Pamir Serai

Alam Jan Dario and his welcoming Family started this Tourism-Project to bring the Silk-Road Spirit of the Serai (Staging post for Caravans) to new life. The age-old concept fits perfectly together with common farm life in Chapursan Valley.

It provides Trekking Expeditions with shelter and food. Entirely in Wakhi Tradition, it acts as a meeting point at the junction of life, furthering mutual understanding and the exchange of ideas. From here you can start exploring the beautiful nature or find yourself in good company to enjoy Communication & Contacts. You will experience a peaceful atmosphere in a typical home-stay which is comfy and cosy.

Chapursan Valley

The continental plates collided and Hindukush, Karakoram and the Pamir Ranges were thrown up. Now they enclose Chapursan Valley in the far Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is famous for farming the countries best potatoes in the magnificent canyon with its colourful mountain slopes. The river is fed by a number of glaciers - the nearby Wyeen & Yishkuk, and further upstream the Biatar & Kuz Glaciers.

Zood Khun (First House) is the last inhabited village of Chapursan Valley and houses Pamir Serai. An abundance of passes makes it possible for Trekking Expeditions to cross into neighboring valleys: the Lupgar, the Misgar & the Karambar Valleys. The Irshad Urween and Ghulam Ali Passes are still used in living Wakhi Tradition to trade across the border with Khirgiz Nomads.

Trekking Expeditions

You can do small daywalks from Pamir Serai to the crystal-clear Lakes of Jhui Sam or walk together with local women to the Pamiri Pastures above the Yishkuk Glacier. There are numerous routes around Chapursan Valley, a trek up to Kermin Pass or a tour over Wyeen Glacier & Lupgar Pir Pass rewarding you with views of Kuk Sar and Pamiri Peaks. The 'Haute-Route' across the Hindu Raj climbs Chilinji An & Karamabar An Passes to reach the Yarkhun Valley north of Chitral.

You might visit the the revered Shrine of Baba Ghundi and experience Wakhi Tradtion with Alam Jan's father Hadji Mohammad. Horses, Yaks & Donkeys are available for riding or to help you transport provisions for your adventures, and if you need an experienced guide Alam Jan will help you with Communication & Contacts.

Wakhi Tradition

The Wakhis were mentioned by Marco Polo, who traveled along the Silk-Road and eventually found hospitable places similar to Pamir Serai. They inhabit the banks of the River Wakhandarya in present-day Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor), Tajikistan, Chinese Xinjiang and Northern Pakistan.

Chapursan Valley is known for a saint, responsible for a devastating flood sparing only a single righteous woman. Legend has it he slayed a dragon, that dwelled in a lake on the way to the Base Camp for Trekking Expeditions: the revered Ziarat (Shrine) of Baba Ghundi where his sword is kept. Inviting a Guest for Chai (Tea), trading with Khirghiz Nomads and Communication & Contacts is part of the long-standing tradition.

Communication & Contacts

'Pamir Serai' Family Style Guesthouses Alam Jan Dario & Haji Bibi pamirtrails@yahoo.com

P.O. Box 636 15100 Gilgit Northern Areas Pakistan

In Chapursan Valley there is neither Telephone, nor Post Office - though word of mouth has it, that EMail or a Letter in the Post Box will arrive on time. You will reach Pamir Serai in Zood Khun after about four hours Jeep Drive (daily between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm) from Sost, a small village on the Karakoram Highway near the border of Pakistan and China.