Things to Do in Hunza Valley: 20 Best Places & Activities

Hunza is the valley people fall in love with: a string of apricot orchard villages beneath 7,000 metre giants, ancient forts on the cliffs, a turquoise lake born from a landslide, and the road to the Chinese border at the top of the world. It is also widely called the safest and friendliest corner of Pakistan. There is far more to do here than first meets the eye, so here are the best things to do in Hunza Valley, with real altitudes, distances and entry fees, from the famous forts and viewpoints to glacier walks and the high Khunjerab Pass. For trip logistics like how to get here and where to stay, see our full [Hunza Valley travel guide](/blog/hunza-valley-travel-guide). ## The best things to do in Hunza - **Baltit Fort**, the valley's icon, a roughly 700 year old former royal residence perched above Karimabad, beautifully restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service, with carved wooden balconies and sweeping views of Ultar Peak. Open about 9 am to 5 pm. - **Altit Fort**, even older at around 900 to 1,100 years, the original seat of the Mir of Hunza, with a royal garden and an award winning restoration. Entry is roughly 500 to 650 rupees for locals and more for foreigners. - **Eagle's Nest viewpoint at Duikar**, a 15 to 30 minute drive above Karimabad, the classic sunrise and sunset spot with a panorama of Rakaposhi, Lady Finger (Bublimating) and Spantik. Go at dawn to beat the crowds. - **Attabad Lake**, the surreal turquoise lake formed by the 2010 landslide, now about 21 km long and ringed with boating, jet skis, ziplines and camping. Best from June to September, with a small entry fee. - **Passu Cones (Passu Cathedral)**, the cathedral like granite spires rising to about 6,106 metres in upper Hunza, among the most photographed mountains in Pakistan. - **Passu Glacier**, a short walk or drive off the Karakoram Highway, with a glacier front cafe famous for apricot cake. - **Hussaini Suspension Bridge**, the thrilling plank bridge over the Hunza River near Gulmit, around 100 feet above the water and built of some 400 wooden planks, for a small fee. - **Khunjerab Pass**, the 4,693 metre Pakistan China border, the highest paved border crossing in the world, about 100 km and two and a half to three hours from central Hunza, set within Khunjerab National Park where you may spot ibex, marmots and yaks. Allow a full day for the round trip. - **Borith Lake**, an alpine lake at about 2,600 metres near Gulmit, good for a quiet stop, camping and the Zero Point view of the Passu Cones. - **Hopper (Hopar) Valley and Glacier**, across in Nagar about 40 to 45 minutes from Karimabad, a dramatic bowl of glaciers, the trailhead for Rush Lake, the highest lake in Pakistan at about 4,694 metres. - **Rakaposhi Viewpoint at Ghulmet**, on the way into Hunza, where the 7,788 metre giant rises almost straight from the road, with a cafe perched opposite. - **Ganish village**, the oldest settlement in Hunza, a UNESCO award winning heritage site with centuries old carved wooden mosques, watchtowers and the sacred Haldeikish rocks. - **Karimabad bazaar**, the lively heart of the valley, for handicrafts, gemstones, dried apricots and the warmest hospitality in the country. ## Treks and adventure Hunza is a trekker's dream. Beyond the easy glacier walks at Passu and Hopper, the classics include the **Rakaposhi Base Camp** trek, a two to three day route from Minapin into the shadow of the peak, the demanding **Rush Lake** trek above Hopper to the highest lake in the country, and the remote **Shimshal Valley**, five hours beyond Passu, a high village world of yak pastures and serious mountaineering. Closer to Karimabad, the hike up the **Ultar Nala** toward the base of Lady Finger is a rewarding day out. Most treks need no permit, though a local guide is wise on the higher routes. ## Cultural experiences Part of Hunza's magic is its culture. The valley is largely Ismaili, famously literate and welcoming, with its own languages, Burushaski and Wakhi. Beyond the forts and Ganish, look for the **women run carpet and craft centres** in Gulmit, traditional music and polo, and the apricot and cherry orchards that turn the whole valley pink in spring and gold in autumn. Simply walking the old village lanes of Karimabad, Altit and Ganish is an experience in itself. ## Hunza food to try Hunza's cuisine is hearty mountain fare built on apricots, walnuts and buckwheat. Do not miss **chapshuro**, a baked meat filled pastry, **hoilo garma** and **doudo** noodle dishes, fresh apricots and apricot oil flatbreads, walnut cake in the Karimabad cafes, and the famous local mulberry and apricot. The valley's produce is a big part of its reputation for long, healthy lives. ## Best time to do what - **Cherry and apricot blossom:** mid March to mid April, when the orchards bloom pink and white. - **Lakes, Khunjerab and treks:** June to September, the warmest months with everything open. - **Autumn colour:** late October to mid November, when the poplars and orchards turn gold, a photographer's favourite. - **Snow and quiet:** December to March, starkly beautiful but with limited services and a closed Khunjerab. See our [best time to visit Pakistan](/blog/best-time-to-visit-pakistan) guide for the full month by month view. ## Hunza with family Hunza is one of the easiest northern valleys for families. The forts, the Eagle's Nest viewpoint, boating on Attabad Lake and the Karimabad cafes are all gentle and accessible, the roads are comparatively good, and the valley's reputation as the safest in Pakistan makes it a relaxed choice with children. Save the hard treks for another trip and keep the Khunjerab day flexible for the altitude. ## A simple three to four day plan - **Day 1:** Settle in Karimabad, explore Baltit and Altit forts and the old town, and catch sunset from Eagle's Nest. - **Day 2:** Drive up the Karakoram Highway to Attabad Lake for boating, then on to the Passu Cones, Passu Glacier and the Hussaini