things to do in Hunza
Hunza Valley is a mountainous valley in Pakistan’s remote north. It is a masterpiece of nature, blessed with blue lakes, and has some of the world’s highest mountains. That’s why it is considered a top tourist destination in Pakistan. When exploring Northern Pakistan, no traveler goes back home without experiencing stunning views of Passu Cones, enjoying the sunset at Eagles Nest, and feeling the calmness at the famous Attabad Lake. Like most popular and beautiful places in Pakistan, there are plenty of things to do in Hunza just beyond admiring the beauty of Attabad Lake, marveling at the majestic Passu Cones, etc. This northern part of Gilgit Baltistan also allows you to visit orchids and eat apricots, get a feeling for a slower pace of life, and meet the kindest people. If you are planning to spend your summer vacation in this exquisite place in Pakistan, check out these actual best things to do in Hunza.
Altit and Baltit Fort are the beautiful landmarks of Hunza Gilgit Baltistan, and visiting these ancient forts is one of the best things to do in Karimabad. Altit Fort is located at the top of Altit village, while Baltit Fort is situated in Karimabad, Hunza Valley. Altit Fort is the oldest monument in this region as it has been standing for over 1000 years, while Blatit Fort is 700-year-old fort that was the residence of Mirs of Hunza after they left Altit Fort. These old forts of Hunza were restored in 1990 and remain one of the unique historical places in Pakistan that tell the tales of a bygone era and offer stunning views. Visitors can see the views of the Hunza River from the Altit Fort and get an unobstructed view of the entire Karimabad town and Hunza Valley from the Batit Fort. On a clear day, visitors can witness the majestic beauty of the famous Rakaposhi Peak from the Baltit Fort. You can also explore the village around the Baltit Fort to experience rural life in this mountainous region.
The turquoise-blue Attabad Lake is the icon of Hunza Valley and boating at this lake is considered one of the best things to do in Hunza with families. Visiting Attabad Lake is undoubtedly one of the best activities in Hunza. However, if you are an adventure seeker and want to escape the crowds, go for a hike to the Baskochi Meadows, which is famously known as Attabad Lake viewpoint. A trek starts from the Attabad Lake Tunnel 2 and gets you up in the mountains. Like other hiking treks in Pakistan, it is also steep, but the views are truly worth the effort. The total hike time to reach the top of Baskochi is more than an hour. At Baskochi Point, you will have unbeatable panoramic views of Attabad Lake.
Most Pakistani dishes call for spices and chilies, Hunza food is usually spice-free and rich in flavor that you won’t find in any other part of the country. Traditional Hunza Valley cuisine lends its unique taste to its signature ingredient—apricot oil. Plus, the abundance of organic ingredients in every Hunza cuisine is the reason for its distinctive flavor.
Hoilo garma (pasta), Chapshurro (local pizza filled with minced beef), Dowdo (noodle soup) and Burus Shapik (cheese bread) are some authentic Hunza foods you should try. You can find many food points in Karimabad, including the famous Hunza Food Pavilion, where you can savor the flavors of authentic Hunza food.
The Karakoram Highway is a 1300 km long highway, and its 194 km stretch runs through the Hunza Valley, providing a view of the alpine lakes, glaciers, and towering mountains. One of the best things to do in Hunza for adventure seekers is to drive the Karakoram Highway on a motorbike. It might be an offbeat activity in Hunza, and roads are not for beginner bikers, but it is pretty magical to explore this iconic stretch of the highway surrounded by the Karakoram Mountains. You can rent a motorbike from Karimabad for a day at a reasonable rate. Driving the KKH on a motorbike is particularly magical in October when the valley bursts with the spectrum of fall colors. If you are not an experienced motorbiker, you can explore the valley on a cycle that can be rented from Karimabad.
Looking for the best things to do in Skardu? Top experiences include hiking to Marsur Rock, enjoying boating at Kachura Lake, and visiting Deosai National Park.
If you are a history buff and want to experience rural life, visiting Ganish Village is one of the best things to do in Karimabad. This peaceful village is the first and oldest settlement of the Hunza Valley, which is located about 25 minutes away from Karimabad. It has experienced the presence of numerous ethnic groups throughout its lifetime that came from different regions. Ganish village is absolutely worth a place on your itinerary as it is home to four ancient wooden mosques that were awarded UNESCO Heritage Award. Some Shikari watchtowers were also built in this village and were used for the surveillance of the surroundings in the past. However, only a few survived the harsh weather, and one such watchtower is a 40-foot-long Tamurkux watchtower that bolsters the fortified wall. Explore this 1000-year-old settlement, meet locals, and sit near the pond fed by glacial melted water in the village.
