Meet the Team
Beyond The Wonderland Trekking Agency
Beyond The Wonderland is a passionate trekking team in Northern Pakistan, led by Nawaz, the head guide from a legendary Karakoram lineage, and Alice, a French co-founder who has been living in Hunza for over two years.
The team also includes local experts: Cheru (Shimshal), a high-altitude mountain guide; Maq, the living memory of Passu; Saliha, trekker and paragliding enthusiast; Tabassum, mountain guide and local culture specialist; and SamJon, our versatile guide and chef.
Join us for an authentic mountain adventure in Northern Pakistan, guided by those who live and breathe the mountains every day.
Nawaz Ali Khan
Nawaz embodies quiet strength and extensive experience in trekking and mountaineering in Northern Pakistan.
He has explored the Karakoram, discovered Nepal, and carries a wealth of knowledge about the high mountains of the region.
Reserved by nature, Nawaz is a fascinating storyteller once the ice is broken. He loves sharing anecdotes about local culture and history, along with practical tips for adventures and treks in Northern Pakistan.
Fluent in English, Nawaz comes from a legendary lineage of mountain guides. His grandfather guided a K2 expedition with renowned mountaineers Reinhold Messner and Jim Whittaker. Inheriting his grandfather’s adventurous spirit, Nawaz has become one of the most respected high-altitude trekking guides in Northern Pakistan, offering authentic mountain experiences to every adventurer.
Alice Zecca
Alice is the co-founder of Beyond The Wonderland, which she created with Nawaz to combine local engagement, a passion for the mountains, and top-quality expedition organization. Based in Hunza for over two years, she brings more than a decade of experience in expedition logistics, enriched by her Franco-Swiss background and adventures around the world, particularly in the Karakoram.
She has traveled and guided in the Andes, Nepal, and New Zealand, and has participated in multiple winter expeditions in Lapland.
On the ground, Alice oversees every detail to ensure smooth, human-centered, and well-managed trekking experiences, regardless of the level of difficulty or commitment.
When she’s not leading expeditions, Alice dedicates time to introduce young girls from the Hunza Valley to the mountains, teaching them the fundamentals of trekking and outdoor autonomy. Saliha, now an apprentice on some of our departures, was the first to join this program.
This initiative is a concrete way to promote female participation in trekking and open the path for a new generation of local female mountaineers and trekkers in Northern Pakistan.
Saliha
Saliha is a passionate young woman, born and raised in Aliabad, Hunza. Driven by a thirst for adventure, she constantly pushes her own limits.
A member of the local paragliding club, she dreams of soaring through the skies of her region—a dream that is soon becoming reality.
I had the privilege of guiding Saliha on her first treks, including her debut expedition to Rush Lake (the highest lake in Pakistan at 4,694m) and Rush Peak (5,098m).
Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she is eager to share her love for adventure and trekking in Northern Pakistan with every traveler.
Samar aka Sam Jon
SamJon is a passionate mountain guide deeply connected to nature and the vast landscapes of the Karakoram. Born in Passu, he knows his region intimately and has extensively explored challenging routes such as Shimshal, Rush Lake, K2, and the Gondogoro Pass.
With solid field experience, SamJon professionally and reliably leads groups of adventurers on treks and technical expeditions. His deep knowledge of the mountains, combined with his ability to handle difficult conditions, makes him a trusted and respected guide.
SamJon’s diverse experience allows him to offer an authentic and safe trekking experience, while sharing his passion for the wild and magnificent landscapes of Northern Pakistan.
Humble, strong, and incredibly hardworking, he is a valuable member of our team. A former skilled cook, SamJon can also delight groups with delicious meals even at high altitude—and his legendary good humor will almost make you forget the soreness!
Tabassum
Tabassum Sahar is the daughter of Naseer, a high-altitude porter who dedicated over 20 years to the tourism industry. Following in her father’s footsteps, she has distinguished herself as a cultural guide and has been honored with the Women’s Guide Award for her dedication and expertise.
An accomplished athlete, Tabassum holds gold medals in skiing and ice skating, showcasing her exceptional skills in extreme environments.
Her passion for the mountains, combined with her deep knowledge of local culture, makes her a valuable member of Beyond The Wonderland, providing trekkers with authentic and immersive experiences in Northern Pakistan.
Maq
Maq, also from Passu, has known Nawaz since childhood. Their families share deep ties, as Nawaz’s grandfather and Maq’s father were partners on high-altitude expeditions.
Today, this new generation is determined to carry forward their mountain heritage through concrete initiatives. Together, Maq and Nawaz founded the Passu Alpine Club, aimed at training young people in climbing and mountaineering.
The Beyond Boundaries project will create a long-awaited space to pass on their knowledge and passion for the mountains to future generations, ensuring that the rich traditions of Northern Pakistan trekking and mountaineering continue to thrive.
Sheru
Originally from Shimshal, Sheru grew up at 3,000 meters and has spent many winters on the high plateaus at 4,700 meters, where the mountains shape character and teach patience. Every summit, valley, and glacier is part of his daily life, and he knows these mountains better than most.
Whether leading an immersive trek in Shimshal, the legendary Snow Lake expedition, or a high-altitude climb such as Spantik, Sheru is the guide every adventurer dreams of: discreet yet always smiling, attentive, and exceptionally reliable and trailblazer.
With him, every step becomes a lesson in mountaineering and an unforgettable adventure.
Sheru’s passion for the mountains runs in the family: his wife, also a mountaineer, climbed K2 while five months pregnant. This extraordinary achievement reflects the determination, courage, and respect for the mountains that define Sheru—and that he passes on to every adventurer he guides.
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