Kilik & Mintaka Pass Trek — Ancient Silk Road, Misgar Valley
Follow Marco Polo's Footsteps — Pakistan's Oldest Cross-Border Routes
From
¥4,030
10 Days
Duration
4,755m
Max Elevation
2–16 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 — 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 Kilik–Mintaka route is glacier-free — 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) — ancient Silk Road routes to China
Qalandarchi Fort — ancient watchtower standing guard over the old trade routes
Glacier-free pastoral terrain — wide valleys, springs, wildflower meadows
Ibex herds, marmot colonies, wolves — exceptional Central Asian wildlife
China visible from both passes — peer into Xinjiang from the summit
Marco Polo's route — among the most historically significant treks in Asia
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1Islamabad → Hunza (Karimabad)
🏠 Hotel Hunza🍽️ Dinner
Islamabad → Hunza (Karimabad)
Fly to Gilgit or drive via KKH. Arrive Karimabad. Acclimatize.
2Hunza → Sost → Misgar Village (2,900m)
🏠 Guesthouse Misgar🍽️ All meals
Hunza → Sost → Misgar Village (2,900m)
Drive north via KKH. Sost border town (1hr). Continue to Misgar (45min, rough road). Meet porters. Visit Qalandarchi Fort.
3Misgar → Mintaka Valley Camp (3,700m)
🏠 Camp Mintaka Valley🍽️ All meals📏 16km⛰️ 3,700m
Misgar → Mintaka Valley Camp (3,700m)
Trek up the Mintaka River valley. Open grazing land — ibex common. Large marmot colonies.
4Mintaka Camp → Mintaka Pass (4,709m)
🏠 Camp Mintaka Valley🍽️ All meals📏 14km⛰️ 4,709m
Mintaka Camp → Mintaka Pass (4,709m)
Ascend to the pass — Xinjiang visible on the far side. Marco Polo Sheep territory. Return to camp.
5Mintaka Valley → Kilik Valley Approach
🏠 Camp Kilik Valley🍽️ All meals📏 12km
Mintaka Valley → Kilik Valley Approach
Cross between the two valley systems via a connecting ridge.
6Kilik Valley → Kilik Pass (4,755m)
🏠 Camp Kilik Valley🍽️ All meals📏 12km⛰️ 4,755m
Kilik Valley → Kilik Pass (4,755m)
Ascend to Kilik Pass — the slightly higher of the two. Views into China and back across Pakistan. Return to camp.
7Kilik Valley → Misgar Village
🏠 Guesthouse Misgar🍽️ All meals📏 18km
Kilik Valley → Misgar Village
Full return to Misgar. Porter payment and celebration.
8Misgar → Passu → Hunza
🏠 Hotel Hunza🍽️ All meals
Misgar → Passu → Hunza
Drive south. Stop at Passu — Passu Cones, Passu Glacier, suspension bridges.
9Hunza Exploration
🏠 Hotel Hunza🍽️ All meals
Hunza Exploration
Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Attabad Lake. Optional Karimabad village walk.
10Hunza → Gilgit → Islamabad
🏠 Hotel Islamabad🍽️ Breakfast
Hunza → Gilgit → Islamabad
Fly from Gilgit (45min) or drive (13hrs) to Islamabad.
What's Included
- All transport Islamabad–Hunza–Sost–Misgar 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 — we do not cross)
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
- Tips
⚠️ Requirements & Prerequisites
- •Good fitness — 5–7 hrs/day, moderate terrain
- •No technical skills required
- •Altitude acclimatization (spend a night in Hunza first)
Best Season
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we enter China on this trek?
No — 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 — 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 — the terrain is pastoral and wild. The historical and wildlife experience is far richer.
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Price Calculator
$554 USD · 4–5 persons
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3-star hotels & clean guesthouses. En-suite bathrooms.
Includes guide, all meals, permits & accommodation.
Custom quote → info@wonderland-tours.com
Payment Methods
30% deposit to confirm. Balance due 30 days before departure.
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