Staff Report
PESHAWAR: On the special directives of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur and guidance of Tourism Advisor Zahid Chanzeb, a group of female trekkers has departed from Chitral for the Tirich Mir Base Camp. Special arrangements have been made for the expedition.
The group consists of 16 female trekkers from Chitral (including one from the Kalash community), Gilgit-Baltistan, Baluchistan, Islamabad, and other cities. Speaking on the occasion, Board Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), Bibi Fauzia, said that the Chief Minister is taking priority steps to promote adventure tourism in Chitral. After organizing treks for male trekkers, this initiative aims to provide women with the opportunity to trek to the Tirich Mir Base Camp.
The female trekking group is organized under the joint management of the KPCTA and the Tirich Mir Backpackers Club. It includes three women from Chitral (one from the Kalash community), 4 women from Gilgit-Baltistan, and others from Baluchistan, Islamabad, and various cities. The trekking team is accompanied by 35 local porters and 3 local guides.
The trek to the Tirichmir summit and base camp will not only open opportunities for new climbers in the future but will also contribute to strengthening the economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Chitral. So far, over seven groups have contacted local tour operators in Chitral for trekking, which aligns with the goal to attract trekkers and mountaineers to this magnificent mountain range.
Bibi Fauzia further stated that the plan for the Tirichmir summit was proposed by the KPCTA and was prepared through comprehensive planning aimed at benefiting the local community. For the first time, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken the initiative to officially summit the highest peak of the Hindukush mountain range, Tirichmir. This step is expected to attract not only foreign mountaineers but also Pakistani climbers in the future.
The trekkers will travel from Chitral to Koghozi, Reshun, Booni, and then reach Shahgram. From there, they will proceed to Sheniak Camp, Shughrum Biasam, Astor Nullah, and finally reach Babu Base Camp.
