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PESHAWAR, Jul 11 (APP):As the cold monsoon winds sweep down from the mighty Tirich Mir, Pakistan’s highest mountain peak outside Gilgit-Baltistan, excitement stirs in the remote valleys of Chitral.
Rising to a staggering 7,708 meters above sea level, the snow-clad giant nestled in the Hindukush range is once again at the center of a renewed drive to turn Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) into a global destination for mountaineering and adventure tourism.
On July 13, 2025, the base camp of Tirich Mir will welcome its first group of national and international trekkers for the 2025 climbing season. For many, it’s more than a journey to the summit but it’s a revival of rural dreams, local livelihoods, and cultural heritage.
“I have traveled to mountain ranges around the world, but nothing matches the awe Tirich Mir inspires,” said Abu Zafar, President of Alpine Adventure Sports Club of Pakistan. “Its unexplored potential is unmatched.”
First ascended in 1950 by a Norwegian expedition, Tirich Mir has remained an under-promoted jewel, shrouded in myths, pine forests, and cascading waterfalls.
Now, it is taking the spotlight once more, supported by an ambitious push by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA).
“Tirich Mir, Falak Sair (5,957m) in Swat, and Malika Parbat (5,290m) in Kaghan Mansehra are making KP an emerging hotspot for adventure and mountains sports,” said Habib Arif, Director General of KPCTA.
He added that more than 600 local applicants, including over 100 women, have registered for the climbing events at Tirich Mir, which will span from July through August in three phases. Local porters and guides are being actively engaged, ensuring the economic benefits trickle down to the grassroots.
With the establishment of camping pods, training schools, and integrated tourism zones (ITZs), KP is transforming its mountainous backdrops into bustling eco-tourism hubs.
At a time when unemployment, poverty, security concerns and urban migration continue to plague rural areas of Khyber Pakthunkhwa, tourism offers a practical, inclusive and sustainable solution.
“The economic potential of mountains tourism is massive in Pakistan as five mountains peaks of over 8000 meters found here” said Dr. Naeem Khattak, former Chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar.
“Despite Pakistan being home to five peaks above 8,000 meters including world second hightest K2 , we are earning only a fraction revenue compared to our regional peers due to lack of publicity.”
He referred to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) statistics that revealed that Pakistan’s tourism industry contributed $8.8 billion (2.9% of GDP) in 2017, peaking at $15 billion in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, dragged it back to $11.6 billion, slashing jobs and halting momentum.
Meanwhile, China reaped $814.1 billion from tourism in 2022. Even Malaysia and Indonesia reported significantly higher returns. The disparity, experts say, lies in marketing, infrastructure, and policy execution.
“We must leverage digital technology and highlight our untapped scenic assets to the world,” Dr. Khattak emphasized.
Investments are pouring in. The World Bank-funded 16-km Madaklasht-Kumrat cable car project is poised to be a game changer. With an estimated cost of $200 million, it will be one of the world’s highest cable cars, connecting valleys, reducing travel time, and generating opportunities for over a million annual visitors.
“We envision Chitral as the hub of high-altitude tourism,” said Omair Khattak, General Manager Investment, KPCTA.
Furthermore, the Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZs) in Mankiyal (Swat) and Ganol (Mansehra) are being developed with road connectivity, land development, and eco-friendly facilities across 90 acres combined.
To counter the high costs of private hotels in valleys like Naran and Kaghan, the KP government has introduced affordable camping pods, charging Rs. 3,500–5,000 per night. These pods are now open in locations including Sharan Lake, Gabeen Jaba, Mahaband, Bamburet, Bishigram, and more.
Tourists visiting Tirich Mir will also get to witness the Kalash culture, a unique ethnic group believed to have migrated in the 18th century. Their festivals, dress, and cultural traditions add a vibrant cultural flavor to the region’s natural beauty.
To boost international climbing expeditions, KP has announced a complete royalty fee waiver for 2025-26, which usually ranges between $2,500 and $4,000.
Additionally, an MoU with Italian Professor Pinelli will pave the way for establishing an Adventure Training School in Chitral, catering to both men and women.
As preparations mount for Sunday’s event, the air in Chitral is filled with anticipation. Local trekkers Hussain Shah and Mahmood Chitrali expressed their excitement and said this is our moment to shine. “We have invited friends from Peshawar and hope to show them what makes our mountains so special.”
The path to Tirich Mir may be steep, but for the people of Pakistan and the tourism sector at large, it’s a climb worth taking—one summit at a time.