in the north, and a calm that settles over this little-known valley. Overnight in tents near shepherd huts.

Day 9 – Trek: Lashkargaz → Laly Ribat

After breakfast, trek through alpine pastures that roll into meadows of wildflowers and grazing yaks. The trail leads to Laly Ribat, a high pasture framed by lonely peaks and often cloaked in mist. At 3,900 m, it’s a peaceful and serene place—ideal for slow evenings and reflection. Campfire stories and silence under stars await.

Day 10 – Trek: Laly Ribat → Kurambar Lake

One of the most beautiful trekking days brings you to Kurambar Lake, one of Pakistan’s highest and clearest alpine lakes at 4,304 m. The lake reflects surrounding giants like a mirror, creating surreal photo opportunities. The approach offers dramatic scenery: glacial moraines, flower-strewn hillsides, and endless skies. Camp on the shore and soak in its magical atmosphere.

Day 11 – Rest Day at Kurambar Lake

After days of movement, take a break. Spend the day exploring the lake’s edge, photographing reflections, reading a book, or meditating in solitude. This rest day is crucial for acclimatization and emotional reset before the more demanding phases ahead. Optional short hikes reveal more hidden corners of this sublime landscape.

Day 12 – Trek: Kurambar Lake → Shuinji

From the lakeside, you descend gently along a series of green slopes toward Shuinji, a seasonal pastureland located at about 3,930 m. The terrain is softer, and your body begins to appreciate the rhythm of high-altitude trekking. The day is perfect for soaking in long valley views, distant snow walls, and the musical babble of glacial streams.

Day 13 – Trek: Shuinji → Sukhtarabad (via Chotoboi Glacier)

Today’s challenge is crossing the Chotoboi Glacier, a frozen labyrinth of ice and moraine. Crampons may be required as you make your way across crevasses and boulder fields. After 2–3 hours of careful navigation, you’ll arrive at Sukhtarabad (3,420 m), where the landscape shifts to greener meadows. A small police checkpost confirms your safe passage into the Chapursan Valley.

Day 14 – Trek: Sukhtarabad → Chillinji Jungle (Warguth Gah)

The trail enters a shaded zone of juniper and alpine birch as you move into Chillinji Jungle, locally known as Warguth Gah. At 3,450 m, this is a relatively easy walk but feels magical after days of stark terrain. The campsite is hidden among trees, fed by nearby springs, and filled with the scent of pine and wild herbs.

Day 15 – Trek: Chillinji Jungle → High Camp

Prepare for your final ascent. Today’s climb is steep, slow, and spectacular, leading you toward Chillinji High Camp at the base of the pass (~5,000 m). The terrain is rocky and exposed, often with snow patches even in summer. Camp is pitched on a flat shoulder with wide open views of the route ahead—one last night before the summit.

Day 16 – Trek: High Camp → Beyatot (via Chillinji Pass 5,335 m)

This is the summit day—start before dawn for a steep push to the top of Chillinji Pass, which connects Broghil Valley to Chapursan. At 5,335 m, the pass rewards your effort with sweeping views of the Karakoram and Hindukush ranges. Descend carefully along a scree slope to reach the lush pastures of Beyatot, where tired legs find soft ground and warm food.

Day 17 – Trek: Beyatot → Baba Ghundi Ziarat

A day of descent through the stunning upper Chapursan Valley, surrounded by jagged cliffs and the sound of rushing streams. Your destination is the Baba Ghundi shrine, dedicated to a Persian Sufi saint who, legend says, tamed jinns. This spiritual sanctuary lies near the Afghan frontier and is cherished by locals. Camp near the ziarat in peaceful reverence.

Day 18 – Jeep Drive: Baba Ghundi → Sost → Passu/Gulmit

Hop back into 4×4 jeeps and journey through Chapursan’s sleepy Wakhi villages—Zood Khun, Ispenj, and Khill—until you return to the Karakoram Highway. From Sost, the northernmost border town, drive to Passu or Gulmit, where comfort returns. Check into a guesthouse with views of the famed Passu Cones, and celebrate your journey with a hearty Hunza meal.

Day 19 – Drive: Passu → Karimabad (Hunza)

Continue along the Karakoram Highway to the historic town of Karimabad, the heart of Hunza. En route, stop by Attabad Lake, created after a landslide in 2010, and take a boat ride over its surreal blue waters. In Karimabad, explore ancient Baltit Fort and the lively local bazaar. The air here is rich with legends, and every stone has a story.

Day 20 – Full Day in Karimabad (Altit Fort, Café, Bazaar)

Today is all about soaking in the culture and hospitality of Hunza Valley. Visit the beautifully restored Altit Fort, wander apricot orchards, shop for handmade carpets and gemstones, and enjoy fresh chapshuro at a local café. As the sun dips behind Ultar Sar, you'll realize this is not just the end of a journey—it’s the beginning of a lifelong love for the mountains.

Day 21 – Drive: Karimabad → Naran via Babusar Pass

After a hearty Hunza breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to the magical Karimabad and begin a dramatic drive southward. The journey takes you along the Karakoram Highway, where sheer cliffs, roaring rivers, and majestic mountains keep your eyes glued to the window. As you near Chilas, you’ll veer eastward to ascend the legendary Babusar Pass (4,173 m), which opens only in summer and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Kaghan Valley below. Descending through alpine forests and meadows, you’ll arrive in the charming resort town of Naran, nestled along the Kunhar River. After days in the rugged wilderness, the bustling bazaars, cozy cafés, and mild air of Naran feel refreshingly comfortable. Overnight in a well-appointed hotel.

Day 22 – Drive: Naran → Islamabad via Mansehra

Today’s drive from Naran to Islamabad offers a rich tapestry of scenery and culture. You’ll descend through the verdant Kaghan Valley, passing fairy-tale spots like Lake Saif-ul-Mulook, Kiwai, and Balakot, where green hills cascade into the winding Kunhar River. Enjoy roadside tea at a riverside café or shop for handmade crafts in Mansehra. By afternoon, you’ll merge onto the main highway and cruise into Islamabad, Pakistan’s modern capital. After checking into your hotel, there’s time to relax or explore F-6 Market, grab a cup of chai at Monal, or enjoy one last panoramic view from Daman-e-Koh. Overnight stay in a comfortable hotel, filled with a sense of accomplishment and awe.

Day 23 – Departure from Islamabad

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the mountains and memories. Depending on your flight time, you’ll be transferred to Islamabad International Airport for your onward journey. As your plane ascends over the northern peaks, you'll carry with you not just photographs, but the untamed spirit of the Hindukush, the warmth of Wakhi hospitality, and the timeless beauty of Pakistan’s remote mountain frontiers.