Broghil Valley National Park

Broghil lies at around 3,300 metres in the far north of Chitral district, a broad valley of marshy pasture, lakes and yak herds where the Hindu Kush flattens into something more like a Central Asian plateau. The inhabitants are Wakhi, speaking the same language as the communities in Gojal and across the Wakhan, and their economy is built on yaks: milk, butter, transport and the felt and wool that go with them. Karomber Lake, one of the highest large lakes in the world at over 4,200 metres, lies at the head of the valley and is reached by a multi-day trek or a very hard jeep push. The valley holds significant wetlands used by migrating birds, and the national park was declared in 2010. A summer festival brings yak polo, buzkashi and music. Getting here is the hard part: the track from Mastuj takes a full day or more.

Background

The park lies in the far north of Upper Chitral District, close to the border with Afghanistan, 250 km from the town of Chitral; it borders Gilgit-Baltistan and the Wakhan corridor and adjoins the Qurumbar National Park. Its height runs between 3,217 and 5,696 m, a country of mountains, grassy plains and valleys with almost 3,400 hectares of peatland and lakes, some 30 freshwater lakes among them, ringed by glaciers. Wakhi, Kyrgyz and Sarikoli people have lived here for hundreds of years, and a 32 km road built by the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme now links the village of Kishmanja with Pechus, Vedin Khot and other places. Recorded species include 23 mammals, among them Siberian ibex, bharal, Marco Polo sheep and Himalayan musk deer, 120 birds, 3 reptiles and 1 amphibian.

Source: Wikipedia, "Broghil Valley National Park"

What's there

• Yak pastures - herds and Wakhi summer camps across the valley floor.
• Broghil wetlands - marshes and lakes used by migrating birds.
• Karomber Lake - a very high lake at the head of the valley.
• The summer festival - yak polo and traditional games in July.

When to go

July to September only; snow closes the track for the rest of the year and the valley is effectively cut off through winter. The festival falls in midsummer. Even in August, nights are near freezing at this altitude.

Before you go

Access is difficult: a long, rough jeep journey with river crossings that can stop vehicles for days. There is no hotel infrastructure, only homestays and camping. Supplies must be brought in. Altitude affects most visitors. This is expedition travel, not sightseeing.

Nearby

Mastuj and the Shandur road lie south; Chitral is two days away.

Key facts