Darkot Pass:-
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Darkot Pass |
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15,430 ft (4,703.1 m) |
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Location |
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Location |
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 36°44′42″N
73°25′59″E
/ 36.745°N
73.43306°E /
Coordinates: 36°44′42″N
73°25′59″E
/ 36.745°N
73.43306°E /
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Darkot pass (el. 15,430 ft., open May thru October) is a high mountain pass that connects Yarkhun river valley in Chitral to the Ghizar valley (Gupis tehsil of Ghizer district) in Gilgit in Pakistan. It is also known under name Darkut.
The pass is about 10 miles to the east of Koyo Zom (Zum) peak (6872m), the highest peak in Ghizer district. The border between Chitral and Northern Areas runs through the pass over Darkot Glacier. 8 miles to the south is village Darkot (11 miles north of Barkulti) on the River Darkot (small tributary of Ghizar river). To the northeast of the pass is Chitral (Yarkhun river valley). 10 miles to the NW of the pass is village Chilmarabad, just one miles south of Boroghil pass
Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m)) located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is a high mountain pass that connects Chitral to the Gilgit in Pakistan.
It is often called the 'Roof of the World' where the Hindukush, Pamir and Karakoram ranges meet. The top is flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The grade is very gradual, and the area is crossed by small streams of trout. Grazing in summer is plentiful.
Every year there is a polo match played on Shandur Top between rival teams from Chitral and Gilgit.
Shandur Top is one of the four major mountain passes to enter Chitral. The others are Dorah Pass from Badakshan in Afghanistan, Lowari Pass from Dir, and Broghol from the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan.
The people who live on both sides of Shandur Top speak the Khowar language.