20 Days Sonia Peak Trekking Peak Shimshal

Arrive in Islamabad, after a 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)

Exciting drive through the gorge of the Indus & Hunza rivers. En-route visit the meeting point of the world’s three highest mountain ranges; the Himalayas, Hindukush, and Karakoram. Enjoy views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) & towards Shimshal valley. The jeep track passes through the gorge of the Shimshal river and ends at Dai Kut, an hour from KKH. We start the trek with ascent and traverse in the gorge along the right bank of the river. The landscape is dry, with many loose scree slopes flowing from the high mountains. After 2 hour relatively easy walk by the river, we arrive at the ‘travelers hut’ of Ziarat for overnight camp. Some 600 years ago a Sufi Saint (Shah Shams) from central Asia arrived here and stayed there for several nights. He also preached Islam in this region. From Ziarat we can see Karoon 1 (7164m) Peak. We cross two suspension bridges and a few small streams joining the river from side valleys. After four hour trek, we will be in Kuk, opposite Mulungudi glacier, with hot springs. We have a beautiful view of Dastagil Sar (7885m). As we walk from Kuk, we cross the river on another footbridge and then climb a gradually ascending hill and finally emerge at the starting point of the valley. From here it is easy to descend to the main valley and an hour & half to the main village. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of Karakoram. 900 years ago Shimshal Valley was discovered by a Sufi Saint he settled here and all Shimshali people are from his family. Camp overnight. (7/8 hours, 3300m)

Rest & acclimatization day

5/6 hours steep walk to reach the plateau of Zardgurdbin.

Today we take a late start as the trek today is easy is short and basically today we will cross a big plateau between Zardgurbing and Shapodin. Arrive at the camping place of Shapodin which is also a summer settlement. Camp overnight. (2/3 hours)

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)

Quite an easy trek. We will start after breakfast. 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)

We will cross three small rivers in this day’s trek which will be 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)

This base camp will be our base camp for the Sonia Peaks. There are three peaks in the Sonia group the highest one is 6400 meters and the lowest is around 6000 meters. To climb the 6000 meters comfortably we need two days and to climb the highest one we need 4/5 to days. So I think its better to have 4/5 days here at this base camp and divide the group into two. So that both groups can attempt both peaks.

It will be an early start with pack lunch because the trek is strenuous and long this day. From the base camp, it’s 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 quite normal. We will reach 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 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 was erected by the locals of safeguarding 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 the evening

Early morning drive Air-Conditioned transport on the Karakoram Highway towards Besham. Lunch in Dassu. Proceed towards Besham. Overnight at Motel. (11/12 hours )

After breakfast, we will drive on Karakoram Highway to Islamabad. We could stop at Taxila to visit the archaeological site of the 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)

Morning transfer to Islamabad airport for international departure flight.