Bridge. - **Day 3:** The full day run to Khunjerab Pass and the national park, returning to Karimabad. - **Day 4:** Cross to Nagar for the Hopper Valley glaciers, or visit Ganish and relax in the Karimabad bazaar. ## Practical tips - **Altitude:** Karimabad is comfortable at about 2,500 metres, but Khunjerab climbs to 4,693, so take that day gently and carry warm layers. - **Use jeeps and drivers:** the main highway is paved, but side trips to Hopper, Borith and the trailheads want a four wheel drive arranged through your hotel. - **Book ahead in summer and autumn:** Hunza fills fast in peak season and over the blossom and foliage windows. - **Carry cash:** card machines are scarce, and the highest ATM in the world at Khunjerab is more novelty than reliable. - **Mind the season:** Khunjerab and the high treks close in winter, and the Karakoram Highway can see landslides in the July to August rains. ## Upper Hunza: Gojal and beyond Above Attabad Lake lies Gojal, or Upper Hunza, a quieter, wilder world worth a day or two of its own. **Gulmit** is the friendly hub, with its women run carpet centre, traditional Wakhi food and views of the Passu Cones. Further up, **Ghulkin** hides glacier hikes off the main road, and **Sost** is the last town before China and the staging point for the Khunjerab run. For the truly adventurous, the remote **Chapursan Valley** with its Baba Ghundi shrine and the **Misgar Valley** on the old Silk Route offer a genuine off grid escape, while the vast **Batura Glacier** near Passu is one of the longest outside the polar regions. These upper valleys are where Hunza feels most timeless. ## Nagar Valley across the river Facing Hunza across the river is Nagar, often overlooked but spectacular. This is the side for glaciers: the **Hopper bowl** with its grinding ice, the trek to **Rush Lake**, and the base camps of **Rakaposhi** and **Diran** reached from Minapin. Nagar has its own forts, orchards and quiet villages, and a day trip across the bridge adds a different flavour to a Hunza trip. ## Getting around the valley The Karakoram Highway runs the length of Hunza and is paved, so a normal car or shared jeep covers the spine from Karimabad up to Attabad, Passu and Sost. Karimabad itself is walkable, with the forts, bazaar and cafes all close together. For the side trips, the climb to Eagle's Nest, the crossing to Hopper and Nagar, and the trailheads, you want a four wheel drive, easily arranged through hotels in Karimabad or Aliabad, the main market town. Shared jeeps from Aliabad are the budget way to reach nearby villages. ## Related guides For planning logistics see the full [Hunza Valley travel guide](/blog/hunza-valley-travel-guide), weigh Hunza against its rival in [Hunza vs Skardu](/blog/hunza-vs-skardu), and fit it into a longer trip with the [northern Pakistan itinerary](/blog/northern-pakistan-itinerary). See the overview on the [Hunza destination page](/destinations/hunza-valley) or browse all regions on the [destinations](/destinations) page. ## Frequently asked questions **What is Hunza Valley famous for?** Hunza is famous for its dramatic beauty beneath Rakaposhi and Lady Finger, the ancient Baltit and Altit forts, the turquoise Attabad Lake, the Passu Cones, the Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border, and a welcoming Ismaili culture known for literacy and longevity. **What are the top things to do in Hunza?** Visit the Baltit and Altit forts, watch sunrise from Eagle's Nest at Duikar, boat on Attabad Lake, photograph the Passu Cones, cross the Hussaini suspension bridge, drive up to Khunjerab Pass, and explore Ganish old village and the Hopper glaciers in Nagar. **Which month is best to visit Hunza?** June to September for the lakes, Khunjerab and treks, late October to mid November for autumn colour, and mid March to mid April for cherry and apricot blossom. Winter is snowy and quiet with limited services. **How many days do you need in Hunza?** Three to four days covers the forts, viewpoints, Attabad Lake, the Passu area and a Khunjerab day. Add more for the Hopper and Nagar glaciers, Shimshal, or treks like Rakaposhi Base Camp. **Is Hunza safe to visit?** Yes, very. Hunza is widely regarded as one of the safest and most hospitable places in Pakistan, popular with families and solo travellers alike. The main considerations are altitude on the Khunjerab day and mountain road conditions, not safety. **How do you get to Hunza?** Fly Islamabad to Gilgit (about 45 minutes, weather permitting) then drive roughly three hours up the Karakoram Highway to Karimabad, or drive the whole way from Islamabad, a long but spectacular journey. Full details are in our Hunza Valley travel guide. **How far is Khunjerab Pass from Hunza?** About 100 km from central Hunza to the pass, taking two and a half to three hours each way through Sost and Khunjerab National Park, so the round trip is a full day of roughly eight hours with stops. The pass is open in summer, roughly June to October. **Can you see K2 from Hunza?** No. K2 is in the Baltistan region near Skardu, not Hunza. What Hunza gives you instead is a wall of its own giants, Rakaposhi at 7,788 metres, Lady Finger, Ultar and the Passu Cones, several of them visible right from the valley and the viewpoints, which is why so many travellers rank the Hunza skyline among the most beautiful anywhere. **What food is Hunza known for?** Hunza is known for hearty, apricot and walnut based mountain food: chapshuro meat pastries, hoilo garma and doudo noodle dishes, apricot oil flatbreads, walnut cake and fresh dried apricots, all part of the valley's healthy reputation. **Is Hunza Valley worth visiting?** Absolutely. Many travellers rate Hunza the most beautiful and most welcoming valley in Pakistan, combining ancient forts, a turquoise lake, towering peaks and a rich living culture in one accessible place. It is the highlight of most northern Pakistan trips and rewards anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks of slow, scenic exploration.