Shishi Koh (also spelt Shishikoh or Shishikuh) is a side valley of Lower Chitral that climbs from about 1,420 metres near Drosh to roughly 4,200 metres at its head. Its main settlement for visitors is Madaklasht, at the top of an unpaved road that runs about 40 km from Drosh. Most people reach it by jeep, and the valley is shut by snow for part of every winter.
It is a quiet valley rather than a sightseeing one. There is no single viewpoint or lake to tick off: the draw is forest, small villages, two unusual communities and a base for walks and treks towards Golen. This guide covers the geography, the road, the people, the seasons and the safety picture.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Lower Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Altitude range | About 1,420 m to 4,200 m |
| Gateway | Drosh, about 43 km south of Chitral town |
| Road | Roughly 40 km, unpaved, from Drosh to Madaklasht |
| Time from Drosh | About 2.5 to 3 hours by jeep; more than 4 hours in poor conditions |
| Languages | Khowar, Gujari and Pashto; Persian in Madaklasht |
| Main trekking links | Golen valley, and other passes used mostly by local herders |
Where is Shishi Koh valley?
The valley is entered from Drosh, the largest town in Lower Chitral after Chitral itself, and gains height all the way up. Madaklasht sits in the extreme north of the valley at around 2,500 to 2,600 metres, and above it the ground rises to the passes that separate Shishi Koh from the Golen valley and from neighbouring catchments.
Drosh is on the main Chitral to Dir road, so the valley is reached from the Lowari Tunnel side without going through Chitral town. If you are coming from Peshawar or Islamabad, the practical plan is to see the Lowari Tunnel guide for the road to Drosh, and turn off there. Our Drosh guide covers the town itself.
Who lives in the valley?
Two communities stand out. The main ethnic group in the valley is the Gujjar, traditionally herders, who settled in this part of Chitral around the early nineteenth century or before. Languages in the valley are Khowar, Gujari and Pashto.
At the top, Madaklasht is different again. Its roughly 4,000 residents speak Madaklashti, a Persian dialect, and most are Ismaili. Local tradition links their ancestors to Badakhshan, across the Afghan border. Our Madaklasht guide has the history and what there is to do in the village.
The road: Drosh to Madaklasht
The road from Drosh is around 40 km and not metalled. Sources give different times: about two and a half hours by 4x4 in good conditions, about three hours by shared jeep from the Shishikoh jeep stand in Drosh, and more than four hours when the surface is bad. Plan for the longer figure, and don't count on a sedan getting through.
Shared jeeps run from the jeep stand in Drosh on a sharing or special-booking basis. Prices are not published anywhere reliable, so ask at the stand and agree the fare before you get in. For a private jeep from Chitral town, see our Chitral to Madaklasht road guide.
When can you go?
The valley is snowbound for several months. Heavy snowfall blocks the jeep road for part of the winter, and the road is described as narrow and snow-covered even when it is being used in winter for the Hindukush snow sports events held at Madaklasht. Summer is the easier season for the road, but it brings flood risk: Chitral's rivers and streams run high with glacier melt in July and August.
That is not theoretical. On 20 July 2026 heavy rain caused flooding in Tangel village in Shishi Koh, damaging roads, public infrastructure and houses, and in August the Madaklasht Road was being cleared and repaired by the Communications and Works Department after flash floods. Ask in Drosh about the current state of the road before you commit to the drive.
For the wider picture of when to visit the district, see our best time to visit Chitral.
What is there to do?
Not a great deal, and that is the point for those who like it.
- Drive and stay. The forested road up to Madaklasht, and a night in a local guesthouse or home.
- Short walks. Around Madaklasht there are streams, the Kurdoodh waterfall and the Andiveer Glacier, mentioned in the village's Wikipedia entry.
- Treks. The best-documented route is the multi-day crossing from Madaklasht to Golen, covered in our Golen Gol trek guide. Other passes out of Shishi Koh are infrequently used, and trekking guides advise going only with local herders who know the ground.
There are no large hotels in the valley. Treat it as simple, small-scale travel and bring what you need from Chitral or Drosh.
Is Shishi Koh valley safe?
Chitral is on the UK government's list of areas where it advises against travel, and the UK advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city, which is the main road to Drosh from the south. Overseas visitors should read their own government's advice before booking, because going against it can void travel insurance.
Pakistani visitors do still travel to Lower Chitral. Even so, check local news and ask police or your hotel in Chitral or Drosh before setting out, carry your CNIC, and expect checkposts. Our Chitral safety guide covers the district in more detail. See also all destinations.
Who is it for?
Shishi Koh suits travellers who already know Chitral and want somewhere with few other visitors, or trekkers heading for Golen. It does not suit anyone short of time, anyone in a low-clearance car, or families who need regular hotels and paved roads. If you only have a few days in Chitral, the Kalash valleys and Chitral town are easier first choices.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Shishi Koh valley?
It is a side valley in Lower Chitral district, reached from Drosh. It rises from about 1,420 metres to about 4,200 metres, with Madaklasht near its northern end.
How far is Shishi Koh from Chitral?
Drosh is about 43 km south of Chitral town, and the unpaved road from Drosh to Madaklasht adds about 40 km. Allow roughly four hours in total by jeep, longer if the road is damaged.
Who lives in Shishi Koh valley?
Gujjar herding families are the main group, with Khowar, Gujari and Pashto spoken. Madaklasht at the top is home to a Persian-speaking Ismaili community.
Can a normal car go to Shishi Koh?
Not reliably. The road is unpaved and has been damaged by floods in 2026, so a jeep or high-clearance 4x4 is the sensible choice.
Is Shishi Koh open in winter?
Snow blocks the jeep road for part of the winter, so check locally. Do not plan a winter trip on the assumption that it will be passable.
