Kilik Pass facts for kids

The Kilik Pass is a high mountain pass located in Pakistan, about 30 kilometers west of the Mintaka Pass. A mountain pass is like a natural gateway through mountains. It's a lower point that makes it easier to cross from one side to another. The Kilik Pass is very high up, at 4,827 meters (about 15,837 feet) above sea level.

In ancient times, the Kilik Pass and the Mintaka Pass were the main ways to enter the Upper Hunza Valley (also known as Gojal Valley) from the north. These passes were very important for travel and trade between different regions.

Why Was the Kilik Pass Important?

The Kilik Pass was a key part of ancient trade routes, especially for people traveling between the Tarim Basin (in what is now China) and northern Kashmir. It was known as one of the shortest and quickest ways to cross the mountains.

Ancient Trade and Travel

Even though it was a quick route, traveling through the Kilik Pass was very difficult and dangerous. It was mostly suitable for people walking on foot. From a place called Tashkurgan, travelers would go south to the Minteke River. Then they would head west to reach the Mintaka Pass or the Kilik Pass.

Once travelers crossed these passes into Upper Hunza, they faced more challenges. They had to go through dangerous "hanging passages" to reach Gilgit. From Gilgit, goods could be moved further. They could go east to Kashmir and then to Taxila, or west to Chitral, which led to places like Jalalabad or Peshawar.

Carrying Goods Through the Mountains

Animals loaded with goods, like donkeys or camels, could cross the Mintaka and Kilik passes. These passes were often open all year round. However, after crossing the passes, the goods often had to be carried by porters (people who carry heavy loads) to Gilgit. This part of the journey was very expensive and risky.

Once in Gilgit, the goods could be reloaded onto pack animals again. This system shows how challenging and complex ancient trade was in this mountainous region.

Kilik Pass vs. Mintaka Pass

For a long time, the Mintaka Pass was the main route used by travelers. However, glaciers (large sheets of ice) started to grow and block the Mintaka Pass. This made it harder to use.

Because of this, the Kilik Pass became more popular for caravans. Caravans are groups of traders traveling together, often with animals. The Kilik Pass was wider and didn't have as many glaciers. It also had enough pasture land for the animals to graze. This made it a better choice for traders coming from China and Afghanistan.

Modern Travel Routes

Today, most people don't use the Kilik Pass for major travel. A new, modern road called the Karakoram Highway was built. This highway goes further south and west, crossing the Khunjerab Pass. The Khunjerab Pass is even higher than the Kilik Pass, at 4,934 meters (about 16,188 feet). This highway has made travel and trade much easier and safer in the region.