Day 01
Fly to Islamabad
Flight: Fly to Islamabad, Pakistan.
23-Day Hindu Kush Traverse Trek in Pakistan with Pakora and Thui Pass
The journey
Trip highlights
- 01 Trek from Naltar Valley into remote Hindu Kush landscapes, including the Naltar Lake approach and high mountain camps
- 02 Cross major passes such as Pakora Pass (4630 m) and Thui Pass (4510 m) with big-view ridgelines and valley descents
- 03 Mix wild camping with local stays in places like Pakora, Asumbar, and a guesthouse night in Sandhi
- 04 Enjoy built-in rest and exploration days in Asumbar and Mayur, with chances to meet local shepherd communities
- 05 Return via Mastuj and Ayun to Islamabad, with a cultural stop at Takht-i-Bahi (UNESCO)
Take on an epic 23-day Hindu Kush traverse from Gilgit-Naltar to Mastuj and Chitral, combining remote mountain trekking with cultural encounters and dramatic high-pass crossings. Starting with the journey north to Gilgit, you'll trek through alpine lakes, high valleys, and shepherd country, camping most nights and experiencing the raw beauty of Pakistan's high mountains. The route includes demanding trekking days and multiple pass crossings, with a few jeep transfers and well-timed rest days for recovery and acclimatisation. The adventure finishes with a scenic return to Islamabad, including an en-route visit to Takht-i-Bahi (UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist monastery), plus a free day to explore Islamabad and Rawalpindi before departure.
At a glance
What this trip includes
Duration
23 Days
Tour type
Shared
Activity level
Hard
Accommodation
Included · Standard
Transport
Included
Wheelchair access
No
Cities
Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gilgit, Naran, Chitral
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 02
Arrival in Islamabad and Drive to Naran
Arrival: Arrive at Islamabad Airport.
Meet: Meet your guide.
Drive: After freshening up at the airport, drive to Naran (5-6 hours' drive).
Overnight: Overnight at a hotel in Naran.
Day 03
Drive to Gilgit via Babusar Pass
Drive: Continue to Gilgit via Babusar Pass (around 6-7 hours' drive).
Overnight: Overnight at a hotel in Gilgit.
Day 04
Drive to Naltar Valley and Trek to the Lake
Drive: Drive from Gilgit to Naltar Valley (approximately 1-2 hours) for the trek.
Trek: Trek 3-4 hours from Naltar to the lake, which takes around 3 hours.
Meals: Meals in the tent.
Overnight: Overnight at camp/tent.
Day 05
Naltar Lake to Lower Shani
Trek: Trek from Naltar Lake to Lower Shani, around 5 hours.
Distance: 10 km.
Altitude: 3700 m.
Overnight: Overnight in a tent.
Day 06
Lower Shani to Shani Camp
Trek: Trek from Lower Shani to Shani, which is around a 3-4 hour trek.
Distance: 6 km.
Ascent: 250 m.
Altitude: 3960 m.
Overnight: Overnight in the camp.
Day 07
Shani to Jut/Utz via Pakora Pass
Trek: Trek from Shani to Jut/Utz via Pakora Pass, which is 4630 m high.
Distance: Around 14 km.
Ascent: 780 m ascent to the pass, which is 4630 m high.
Descent: 1360 m descent to Jut at an altitude of 3350 m.
Camp: Camp at Jut.
Day 08
Jut to Pakora Village
Trek: Trek from Jut to Pakora Village, which takes 5-6 hours.
Distance: 5 km.
Ascent: 130 m ascent.
Descent: 1290 m descent.
Altitude: 2200 m.
Overnight: Overnight in the tent/camp.
Day 09
Jeep Drive to Asumbar and Rest Day
Drive: Take a 4 x 4 jeep drive to Asumbar Village.
Rest day: Here, you can have a rest day.
Stay: You can stay in a guesthouse, local house, or camp.
Free time: This day will be free for you to prepare for the next day's trek.
Day 10
Asumbar to Lower Charinj
Trek: Trek from Asumbar Village to Lower Charinj.
Duration: 7 hours.
Ascent: 1200 m ascent.
Distance: Around 15 km.
Camp: Camp at an altitude of 3400 m.
Day 11
Lower Chirinj to Borta Borti
Trek: Trek from Lower Chirinj to Borta Borti, a 5-6 hour trek.
Ascent: 750 m ascent.
Distance: Around 9 km.
