By Amin Shah, Founder & Owner of Trips Nomad Adventure

For more than 40 years, the mountains have been my home.

I was born and raised among the mountains of the Hindukush, where valleys, glaciers, high passes and traditional communities have been part of my everyday life. Two years ago I became the owner of Trips Nomad Adventure, I was already learning the mountains by walking their trails, living among their people and experiencing the changing seasons at close range. I fell in love with Hindukush Trekking during my work as a guide.

For more than 30 years, I have worked as a trekking guide, leading groups from different parts of the world through some of the most beautiful and remote landscapes of northern Pakistan. I worked 20 years with one of the leading tour agencies Adventure Tour Pakistan.

Guiding has never been simply a job for me.

It has been my passion, my education and my way of life.

Over the decades, guiding trekking groups gave me an opportunity to see my homeland through the eyes of travelers. It also created a dream inside me — a dream to go beyond the established routes, explore the less-known valleys of the Hindukush Mountains of Pakistan, and bring their hidden beauty into the eyes of travelers from around the world.

That journey has taken me across glaciers, high passes and remote valleys.

And I believe it has only just begun.

The Beginning of a Dream

A Life Spent Among the Mountains

Living in the mountains for more than four decades has taught me things that cannot be learned from a map.

I learned how local people move between valleys and summer pastures. I learned the importance of weather, water, seasons and traditional trails. I learned that every valley has its own character and that a mountain pass is often much more than a line between two places.

It can be a connection between communities.

And sometimes, it can open an entirely new possibility for trekking in Pakistan.

It can be a historic route.

As a trekking guide, I was fortunate to walk with people from many countries. I guided them through beautiful landscapes, helped them cross difficult terrain and watched their excitement as they experienced the mountains for the first time.

But with every journey, my curiosity grew.

I wanted to explore further.

I wanted to discover the remote side of my native Hindukush.

Exploring Amin Pass — 5,500 Metres

One of the most memorable chapters of my life began in August 2004.

At that time, I led a large Italian trekking expedition into one of the most remote areas of the Hindukush.

The expedition included 12 Italian group members, supported by approximately 45 porters and staff.

It was a large and challenging expedition, and we spent approximately 14 days trekking between Ishkoman and Broghil.

Our journey began from Ishkoman and Chiantir, taking us through remote mountain terrain toward the Zindhikharam Valley in Broghil, near the magnificent Kurumbar Lake.

At the heart of this expedition was the high crossing that became known as Amin Pass, reaching approximately 5,500 metres.

Crossing the Chiantir Glacier

One of the most extraordinary parts of this journey was the Chiantir Glacier.

The glacier stretches for approximately 35 kilometres, making it one of the largest glacier systems in the Hindukush.

Walking through such an enormous landscape is difficult to describe in words.

For days, the expedition moved through a world of ice, rock, high mountains and complete wilderness.

There were no roads.

There were no hotels.

There were no crowds.

There was only the expedition, the mountains and the vast landscape surrounding us.

For me, this was more than another trekking journey.

It was an exploration of my own homeland.

A Remote Connection Between Valleys

The importance of this route is not only its altitude.

The wider area provides remarkable possibilities for connecting remote valleys of the Hindukush.

From the Ishkoman side, the route leads toward the Zindhikharam Valley and Broghil, with possibilities to connect toward Darkot, Yasin and Broghil Valley of Chitral after crossing the high passes.

The area is also remarkably remote, lying approximately 30 kilometres from the Wakhan Corridor.

This remoteness is precisely what makes the region so special for experienced trekkers looking for off-the-beaten-path Pakistan.

It is a part of the country where the mountains still dominate the landscape and where traditional ways of life remain closely connected to the natural environment.

Why Hindukush Trekking Is So Special

Beyond the Famous Trekking Routes

Pakistan is famous for its spectacular Karakoram mountains and legendary routes such as the K2 Base Camp Trek.

But there is another side of Pakistan that deserves to be discovered.

That is the Hindukush.

