Kilik and Mintaka Trek

Kilik and Mintaka situated on Pakistan’s border with China, more than 1,000 years ago, these were the Silk Route’s primary passes for the Karavans and traders between China and Hunza to subcontinent. The Mintaka pass is the central Asian watershed beyond it located the rolling high plateau of Central Asia. The area is glacier free and grass covered which provided enough pasture land for the horses, yaks and camels of Karavans and domestic animals alike, still today, the area near Kilik provides some of the best grazing for the livestock of Misgar village.

A broad easy path still leads up through pastureland to these passes and today these broad valleys and extensive alpine meadows, once closed to foreigners, are again accessible.

The wide paths to these gentle passes are easy to follow, springs and trees are abundant, and camp sites are grassy, making this one of easiest treks.  The landscapes vary between sharp needles of the Karakoram and the mountains of Pamir range. The area is rich in wild life, with little luck one can see Ibex, wolves or bears, and marmots etc.