Camp: Camp at Borta Borti 4250 m.
Day 12
Borta Borti to Mayur via Asumbar Pass
Trek: Trek from Borta Borti to Mayur via Asumbar Pass 4440 m and another pass, Borta, at 3550 m.
Distance: Around 11 km.
Ascent: 350 m.
Descent: 950 m.
Camp: Camp at Mayur, which is around 3600 m.
Day 13
Rest Day in Mayur
Rest day: Today will be a rest day.
Walk: Walk around.
Visit: Meet shepherds and visit their houses.
Overnight: Overnight in a tent.
Day 14
Mayur to Sandhi
Trek: Trek 6 hours.
Drive: Then take a 1-hour jeep drive to Sandhi.
Overnight: Overnight in a local guesthouse.
Altitude: 2600 m.
Day 15
Sandhi to Tsigir
Drive: Take a 2-hour jeep drive to the trekking point from where the trek starts.
Trek: Then trek 3-4 hours to Tsigir.
Distance: 11 km.
Ascent: 300 m ascent.
Camp: Camp at an altitude of 3100 m.
Overnight: Overnight in a tent.
Day 16
Tsigir to Gashuchi
Trek: Trek 7-8 hours over 11 km from Tsigir to Gashuchi.
Ascent: 1250 m.
Altitude: 4000 m.
Overnight: Overnight in a tent.
Day 17
Gashuchi to Galpigol via Thui Pass
Trek: Trek from Gashuchi to Galpigol via Thui Pass 4510 m.
Duration: 7-8 hours.
Ascent: 550 m ascent.
Altitude: To Gashuchi at an altitude of 450 m.
Descent: 540 m descent.
Distance: Around 7 km.
Overnight: Overnight at Galpigol.
Day 18
Galpigol to Nichagh
Trek: Trek 4 hours to Nichagh.
Distance: 12 km.
Descent: 1100 m.
Altitude: 3100 m.
Camp: Camp.
Day 19
Nichagh to Mastuj
Trek: Trek 2 hours to Sholkuch.
Distance: Around 5 km.
Descent: 300 m.
Drive: From there, the jeep road starts to go to Mastuj, which is around a 4-5 hour 4 x 4 jeep drive.
Arrival: Arrival in Mastuj.
Overnight: Overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 20
Mastuj to Ayun
Drive: Drive to Ayun by 4 x 4 jeep, which is a 4-hour drive.
Transfer: Transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Overnight at a hotel in Ayun.
Day 21
Ayun to Islamabad via Takht-i-Bahi
Drive: Drive by car/van/minibus to Islamabad, which is around an 8-9 hour drive.
Visit: En route, visit Takht-i-Bahi, the Buddhist monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arrival: Arrival in Islamabad.
Overnight: Overnight at a hotel.
Day 22
Free Day in Islamabad
Free day: Day free in Islamabad for local visits.
Sightseeing: Enjoy sightseeing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Note: This day is free at your own pace. Hotel meals are not included, and you can manage them yourself according to your own taste and requirements.
Overnight: Overnight at a hotel.
Day 23
Departure from Islamabad
Departure: Departure from Islamabad.
Drop-off: Drop-off at the airport for your international flight.
The route
Where you'll travel
The fine print
Trip details
What's Included
Transportation: Transportation.
Hotel accommodation: Hotel accommodation.
Hotel meals: Hotel meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Guide: English-speaking local guide.
Entry fees: Entry fees for museums, forts, and tourist resorts.
Taxes/fees: Toll taxes and parking fees.
What's Not Included
Personal refreshments.
Medical kit and any medicine.
Any extra weight for domestic flights.
Meals are not included on Day 22 in Islamabad.
What to bring
Personal refreshments.
Medical kit and any medicine.
Know before you go
Note: The domestic flights from Islamabad to Gilgit are not reliable. Flights operate 3 times a week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), although these flights are still not fully dependable. There is an option to fly to Skardu and then continue by road to Gilgit. If you want that, we can arrange it.
Note: This day is free at your own hotel. Meals are not included, and you can manage them yourself according to your own taste and requirements (Day 22: Islamabad).
Logistics
Meeting & route
Meeting point
Arrival hall at Islamabad International Airport.
Tour start
Islamabad International Airport (ISB)
End of the journey
Your 23 days run from Islamabad International Airport (ISB) to Islamabad International Airport (ISB).
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USD
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