Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad
Arrival at the airport in Islamabad, our guide and driver will meet you upon your arrival, after meeting and greetings drive to the hotel in Islamabad.
Shimshal Kutch Festival Tour
- Duration16 days
- TypeFestival
- Group sizeUp to 16
- LevelModerate
- AccommodationHotel · Camping
About this tour
Shimshal Kuch Festival is a vibrant cultural celebration that takes place twice a year in the scenic Shimshal Valley of Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. This festival is a significant event in the life of the local people, who are known for their unique culture and love for mountaineering. As a tour operator, Hunza Explorers is proud to offer visitors the opportunity to experience this festival with our experienced guides, who are all locals from Gilgit-Baltistan and have an intimate knowledge of the area and its traditions.
During the festival, the people of Shimshal bring their livestock to the high Pamir pastures, where they graze for five months. When they return to the village, it is a time of joy and celebration, as the shepherds are reunited with their families and their herds. The festival culminates in a goat sacrifice at the Shimshal Bridge, which is a way for the locals to express their gratitude to Allah for the safe return of their loved ones and livestock. The Shimshal Kuch Festival is a unique and vibrant celebration that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Shimshal Valley.
Highlights
- Explore the scenic landscapes of Islamabad, the Karakoram Highway and Hunza Valley
- Experience the unique Shimshal Kuch Festival and its centuries-old pastoral traditions
- Witness the seasonal return of livestock from the high-altitude Pamir pastures
- Meet local shepherds and families as they celebrate their reunion
- Discover the traditional lifestyle, customs and hospitality of Shimshal Valley
- Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery and views of the mighty Karakoram Range
- Visit Shimshal Bridge and witness the festival's traditional goat sacrifice ceremony
- Experience authentic local food, music and community celebrations
- Travel through remote mountain villages and dramatic valleys of Upper Hunza
- Explore Hunza's iconic landscapes, traditional villages and cultural heritage
- Travel with experienced local guides from Gilgit-Baltistan
- Complete the journey with a return to Islamabad
Tour Itinerary
16 days, day by day-
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Day 2: Islamabad – Chilas
Drive to Chilas via Karakorum Highway OR Babusar Pass (via Naran valley) if the pass is open.En route we will make some short stops for photography and lunch. Arrive in Chilas and transfer to the hotel.
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Day 3: Chilas – Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu
Drive to Passu/GulmitPassu, en route we will stop at viewpoint of the ninth highest of the world “Nanga Parbat 8126m”, junction point of three great mountain range (Karakorum, Himalaya & Hindu Kush), remaining of Old Silk Road at Chalt and at Rakaposhi viewpoint for lunch. After lunch we will drive to the hotel in Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu.
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Day 4: Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu – Shimshal valley
Drive to Shimshal, toady we will drive on the narrow jeep track of Shimshal for 3 hours. Arrive in Shimshal and explore around.
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Day 5: Shimmshal – Wuch Furzeen
We will start the trek toward Shimshal Pamir to join the people bring back the kuch to Shismhal, today we will walk for 6 – 7 hours to reach our first campsite at Wuch Furzeen, overnight in tent.
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Day 6: Wuz Furzeen – Shuvzherav
Today we have another 6 – 7 hous trek to reach our 2nd campsite at Shuvizherav, overnight in tent.
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Day 7: Shuvzherav – Shimshal Pass
Today we have another 3 to 4 hours trek to the pass, overnight in tent.
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Day 8: Meeting the Kutch!
Today we will join the kutch and return back with them the next day. overnight in tent.
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Day 9: Shimshal Pass – Arbob Puryen
Trek down to Arbob Puryen with the Kutch, overnight in tent.
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Day 10: Arbob Puryen – Shimshal village
Trek back to the Village (Shimshal) with kutch and enjoy the celebration of the arrival of Kutch in the village.
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Day 11: Shimshal – Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu
Drive back to Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
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Day 12: Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu
Day to explore around, today we will visit Passu glacier, Borith Lake, Passu suspension bridge, hike to Ondra Fort (Poygah), Gulmit House, explore Ghulkin and Gulmit villages.
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Day 13: Ghulkin/Gulmit/Passu
Drive to Karimabad. en route we will stop at Attabad Lake, sacred rocks of Hunza, Ganish village. Arrive in Karimabad and transfer to the hotel.
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Day 14: Karimabad
Day to explore central Hunza, today we will visit Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Royal garden, Karimabad local bazaar and in the evening we will drive to Duiker to see sunset and talk good photo of Hunza and Nagar Valley. Duiker offers the best view of central Hunza, Nagar and the beautiful snow-capped mountains on the surrounding of both valleys.
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Day 15: Karimabad – Besham/Naran
Drive back to Besham via Karkorum Highway OR drive to Naran valley if the Pass is open. Arrive and transfer to the hotel
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Day 16: Besham/Naran – Islamabad
Drive back to Islamabad, En route we will visit Taxila museum. Arrive in Islamabad and visit Faisal mosque, Pakistan monument and explore the local bazaar (market) of Islamabad. In the evening/night we will drive to the airport in Islamabad, our service ends here and fly to your destination.
Included
- Accommodation as per the confirmed itinerary
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (Full Board tours)
- Private air-conditioned or suitable tourist transport
- Services of a professional English-speaking tour guide
- Experienced local driver
- Airport transfers and transportation throughout the tour
- Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary
- All road tolls, parking fees and fuel charges
- Entrance fees to listed attractions and historical sites
- Sightseeing and excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
- Road permits and travel permissions where applicable
- Bottled drinking water during journeys
- 24/7 on-ground assistance from Hunza Explorers
Not included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan entry visa and visa processing fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses and laundry
- Beverages, including soft drinks, tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional meals and snacks outside the agreed meal plan
- Excess baggage charges
- Early check-in and late check-out at hotels
- Any additional accommodation or services resulting from flight delays, cancellations or unforeseen circumstances
- Expenses arising from natural disasters, road closures, political unrest or other circumstances beyond our control
- Any service not specifically mentioned under the Included section
Questions about this tour
How many days is the Shimshal Kutch Festival Tour?
It is a 16-day tour, and the day-by-day plan is on this page. We can lengthen or shorten it around your dates.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes. On the first day your guide and driver meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel, as described in Day 1 of the itinerary.
Can I change the dates or the route?
For private tours, changes to travel dates, routes and itineraries may be possible, subject to approval and operational arrangements. All changes must be requested and approved by the Hunza Explorers office in advance. Tour guides are not authorised to change the confirmed itinerary or make independent arrangements.
For fixed-departure group tours, the dates and itinerary are set in advance and cannot be changed for individual participants. All guests travel according to the published schedule and route.
Please contact our office if you wish to discuss possible changes to a private tour before your trip.
Is anything charged when I send a request?
No. Nothing is charged and nothing is booked until you agree to the plan. We check availability, reply with a day-by-day plan and a price, and you confirm only if you are happy with it.
Can I travel on my own, as a couple or as a family?
Yes. We plan private trips for one person, a couple, a family or friends, and we also have small-group departures if you would rather share the trip. Tell us how many of you are travelling and whether you would like to join a group.
Can you help with my Pakistan visa?
We can provide a visa invitation letter on request: tick it on the booking form or mention it in your message. Visa rules depend on your nationality, so please also check the official Pakistan visa information for your passport.
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