bashkar gol: kumrat valley and bashkargol lake trek

mastuj and shundur pass

camp'n near bashkargol

near lake

lake bashkargol chat upper end

bashkargol lower end

laspur bashkargol trek

zhegi lake

look'n bk zhegi

thalo en to bashkargol

Bashkargol chat lake; accessible both from kumrat valley, upper dir and sorlaspur, a village in chitral near shundur pass. At distance of 28km it is a steep ascending trail leading to lake, which is arduous and a bit dangerous. Apart from a little settlement at the distance of 8km, approached by a jeep-able road, there is not even a single hutch or cottage all way long. It takes a full day hike to make there. One must backpack grub and camp. The rule is simple; follow the river. The alternative; rout taken from kumrat valley is too long but very safe and easy. 8hrs of gentle hike brings you to shazur, the last 'banda' of the valley. First half of the trail is 4wheel but then one misses to follow a mild loitering trail along river in scenic kumrat valley; a valley of cascades rills and snake-trail amid woods. There is settlement of welcoming families at intervals. There are two small lakes at shahzur and a couple at the pass too. Night at shazur is advisable and next day a stretch of 11hrs brings you to the upper end of the lake. Trail offers some spectacular views of glaciers, glacial lakes, and of course zhegi lake. Rules again are very simple; follow the river, on right till thalo en and on left after the pass. Crossing the small channels, just before they feed the lake, and following the rout to sorlaspur is a better option than flipping back. For more info text on 03369161210 or asimshah9237 (fb).