Chillinji An/Qalandar Uween - Trek Summary

[Ahmad A Karim]

Chillinji An (5160m)

6 days

57 km

Very demanding, technical

Start: Baba Ghundi Ziarat

end: Bort

Total stages: 8

Cross a challenging glaciated pass along Pakistan's northernmost border between dramatic landscape of Chapursan and the rock walls and spires of the Karambar Valley

You will cross from Chapursan Valley into the Karambar Valley which lies to its West. 

You can do this by crossing one Chillinji An (traveling East to West)

The east side of the pass is glaciated. The west side is dry, steep and has scree.

Chillinji An should be crossed from east to west and trekkers should be pre-acclimatized. Only very strong parties can attempt Chillinji An from West to East.

Day 1: Baba Ghundi Ziarat (3660m) - Yarz Yarz 

4 hrs

5.4 kms

140m ascent

Day 2: Yarz Yarz - Biatar 

5 hrs

7 km

220m ascent

Day 3: Biatar - Chillinji An Base Camp 

5-7 hrs

4.6 kms

600 m ascent

Note: Some rock fall danger along the route

Day 4:Chillinji An BC to Jungle Camp

8-9 hrs

7 km

540 m ascent

1560 m descent

Notes: Ascent requires roped travel and avoiding crevasses. Descent is steep and has danger of rock fall.

Days 5-6: Jungle Camp to Bort

33 km

872 m descent

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Alternatively, you can go the Qalandar Uween route. Qalandar Uween is a pass that is practically parallel to Chillinji An, but it is normally crossed in the other direction i.e. from west to east. 

Days 1-3: (can be provided upon request)

See first 3 days of the Karombar An trek except leave Karambar valley at Waraghut via cable crossing and walk another 3 km to Jungle Camp (3600m)

Day 4: Jungle Camp to Qalandar Uween BC

5-6 hrs. 

3.4 kms

1110 m ascent

Day 5: Qalandar Uween BC - Pass - Biatr

11-12 hrs

8.2 kms

510 m ascent

1200 m descent

Climbing up to the pass involves navigating a 50 degree slope where use of trekking pole is required. Avoid dropping rocks on people below you.

Beginning of descent requires descending in roped teams.

Later on, while rope is not required, the descent is still steep.