There is no better way to start or end your day in Hunza Valley than hiking up the highest village in Central Hunza to enjoy a scenic morning or evening view of the Valley. Just kidding, you don’t have to hike. You can easily reach there from Karimabad, which takes around 30 minutes by car. From there, you can see Rakaposhi Mountain, Lady Finger Peak, Spantik Peak, the Golden Peak, the Karakoram Highway, and all of the central Hunza in one sight. This vantage point provides awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets, casting a golden glow on the mighty 6000-7000 meter high peaks. Visiting Eagle Nest to see a sunrise or sunset is undoubtedly one of the activities to do in Hunza that you should not miss on your next trip to Hunza Valley.
If you are a shopaholic, Karimabad Bazaar is the perfect place to stop by and shop local handicrafts, textiles, Hunza headwear, gemstones, traditional jewelry, and more. You will find many craft souvenir stores, cafés, antiques and gemstone shops, and local handicraft shops on both sides of the cobbled streets of Karimabad Bazar. Hunza Cap is one of the best souvenirs you can buy for yourself or your loved ones. Its male version features a feather, while the female version of the Hunza cap is adorned with beautiful embroidery. Several gem dealers in the bazaar sell local gems, including Ruby, topaz, aquamarine, and more. You will find plenty of mountain jade and garnet from neighboring Skardu Valley. Wandering through colorful stalls brimming with traditional jewelry and handicrafts, engaging with friendly locals, and shopping for souvenirs are undoubtedly among the best outdoor activities in Hunza Valley.
If you want to soak up more of Hunza’s stunning scenery, spend some time at Borith Lake, which is a great place to enjoy swimming, boat riding, or kayaking, relish local food at lake-side cafes, and even stay overnight at a hotel near Borith Lake.
Although you can swim and enjoy boat riding in the famous Attabad Lake, it can be relatively crowded and cold. On the other hand, Borith Lake is surprisingly warm, making it an ideal spot to swim in an alpine lake. If swimming is not your thing, you can rent a small boat or kayak for an unforgettable experience.
Passu Cones is not only one of the best places to visit in Hunza but also one of the most recognizable places in northern Pakistan. These pointed peaks are one of the best things to see in Hunza. They are located in the Passu and Hussaini Villages, and their best views are from the iconic Karakoram Highway (KKH), which claims to fame as one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of road.
Paasu cones can be seen from miles away, but nothing can beat admiring their beauty by driving along the Karakoram Highway. Imagine uninterrupted views of towering, steely gray mountains surrounding you on both sides as you drive along this road.
If you want to do some adventurous things to try in Hunza, embarking on a multi-day trek across the dangerous glacier to camp at Patundas Meadows is something that you should not miss. This beautiful three-day hike includes a traverse through the most dangerous glacier (Passu Glacier) as it is wedged between the Passu Glacier and the Batura Glacier.
Hike to Patundas Meadows is considered one of the best hikes in Pakistan that gets you up around 4300 meters and also offers insane views of Paasu and Batura Glacier, 360-degree panoramic views of iconic Passu Cones, and the Karakoram Range. Though the hiking difficulty is moderate and Patundas is around a 30-minute drive from KKH, it should only be attempted with a local guide due to the dangerous glacier crossing.
Once you reach the meadows, which are above the Passu Glacier, you can either camp down in a shepherd hut or camp atop the Patundas top. People usually opt to camp down below Patundas, as the top campsite is super exposed, and the only available water source is to melt snow.
Ultar Meadows is one of the hidden places in Hunza that you must visit when exploring Gilgit Baltistan. Hiking in northern Pakistan is an off-the-beaten-path affair, which means there are very few people around, unspoiled nature and breathtaking landscapes await you. One such off-the-beaten-track hike is to Ultar Base Camp. The hike takes you above Karimabad to the foot of Ultar Peak. Doable in one day, the Ultar Base camp offers exceptional views of the Ultar and Bubulimating peaks. The trek starts behind the famous Baltit Fort and follows a steep path. Expect the round-trip journey to be about 5-6 hours. This high-altitude hike can be physically demanding as it is steep and quite dangerous. You need to be fit if you want to hike to Ultar Meadows. Some parts of the trail are completely washed out, so going with a local guide is recommended. Though this hike is strenuous and the trek is steep, the views are truly worth the effort. You will witness the views of the Ultar Glacier and the pointed peaks of the Ultar once you reach there. There is a hut at the Ultar base camp, stop here for a cup of tea and snacks while admiring the breathtaking mountain views.
