General
Zani An Trek (2024-25)
The Zani An Trek takes hikers into Pakistan’s wild Hindukush region, offering a mix of natural beauty, cultural contacts, and high-altitude adventure. This hike takes you from the Mulkho village of Uthool to Shagrom in the Tirich Valley, over the 3,840-meter (12,598-foot) Zani An pass.
Dates & Cost – Zani An Trek– (13 Days)
Summers are ideal for Zani An Trek. The start and end dates in the table below are your dates of arrival and departure from Pakistan. The months mentioned below are the ideal months for trekking in the Hindukush region of Pakistan. We have guaranteed departures every year. Our dates and costs for Zani An Trek are given below.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20-Jun-2024 | 02-Jul-2024 | US$ 1,700 | Limited Space | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| 20-Jun-2025 | 02-Jul-2025 | US$ 1,800 | Available | US$ 260 | BOOK NOW |
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
Holiday Information
- Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
- All road transport in Pakistan
- Hotel accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing rooms)
- Trekking accommodation in Pakistan (twin sharing tents)
- Hotel meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking meals in Pakistan (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipments and tools)
- Support staff (cook, assistant(s) etc)
- Porters for trekking equipments, kitchen (supplies, tools, equipments, crockery, gas) and personal luggage
- Travel Insurance (recommendations only)
- Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents offered)
- International airfare
- Personal equipments (list provided on registration or request)
- Tips for guides, porters, staff etc
- Miscellaneous (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
Highlights – Zani An Trek
Zani An Trek has a lot to offer. Given below are the main highlights of Zani An Trek
- Stunning views of surrounding mountains and valleys
- Known as Zani An by Tirich residents and Tirich An by Uthool villagers
- Transport Efficiency reduces time and cost for Tirich Mir Base Camp trekkers
- Picturesque spots in Uthool offer freshwater springs and scenic vistas
- Offers a rewarding adventure with natural beauty and cultural insight
- Meet mountaineers at base camps
- Sightseeing in Chitral and Islamabad
Itinerary – Zani An Trek
The itinerary for Zani An Trek is given below.
Day 02: Fly to Chitral or Drive to Chitral
Participants on this morning will take the spectacular flight from Islamabad airport to Chitral airport. After arrival in Chitral, the day is free.
The domestic flights sometime get cancelled due to weather conditions. Incase of flight cancellation, you will drive to Chitral for overnight. It takes eight to ten hours by a vehicle.
Day 03: Jeep to Uthul
A link road runs to Uthool before Warijun, Mulkho's biggest hamlet; do not take the route just beyond Warijun that connects to Zani village. The road from Uthool continues for a few km to Zani An. It was designed to deliver an air compressor to the canal construction site. The canal, which has been under construction since 1992, will transport water from a ridge-top lake to Mulkho. The road beyond Uthool is not properly maintained, so you'll need a jeep to reach there. Drivers may travel further if the conditions are suitable and you pay an extra cost.
Jeeps travel from Chitral to Mulkho. Any Tirich-bound jeep will transport you to Warijun. You can either wait for a local jeep to Uthool, arrange a Warijun-Uthool special hire or walk for many hours to Uthool, which is 675 metres above Warijun. Chitral-Uthool jeeps take five hours, but there are just a few in the village. Hires that are unique.
Day 04: Trek over Zani pass
Embark on a strenuous walk over Zani Pass, navigating through rugged terrain and ascending to higher altitudes while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 05: Continue to Shagrom
Continue on to Shagrom, a lovely village set in the Tirich Valley where you will feel the warmth of rural hospitality and immerse yourself in the local way of life.
Day 06: Trek to Shogor Biasum
Set out on another phase of your journey, deeper into the wilderness as you make your way to Shogor Biasum, surrounded by pristine natural beauty and calm scenery.
Day 07: Free day to explore around
Take a well-deserved break to explore the surrounding area at your leisure, whether it's relaxing in nature or interacting with the locals.
Day 08: Return to Shagrom
Retrace your steps back to Shagrom, reflecting on your journey and reconnecting with the village's friendly ambiance.
Day 09: Drive back to Chitral by jeep
Take a picturesque jeep ride back to Chitral, where you'll say goodbye to the mountains and start preparations for the next phase of your trip.
Day 10: Kalash valley excursion
Embark on an exciting journey to Kalash Valley, home to the unique Kalash people and their lively culture, and gain insight into Pakistan's diverse ethnic heritage.
Day 11: Drive to Chitral
Take a scenic drive to Chitral from Kalash Valley, weaving through the breathtaking vistas of the Hindu Kush mountains, where you will be mesmerised by Pakistan's natural splendour.
Day 12: Fly/Drive to Islamabad
Take a picturesque flight to Islamabad and see bird's-eye views of Pakistan's various landscapes as you soar through the skies towards the country's capital.
The domestic flights sometime get cancelled due to weather conditions. Incase of flight cancellation, you will drive to Islamabad for overnight. It takes eight to ten hours by a vehicle.