The valleys of Ghizer, Ishkoman, Yasin, Darkot, Thui and Broghil offer some of the most remote trekking opportunities in Pakistan.

Here, trekking can mean crossing a high mountain pass one day and meeting local families or shepherds the next.

A Journey Through Nature and Culture

For me, the best Hindukush trekking experiences combine three things:

• spectacular mountain landscapes
• challenging and rewarding trails
• genuine interaction with local communities

A trek should not only be about reaching the next camp.

It should be about experiencing the journey.

Walking through a valley.

Sharing tea with local people.

Watching shepherds move their animals toward summer pastures.

Camping beneath enormous mountain walls.

And discovering landscapes that few travelers have ever seen.

That is the kind of Pakistan trekking experience I want to create.

Polish Pass — A New Chapter in 2023

Almost two decades after the Amin Pass expedition, my exploration continued.

In 2023, I explored another important route in the Hindukush: Polish Pass, connecting Darkot Village in Yasin Valley with Thui Valley.

The pass reaches approximately 4,700 metres.

Near Thui-1 — 6,666 Metres

The route passes very close to Thui-1, a spectacular mountain peak rising to approximately 6,666 metres and regarded as the highest peak in Ghizer Valley.

Standing in that landscape brought back the same feeling I experienced during my earlier explorations.

There is always another trail.

Another valley.

Another pass.

Another connection waiting to be discovered.

Polish Pass is particularly interesting because it can also be connected with the Thui Pass, creating possibilities for longer Hindukush trekking routes between the valleys.

For experienced trekkers, this opens exciting possibilities for exploring remote parts of Ghizer Valley and northern Pakistan.

From Darkot to Thui Valley

The Polish Pass route begins around Darkot Village in Yasin Valley and crosses toward Thui Valley.

This region offers an extraordinary combination of:

• high-altitude mountain scenery
• remote camping locations
• glaciers and alpine landscapes
• traditional villages
• local culture
• challenging mountain passes

It is exactly the kind of environment that makes trekking in Ghizer so special.

The route can also form part of longer trekking itineraries connecting different passes and valleys of the Hindukush.

More Than a Trek: People, Culture and the Mountains

The People Along the Trails

After more than 30 years as a trekking guide, I have learned that mountains are not only about peaks and passes.

They are also about people.

Along the remote trails of Pakistan, we meet local communities whose lives are closely connected with the mountains.

We meet shepherds.

We meet farmers.

We meet families living in remote villages.

We share meals and conversations.

And sometimes the simplest moments become the strongest memories of a journey.

Why Local Experiences Matter

When I guide travelers, I don’t want them to return home saying only:

“I climbed a mountain pass in Pakistan.”

I want them to say:

“I experienced a part of Pakistan that I could never have discovered on my own.”

That is the difference between simply visiting a destination and truly experiencing it.

This is why our Pakistan trekking tours focus not only on mountains, but also on culture, communities and authentic experiences.

From Trekking Guide to Trips Nomad Adventure

Turning Experience Into a Dream

After more than three decades of guiding trekking groups, I took another important step in my journey.

For the past two years, I have been the owner of Trips Nomad Adventure.

Creating my own adventure travel company gave me the opportunity to bring together everything I had learned over decades of trekking and guiding.

My goal is simple:

To introduce travelers to the Pakistan I know and love.

Not only the famous destinations, but also the remote valleys, hidden passes and lesser-known trekking routes.

Handpicked Trekking Experiences in Pakistan

At Trips Nomad Adventure, we focus on carefully selected trekking and adventure experiences across Pakistan.

Our trekking opportunities include the Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayan regions, with a particular passion for remote areas such as:

• Yasin Valley
• Ishkoman Valley
• Ghizer Valley
• Darkot
• Thui Valley
• Broghil
• Chitral

We believe that responsible adventure travel should benefit both travelers and local communities.

Our goal is to create journeys where people can explore beautiful landscapes while experiencing the culture and hospitality of the people who call these mountains home.

Exploring the Hidden Hindukush

Why Choose Off-the-Beaten-Path Pakistan?

