The Darkot Pass Trek

19 days – A short walk in the Hindu Kush


Unspoiled campsites – Two remote pass crossings- the bustling bazaar towns of Chitral and Gilgit

Lying close to Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan and forming a natural divide between the Hindu Kush and Hindu Raj ranges, the Yarkhun Valley has been accessible to outside visitors only since the early 1990’s. From the historically fascinating outpost of Chitral, our itinerary follows this impressive valley as far as the Boroghil Pass, formerly an important trade route into Afghanistan. Our route then turns eastwards to cross the snow-covered, but straightforward Darkot and Ishkuman passes before descending to Gilgit in the Hunza Valley. From each of these high passes (c. 4600m.), there are magnificent views towards the mountains of the central Karakoram. Offering a diversity of unspoiled landscape and an interesting mix of cultures, this is exploratory travel at its best, where the people we meet are as curious about us as we are about them.


Facts & Figures

Duration: 19 days
Maximum Altitude: 4657 m
Trek Status: Restricted
Trek Grade: Demanding
Joining in: Islamabad/Rawalpindi
Location: Hindukush
Best time: july & August

Trip Details

7 Nights Hotels, 12 Nights Camping, 12 Days Demanding Trekking.
Max. Altitude – 4657 m
Group Size: 4-10
Duration: 19 Days From Islamabad to Islamabad

Dates The Darkot Pass Trek 2018

Trip Code Trip dates for 2018
DK-I 02 July to 19 July 2018

The Darkot Pass Trek

Trek Itinerary

Day Activities
1. Arrival Islamabad. Transfer to hotel. Hotel
2. Drive to Chitral over Lowari pass 3118m . Hotel
3. Visit Alexander’s lost tribe the Kalash of the Hindukush
4. A day in Chitral town exploring bazaars and Fort. Hotel
5. Drive into the Yarkhun river valley to Power . Camp.
6. Drive on to Lasht village . Camp.
7. Trek to the wakhi settlement at Kismanjana 6 hrs. Camp.
8. Trek to the pastures of Ishkarwarz on the Boroghil 5/6 hrs. Camp
9. Rest explore Boroghil. Camp
10. Trek to the Wakhi hamlets at Chikar. Camp.
11. Trek up to base camp beside Darkot Glacier. Camp.
12. Cross the Darkot glacier and Pass 4650m on to Rawat. Camp.
13. Trek to the orchard of Darkot village. 4/5 hrs Camp
14. Trek to shepherd hut at base of Atar pass 5/6 hrs camp
15. Trek cross Atar pass to the lovely Mathantar Lake 7/8 hrs Camp
16. Trek through pastures to the village of Ghotolti 5 hrs Camp
17. Drive to the fabled Karimabad Hunza. Hotel
18. Drive on the Karakorum highway to Chilas. Hotel
19. Drive to Rawalpindi.. Hotel
20. Fly back to Home.