Hunza Valley
The Hunza Valley, with its picturesque landscapes and sparkling lakes, is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most attractive destinations. In addition, the Hunza valley people are known for their kindness and politeness toward all tourists.
When tourists and residents consider where to travel while on vacation in the country, this is one of the first spots that spring to mind. Moreover, just like Kumrat Valley and Skardu Valley, tourists refer to the Hunza valley, Pakistan as a heaven on Earth because of its alluring landscape.
Continue reading for a detailed guide on where is Hunza valley, what to do there, where to stay, and how to prepare yourself for an unforgettable vacation.
The world’s largest mountainous valley, Hunza Valley, is located in Gilgit Baltistan to the north of the Hunza River. The renowned valley is a tourist paradise, and its capital, Karimabad (Baltit), is named for Prince Karim Agha Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Nizari group.
The three stunning peaks of Rakaposhi, Diran, and Ultar encircle the valley’s capital. In addition, Rakaposhi, Hunza Peak, Dramyani Peak, Ghenta Sar, Ultar Sar, and Bojahagur are some of the high peaks surrounding the valley.
Hunza Valley is a stunning mountainous valley situated alongside the Hunza River in Gilgit-Baltistan, the northern region of Pakistan. It is at around 2500 m of elevation.
The valley has a border with the Xinjiang province of China in the northeast, the highest land border splits it and the Khunjerab Pass also referred to as Hunza Valley Khunjerab Pass links it. Karimabad, Altit, and Aliabad cities in the valley are home to some of Pakistan’s most sought-after tourist destinations.
For more than 900 years, Hunza existed as a separate province. From 1889 to 1892, Hunza came under British control along with its neighboring valley of Nagar, which resulted in an intense military conflict.
In search of political asylum, the Prince of Hunza of that time, Mir Safdar Ali Khan, escaped to Kashghar, China. A lineage of the Shahreis, the royal empire of Gilgit, having Nagar, used to control the two territories of Hunza and Nagar as one.
According to belief, Mayroo Khan, the first Muslim Prince of Nagar 200 years after the spread of Islam in Gilgit, tied the knot with Gilgit Trakhan’s daughter.
The Muslim prince of Nagar had twins, one by the name of Moghlot and the other by Girkis, and the current Nager ruling generation is derived from them. According to tales, the twins were hostile towards each other since childhood.
When their father noticed this and could not determine who would be his successor, he split his kingdom between them.
Burushaski, Wakhi, and Shina are the languages spoken in Hunza. Burushaski is the language spoken by the majority, followed by Wakhi and Shina.
Although people write Burushashki in Persian and Urdu, its true origin is still unknown. As a result, words from numerous languages, including Balti, Pashtu, Persian, English, Chinese, and the language of Central Asian Countries, make up the common framework of Burushaski.
One of the qualities of the Hunza valley people is that they bring their culture with them everywhere they travel. As a result, their deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and traditions affect almost every facet of their way of living.
you may observe these cultural values in their music, lifestyle, food, attire, and customs around weddings, death, and spirituality. Because it affects practically every facet of a person’s life, the culture of Hunza valley is one of the most intriguing in the world.
The valley may experience various weather conditions, from sweltering heat during the summer to bitter cold and strong winds in the winter. Due to its considerable altitude, the Hunza Valley temperature can vary from 0 degrees in the winter to 31 degrees in the summer.
The official Hunza Valley tourism season starts in May and ends in October due to road restrictions brought on by the snow (during the summers).
Four seasons- spring, summer, fall, and winter—are observed in the Hunza Valley each year. Each season manifests its natural beauty. Hunza produces some of the best-quality cherries, apricots, almonds, walnuts, and many other fruits.
In the spring, pink-white flowers from cherry, almond, and apricot blossoms cover Hunza. Moreover, the valley is lush and verdant throughout the summer.
Known for being aesthetically pleasing to the human eye, one of the most magnificent seasons is fall. However, Hunza’s diverse range of colors pushes autumn and fall to a different level.
Hunza’s most frequently seen fall colors are yellow, red, orange, and brown.
Hunza Valley is a great destination to go to in the summer if you want to avoid the oppressive heat of Lahore and Karachi because of the low temperatures compared to the rest of Pakistan. Therefore, summer is the ideal time to visit Hunza, while spring and autumn are also great times to go.