Many travelers know Pakistan through the Karakoram Highway, Hunza Valley or K2.

These places are spectacular.

But Pakistan is much bigger than its famous destinations.

The Hindukush Mountains contain an extraordinary network of valleys and high passes that remain largely unknown to international travelers.

This is where I see enormous potential for the future of Hindukush trekking in Pakistan.

Trekking Beyond the Crowds

If you are looking for:

• remote trekking routes
• high-altitude mountain passes
• authentic village experiences
• wilderness camping
• fewer crowds
• local cultural encounters
• challenging multi-day treks

then the Hindukush offers something truly special.

Routes around Ishkoman, Yasin, Darkot, Thui, Ghizer and Broghil can provide experiences far away from conventional tourism.

The Exploration Has Only Begun

When I look back at more than 40 years of living in the mountains and more than 30 years of guiding trekking groups, I feel deeply grateful.

I have walked with people from many countries.

I have crossed glaciers.

I have climbed high passes.

I have camped in remote valleys.

I have witnessed landscapes that very few travelers have had the opportunity to experience.

And yet, I don’t feel that my journey is finished.

Amin Pass was not the end.

Polish Pass was not the end.

They are chapters in a much larger story.

There are still valleys I want to explore.

There are still passes I want to cross.

There are still routes connecting remote corners of the Hindukush that I want to understand.

And there are still travelers from around the world who have never seen this side of Pakistan.

After 40 years, I still feel excited when I see a trail disappearing into the mountains.

That feeling has never left me.

Discover Hindukush Trekking in Pakistan

Explore Ishkoman, Yasin, Darkot, Thui and Broghil

The Hindukush is not simply a mountain range.

It is a world of remote valleys, glaciers, high passes, traditional communities and extraordinary landscapes.

From Ishkoman to Yasin, from Darkot to Thui, and from Broghil toward the remote valleys of Chitral, there are countless possibilities for adventure.

Some routes can be completed as shorter 3–7 day trekking experiences, while others can be combined into longer expeditions lasting two, three or even four weeks.

For travelers searching for the best trekking routes in Pakistan, these lesser-known Hindukush routes offer an opportunity to discover a different side of the country.

Handpicked Trekking Experiences with Trips Nomad Adventure

My purpose in creating Trips Nomad Adventure is not simply to sell trekking tours.

It is to share a part of my life.

A part of my homeland.

And a part of the mountains that have shaped who I am.

I want travelers to experience the landscapes I have spent decades walking through — responsibly, respectfully and with genuine local connections.

If you are looking for Hindukush trekking, trekking tours in Pakistan, high-altitude trekking in Pakistan or off-the-beaten-path adventure travel, I invite you to explore these mountains with us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hindukush Trekking

The Mountains Are Still Calling

I have spent more than 40 years living among these mountains.

I have spent more than 30 years guiding trekking groups.

I have explored places that were once simply lines on a map.

And today, as the owner of Trips Nomad Adventure, I have the opportunity to continue that journey and share it with travelers from around the world.

The exploration has not ended.

It has only begun.

There are more passes to cross.

More valleys to discover.

More people to meet.

More stories to tell.

And somewhere beyond the next ridge, there is always another trail waiting.

The mountains are calling — and I am still walking.

About the Author

Amin Shah — Trekking Guide, Explorer & Founder of Trips Nomad Adventure

Amin Shah is the founder and owner of Trips Nomad Adventure Pakistan. He has more than 30 years of experience as a trekking guide and has lived among the mountains of northern Pakistan for more than 40 years.

His experience includes guiding international trekking groups through remote regions of the Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalaya.

His exploration achievements include Amin Pass (5,500 m) between Ishkoman and Broghil, explored in August 2004, and Polish Pass (approximately 4,700 m) between Darkot and Thui Valley, explored in 2023.

Through Trips Nomad Adventure, Amin continues to develop handpicked trekking experiences in Pakistan, with a particular focus on remote and off-the-beaten-path destinations in the Hindukush.