The Chipursan Valley

A Distant valley of Hunza that raises from3000 to 4925 meters high above sea level and 72 kilometers in length along a narrow jeep road from the Karakoram Highway To Baba Ghundi (Shrine) In Pakistan Northern Areas. It starts from Sost and ends on the Irshad Pass which links Pakistan to Afghanistan via the Wakhan Corridor. It's around a 4 hour jeep ride from Sost to Baba Ghundi Ziarat (the tomb of an ancient saint who is said to come from Ghund a place in north of Afghanistan ). Though the valley is very narrow, it’s still extremely interesting for tourists because of its high mountains, historical places and mysterious stories. Tourists come to visit special historical places and natural landscapes situated in the valley at different spots.

Leaving Sost (Pakistan China border trade centre), the road crosses a bridge on the KKH

and turns to the left on the first non metallic link road into the high mountains. After 45

mins we reach the first village of Chapursan which is called Yarzrich. The vehicles that

usually make this run are small sized 4x4 ones specially used for tourism. Before

reaching Yazrich we come to Chapursan's first holy place called Punja Shah and near to

this there are many symbols from ancient times Chipursan has a wealth of high snowcapped mountains, fresh water fountains, fresh cool air and attractive glaciers. The people are educated and friendly and live in 12 villages spread throughout the valley. The population of Chapurson is about 4000 living in the following villages. Yarzrich is the first village of Chipursan when coming from Sost. Cundahail and Virkhun are famous meadows of this village and conifer trees are found here in abundance. Raminji is 3095 meters high above sea level on the upper side of the Chipursan link road. Lupghar is also a famous meadow here.

Kirmin (3100m) is the second village and consists of three small subordinate villages

called (Aminabad, Rahimabad and Noorabad). Here are four small treks for Tourists on

different meadows like Spandrin Sar which is surrounded by beautiful green pastures,

rocks springs, fountains and high falls. The rocks are full of different kinds of minerals

like quartz, coal, crystal and many more. There is much work for the geologist in these

parts to discover more valuable minerals. This place is also especially attractive to

wildlife. Though the meadow is considered to be used only for grazing one can find many

different kinds of flowers of which some of the most famous are umber renown for its

distinctive fragrance, Banafsha, Shadunbet, Sosan, Gul Morvoy etc...

This meadow is not only full of flowers but also of many useful herbs which can cure many diseases. Yet of all the herbs, the most famous is Chumuro which can

be brewed as a tea. The beverage has an extremely pleasant aroma that appeals to both resident and visitor alike. Other herbs can also be brewed to cure many diseases known to afflict residents such as flu. They include Bozlanj, yinath (curable for jaundice), Naghurdum wosh (for eye treatment), Youm wosh, Mandirich, suei plute, shpodh, Nilterk and many others. However their importance to science is squandered every day as to this day no significant research has been made regarding the properties of these Himalayan herbs. Other meadows with the above mentioned qualities are Vuin Sue Qeer and both are regarded as special scenic spots for tourists.

The third village is Khill, which consists of two small villages. Here there is also a

beautiful water fall across the river called Sumayar surrounded by greenery and beautiful

pasture areas. The stream flows from the top of a nearby mountain called Khill-a-dur

which welcomes the tourist into its lap. After walking some distance there is another

attractive snowcapped peak and climbing spot for tourists along with a tributary glacier

which leads and connects to the Lupghar and Battura glacier which are encompassed by

the same flowers, herbs & minerals mentioned earlier around Kirmin village.

Fourth is the vibrant village of Rashit whose heart-catching meadow is called Rashtigar.

This eye-catching beauty spot is also a well-known peak for climbing. As pearl drops in a

sea of beauty the villages of Chipursan extend it's entire length and from fifth to last the

villages are Sherisubz, Ispenj, Shitmerg & Kampeer Diyor and finally the hamlet of Zood

Khun. After the last village the meadow areas called Yishkok (3450m), begin which has a

lengthy story which I would like to express to you in detail over the following pages.

After Yishkok, Ruvai Lake follows and then Dankoth meadow and at last Babaghundi

(4000m), the Tomb of the Saint.

 

People of Chipursan

The People of this valley are noble, mostly educated and employed in different Govt.

Departments as well as in NGO's too. They are extremely hospitable to guests and are

very hardworking.

Language

They speak only Wahki language, which is spoken in Wakhan ( Afghanistan ) Tajikistan

and Kashgar ( China ). The language has a history of over 2500 years.

Trekking in the Valley

Here are some suggestions for treks in the Chipursan area. Please contact the local guides as they will give you their best services. Here are some easy day hikes, others involve glacier crossings, horses or yaks. For any questions please ask the local guides and feel free to let them know if you are interested in anything specific.

Kirmin Pass

(2-3 days) Junction of Pamir & Karakoram, see "Silkroad." Possible in 3 days and 2

nights. Visit Vuin Sar see Klik and Mintika and Sue Qeer, a beautiful fresh water lake

and wildlife, connected with Misgar and Qalandarchi fort.