We do not recommensd Winter travel to Hunza owing to the extremely low temperatures and limit to accessibility. In addition, it might be challenging to get to the valley from other regions of Pakistan during the winter because of the several highways in northern Pakistan that are closed due to heavy snowfall.
Here are some basic suggestions on what type of clothing items to take with you during your trip to the valley:
If you plan to go to the valley when it is relatively colder, here is what you need:
If you plan to go to the valley during the ideal warm weather Hunza valley is said to have, here is what you need:
With so many positive aspects, it is not surprising that Hunza is fairly well-liked, even by Pakistanis, who frequently travel there on national holidays. But, unfortunately, the few foreign visitors who do make it there also do not give themselves adequate time to see the Hunza Valley’s famous places.
Here is a list of must-visit places in Hunza that will leave you speechless with their exceptionality and otherworldliness:
One of the key charms of the Hunza Valley is this aquamarine lake, which is unquestionably one of Pakistan’s most breathtaking sites. Though, the fact that a decade ago, this lake did not even exist is what is most astounding.
It is the consequence of a landslide that occurred in 2010 and completely drowned the land.
The valley’s views are breathtaking from the overlook known as The Eagle’s Nest. However, please do not confuse the hotel with the same name with it.
Duiker Hill is where you may find the Eagle’s Nest viewpoint. You may drive to the parking lot next to the hotel, park it there easily, and then ascend the mountain for no longer than 10 minutes.
The Mirs of Hunza first used the Altit Fort, which is around 700 years old and situated in a distinct settlement from Karimabad named Altit, before they started to utilize the Baltit Fort. A tour of the fort and a brief history and conservation lecture about this unique historical location in Pakistan is part of fort visits.
Built around 800 BC, the beautiful Baltit Fort is perched on a hill and provides a panoramic view of Karimabad. With its surrounding snow-capped mountains and age-old construction, it is one of the valley’s most notable and impressive features.
When you see the Baltit Fort, you will understand why everyone considers the Hunza Valley heaven on Earth.
Passu, known for the captivating Passu Cones, is a popular tourist destination in Hunza and deserves every accolade. Despite being farther away than other locations on our list, Passu features one of the finest restaurants. The Passu Cathedral, as it is known, never gets old.
The valley has a lot of beautiful things you can see during your tour:
The Hussaini Bridge is known to be the most dangerous crossing in the world, but it’s unquestionably one of those Hunza attractions you must see. There are many places to get refreshments, and the bridge is at the end of a gravel trail.
The Khunjerab Pass, which links Pakistan and China, is the final destination in Hunza because it is at the very limit of Pakistan and the Hunza area!
Enjoy swimming? Borith Lake is thus impossible to overlook. The unusual saltwater lake is located atop a gravel off-road drive where motorcycle rides are ideal.
The lake, which lies at 2600 m, is the ideal location to be in Hunza valley on a warm, sunny day.
If you spend enough time traveling around Hunza, you’ll ultimately arrive at Aliabad, the biggest market town in Central Hunza.
Although many believe Aliabad to be an uninteresting place, it offers some amazing and inexpensive culinary options that Karimabad utterly lacks and some incredible secondhand stores.
Gulmit, a large settlement with stunning views you can’t miss when driving the Karakoram Highway, is a delightful fusion of Gojali heritage and grand scenery.
Gulmit offers distinctive cultural attractions that other locations in Hunza lack and an opportunity for seldom-seen views from its numerous mountain roads.
You may find some of Pakistan’s most distinctive and diversified traditional cuisines in the Hunza Valley. There is food for everyone, from delicious wheat meals to delicious healthful treats!
Our list will assist you in locating the top Hunza Valley restaurants serving authentic Hunza cuisine made with fresh ingredients. Here is a list of the top Hunza cuisine restaurants:
| 1. Hidden Paradise | 2. Glacier Breeze | 3. Hunza Food Pavilion | 4. Gingerfort Café | 5. Old Hunza Inn |
| Address: Hunza, Karimabad, Bazar | Address: Passu, Gilgit -Baltistan | Address: 8MF9+RG8, N-35, Hunza, Ali Abad, Gilgit-Baltistan | Address: 8MF9+4X3,Karim Abad Road, Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan | Address: Old Ganish Rd Karimabad, Hunza |
| Contact: 0300 2476443 | Contact: 0355 5694995 | Contact: 0310 9400259 | Contact: 0316 6009667 | Contact: 0345 8866447 |
Several festivals focusing on culture, religion, and everyday occurrences occur in the Hunza Valley. The local community gathers in large numbers in Altit, Baltit, and Aliabad to celebrate the annual Ginani festival.
