Not many people plan to visit Shimshal, a beautiful remote valley in Gilgit Baltistan (north Pakistan). But it is one of the best places and a unique adventure experiences in Pakistan. Shimshal was, and still is, the remotest valley in Hunza and its isolation profoundly influenced the locals’ way of living.
1. Shimshal is often overlooked by tourists both local and internationals as is very isolated and unknown.
2. International travellers do not need NOC-No Objection Certificate- for Shimshal Valley (foreigners need NOC to visit certain sensitive and border areas of the country). But foreigner will require to get registered with police present at check posts on the route. It is a good idea to keep passport and ID copies with you. (rules regarding NOC often changes)
3. Shimshal isolation ended only in 2003, when the thrilling dirt road was constructed. The trip to Shimshal is quite an adventure as it is one of the dangerous roads in Pakistan.
4. Before the road, villagers had to walk three strenuous days to reach the nearest town along a narrow and potentially dangerous trail which included crossing ice cold streams.
5. Now it takes about 3 hours to cover the 53 km from Passu to Shimshal valley, on a narrow and winding non-medalled road running through rocky gorges and crossing wooden bridges floating above the river. All around, barren mountains and steep rocky slopes shaded in gray, yellow, white, brown. A wild, rugged and magnificent landscape.
6. Floods often cause blockage of the Shimshal road and people have to cross over to the other side of the block and change vehicles. This might require walking for some miles and crossing small streams.
7. As you get closer the gorge and narrow valley opens up to a wider green land. It is like an oasis in the mountains and are called Pamirs which exist in mountaineous regions. Shimshal lays deep in the mountains, at an altitude of 3100 m. (10700 ft.).
8. Shimshal Village offers its visitor a very close contact and a chance to meet people and see their day to day life. The people will live to host you or talk to you. Don’t miss the chance to get to know them. .
9. Shimshal women can be seen around the village working in fields, attending their herds of goats in their colorful shalwar kameez and traditioanl Wakhi Caps.
10. Most households don’t have flowing water, and they supply themselves with water regularly filling big plastic tanks and bringing them into their homes. Only a small power station is the source of electricity but all houses rely on solar polar.
11. Cooking is mostly done on a wooden stove, as is heating. A GSM mobile network is available since only last year, but the connection is very slow, and unpredictable.
12. Shimshal’s life and traditions are fascinating and one must see and experience it.
13. Places around the Village include small one day walk to long treks that can be completed in days. Few of the popular treks are:
- Minglik Sar (6050m )
- Shimshal pass lake
- Shimshal pass trek 4735 m
- Yazghail glacier
- Chapchigol Pass 5300m
- Kuksel Stream,
- Zargarbin Pass (4600 m)
- Chasken Trek
- High pasture lands
.
14. There’s no better way to discover Shimshal than with a local and there are many local guides and mountain guides belonging from Shimshal which now include many trained women guides. With them you can learn many interesting facts about the local life and traditions, have a walk in the surrounding hills.
15. There are two options to travel to Shimshal from Passu which include; Public transport 4×4 Toyota van (it has fixed departure time and waits for people to fill all seats before leaving but it cost very less OR a Hire a private 4×4 Land Cruiser or Jeep.
16. Small guest house and homestead are available within the village. Many tourist prefer camping as well. As basic facilities are not available including limited electricity, no running water in the bathroom, but a large tank filled with water, no shops, no doctors or proper medical centres.
Shimshal people lives are difficult but their smiles are the brightest.
.
Leave a Reply