 

Spandrin Sar, Khrid Sar, Sekr Peak behind Goz and Kirmin Dur

(3 days and 2 nights) Behind Shikore Goz you will find many herbs and flowers and see a

beautiful Peak called Sekr Peak which is unexplored to this day and unique in the area.

Kirmin Dur is connected with Khill Dur and is a very interesting trek with tremendous

wildlife.

Khill Dur, Sumayar, Mashthin

(2 days and 2 nights) High peak (unexplored). Khill Dur is connected with Lupgar and

it's interest lies in its abundant wildlife and good pasture area. Sumayar and Mashthin are

both easy to reach with nice camping and waterfalls.

Rashthigar (meadow) and Rashthigar Peak

(2 days 1 night) An unexplored Peak covered with snow for twelve months and a holy

point (osthoon) for local people. Here an oil exuding stone exists, which when lit

remains bright all night. Rashthigar meadow is connected with Lupgar Meadow and is

an incredibly beautiful place.

Jui Sam & Yishkok

(Easy, nice camping) Start from Zood Khon to explore the nearby lake and swimming or

fishing. Be sure to visit Yishkok glacier to see Chapurson's highest mountain.

Access to Baba Ghundi

(3.5hrs from Yishkok) Easy walk along a jeep road to see the shrine of Baba Ghundi and

Dragon lake. Along the way meet shepherds and Kyrgyz coming down from Afghanistan

to trade. Baba Ghundi makes a great base for other small explorations in the area. You

can alternatively reach Baba Ghundi by Jeep (45 min) or trek along the opposite side of

the road (beautiful camping).

Baba Ghundi to Kuz Sar

(Moderate, unexplored) Camping out on a glacier with views of the Pamir Mountains ,

Kuz Sar Peak and more.

Pamiri

(Easy, reach by Yak) Visit Chapurson's favorite high point which is especially nice in

June through September with many flowers, wildlife and multi-colored mountains.

Experience Wakhi hospitality and a shepherd's life!

Irshad Vuin

(Moderate/strenuous, reach by horse) This 4925m Pass marks the border with

Afghanistan in the Wakhan Corridor, with an incredible variety of scenery, multi-hued

mountains and Kyrgyz traders.

Ghulam Ali’s Pass

(Moderate/strenuous, unexplored) Experience the Red canyon, glacier crossing, natural

stone bridge and view the Afghan Pamirs at the end of it all.

Lupgar Pir Pass

(Moderate) Cross a glacier, summit the Lupgar Pir Pass (5190) and trek from Yishkok to

Raminji to see two famous snowy Peaks: Saker Sar and another at Lupgar Sar.

Zood Khon Pass to Misgar Valley

(Moderate) Enjoy the view on Yishkok Glacier and Dilisang Sar Peak during your

crossing from one valley into the next. It's possible to extend the trek to see Mintaka Pass

(Chinese border).

 

Chilinj An

(Strenuous, reach by yak) Dare a glacial crossing with ropes, experience stunning views

and see Karambar Lake & Valley during your crossing from Gojal to Chitral.

Yuksh Goz

(Strenuous, technical) Trek opened in 2001 takes 12-15 days. Cross a glacier with ropes

and trek from Chapurson to Passu via the Batua Glacier which is rarely visited and an

excellent chance to see wildlife.

Special Treks

Rent a Yak (Yaks will be used to transport your luggage).

Go by Horse (Either ride yourself or use horses to transport luggage).

Women with women (Trek to the high pastures with Wakhi women).

Explore new passes (many unclimbed and unnamed peaks).

Useful Information

Guest Houses

1. Village Family Guest House (Chipursan Tourist Guests Guest House) at Rashit Chipurson (for foreign and local tourists) situated at a very pleasant location owned by Subidar® Mr. Sabz Ali.

2. Family Guest House Kirmin (only for foreigners) owned by Mr.Muhammad Wafi.

3. Sumayar Guest House Khill (only for foreigners) owned by Mr. Sher Ahmed Khan

(Tourist Guide).

4. Village Family Guest House Rashit owned by Mr. Iqbal Khan and sons.

5. Village Guest House Sherisubz owned by Mr. Rasool Khan.

6. Family Style Guest House owned by Ahmed Khan at Ispenj.

7. Mr.Alam Jan's Family style Guest House "Pamir Sarai" at Zood Khon and Baba

Ghundi Ziarat.

Respected visitors, in all of the above Guest Houses you will feel easy. You will experience

the environment, eat traditional food and local guides are frequently available.

Jeep Times

Time taken from Sost to the different villages of Chipursan by vehicle :

1. Yarzrich

00:45 min

2. Raminji

00:55 min

3. Karmin

1:40 hrs

4. Khill

2:00 hrs

Rashit

2:15 hrs

6. Sherisubz

2:20 hrs

7. Ispenji

2:35 hrs

Kampeer Diyor

2:45 hrs

9. Shitmerg

2:50 hrs

10. Zood Khun

3:00 hrs