The Shah Jinali Pass trek is a four-day walk across the Hindu Raj in Upper Chitral, from Rua at the head of the Rich valley to Yashkist in the upper Yarkhun valley, crossing Shah Jinali An at about 4,140 metres. Operators grade it moderate and run it from mid-June to mid-September. The name means "the king's polo ground", after the wide, flat meadow just below the top.
It is one of the gentler passes in this part of Chitral: mostly meadow and river valley, and a clear start and finish with a road at each end. This guide covers the route stage by stage, how to reach the start, when to go, what the trek asks of you, and the safety advice that applies to this part of Chitral.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Route | Rua (Rich valley) to Yashkist (upper Yarkhun), 39 km |
| Duration | About 4 days of walking |
| Pass | Shah Jinali An, about 4,140 m (some sources say 4,100 m) |
| Start and finish | Rua about 2,820 m; Yashkist about 2,850 m |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Season | Mid-June to mid-September |
| Can be walked | In either direction |
Where is the Shah Jinali Pass?
The pass joins the north end of the Rich Gol, a side valley of the Turikho, to Yashkist in the Yarkhun valley. It sits on the Hindu Raj range, and the route runs within roughly 8 km of the Wakhan Corridor, the narrow strip of Afghanistan that separates Pakistan from Tajikistan. That closeness to the border matters for the safety section below.
Most operators run it from Rich to Yarkhun. One trek report notes it can be walked in either direction, starting from either valley.
The route, stage by stage
Operators and trekking write-ups name the same sequence of camps, though they split the days a little differently.
- Rua to Dershal. Rua is the last permanent settlement in the Rich valley. The trail follows the river through fields, then juniper and scrub, to Dershal, a summer settlement at about 3,300 metres. One trek report mentions crossing a natural glacier bridge on this first day.
- Dershal to Shah Ghari. The valley opens into pasture and the climb is gradual.
- Shah Ghari to the Shah Jinali meadows and the pass. The top is a broad plateau rather than a sharp saddle, marked by stone cairns. Walkers describe knee-deep grass and flowers here in summer.
- Down to Ishporodok and on to Yashkist. The descent leads to the Yarkhun valley. From Yashkist it is a short walk, about 15 minutes by one description, to the bridge below Shusht, where the main road gives onward transport.
Wooden bridges cross the Shah Jinali river on the way.
How to get to Rua
The road runs from Booni through the Torkhow valley to Rua, and a trekker who walked this route reported four to five hours by jeep from Booni. Another source gives about eight hours by jeep from Chitral town, which is consistent: Chitral to Booni is itself a long drive on a narrow road. The road is rough, jeep-only and, according to Chitral news reports in 2025 and 2026, in poor repair in several places along the Torkhow branch, so allow for delays and do not book a tight connection the same day.
Our guides to Booni and Mastuj cover the towns on either side of the trek, and the Chitral jeep rental guide explains how vehicles for roads like this are usually arranged.
When to go
The trek is described by operators as a mid-June to mid-September route, and nearly all groups go in July and August when the pass is clear of snow. Outside those months snow can still lie on the upper ground, and operators do not run the route.
Whatever the month, weather at 4,000 metres changes quickly. Our Chitral weather by month guide shows how the main valley compares, but expect it to be noticeably colder at camp.
How hard is it?
It is graded moderate, and that fits. The distance is modest and the pass is not technical, but you start close to 2,800 metres and sleep above 3,000 for several nights, so altitude is the main test rather than the terrain.
- Fitness: you should be comfortable walking six to eight hours a day with a pack or a day bag.
- Altitude: go up gradually, drink plenty and treat a worsening headache, vomiting or confusion as a reason to descend.
- Navigation: the trail is clear in the valleys, but the plateau at the top is wide, and cloud can make a route-finding mistake easy. This is one reason to walk with a local guide.
- Camping: you will need tents, food and fuel for the whole route. There are no hotels between Rua and Yashkist.
Permits and rules
One trekking directory describes the area as a restricted zone where no permit is required. Rules for border areas can change, so ask a Chitral operator or the district administration before you go, and carry your CNIC or passport at all times. Foreign visitors should also ask about checkposts on the road from Chitral.
Is it safe? UK advice and current conditions
Upper Chitral is not a place where security advice can be ignored. The UK government's Pakistan travel advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all travel on the N45 road from Mardan to Chitral city, including the Kalash valleys, against all travel within 10 miles of the Afghan border, and against all travel to Upper and Lower Dir and Swat, which most travellers cross on the way to Chitral. The Rich valley and the upper Yarkhun are close to the Wakhan border, so parts of this route may fall inside that 10-mile zone.
Pakistani visitors do trek and drive in Chitral, but 2026 has been a difficult year for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a whole, with attacks in Swat, Lower Dir, Kohat and Bannu. Check local news and current police advice before leaving Chitral. Our guide to whether Chitral is safe goes through the road situation in more detail.
If you hold a foreign passport, your government's advice may say not to go, and travelling against it can void travel insurance. Read your policy first. Travelling by air to Chitral avoids the Dir road, though flights are often cancelled for weather.
Who should do it, and what to do instead
The trek suits fit walkers with some previous camping experience who want a real mountain crossing without technical difficulty, and who will travel with a local guide or operator. It is a poor choice for anyone who cannot take a few days of delays on rough roads, or who needs certainty about the security picture.
For a shorter, lower walk, our guide to treks in Chitral lists day walks near the town. For the better-known high route in the same valley system, see the Tirich Mir base camp trek. Browse more on our experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Shah Jinali Pass trek take?
About four days of walking from Rua to Yashkist. Operators who include travel from Islamabad and a Kalash visit sell it as a 10 to 12 day trip.
How high is Shah Jinali Pass?
About 4,140 metres on most trekking sources, though one account gives about 4,100 metres. The start at Rua is around 2,820 metres.
What is the best time for the Shah Jinali trek?
Mid-June to mid-September, with July and August the most reliable months for clear weather and a snow-free pass.
Does the trek need a permit?
One trekking directory says no permit is needed even though the area is restricted. Rules change, so confirm with an operator or the district administration before you set out.
Why is it called the king's polo ground?
The name refers to the wide flat meadow just before the top, where the ground is level enough to resemble a polo field.
Is Shah Jinali Pass safe?
The trail itself is not technical, but the area is close to the Afghan border and the UK advises against all travel within 10 miles of it. Check current advice and local news before you go.
