Chapursan Valley - A Stunning Valley in Hunza
Chapursan Valley is a remote and beautiful valley in the northern areas of Pakistan, just west of Sost, the last settlement along the Karakoram Highway before you reach China, and the world's highest border crossing at Khunjerab Pass.
This breathtaking valley is located less than 10km miles from the Afghanistan border in the Wakhan corridor. It is still one of the country's less traveled and unexplored regions with its lonely snowy peaks.
The last village in the valley is Zood Khun; you can find a homestay run by the redoubtable Alam Jan Dario, a horseman, musician, and ambassador of Wakhi Tajik culture.
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How to reach Chapursan Valley?
If you are in Pakistan, preferably Islamabad, you can travel through public or private transport. But most tourists visit Charpursan as a side trip along the Karakoram Highway either before leaving for China or when just arriving from China.
The only public transport available for Chapursan Valley is through a small village called Sost. You can take a bus to the town from Islamabad city. Once you are in the village, a public jeep will leave for the valley twice a day, which is quite economical (approximately 300 PKR in local currency). However, it is best to reach the village early since tickets are sold on a first-come and first-serve basis.
If you prefer to travel via private transportation, you can find various jeep-for-hire services in Sost. You can find private jeeps in the Sost bazaar, or the guesthouse where you are staying can help you arrange the transport. Private transportation is more expensive and can cost between 3000 PKR to 5000 PKR per day.
Where to Stay in Chapursan Valley?
There are several places to stay in Chapursan, most of which are basic homestays or guesthouses.
Remember that Chapursan is a remote region, and amenities will be basic and lowkey expensive compared to other places in Pakistan.
There are now several accommodation options in Chapursan Valley. These days you can choose between a more traditional homestay or more expensive hotels.
Expect to pay around 3000 rupees/day at most places, a rate which sometimes includes meals, but Don’t expect Lahori restaurant variety here!
If you plan to visit outside of the Summer season, be prepared for potentially frozen pipes, and regardless of when you visit, know that running hot water is not possible. There are also several other guest houses scattered throughout Chapursan Valley.
Things to do in Chapursan Valley
Several small lakes can be found in a surreally hilly area about an hour’s walk from Zudkhun. Follow the road to Baba Gundi, and keep looking for a wooden bridge among the rocks to your right. Swimming is possible if the weather is warm enough.
Shepherds head up to pastures starting in June and stay up until the end of September. If you’re fit enough, you can trek up to the high-altitude pastures to hang out with them and see what they’re up to. Know that the Zudkhun shepherds go to pastures beyond Baba Gundi, foreigners will need NOCs for that.
Horses and yaks can be rented for treks. Horses can be rented with one guide per group, but yaks require handlers for each animal. Most guesthouses can arrange animals for you.
Nomadic Kyrgyz traders come down from Afghanistan’s Wakhan corridor for trade around Baba Gundi starting in June or July. Head in that direction to see them come in on their yaks.
Trekking opportunities are endless. There are treks of all lengths and difficulties, ranging from short overnight treks to 12-15 day mountain passes.
Internet Connection in Chapursan Valley
As of 2021, Chapursan barely has a 2G signal, and that’s in the upper villages. In Zood Khun and beyond, you can only expect SCOM 1G, only calls will work, and not WhatsApp or anything else that uses data.
Due to its location near the border, locals don’t expect this to change anytime soon though they say they’ve been promised 3G. Unsurprisingly, WiFi is also not a thing in Chapursan as of yet.
So while Chapursan isn’t a good place to live the digital nomad life in Pakistan, it is a perfect spot for testing out your travel photography lenses, especially at night.
The best time to visit Chapursan Valley
June to August is the best time to visit regarding temperature and greenery scenery. During summers the valley warms up in the sun, the meadows fill with grass, and wildflowers bloom around July-August. Sports matches such as polo and buzkashi are played during this time.
May or September are still manageable and autumn promises clearer skies.
You can still reach the valley in April/May and October/November, but prepare to be cold. It snowed while I was in the valley in April, and the pipes were frozen in the guest house despite outside temperatures rising above freezing during the day.
Chapursan Valley is an amazing beautiful place to visit so do not miss it and plan your trip by clicking on the following button and fill the form.
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