Gilgit-Baltistan
Hunza Valley
Region
Gilgit-Baltistan
Best Visit
April to October
Highlight
Mountains
Access
Open to All
Hunza Valley
— at a glance
Hunza Valley sits at 2,438 metres in the Karakoram range of Gilgit-Baltistan, about 600 km north of Islamabad along the Karakoram Highway. The valley is famous for the 700-year-old Baltit Fort and 1,000-year-old Altit Fort in Karimabad, the turquoise Attabad Lake, the jagged Passu Cones, and the Eagle's Nest viewpoint at Duikar with its panorama of Rakaposhi and five other 7,000-metre peaks. Apricot and cherry blossoms cover the valley from late March to mid-April, and autumn turns the poplars gold through October. The Ismaili-majority community is among the most welcoming and progressive in Pakistan, with near-universal literacy and a reputation as the country's safest destination. Plan five days to cover Central Hunza, Gojal and the Khunjerab Pass border with China, the highest paved border crossing in the world at 4,693 metres.
What to expect
MountainsHistoric FortsLakesTrekkingLocal Food
Frequently asked questions
- What is Hunza Valley famous for?
- Hunza is famous for the ancient Baltit and Altit Forts, turquoise Attabad Lake, the Passu Cones, apricot and cherry blossom season, and the longevity and hospitality of its people. It is widely considered Pakistan's premier travel destination.
- How far is Hunza from Islamabad?
- About 600 km by road, which takes 14 to 16 hours on the Karakoram Highway. The faster option is a one-hour PIA flight from Islamabad to Gilgit followed by a 2 to 3 hour drive, though mountain flights are weather-dependent.
- What is the elevation of Hunza Valley?
- The valley floor sits at about 2,438 metres (8,000 feet) in Karimabad. Most visitors feel no altitude effects in the towns, but acclimatize before hiking high or visiting Khunjerab Pass, which reaches 4,693 metres.
- Which is better to visit, Hunza or Skardu?
- Hunza offers easier access, better hotels, forts and village culture along the Karakoram Highway. Skardu is the gateway to K2, cold deserts and high-altitude lakes. With a week or more, many travelers combine both.
- What languages are spoken in Hunza?
- Burushaski in Central Hunza, Wakhi in upper Gojal and Shina in lower Hunza. Urdu is spoken universally, and English is common among younger people, so visitors manage easily.
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