About Shimshal

Shimshal is a small farming and herding community in northern Pakistan. Situated at 3100m above sea level and surrounded by peaks and glaciers, Shimshal is home to approximately 2000 people.

A single road allows vehicle access. Prior to the completion of the road in 2003, Shimshal was reliant on its apricot, wheat and potato harvests, as well as its herds of goats, sheep and yak.

Nowadays, the road permits access for tourists and mountaineers who are drawn to the surrounding mountains, passes and glaciers. This tourism is a major source of income for the community, with many locals working as porters and mountain guides. In fact, within Pakistan and the global mountaineering community, Shimshalis have grown famous as mountaineers, akin to the Sherpas of Nepal.

There are a number of small schools in Shimshal, but college and university students usually leave the village for larger cities and institutions. This generally comes at significant financial cost.