Kilik & Mintaka Pass Trek β Ancient Silk Road, Misgar Valley
Follow Marco Polo's Footsteps β Pakistan's Oldest Cross-Border Routes
From
RsΒ 155,000
10 Days
Duration
4,755m
Max Elevation
2β16 pax
Group Size
Misgar Valley, Gojal (Upper Hunza), Gilgit-Baltistan
Region
Overview
Misgar village in upper Hunza is the last settlement before the ancient Silk Road passes of Kilik and Mintaka β two high mountain crossings that connected the Karakoram with Xinjiang, China for over a millennium. Marco Polo passed through this region on his 13th-century journey to Cathay. The Qalandarchi Fort watchtower still stands sentinel above Misgar, guarding the approach to both passes. Unlike most Pakistan treks, the KilikβMintaka route is glacier-free β the terrain is pastoral and relatively easy, characterised by vast grassy valleys, abundant springs, and grazing grounds still used by Misgar's Wakhi herders. The wildlife is extraordinary: large ibex herds, marmot colonies, wolves, and occasionally bears. Both passes sit at 4,700m+ and offer views into China's Xinjiang beyond. The Mintaka Valley was the principal ancient Silk Road route; the Kilik was the preferred alternative when glacial advance blocked Mintaka. Both passes carry the weight of a thousand years of history in every step.
Trip Highlights
Kilik Pass (4,755m) & Mintaka Pass (4,709m) β ancient Silk Road routes to China
Qalandarchi Fort β ancient watchtower standing guard over the old trade routes
Glacier-free pastoral terrain β wide valleys, springs, wildflower meadows
Ibex herds, marmot colonies, wolves β exceptional Central Asian wildlife
China visible from both passes β peer into Xinjiang from the summit
Marco Polo's route β among the most historically significant treks in Asia
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1Islamabad β Hunza (Karimabad)
π Hotel Hunzaπ½οΈ Dinner
Islamabad β Hunza (Karimabad)
Fly to Gilgit or drive via KKH. Arrive Karimabad. Acclimatize.
2Hunza β Sost β Misgar Village (2,900m)
π Guesthouse Misgarπ½οΈ All meals
Hunza β Sost β Misgar Village (2,900m)
Drive north via KKH. Sost border town (1hr). Continue to Misgar (45min, rough road). Meet porters. Visit Qalandarchi Fort.
3Misgar β Mintaka Valley Camp (3,700m)
π Camp Mintaka Valleyπ½οΈ All mealsπ 16kmβ°οΈ 3,700m
Misgar β Mintaka Valley Camp (3,700m)
Trek up the Mintaka River valley. Open grazing land β ibex common. Large marmot colonies.
4Mintaka Camp β Mintaka Pass (4,709m)
π Camp Mintaka Valleyπ½οΈ All mealsπ 14kmβ°οΈ 4,709m
Mintaka Camp β Mintaka Pass (4,709m)
Ascend to the pass β Xinjiang visible on the far side. Marco Polo Sheep territory. Return to camp.
5Mintaka Valley β Kilik Valley Approach
π Camp Kilik Valleyπ½οΈ All mealsπ 12km
Mintaka Valley β Kilik Valley Approach
Cross between the two valley systems via a connecting ridge.
6Kilik Valley β Kilik Pass (4,755m)
π Camp Kilik Valleyπ½οΈ All mealsπ 12kmβ°οΈ 4,755m
Kilik Valley β Kilik Pass (4,755m)
Ascend to Kilik Pass β the slightly higher of the two. Views into China and back across Pakistan. Return to camp.
7Kilik Valley β Misgar Village
π Guesthouse Misgarπ½οΈ All mealsπ 18km
Kilik Valley β Misgar Village
Full return to Misgar. Porter payment and celebration.
8Misgar β Passu β Hunza
π Hotel Hunzaπ½οΈ All meals
Misgar β Passu β Hunza
Drive south. Stop at Passu β Passu Cones, Passu Glacier, suspension bridges.
9Hunza Exploration
π Hotel Hunzaπ½οΈ All meals
Hunza Exploration
Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Attabad Lake. Optional Karimabad village walk.
10Hunza β Gilgit β Islamabad
π Hotel Islamabadπ½οΈ Breakfast
Hunza β Gilgit β Islamabad
Fly from Gilgit (45min) or drive (13hrs) to Islamabad.
What's Included
- All transport IslamabadβHunzaβSostβMisgar return
- Licensed guide from Misgar (local Wakhi specialist)
- Cook and staff
- Porters at Gojal rates
- Full camping equipment
- All meals on trek
- Border zone trekking permit (Pakistan side)
- Islamabad (1 night), Hunza/Sost (2 nights)
- Attabad Lake boat crossing (en route)
Not Included
- International airfares
- Pakistan visa
- China visa (if crossing β we do not cross)
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
- Tips
β οΈ Requirements & Prerequisites
- β’Good fitness β 5β7 hrs/day, moderate terrain
- β’No technical skills required
- β’Altitude acclimatization (spend a night in Hunza first)
Best Season
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we enter China on this trek?
No β we trek to the Pakistani side of the passes and look into China. Crossing requires a Chinese visa, Chinese permits, and coordination with Chinese border authorities. We can arrange a full Silk Road crossing as a custom expedition for suitable clients β ask for our special programme.
How does this differ from the Khunjerab Pass trek?
Khunjerab Pass is the modern paved KKH crossing; Kilik and Mintaka are the ancient footpaths used for over 1,000 years. Kilik/Mintaka is a trek, not a road β the terrain is pastoral and wild. The historical and wildlife experience is far richer.
6 people booked this trip this month
Price Calculator
$554 USD Β· 4β5 persons
Toyota Hiace / Coaster. Comfortable, most popular.
3-star hotels & clean guesthouses. En-suite bathrooms.
Includes guide, all meals, permits & accommodation.
Custom quote β info@wonderland-tours.com
Payment Methods
30% deposit to confirm. Balance due 30 days before departure.
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