Shandoor and Beyond

DARKOT PASS

Darkot Pass
Elevation	15,430 ft (4,703 m)
Location
Location	Pakistan
Range	Hindukush Mountains
Coordinates	36°44′42″N 73°25′59″ECoordinates: 36°44′42″N 73°25′59″E

Darkot pass (el. 15,430 ft., open May thru October) is a high mountain pass that connects Broghil valley in Chitral to the Ghizar valley (Yasin tehsil of Ghizer district) in Gilgit in Pakistan. It is also known under the name Darkut.

The pass is about 10 miles to the east of Koyo Zom (Zum) peak (6872m), the highest peak in Ghizer district. The border between Chitral and Northern Areas runs through the pass over Darkot Glacier. 8 miles to the south is village Darkot (11 miles north of Barkulti) on the River Darkot (small tributary of Ghizar river). To the northeast of the pass is Chitral (Yarkhun river valley). 10 miles to the NW of the pass is village Chilmarabad, just one miles south of Boroghil pass.

Broghol, also spelled Broghil, Boroghil and several other ways, (el. 3798 m./12,460 ft.) is a high mountain pass that crosses the Hindu Kush and connects the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan with Chitral in Pakistan.

Broghol is a relatively low pass. It was closed for about three months each winter because of snow, but for much of the rest of the year it was passable even for cart traffic.

It is one of the four major mountain passes entering Chitral; the others are the Dorah Pass from Badakshan in Afghanistan, Shandur Top from Gilgit, andLowari Top from Dir in Pakistan.

The area of Broghol is inhabited by Wakhi and Kyrgyz people.

Broghol
Elevation	3,798 m (12,461 ft)
Location
Location	Pakistan / Afghanistan
Range	Hindu Kush
Coordinates	36°53′N 73°21′E

TRIP TO SHANDOOR AND BEYOND

This year again as usual we are embarking on another hiking and trekking expedition to Shandoor and beyond………

The aims and objective of this expedition is to highlight the short route from Pakistan to Tajikistan via the Broghil Pass into the Wakkhan Corridor and across into Tajikistan.

Last year we took the route from Chitral to Mastooj valley to Kashmanja, Lashkar Gah and Teri Dasth but because of inclement weather and bad road conditions we could not complete our track tour to Broghil pass.

This year we have chosen a different route from Goupis to Darkot Pass to Ishkomin Valley to Maranjah on to Lashkargah to Teri Dasht.

My initial reconnaissance of the road conditions show that up to darkot pass we can go on an ordinary vehicle and onwards we need a good 4/4 vehicle / off road.

The detail itinerary is given below and subject to slight modification from Darkot and beyond.

You are invited to come and join the expedition subject to your physical fitness and willingness to be a happy member and part of our team.

Expected expenditure

The estimated expenditure per participants may vary from 30000 to 35000/-

This includes transportation / hotel stay / messing / camping / horse fare / Jeep transportation, local tolls from ISB to DARKOT & Back.

Last date of confirmation.

In case you are interested please confirm your participation before 15^th June 2011.

RAZA SAFARI TOUR ITINERARY JULY 2011

Date	Destinations From	To	Night Stay
03rd July 2011	Assembly in RWP / ISB		At own
04th July 2011	RWP / ISB	Chilas (482 km)	Hotel
05th July 2011	Chilas ****	Gilgit (255 Km)	Hotel
06th July 2011	Gilgit	Local Visit	Hotel
07th July 2011	Gilgit	Shandoor	Camping
08th July 2011	Shandoor	Local visit	Camping
09th July 2011	Shandoor	Gakuch	Hotel
10th July 2011	Gakoch	Chatoorkhand to Ilmit	Camping
	Ilmit	Mastanger to Dharkot pass	Camping
11th July 2011	Dharkot Pass	Kashmanjha	Camping
12th July 2011	Kashmanjha	Teri Dasht (Broghil) Valley	Camping
13th July 2011	Teri Dasht (Broghil) Valley	Local Visit	Camping
14th July	Teri Dast	Broghil	Camping
15th July	Broghil	Dharkot Pass	Camping
16th July	Darkot to	Ghakosh	Hotel
17th July	Ghakoch to	Gupis / Gilgit	Hotel
18th July	Gilgit to	Chilas *****	Hotel
19th July	Chilas to	Islamabad	Home

***** 04^th July 2011 Night stay at Chillas may be omitted if we make good time and can reach Gilgit the same day.

***** 18^th July 2011, If we are before schedule then a quick trip to the fairy meadows may be possible.

This is the tentative tour itinerary for our up coming trekking expedition to Broghil Pass on the Wakkan Corridor.

Note:

The dates from 09^th July 2011 to 14^th July may vary as to the road conditions / weather conditions and fitness of the participants / members and the local topographic conditions.

Prelude to the Trip

Thing to take with you

Personal.

• Joggers, trainers, or hiking boots up to ankle high
• 03 pairs of towel socks white colour
• cap , jungle cap , sola cap
• Sun glasses
• Sun block with S.P.F 50 , anti sun block
• Shooting jacket
• Jeans , trousers , track suit shalwar kameez
• T- shirt , sweat shirts
• Vests , u / wear Bermuda shorts
• Shock proof wrists watch , pocket compass
• Rechargeable flash light and torches
• Personal medication
• Towel handkerchief and towels
• Chappal and moccasins
• Mosquito repellants / sprays
• Personal back pack
• Warm Clothes jacket / Pullover / Sweaters
• Sleeping Bags
• Ground Sheet
• Walking stick / Mountain Stick
• Digital Camera / Movie Camera

EQUIPMENT:-

Provided by the Organizer

• Tents ground sheet / sleeping bags Optional
• Pick and shovel
• Cooking utensils

Gas stove, frying pan, disposable glasses, plastic glasses, plates, fruit knife or sauce pan

• Walkie /talkie , vehicle mobile charger
• Generator
• Masalas, condiments , salt , cooking oil , wheat flour , sugar tea bags , powder milk and rice
• Tinned fruits cocktails , meat balls , minced meat , meat curry , fish
• Biscuit saltish and fancy as per your liking loads and loads of them
• Cold drinks , mineral water in plastic bottles

• Whistle & mega phone
• G.P.R.S phone (If available)
• Maps general map , topo graphic map , contour map.
• To top it all by 4 x 4 vehicle / Toyotta Hiace Ace / Hi Roof
• First Aid Kit

Daily Trek Notes

ü Reach your next destination point before sunset under no circumstances should you over stretched your self or travel at night.

ü Please mark your route before you start your journey

ü There should be a talc sheet over your map with markings

ü Permanent marker: - Plan your trek in such away that you are able to make it to your next point with in that day before sunset.

Preparations for the Trip

Please start walking and exercise daily by covering 1 mile distance in 15 minutes.

Climb 50 stairs in 10 – 12 minutes

Carry a load of 05 - 10 kg on your back for half to 1 hour

Determination

Remember this is a chance to see Mother Nature at its best and those areas of Pakistan where less than 10 % of the population has gone.

So be determined and make a resolve to complete this trip as a challenge for the out doors.

Dr. Babur Zahiruddin

0332-4923235