14-Day Manglik Sar Trek from Islamabad via Shimshal Pass

• Meet your tour guide upon arrival in Islamabad.
• Drive on the Karakoram Highway to Naran or Besham in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Overnight stay in a hotel (260/150 km, 6/7 hours).

• Head for an exciting drive on the Karakoram Highway through the gorges of the Indus and Hunza rivers, continuing to upper Hunza with your local tour guide.
• En route, visit the meeting point of the world's three greatest mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram.
• Enjoy fascinating views of Nanga Parbat (8,125 m) and Rakaposhi (7,788 m).

Overnight stay in a hotel (500/530 km, 8/9 hours).

• Start the day with a short ride in soft-top 4x4 jeeps from Passu village toward Shimshal Valley. The jeep track passes through the narrow gorge of the Shimshal River.
• Arrive at the traveller's hut of Ziarat for overnight camping after 3 hours of relatively easy walking by the river. Around 600 years ago, a Sufi saint, Shah Shams, from Central Asia arrived here and stayed for several nights while preaching Islam. From Ziarat, you can see Karoon Peak. Fresh spring water for drinking and washing is available at Kuk, opposite the Mulungudi Glacier. You will also have a beautiful view of Dastagir Sar (7,885 m) from here. As you walk away from Kuk, cross the river on another footbridge.
• Climb a gradually ascending hill and finally emerge at the starting point of the Shimshal Valley. Shimshal is one of the remotest areas of the Karakoram, and the valley was discovered 900 years ago by a Sufi saint.

GH/Camp overnight. (4/5 hours, 3300 m)

• Leave the main valley and turn left to enter the gorge. Most of the trek is safe, although you will need good balance to walk on the narrow foot track. En route, enjoy views of Kunianchish and Yazgildoom peaks, both above 7,000 m.
• Arrive at Furzin, a narrow camp along the side stream known for its birch trees.

Overnight stay at Furzin. (5/6 hours)

• Start from the camp with a steep ascent of 200 meters on the cliff facing the camp.
• Traverse gradually for half an hour and then descend steeply to the Shimshal River.
• Cross the river on a footbridge and then walk for another hour to Pariyan camp, where you can enjoy a cool breeze from the Maidur Nallah and a fresh lunch with your local tour guide.
• After lunch, take on the last part of the gorge walk, involving a one-and-a-half-hour ascent on a well-maintained yet steep foot trail to the top, called Pariyan Sar, with fascinating views of Manglik Peak and many other summits.
• Enjoy the vista and take a relaxing walk to the camp at Arbab Parian, a shepherd's winter settlement with plenty of fresh water. (4/5 hours)

• Take a relaxing walk along the river with views of peaks soaring above 6,000 meters.
• Pass through Ganj Dour Valley, which leads north to the China border and has many pastures for yaks and goats. This valley is known for its substantial population of blue sheep, Marco Polo sheep, ibex, and also a few snow leopards and bears.

Overnight stay in camp (4/5 hours).

• Start east of Khunjerab and head to Gulchi Washk, the carpet of flowers, with a gradual ascent of 200 meters that brings you just below Manglik Sar.
• Walk through a wide-open valley running east to west, with two lakes located just before Shimshal Pass. In summer, you can find yaks, goats, and sheep roaming the green pastures.
• Build your camp after a 2/3-hour walk, just below the main ridge of Manglik Sar.
• Walk over to the Shuhart summer settlement, consisting of 60 houses. You might be invited for dinner, which is a great chance to visit local homes and taste energetic nomad food made from yak's cheese, butter, and wheat flour.

Camp overnight stay (4/5 hours, 4,735 m).

• Spend time at the base camp and rest. The day is for acclimatization and for exploring the area, as well as visiting some local houses.
• Explore the Shuwart Glacier.
• Stay at the camp for the night.

• Attempt the trek to the peak of Manglik Sar (6050 m), just north of your camp. Starting in the soft morning light, you will ascend gradually for the first few hours along the main ridge leading to the summit.
• Leave the ridge and head toward the eternal snow of the peak.
• Enjoy a fascinating view of the valley from the top. On a clear day, you can see K2's Broad Peak.
• Descend to base camp (9/10 hours excursion).

• Trek to Shimshal Pamir. You can also climb Manglik Sar (6050 m) or the other two peaks nearby. For those who do not want to make the summit, there is an option to trek around the area or to Shuhart. It is an easy trekking peak that does not require technical equipment. It is normally a one-day climb with 1500 m ascent and 1500 m descent.
• Try two other nearby peaks, Kuz Sar and Lup Zhui Sar.
• Enjoy local music and dances around the well-arranged campfire.

Overnight stay at the camp.

• Retrace your steps back to Shuhart.

Overnight stay at the camp.

• Take an easy walk along a lake flowing from Shuhart to Shimshal.

Overnight stay at the camp.

• Take an early morning drive toward Besham via the Karakoram Highway. Enjoy lunch in Dassu.
• Continue to Besham or Naran.

Overnight stay at a motel.

• Drive toward the federal capital after breakfast.
• Enjoy sightseeing in Islamabad for the rest of the day while on the drive.