You can observe this holiday in the new harvesting season. The holiday, referred to as Dirum Pitti, is celebrated with dance, music, and traditional food preparation.
The Spring Blossom Festival is another well-known celebration that allows people to gather and take in life. This festival honors the region’s cultural past and draws crowds with exhibitions, sporting events, and cultural performances.
The cuisine of the Hunza region is full of taste and diversity and is unlike anything else in the country. In contrast to conventional Pakistani dishes, Hunza Valley meals are mostly spiceless.
The most famous Hunza cuisines include Chapshuro, Gyaling, Tumoro Tea, Harissa, and Yak meat.
To get to Hunza Valley, you can travel by air or road.
The first alternative is to take a flight to Gilgit Airport and then travel a small distance of 100 km to Hunza Valley, roughly 2-3 hours. Additionally, there are several choices for renting a car.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) runs daily flights between Gilgit and Islamabad; however, it is crucial to know that they frequently get canceled or delayed because of sudden weather changes.
The 24-hour bus or vehicle trip from Islamabad to Hunza is the best option for seeing the beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, there isn’t a bus that travels from Lahore to Hunza Valley on a direct route.
You may schedule an overnight stop at Naran while traveling by road from Islamabad to the Hunza Valley, where you can go to local marketplaces for food and shopping.
The distance from Lahore to Hunza, including travel time, is 941 km and 593 m. Therefore, the distance between these two travel destinations is 585.1 miles.
A driving distance of 554 km and 579 m separates Islamabad and Hunza. Therefore, the distance between these two travel destinations is 344.6 miles.
From Karachi to Hunza, Pakistan, the average driving distance is 1117.26 miles or 1798.06 km.
Road travel from Khunjerab Pass to the Hunza Valley is 122 km.
If you intend to visit the Hunza Valley, Pakistan but are unsure of your lodging choices, we can provide you with the information you require. Below are our top recommendations.
One of the most well-known tourist sites in Pakistan, Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort offers world-class amenities to make your trip to Gilgit Baltistan memorable. It overlooks the lovely Attabad Lake and gorgeous mountains.
Additionally, this hotel offers luxury and nature, making it the ideal choice for anyone looking to unwind and get away from it all.
Address: Hunza, Gojal, Aina Abad, Attabad, Gilgit-Baltistan
Phone: 0343 5151913
One of the most well-known hotels in Hunza, Gilgit Baltistan, is the Hunza Serena Inn, which is in the lovely town of Karimabad (formerly Baltit). This opulent hotel provides stunning views of the Hunza River and Rakaposhi Mountain.
Address: Zero Point، Hunza, Karimabad, Gilgit-Baltistan 15600
Contact: +92 5813 457660
+92 5813 457012
Email: hunza@serena.com.pk
Hard Rock Hunza Hotel is a 5-star hotel in Hunza that provides 5-star lodging with a bar, garden, and patio.
Address: Duiker, Altit, Hunza Valley
Phone: 0343 7378887
Tel : (+92) 0 58134 57179
The Hunza Sarai Silk Route Hotel is in Passu town in the Hunza Valley. In addition, stunning mountains with snow-capped peaks surround the Sarai Silk Road.
Address: Hunza, Gojal, Passu, Gilgit-Baltistan
Phone: 0333 5131094
Email: saraisilkroute@gmail.com
This luxury hotel with locations throughout the valley provides high-quality domestic and foreign services.
Address: Zero Point, Hunza, Karimabad
Phone: 0341 9623963
Email: darbar.hunzo@gmail.com
With its history and cultural landmarks, the Hunza Valley is undoubtedly worth seeing among Pakistan’s many national tourism destinations.
Have you ever visited Hunza Valley? How did you find it, exactly? Tell us in the comments section below!
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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