🏔️ Chumarkhan Pass Trek – A Hidden Gem in Chitral Valley
Overview
The Chumarkhan Pass Trek is one of Pakistan’s least explored and most breathtaking high-altitude trekking routes. Situated in the majestic Hindu Kush mountain range of Chitral, the trail connects Karambar Valley in Broghil to the Laspur Valley via the Chumarkhan An (pass) at an altitude of around 4,500 meters (14,764 feet).
Unlike more popular treks in Gilgit-Baltistan, this path offers raw wilderness, pristine alpine lakes, and a close encounter with Wakhi and Khowar cultures. If you are looking for solitude, natural beauty, and cultural richness, this trek is a dream come true.
🌟 Trek Highlights
⛰️ Cross the magnificent Chumarkhan Pass (4,500m) with panoramic views of snow-covered peaks.
🌿 Trek through remote Wakhi villages, untouched by modernity.
🐏 Encounter herders, yak caravans, and shepherd settlements on traditional seasonal routes.
🌄 Enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets over Hindu Kush ridgelines.
🏕️ Camp beside high-altitude alpine lakes and streams.
📸 Authentic cultural experience with Wakhi & Khowar communities.
🗺️ Itinerary (10 Days – Starting & Ending in Islamabad)
Day 1: Islamabad – Chitral (By Flight/Drive)
Fly or drive to Chitral town via Dir and Lowari Tunnel. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Chitral – Mastuj – Broghil Valley
Drive to Mastuj and onward to Broghil. Visit local Wakhi villages. Camp overnight.
Day 3: Broghil – Lashkargaz
Begin trekking through wild meadows to reach Lashkargaz, a high-altitude base area. Camp overnight.
Day 4: Lashkargaz – Karamber Lake – Chikar
Optional side trip to Karambar Lake. Return to base and continue to Chikar. Camp overnight.
Day 5: Chikar – Chumarkhan An Base Camp
Steady ascent to base camp below Chumarkhan Pass. Views of towering peaks. Camp overnight.
Day 6: Cross Chumarkhan Pass – Ghotbande
Challenging day crossing the pass (4500m). Descend into Laspur Valley. Camp in Ghotbande.
Day 7: Ghotbande – Harchin – Mastuj
Trek ends at Harchin. Drive back to Mastuj. Guesthouse overnight.
Day 8: Mastuj – Chitral
Drive down through lush green valleys and riverbeds. Arrive in Chitral by evening.
Day 9: Chitral – Islamabad
Flight or drive back to Islamabad. Hotel overnight.
Day 10: Departure
End of the trek. Optional sightseeing in Islamabad or transfer to airport.
📅 Best Time to Trek
July to September – The pass is snow-free, meadows are green, and the weather is pleasant.
📌 Difficulty Level
Moderate to Strenuous
Good fitness and basic trekking experience are recommended. Porters and guides are essential for navigation.
🧭 Trek Essentials
Trekking poles, sleeping bags, layered clothing
Altitude sickness medication
Local guide and permits from Chitral authorities
📷 Why Choose Chumarkhan Pass Trek?
This trek isn’t for tourists — it’s for true explorers. Hidden away from commercial trekking routes, Chumarkhan Pass offers untouched beauty, raw adventure, and a deep cultural immersion you won’t find anywhere else in Pakistan.
What is included
01:- Airport pick and drop
02:- Accommodation bed & B.fast, twin bedroom in Islamabad and other cities standard air-condition rooms.
03:- Flight Ticket or transportation from Islamabad/ Skardu/ Gilgit/chitral or from these cities to Islamabad
04:- Skardu/Gilgit/Hunza Hotel (bed & breakfast)
05:- Two nights in Chilas/ Besham hotel (bed & breakfast) incase of flight cancellation.
06:- Jeeps Skardu/Askoli/ Hushe/ Skardu/shimshal/Chitral/Kalash or vice virsa.
