Itinerary
The Itinerary for Gree An is noticeable below
Walk up the valley for 20 minutes along the Birir Gol to Bishala and cross the river. A Bashali can be found immediately below the footbridge on the true left bank. Continue 10 minutes up the true left bank to Gaskuru. Turn north up a side valley for 15 minutes until you reach the trail divide. There are two trails that travel from here to the pass. Straight ahead, up a rocky hill with a few trees, lies a considerably steeper but shorter herder's track. Instead, take the path to the right, where you will enter a small black-walled gorge (tang in Persian), with towering rock walls that provide morning shade. The road to the pass is mostly dry, so fill up at the canal before continuing up the canyon. 1½ to 2¼ hours on the relentlessly steep, rocky path. The canyon gradually opens up as the trail travels through scattered oaks, hollies, pines, cedars, and junipers. Water can be found halfway up, but it is untrustworthy. As you approach an open grazing region with a lot of deadwood, the steepness decreases.
The steeper herder's trail meets the George trail here. (When descending from the pass to Birir, the herders' track is clearly seen traversing the hillside. The path down into the gorge is less clear, but it bears east or left). The pass is initially visible from the grazing area's head. Turn northeast (right) and continue up switchbacks of loose, steep rock among Chilghoza pines for 45 minutes to an hour to the pass. Green An (3060m) offers spectacular views of Tirich Mir and Noshaq to the north, while Istor-o-Nal conceals behind Tirich Mir.
Ghumbak, a Muslim village in Bumboret, is the destination of the descent. Descend through the woods along the actual side of a gully (which is snow-filled early in the season and dry later). The route crosses and then quickly recrosses the valley where the first side stream joins from the east. Water is available from a second side stream further down. Gumbak (3130m) can be reached in 1 12 to 2 hours. Bumboret has a clear view of the pass. It is located to the east of the forested low point on the ridge, where the trees meet the Gorimun Zom rock. Bachay Maddir and Onsets are both names for the darker mountain west of the pass.
Holiday Overview
The Gree An trek begins in the Birir town of Guru and leads travellers through a forested ridge to the Bumboret village of Gumbak. This pass is affectionately known as Gree An in Birir and Gumbak An in Bumboret by the locals. The walk features high ascents and descents on both sides of the pass, making it a thrilling and physically difficult adventure. The walk to Birir is significantly longer, with a 132-meter gain and a 930-meter descent.
Gree An, located to the west of the notable Gorimun Zom peak at a height of 3,157 metres, is one of two passes connecting Birir and Bumboret. Maskor Pass, located to the east of Gree An, provides an alternate route between Nojhbiu, located east of Guru in Birir, and Burn in Bumboret. Although Maskor Pass is slightly longer, both passes offer trekkers unique experiences and spectacular landscapes.
The walk begins with a slow ascent through deep forests and difficult terrain, gradually leading to Gree An's top. Trekkers who reach the pass are rewarded with an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding terrain, including the magnificence of the Hindukush Peaks. These towering mountains give a spectacular background to the Kalasha hill area and attest to the region's natural splendour.
Trekkers descend the other side of Gree An, passing through beautiful woods and into the scenic settlements of Bumboret. Visitors can immerse themselves in the culture and customs of the Kalash people, a distinct indigenous tribe recognised for their lively festivals, colourful dress, and distinct way of life. Exploring these villages and meeting with the Kalash people allows you to have an intimate understanding of their rich cultural history.
The Gree An trek combines natural wonder, physical difficulty, and cultural immersion. It allows trekkers to discover the stunning scenery of northern Pakistan while also learning about the lives of the Kalash people. This hike is not just a tour across beautiful terrain, but it is also a celebration of the Kalasha region's robust and vibrant culture. Gree An is an invitation to people seeking adventure and cultural exploration in a country where nature's majesty and tradition's beauty combine to produce an amazing experience.
