Tour Guide, Gilgit, Pakistan
| 3 mins read
Shimshal Valley can only be reached via a beautiful—if perilous—jeep ride from the Hunza Valley. Because of its remote setting, only one or two Jeeps make the journey each day. Jeep rides often start at Aliabad, the main transport hub of the Hunza Valley, but can be boarded from any place along the way up to Passu.
There is no set timing for jeeps, and supply depends on demand of the jeeps, obviously. It’s highly recommended to reserve a seat, a day or two in advance. Most guesthouses in the Hunza Valley can help you arrange a seat for the next jeep ride. The three to four-hour jeep ride can cost about Rs. 600 per person, assuming that there are 10 people in a jeep. If there are fewer people, the price goes up, but you can bargain a little on the price. Else, the second option is to book a local jeep from Hunza, Passu which will cost about Rs.10, 000 - one way to reach Shimshal valley.
The drive into the valley is gorgeous, as you follow the narrow valley on a precipitous road eventually leading to the sprawled hamlet of Shimshal.
Where to stay in Shimshal Valley
Shimshal Valley has several guesthouses. All are basic and charge between Rs. 2,000 – 4,000 per person, per night. Food costs will be another Rs. 500 – 1000 per meal. If the cost seems steep, remember Shimshal is a remote valley. Amenities are basic are here with simple food and lifestyles, and so sometimes it can get hard to make daily living here in the valley.
If you want to book a place ahead of time, ask for a guest house in Hunza. They will probably know someone in Shimshal who can help you.
Things to do to in Shimshal Valley
There are several multi-day treks that can be done in Shimshal. However, these require prior arrangement and, in most cases, prior permission. Contact a tour agency if you wish to do a multi-day trek in the Shimshal Valley.
There are also several day hikes in Shimshal valley. Further down the valley are several glaciers. The first glacier, Yazghil Glacier, is about three hours’ walking distance from Shimshal. However, trekking to the glacier requires no guide and can be done by inexperienced trekkers as well. The walk is beautiful, and the view of the multiple peaks in the distance -once after reaching the glacier is a rewarding experience. To visit the other glaciers, you must cross Yazghil, something I only recommend doing with a local guide, or if you’re a trekker with plenty of ice climbing experience.