Tirich Mir Trek Opens New Chapter in Adventure Tourism

News Desk 

Peshawar:The first phase of the Tirich Mir base camp trekking expedition, organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), has been successfully completed, marking a major milestone in promoting adventure tourism in the region.

Following the directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, a group of 20 trekkers—facilitated by the Tirich Mir Backpackers Club Pakistan—completed the challenging 7-day trek that began from Chitral and culminated at the Babu Base Camp.

The route, known for its breathtaking views and rugged terrain, included travel by 4×4 jeeps to the picturesque Shagrom Valley, followed by trekking through Shenyak Camp, Shoghor Biasum, Astore Nal Valley, and finally reaching the Babu Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,720 meters. The distances covered in each leg of the journey were:

• Shagrom to Shenyak Camp: 12.7 km
• Shenyak Camp to Shoghor Biasum: 9.1 km
• Shoghor Biasum to Astore Nal: 9.7 km
• Astore Nal to Babu Base Camp: 8.7 km

A second group of male trekkers is scheduled to depart on July 25, followed by an all-women group on August 8, making the initiative a significant step towards inclusive and gender-sensitive tourism in Pakistan.

KPCTA Director General Habibullah Arif lauded the trekkers for their courage and determination, highlighting that participants came from various parts of the country including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Punjab, and other regions. He emphasized that the expedition would not only inspire young and emerging mountaineers but also contribute to boosting the local economy and tourism in Chitral.

This is the first time the provincial government has officially supported a summit expedition to Tirich Mir, the highest peak in the Hindu Kush range, standing at 7,708 meters. More than 500 male and 100 female climbers had applied for the expedition, indicating growing interest in high-altitude trekking in Pakistan.

The initiative is expected to attract both local and international climbers, positioning Tirich Mir as a prominent destination on the global mountaineering map.

To further facilitate and encourage participation, the KP government has waived the royalty fees for the year 2025–26. These fees, typically ranging from $2,500 to $4,000, are now exempted—a move expected to benefit Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan’s economy in the long term.