Shimshal

Shimshal is a remote highland village at about 3,100 metres in upper Hunza, the highest permanently settled community in Gilgit-Baltistan and the gateway to a vast realm of glaciers and high pastures. Isolated for generations, it produced a remarkable number of Pakistan's leading mountaineers.

Its character is one of hardy self-reliance: terraced fields of potato and barley cling to the valley, and each summer families migrate with their yaks to the Pamir pastures above, a way of life little changed for centuries. The village was linked to the outside world by a rough jeep road only in 2003.

On the trail Shimshal is the base for superb treks, above all the multi-day walk to the Shimshal Pass, or Shuwerth, at around 4,735 metres, and onward toward the Pamir grazing grounds. Graded moderate to strenuous, these are camping treks with river crossings, long ascents and real altitude; some routes push on toward Snow Lake and high glaciated cols for experienced parties.

Practical notes: guides and porters are arranged in the village, and treks are self-supported with tents since there is no lodging above Shimshal. June to September is the season, when the pastures are green and the passes clear of snow; the approach road is prone to landslides, and outside summer the high routes become cold and difficult.