Crossing the famous Hussaini Bridge is one of the most adventurous things to do around Hunza. This wooden bridge, hanging over the Hunza River, connects Hussaini Village with Zarabad on the other side of the river. Crossing Hussaini Bridge is a real adventure, especially when strong winds shake it.
Adventurous tourists can enjoy a Zipline ride over the Hunza River, which runs parallel to the bridge. You can also turn your ordinary touristy visit to Hussaini Bridge into a real adventure by hiking from Zarabad to another bridge called Passu Suspension Bridge. This hike takes a couple of hours, but the route is difficult to find on your own, so it is better to go with a local guide to avoid being lost. Be warned that the Passu Suspension Bridge is scarier than the infamous Hussaini Bridge.
Still have questions about what to do in Hunza? Here you can find answers to some of the most asked questions about what to do when visiting Hunza:
The best time for Hunza Valley tourism is the summer, but it depends on what you want to do in Hunza Valley. The weather is pleasant from April to September, making it ideal for visiting the Hunza Valley attractions and enjoying hiking. However, mid-summer months see more crowds, so avoid visiting Hunza during these months if you don’t like crowds. Hunza is particularly magical during cherry blossom season in March and April. October is also the best time to visit to see fall foliage in the valley.
Hunza can be reached by road or by air from other parts of Pakistan. There are two routes that lead to Hunza. The most popular way to get to Hunza by road is via Naran and Babusar Top from Islamabad, while the other one is through Kohistan in KPK. The first route is shorter, but Babusar Top is closed from November to April due to snowfall in the area. If you want to see the magical cherry blossom season in Hunza, take the second route to get to Hunza in spring.
Another way to reach Hunza is to fly into Gilgit and then rent a car with a private driver experienced with the scariest roads of Gilgit Baltistan to get to Hunza Valley. Driving by yourself is not recommended. Alternatively, you can take public transport from Gilgit to reach Hunza.
There are plenty of hotels in Hunza that fit every traveler’s budget. Old Hunza Inn, Hunza Serena Inn, Hunza Rakaposhi View Hotel, Caravanserai Hunza, and Baltit Heritage Hotel are some budget hotels in Hunza. For a high-end experience, consider staying at Serena Altit Fort Residence, Luxus Humza Attabad Lake Resort, and Eagle’s Nest Hotel Hunza. If you want to learn more about the best Hunza hotels, be sure to read this larger post on the best hotels in Hunza Valley.
Top attractions in Hunza Valley include Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Karimabad, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, Eagle’s Nest viewpoint, Khunjerab Pass, Hussaini Bridge, and Gulmit.
If you are in Karimabad, you don’t need to take a taxi. Most of the tourist attractions in Karimabad are accessible on foot as they are within walking distance. If you want to explore other places in Hunza, rent private transportation. It will allow you to explore the valley at your own pace. However, public buses are available if you are on a budget.
Hunza is huge but not as big as neighboring Skardu Valley. One week is enough to see the most famous tourist attractions in Hunza. But if you want to see all of the highlights of this valley and Nagar Valley, You will need at least 30 days to see all the attractions.
Hunza Valley is a magical place with otherworldly scenery, making you feel like you’ve reached another planet. Besides beautiful landscapes, unique Hunza food, hospitable locals, and the magic of Karakoram Highway will surely soothe your soul and warm your heart. We hope this guide on the best things to do in Hunza gives you a better idea of what to do and what to expect when you are in Hunza. Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comment below!
If you find this Hunza Valley travel guide helpful, check out these wonderful tourist destinations in northern Pakistan:
About Author:
Sondus Ubin
Sondus Ubin is a freelance lifestyle writer specializing in travel and food. With nearly 10 years of experience in lifestyle content creation, her toes are dipped in the exciting world of travel and food. In her time working as a travel writer, she has had the opportunity to interact with frequent travelers and travel photographers. All that knowledge she gains and her passion for travel make it possible for her to bring you informative yet fun travel content. Trust her words to help you plan your dream trip. She lives in Lahore, where she explores the city’s most intriguing, interesting, and unusual places and captures the beauty and essence of every place through her lens. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her giving her eyes a much-needed break from screens with a good book, painting landscapes, or trying out new recipes.
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