Day 13: Fly to home country
Meals included: Breakfast
Our staff will transfer all our guests to the airport on their respective departure timings. The checkout time of all our partner hotels is 12pm.
Why Register Early?
1. Early Bird Discount: The given prices for the holiday are limited-time discount offers and are subject to change. Service providers including (but not limited) to airlines and hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season.
2. Limited Flight Seats: Domestic flight seats to the Karakorams and Himalayas are sold out way ahead of time because there are only two daily flights during peak season. Among other things, the deposit is used to book domestic flights for you in advance.
3. Pay Balance after arrival in Pakistan: In these unusual times, we appreciate that paying the final balance for your trip may cause concern. Our policy is to only receive your final balance once you arrive in Pakistan. The only payment before arrival is the deposit.
4. Deposit valid for 3 years: We understand the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic (Covid-19). As part of our relaxed booking conditions following Covid-19, deposits are valid for 2 years.
6. Pay Minimum Deposit: The deposits for the holiday are also early-bird discounts and automatically change accordingly:
- 1st October: USD 190
- 1st November: USD 290
- 1st January: USD 350
- 15th February: USD 400
- 1st March: USD 450
- 1st May: USD 490
Note: The same dates above apply to next season's deposits.
Refund Policy for All
Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable (but valid for 2 years) as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements.
Balance: Pay the balance only after arrival in Pakistan on the first day. Payment guidelines will be shared timely.
Currency
All international travelers can pay in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent in Euros (EUR) or Pound Sterling (GBP). Pakistani travelers are charged the equivalent in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).
Single Supplement
Separate hotel rooms (single supplement) will cost an additional USD 290. This includes all hotel nights. This payment should be made with the balance upon arrival.
Separate tents (single tent) will cost an additional USD 180. This includes the cost of additional porterage. This payment should also be made with the balance in Pakistan.
As Featured In:
| Apricot Tours' Social Responsibility |
| 1 foreign trekker = 5 trees |
| Apricot Tours will plant five trees for every foreign trekker who visits Pakistan for trekking to Nanga Parbat. The trees will be planted in the northern areas of Pakistan starting from 2019 as part of our CSR initiative. We aim to contribute to "Goal 13: Climate Action" of UN's Sustainable Development Goals by taking part in the massive government campaign to plant 10 billion trees during the next five years to tackle climate change. Pakistan's adverse climate impacts are very much visible through changing temperatures, prolonged droughts, increased floods and extreme weather conditions especially in Pakistan's mountain regions. Pakistan stands 7th on the list of countries that are mostly likely to be affected by global warming and has one of the highest deforestation rates in Asia. Decades of tree felling have reduced the country's forests to less than 3 percent of its total land area. How planting trees will make a difference? Planting trees will help save energy and money, cool our cities, reduce carbon emissions, reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for species of many kinds, provide clean water and add to the beauty of Pakistan's mountain region by simply being there. Our participants can also donate separately. Details on this initiative can be requested. |
Zani An Trek – Overview
Zani An Trek (3840 metres) is a mountain pass in Pakistan. It is a vital link between the Mulkho region and the Tirich Valley. Because of its strategic importance and breathtaking natural beauty, this pass is a popular trekking route in the area.
The trek over Zani An Trek offers trekkers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The majestic peaks of Istor-o-Nal and Saraghrar, which dominate the landscape, may be seen from the pass. To the east, the enormous Buni Zom peak rises over the Turikho and Mastuj rivers, creating a breathtaking backdrop for the hike.
The easy access to the Tirich Valley makes Zani An Trek more enticing. The pass is connected by a jeep road, offering trekkers a comfortable and broad trail. This approach makes the climb from Uthool, a small town in the Mulkho region, easier. The elevation gain from Uthool to Zani An is approximately 1200 metres.
Tirich inhabitants use the Zani An pass as the quickest and shortest route to their valley. Interestingly, Tirich locals refer to the pass as Zani An, whereas Uthool inhabitants refer to it as Tirich An. This naming mismatch indicates the historical and cultural importance of this pass to the surrounding populations.
Crossing Zani AnTrek significantly reduces transportation costs and time spent in a jeep for trekkers intending to visit Tirich Mir Base Camp. Larger trekking teams can choose to transport the majority of their supplies by road before trekking into Zani An to meet their support crew in Shagrom, a Tirich Valley village. Even though the trip is very short and straightforward, hikers must acclimatise properly. If necessary precautions are not taken, altitude-related issues can arise quickly. Uthool, at a height of 2640 metres, is a lovely village where hikers can spend the night before crossing the mountain. Larger hiking parties may want to camp on the vast meadow across from the local school. This meadow, surrounded by walnut trees and featuring a nearby freshwater spring, is an excellent camping spot with beautiful views.
To summarise, Zani An Trek is a scenic and strategically important mountain pass in Pakistan. It offers excellent views to hikers, serves as an important route to Tirich Valley, and can significantly reduce transportation time and costs for those heading to Tirich Mir Base Camp. Trekkers should, however, prioritise proper acclimatisation to ensure a safe and comfortable trek via this spectacular pass.
Website Last Updated: February 15th, 2024
