So we had a successful trip to Shimshal Pass and Minglik Sar. Here are the details which may help you guys in planning your future trips to this trek.
We left directly for Hunza from Rawalpindi through NATCO at 3pm on Saturday 7th June 2014. NATCO RWP-Hunza cost 2200Rs. It was pretty pathetic ride next time we will be avoiding NATCO. Bus broke down at night in Kohistan one hour was wasted. We reached Hunza (Aliabad) next afternoon. We had too many bags we had to hire a loader which cost us 400Rs till Karimabad. In Karimabad we stayed in Hotel World Roof (1400/room).
Next morning we left for Attabad lake. We hired a Hiace for 2000Rs. At Attabad lake we hired our own boat because of time constraint for 2000Rs. One guy from Lahore was travelling on his 125 ask for ride he also contribute his share. Our jeep driver was waiting for us on the other end at Gulmit. We hired him on phone and he was aware of our arrival. Jeep cost was 16000Rs from Gulmit to Shimshal village and then back to Gulmit.
So our first stop was Passu. View of the Passu cones was magnificent. Road from Gulmit to Passu was extra ordinary. We had a lunch in Passu Inn. It was really costly two plates of Chips and tea cost us 1000Rs. :-!
Telenor signals were in Gulmit. We entered in Shimshal Valley, it was awesome view from there. Those rugged mountains were awesome. Along side the jeep trek we were able to see old trek on which Mustansir Hussain Tarrar did a trek to Shimshal village. We kept on admiring Tarrar Sahib for his effort. From Passu to Shimshal Village the jeep ride was 3hrz long. We stayed at Shah Tabriz monument for some time and offered Fateh there.
Finally we reached Shimshal village. Lush green fields welcomed us. We stayed in Sifat hotel. It cost us 1500Rs for two rooms. At the night we arranged all the potters. We hired 8 potters (along with cook) 1 guide and 1 high altitude potter.
Here are few guidelines you need to know regarding potters which we are unaware of.
- Each low potter carries 20kg of weight.
- There are total of 12 stages from Shimshal to Pamir and then back to Shimshal.
- Low potter charges are 550Rs for one stage.
- 1000Rs are equipment charges.
- 500/head SNT(Shimshal Nature Trust) for entering Shimshal Pass.
- High Altitude potter rates can be varried from 1000-1500Rs(Same goes for guide)
- High Altitude potter and Guide will not carry any weight on all the trek.
- High Altitude potter will carry weight from Pamir to Minglik Sar high camp and will help you during climb.
So finally we had a team of 8 potters 1 high altitude potter and guide. Along with total of 5 our team members. We decided to leave early at 8am for the trek.
Will share more pictures and details later.