In a landmark celebration of the Year of Terich Mir 2025, a team of 16 women trekkers from across Pakistan has set off from Chitral city toward the base camp of Terich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush range. Organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), the weeklong expedition aims to promote adventure tourism and highlight the region’s mountaineering potential.
Two of the trekkers hail from Chitral, while the rest represent all four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan. The send-off ceremony was attended by KPCTA board member Fauzia Bibi and Syed Harir Shah, president of the Chitral tour operators association.
In parallel, a separate team of Pakistani climbers is preparing to summit Terich Mir for the first time. The team includes Sarbaz Khan, Sherzad Karim (Hunza), Akmal Naveed, Shamul Qamar (Chitral), Umar Arshad Khan, Major Atif (Pakistan Army), and Dr. Naveed. Emergency helicopters are on standby at Chitral Airport, and specialized mountaineering gear has been sourced from Nepal and China.
About Terich Mir Peak
Terich Mir is the highest mountain in the Hindu Kush range and the tallest peak in the world outside the Himalayas and Karakoram. Located in the Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, it rises to an elevation of 7,708 meters (25,289 feet) above sea level.
The first recorded ascent of Terich Mir was made on 21 July 1950 by a Norwegian-British expedition led by Arne Næss, along with P. Kvernberg, H. Berg, and Tony Streather. The peak overlooks the town of Chitral and is visible from the main bazaar. The last village before the mountain begins is Tirich, which leads into the glacier valleys and summer pastures that support trekking and climbing routes.
Terich Mir is not only a mountaineering marvel but also a cultural symbol. Its name is believed to mean “King of Darkness” in the Wakhi language, referencing the long shadows it casts over the Wakhan corridor.
Promoting Adventure Tourism
According to KPCTA director Omar Arshad Khan, the expedition is part of a broader initiative to train local climbers and establish Chitral as a hub for mountaineering. Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Aftab Munir emphasized the potential for tourism growth following the Year of Terich Mir celebrations.
