Thui Pass (also spelt Thoi) is a 4,499-metre pass in the Shandur range that connects Nialthi in the Thui valley of Yasin, Gilgit-Baltistan, with Gazin in the Yarkhun valley of Upper Chitral. Trekkers cross it in about three to five days, in either direction, usually between June and October. It is graded moderate to demanding, mostly because of the pass day and a glacier crossing, and it needs a guide or an operator.
Most readers searching for "Thui" want to know what the walk involves and whether they can manage it. This guide covers the valley, the route, the season, and the hard parts, and it is honest about where sources disagree.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Pass altitude | 4,499 m (some operators quote about 4,500 m or higher) |
| Connects | Nialthi (Thui valley, Yasin) and Gazin (Yarkhun valley, Chitral) |
| Road head on the Yasin side | Nialthi |
| Duration | About 3 to 5 days on foot, depending on route and pace |
| Best months | June to October |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging; one long pass day and a glacier crossing |
| Gilgit to Yasin | About 120 to 150 km, 4 to 5 hours |
What is the Thui valley?
Thui is one of the side valleys of Yasin, the westernmost valley of the Gupis-Yasin district, where Burushaski is the main language. The Yasin side is reached by road from Gilgit through Gahkuch and Gupis to Yasin, and a jeep track continues to the road head at Nialthi, where the trek begins. Our guide to Yasin Valley covers the main valley, its forts and its villages.
The pass itself lies on an old trade and travel route between Yasin and the Yarkhun valley, which runs towards Mastuj and Chitral. On the far side, Khowar is spoken in the villages around Gazin.
How far is Yasin from Gilgit?
Sources put the distance from Gilgit to Yasin at around 120 to 150 km, depending on which village you count as Yasin, and four to five hours by road. The road is paved to Gupis and rougher beyond it. A sedan can reach Yasin town in good weather, but a jeep is more comfortable, and a jeep is needed for the track up to Nialthi. See our guide to Gupis valley for the stretch you pass through.
The Thui Pass trek, step by step
Operators' itineraries differ in where they put camps, so treat this as the shape of the trek rather than a timetable. All of them describe the same route.
- Nialthi to the first camp. About an hour on the jeep track, then a clear path along the Thui river through fields and juniper and birch trees. Accounts give three to four hours of walking a day on the first two days.
- Towards the glacier. The valley narrows, with views of peaks around 6,000 metres. Camps are described at about 4,100 metres before the glacier.
- The glacier crossing. The Hagosht Bar (also spelt Aghost Bar) glacier is a mix of ice and boulders. One trekker's account says ropes are not needed unless fresh snow hides crevasses, which is a reason to take a guide and not rely on that.
- Pass day. The longest day, six to seven hours in one itinerary, with a climb of about 500 metres to the pass over grass, then rock and scree, with stone cairns at the top.
- Descent towards Gazin. A gentler day into the Gazin valley, where trekkers can arrange onward transport or continue towards Mastuj and Chitral town.
Many trekkers go the other way, from Gazin to Nialthi, so the pass is crossed on the second or third day. One account says porters are paid for four days even when the trek can be done in three.
When to go
June to October is the usual window. Early in the season more snow lies on the pass and glacier, and in October days are short and the nights are cold. Weather at altitude changes quickly, so keep a spare day for the pass. See our Ghizer seasons guide for valley weather.
Who can do it?
Operators call the trek moderate. Walking days of three to seven hours are typical, with one steep scree section and a glacier. You do not need technical climbing skills, but you do need to be fit and used to walking for days with a pack or porters.
A few points before you commit:
- Altitude. Camps go above 4,000 metres. Read our altitude sickness guide and add a rest day if you are new to altitude.
- Guides and porters. Hire both from Yasin or Gazin. A local guide knows the glacier crossing and the streams. See our trekking permit page for what applies in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Permits. Sources conflict on whether a permit is needed for this route today, so ask a registered operator before you go.
- Ending in Chitral. If you finish in Gazin you are in Upper Chitral, which has its own conditions. Check the situation locally.
- Signal. Expect none for most of the walk.
Is it safe?
The Yasin side is in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against, and Pakistani trekkers do cross Thui. The hazards are mostly physical: altitude, river crossings, scree and glacier travel, and weather.
Security conditions can change. The UK advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city, against travel within ten miles of the Afghan border, and against the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, so check current advice for the Chitral end, and before choosing your road route to Gilgit. Overseas visitors should know that going against their government's advice can void travel insurance. Our guide to safety in Gilgit-Baltistan explains the options, and the Darkot valley guide covers another route from Yasin.
Is Thui Pass worth it?
For experienced walkers who want a remote, uncrowded crossing between Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, yes. It can be done in under a week and passes through villages and meadows as well as the glacier and the pass.
It is not for first-time trekkers, for anyone who dislikes exposed scree, or for people with only a weekend. If you want to see Thui valley without the pass, hiring a jeep for a day in Yasin gives you the valley and the villages. Our experiences page lists other options.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Thui Pass?
About 4,499 metres (14,760 feet), according to Wikipedia. Some operators say about 4,500 metres.
Where does the Thui Pass trek start and end?
It runs between Nialthi in Yasin and Gazin in the Yarkhun valley of Upper Chitral, and can be done in either direction.
How many days does the Thui Pass trek take?
Between about three and five days on foot, depending on the itinerary and where you camp. Porters may be paid for four days.
Is Thui Pass difficult?
Operators call it moderate to challenging. The pass day is long and steep, with scree, and there is a glacier crossing on the way.
When is the best time for Thui Pass?
June to October. Early season brings more snow on the pass, and October brings cold nights.
Do I need a guide for Thui Pass?
Sources do not require one, but a local guide is strongly advisable for the glacier crossing, route-finding and arranging porters.
