Shimshal

Shimshal is a largest village located in Hunza district in Gilgit-Baltistan on Pakistan China Border. It is the highest settlement in the Hunza district at the altitude of 10,170 feet above the sea level, and located at 210 KM from Gilgit City. Shimshal valley is scattered around the Shimshal River that is a tributary of the Hunza River. Khurdopin Glacier, Shimshal Pass, and Zardgorban are the main source of the Shimshal River. It's journey is ended after merging the Khunjerab River and the Passu River.

Shimshal Valley Trek

The most exciting journey toward Shimshal is jeep trek through the Shimshal River narrow and deep gorges. From Passu Bridge at Karakorum Highway, jeep road turns right to access shimshal village in the north side. It is a legendary and thrilling journey of 4-to-5-hour using 4x4 jeep. Jeeps can be hired from Passu nearly 10,000 to 14,000 rupees. On the trek, you can see several lush green meadows where gazing yaks, goats, and sheep can be observed. While travelling toward Shimshal, you can get a beautiful veiw of Odver Sar, also called Shimshal Whitehorn. The trek hugs vertical brownish sheer cliffs rising deep from river bed. The landscape dynamically changes into a dark and tight labyrinth of high rising cliff. in The area is highly landslide region, so confirm road conditions with locals before leaving from Passu.

The narrow canyon walls suddenly open into a wide and lush green sunny alluvial valley basin. In the broader landscape, the green wheat fields are merging with stone houses in the Shimshal village. A pleasant cool breeze welcome you in the most remotely located village in Pakistan. One can also enjoy the fresh fruits such as apricot and cherry from the trees along the road inside the village.

Shimshal Village

Shimshal village is one of the major attraction for tourists in the Gilgit-Baltistan. Distaghil Sar is the highest mountain at an elevation of 7,885 meters in Shimshal valley. Gigantic glaciers such as Malangudhi and Khurdopin give most fascinating views to tourists. Shimshal is very beautiful village with number of snow capped peaks in the surrounding. One of those highest peak in area is the Shimshal Pamir, attracts number of tourists Pakistanis as well as foreigners.

Shimshal Pamir Pass Trek

Shimshal Pamir Pass above the Shimshal village, that leads to the valley of the Shimshal Braldu River, that stretches toward the China Border. There is an annual festival at Shimshal Pass in the last week of July or beginning of August. Yak race, dancing and signing are common events in that festival. It is three days alpine trek through high altitude ridges to access the high pastures at an elevation of 4,735 meters. You can also explore different glacial lakes there. To perform this trek, one must hire a local guide and porter to carry proper food and camping equipment.

Minglik Sar Expedition

Minglik Sar, also known as the Rookie Peak, is located behind the Pamir pastures at an elevation of 6,150 meters and is considered as one of the non-technical mountain ascending treks. It is a four-day trek to scale the summit of this peak. The Pamir pastures are the base camp to access the summit of Minglik Sar. One must require trekking equipment required for mountain trek such as crampons, ice axes, and a local mountaineering guide. Due to low temperature, you must have warmed clothes and jackets.

The Valley of Mountaineers

Shimshal is a town famous as The Valley of Mountaineers. Samina Baig is the first women climber belongs to Shimshal Valley to scale the Mt. Everest as well as all of the highest peaks in the World.

Want to explore more advance level and untouched rugged Wakhi mountain, check out our comprehensive Chapursan Valley Adventure Guide.

About Gojal Upper Hunza

Gojal is the largest city in Baltistan next to Hunza, having a border with China and Afghanistan. It connects with China through the Khunjerab Pass and with Afghanistan through the Chapursan Valley. Gojal, also known as Upper Hunza, is the highest mountains area in the Karakoram and Pamir mountain ranges, at an average elevation of 4,000 meters.

Shimshal is famous for Mountaineers

Shimshal is famous for mountaineers and tour guides. More than twenty well known mountaineers from the Shimshal valley. It is also known as the Valley of Mountaineers. Rajab Shah and Aminullah Baig are most famous and also climbed all five peaks having more than eight thousand meters in Pakistan. Samina Baig, the first woman climber who conquered Mt. Everest, also belongs to Shimshal valley.