Chapursan


Chipursan is a valley containing approximately eight scattered villages situated in the Gojal Tehsil of the Hunza District of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is located in the northern part of the country, close to the border with the Wakhan District of the Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan and the Xinjiang autonomous region of China. The valley is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Wakhis; the village of Raminj in this region is inhabited by ethnic Burushos. The valley's inhabitants largely adhere to the Isma'ili sect of Shia Islam. Chapurson hosts over 500 households with an estimated population of 3000 people.

Geography

The Chipurson valley is above from sea level, and the villages are Yarzerech, Raminj, Kirmin, Khill, Rashet, Sheresubz, Ispenj, Shetmerg and Zood Khun.
After Zood Khun pastures are Yashkuk, Kukchaizem, Biban Joi, Kohrben, Korkot, Joi Sam, Dainkut, Khudayar Alga, Kimkut and Baba Ghundi, a major shrine in the Hunza District which is visited by many all year round. Further ahead lie Yashwoshitk, Shipodkut, Pomiri, Pamir and more.
All the names of villages and pastures are in Wakhi language.
The valley is full of peaks and passes. Passes include Irshad Pass between Pakistan and Afghanistan and Lupghar Pir Pass between Yeshkuk and Raminj village. Peaks include Sakar Sar, Kumpire Dior, Pamir Sar, Sarmaya Sar, Kuksar, and Lupghar Sar.

Sites of interest

Chapursan Valley has historical places. like Yaskuk, Rovai Sam, Khumpir Dior, and the Shrine of Baba Ghundi.
Shrine of Baba Ghundi in the Chuparsan Valley is the shrine of the famous Pir of Ghund who is celebrated in legend as the Sufi saint who brought Islam to the valley. The saint is not actually buried here. The former Mir of Hunza kept his herds of sheep and goats for grazing around here and used to visit the shrine every year. The people of Hunza Valley also revere the saint and it is said that children who are a problem for their parents have only to taste the mud from a stream near Baba Ghundi to become obedient and well behaved.

Peaks, Passes and Glaciers of Chapurson Valley

Chapurson Valley Known for its rugged, high-altitude terrain, the valley is characterized by numerous towering peaks, challenging mountain passes, and extensive glaciers, forming a significant part of the Karakoram mountain range. The geography of Chapurson is dominated by its mountainous environment. Elevations range from approximately 3,700 meters at lower localities to over 7,000 meters at its highest peaks. The valleys are typically narrow, with steep slopes leading up to vast ice fields and rock faces.

Peaks

The Chapurson Valley is home to several prominent peaks, many of which exceed 6,000 meters in elevation. These peaks present significant challenges for mountaineers due to their technical difficulty and remote locations.
S.No.Peak NameElevation Elevation Notes
01Kumpir Dior Sar716823,517Also known as Kampire Dior; one of the highest peaks in the region.
02Pamir Sar701623,018located in the Karakoram range. Sometimes referred to as Pamiri Sar.
03Kuksar694322,779Referred to as Kuk Sar is a 6,943m peak in the Karakoram range of the Himalayas
04Kuk Sar II692522,719
05Khuz Sar 667721,906
06Yishkuk Sar 666821,877A quiet American team has made the first ascent of Yashkuk Sar, a lonely 6,667m peak in Pakistan
07Kumpire Doir Sar II657221,562
09Sakar Sar627220,577Located 9 km east of the Irshad Pass on the watershed between Wachandarja in the north and Chapursan in the south
10Yishkuk Sar II624420,486Yaskuk has two separate peaks, 6,667m Yashkuk Sar I and 6,244m Yashkuk Sar II.
11Nadim Sar621120,377
12Caboom Sar618620,295
13Dehli Sangi-sar616520,226
14Mamu Sar609619,999
15Lupsuk Sar608219,954
16Zood Khun Peak608019,948
17Kutshkulin Sar607419,928
18Constanzia Sar590219,364
19Ghorhill Sar580019,029Referred to as Ghorhil Sar and was first climbed in 2006. The mountain is situated in a region known for high peaks, such as Lupghar Peak and Kuk Sar.
20Jahangir Sar580019,029
21Baden Sar545517,897
22Reshitipur Sar541317,760
23Sumayar Sar522117,130
24Spandrin Sar482915,843
25Raminji Sar465115,259
26Suki Yenj443114,537

Passes

Mountain passes in Chapurson serve as crucial routes for local communities and historical trade, connecting the valley with neighboring regions and even across international borders.
S.No.Pass NameElevation Elevation Lie Between
01Chilinji Pass541117,753Karambar valley in Ishkoman with the Chapursan Valley.
02Irshad Pass 496316,283Chapurson, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Wakhan Corridor, Afghanistan. Historically significant for cross-border movement.
03Lupghar Pir Pass519017,028Chapurson - Yashkuk to Raminj Village.
04ShuvQuir443014,534Chapurson - Misgar.
05Ghulam Ali PassN/AN/A

Glaciers and Localities

The valleys and lower slopes of Chapurson are shaped by the presence of several significant glaciers, which are vital water sources and influence the local climate and ecology. Surrounding these glaciers are various small localities.
S.No.NameTypeElevation Elevation DetailAssociated Peaks/Passes
01Shikardesh KukLocality375112,306A locality in Hunza-Nagar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, situated near Lal Mitti and Kuk Jerab. Kuz Sar, Kumpire Dior Sar
02Kuk JerabLocality391012,828A locality in Hunza-Nagar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, situated near Lal Mitti and Shikardesh Kuk. Kuk Sar, Pamir Sar, Lupghar Pir Pass, Lupghar Group
03Yashkuk Yaz GlacierGlacier392912,890A glacier located near Pamri and Shikardesh Kuk. Yishkuk Sar, Nadim Sar, Cobeen Sar, Jahangir Sar, Kumpire Dior, Koz Sar, Mamu Sar
04Chillinji GlacierGlacier384812,625Koz Sar
05Ghulam Ali PassPass N/AN/A
06BiyaterLocality402713,212A locality in Hunza-Nagar District, Gilgit-Baltistan, situated near Yoe Virt and Beskiyeng.
07Qoz Yaz GlacierGlacier404913,284A glacier situated near Biyatar and Beskiyeng.