16 Days Kuch Festival Shimsh al Valley

Set up camp, and explore the surrounding area. Take a leisurely stroll around the campground and get familiar with the facilities and amenities available. After setting up camp, take a short hike on one of the nearby trails to get a sense of the local flora and fauna. As the day comes to a close, enjoy a campfire meal and get a good night’s rest in preparation for the days ahead.

Exciting drive through the gorge of Indus & Hunza rivers. En route visit the meeting point of the worlds three highest mountain ranges; Himalayas, Hindukush and Karakoram. Enjoy views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) & Rakaposhi (7,788 m). Overnight in hotel. ( 515  km, 8/9 hours)

 Hunza Karimabad – Shimshal: After two hours Jeep drive  we will be in Kuk, opposite to Mulungudi glacier, with hot springs. We have beautiful view of Dastagil Sar (7885m). As we walk from Kuk,. From here it is easy descend to the main valley and an hour & half to 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, 3300

 Shimshal – Pasth Furzin For the next two days, our walk would mostly be traverse through the really narrow gorge of Shimshal river. But our walk from the village for the first two hours today is in the open valley along the river. Soon we leave the main valley and turn to left to enter the gorge. Mostly the trek is safe, although at few places you would need good balance on the narrow foot track. Enroute enjoy views of Kunianchish and Yazgildoom.  Furzin, a narrow camp along the side stream is known for its Birch trees. Overnight in Furzin. (5/6 hours)

Arbab Parian – Shunjerab: Compared to last two days, it is a relaxing walk along the river with views of peaks soaring above 6,000 meters. In our way we will pass Ganj Dour Valley, leading north to China border with many pastures for the yaks and goats. This valley is known for its substantial population of blue sheep, Marcopolo sheep, Ibex and also few snow leopards and bears. Shunjerab is the summer home of Shimshalis, with 60 houses and huge yards to house the animal & human population. People stay here in May & June and then proceed over Shimshal pass to Shuwart to spend the winter. Camp overnight (4/5 hours)

Shunjerab – Shuwart  East from Shunjerab is Gulchi Washk (carpet of flowers), a 200 meters gradual ascent to bring us just under Manglik Sar. We walk in wide open valley running east to west, with two lakes located just before the Shimshal Pass. In summer we find Yaks, goats and sheep who roam the green pastures. In afternoon one could walk over to Shuwart summer settlement, consisting of 60 houses. Inevitable we might get invited for dinner, a great chance to visit local houses and also to taste the energetic nomad food made from Yak’s cheese, butter and wheat flour. Camp overnight. (4/5 hours, 4735m)

Shuwart Rest day. We will visit some local houses this day. Shuwart glacier is one of the places here to visit. Camp overnight.

 Shuwart – Arbab Parian     Same trek we have passed through on our way to Shuwart. But it will take us very short time because of the continues gradual descend of the trek. Camp overnight. (5/6 hours)