07:- Wages, insurance, food equipment of cook
08:- Wages, insurance, food equipment of Assistant cook,
09:- Wages, insurance, food of Porter Sirdar
10:- Porter Payment, Low altitude porters.
11:- Baggage,75 kg (going time) and 50 kgs (on return) for expedition 45 days or more and 25 kg for trekking group & trekking peak
12:- Full board camp food during trek & at base camp.
13:- Mess tent, Kitchen tent, store tent, table , chairs and kitchen equipment
14:- Reconfirmation of international flight tickets.
15:- Camping fees, road taxes & bridge crossing of expedition members & Porters.
16:- Porters Equipments.
17:- Assistance in obtaining climbing permit and other documentations
18:- Briefing and debriefing in the Ministry of tourism
19:- CKNP fee: US $ 150/per member
20:- 1000 US$ guarantee pollution fee.
21:- 200 US$ environmental protection fund.
22:- Fuel, Tarpaulin, and Stove for porters.
23:- Kerosene Oil for porter and Members
24:- Toilet tent and shower tent
25:- Members will have individual D-4 in Base camp tents, and mattress for expeditions more than one month
26:- LO insurance or guide transport and hotel/ equipment and TA/DA.
27:- Royalty fee and additional member fee
What is not Included
01:- Sleeping bags, rucksacks and personal clothing.
02:- Medication, ground evacuation and helicopter rescue (US$15,000) of any kind.
03:- Room services, laundry charges, beverages and items of personal nature. Phone /communication
04:- Climbing food beyond base camp, equipment, high altitude Porters wages bills.
05:- Insurance or liability of any members.
06:- Tip to staff
07:- Custom clearing and forwarding agent’s charge.
08:- Food & drinks during stay in hotel (City)
09:- Transport to other cities or places out of itinerary
10:- Custom clearing and forwarding agent’s charge.
11:- Extra baggage charges during international or domestic flight
12:- Insurance or liability of any members.
🌟 Trek Highlights
⛰️ Cross the magnificent Chumarkhan Pass (4,500m) with panoramic views of snow-covered peaks.
🌿 Trek through remote Wakhi villages, untouched by modernity.
🐏 Encounter herders, yak caravans, and shepherd settlements on traditional seasonal routes.
🌄 Enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets over Hindu Kush ridgelines.
🏕️ Camp beside high-altitude alpine lakes and streams.
📸 Authentic cultural experience with Wakhi & Khowar communities.
🗺️ Itinerary (10 Days – Starting & Ending in Islamabad)
Day 1: Islamabad – Chitral (By Flight/Drive)
Fly or drive to Chitral town via Dir and Lowari Tunnel. Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Chitral – Mastuj – Broghil Valley
Drive to Mastuj and onward to Broghil. Visit local Wakhi villages. Camp overnight.
Day 3: Broghil – Lashkargaz
Begin trekking through wild meadows to reach Lashkargaz, a high-altitude base area. Camp overnight.
Day 4: Lashkargaz – Karamber Lake – Chikar
Optional side trip to Karambar Lake. Return to base and continue to Chikar. Camp overnight.
Day 5: Chikar – Chumarkhan An Base Camp
Steady ascent to base camp below Chumarkhan Pass. Views of towering peaks. Camp overnight.
Day 6: Cross Chumarkhan Pass – Ghotbande
Challenging day crossing the pass (4500m). Descend into Laspur Valley. Camp in Ghotbande.
Day 7: Ghotbande – Harchin – Mastuj
Trek ends at Harchin. Drive back to Mastuj. Guesthouse overnight.
Day 8: Mastuj – Chitral
Drive down through lush green valleys and riverbeds. Arrive in Chitral by evening.
Day 9: Chitral – Islamabad
Flight or drive back to Islamabad. Hotel overnight.
Day 10: Departure
End of the trek. Optional sightseeing in Islamabad or transfer to airport.
