From Wikitravel

Hunza Valley is a stunningly beautiful and popular region in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.

Hunza, a remote mountain kingdom, may have been the inspiration behind James Hilton's "Shangri-La." The area opened up in the 1970s following the completion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH); an engineering marvel tracing the old Silk Route from Pakistan into China.

The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheet fields, set against the background of snow-covered mountains.

Situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is maximum 27°C and minimum 14°C. The October temperatures are: maximum 10°C and minimum 0°C.

[edit] Cities / Villages

• Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi (7,788 meters). The snows of Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime.
• Aliabad
• Ganish Village – the oldest village in Hunza, with 800 year old mosques, it was honored by UNESCO in 2002 and 2009.
• Gulmit
• Ghulkin
• Karimabad
• Nasir Abad
• Passu
• Sost

[edit] Other destinations

• Karakoram Range mountain peaks, incuding Hunza Peak, Ulter Peak or Ultar Peak, Bublimoting or Lady Finger.

[edit] Understand

The fair skinned and light-eyed Hunzakuts claim to be descendants of soldiers lost from Alexander's army as he invaded India, although genetic studies have disproved the claim. The language, Burushaski, provides linguists an enigma as it is unrelated to any other language known to man.

The beauty of this mountain paradise is matchless; from the soft blossoms of the apricot trees to the dark snowcapped rock monuments of Rakaposhi (7788 m.), recently climbed Ultar Peak (7388 m.) jabbing a vivid blue backdrop high above, and Bublimoting Peak.

Most of the people of Hunza are Islamili Muslims, followers of His highness the Aga Khan.

[edit] Talk

The local language is Brushuski. Urdu and English are also understood by most of the people.

Urdu is the national language and is spoken throughout Pakistan as lingua franca. Local language is Burushaski, As elsewhere in Pakistan, English is fairly widely spoken among the educated classes and those involved in the tourist industry.

[edit] Get in

Via the Karakoram Highway.

Hunza is just 100 KM drive from Gilgit, and most people arrive by road and it takes almost 2 - 3 Hours to reach Hunza from Gilgit. The main bus stand is on the KKH Aliabad. There are booking agents in town for long distance buses & jeeps along the KKH. The journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours.

From Kashgar (China) there is a regular bus service to Hunza via Sost crossing over the Khunjerab Pass (about 5000 meter high). Across river Hunza at Sost, there is a village called Khuda Abad. People usually do not stop at Khunjerab Pass, they just carry on their journey to Sost with the bus. From Sost, you can do a number of activities around like trekking in the valleys, or drive to Hunza-Karimabad (2 hours), where the Baltit Fort is standing. The Khunjerab Pass is open from May 1st to Dec 30th, but closed in winter.

[edit] By plane

Gilgit Airport (IATA: GIL) is small and has 45 minute flights to Islamabad on PIA

PIA offers regular flights of small 42 seater planes between Gilgit and Islamabad. All flights, however, are subject to weather clearance, and in winters, flights are often delayed by several days.

[edit] Get around

Private vehicles are normally used as local transport. Renting jeeps is also a common way of moving around. You can go to nearby cities on buses and by air.

[edit][add listing] See

Hunza is one of the most exotic places in Pakistan. Several high peaks rise above 6,000 m in the surroundings of Hunza valley. The valley provides spectacular views of some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains of the world which include Rakaposhi 7,788 m (25,551 ft), Ultar Sar 7,388 m (24,239 ft), Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 m (24,045 ft), Ghenta Peak 7,090 m (15,631 ft), Hunza Peak 6,270 m (20,571 ft), Darmyani Peak 6,090 m (19,980 ft), and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 m (19,685 ft).

The fairy-tale like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a Hanza landmark built about 600 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden bay windows look out over the valley. Originally, it was used the resistance of the Mirs (the title of the former rulers) of Hunza.

Hunza Valley is also host to the ancient watch towers in Ganish , Baltit Fort and Altit Fort. Watch towers are located in heart of Ganish Village, Baltit Fort stands on top of Karimabad whereas Altit Fort lies at the bottom of the valley. Dating back to 8th century AD, a huge Buddha figure surrounded by small Buddhisatvas is carved on a rock. Pre-historic men and animal figures are carved on rocks along the valley. Borith Lake is located in upper Hunza and Rush Lake is located near Nagar.

The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. As one travels up on the Karakoram Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves.

On the way one can witness the 65 km long 'Batura' glacier, the second longest in Pakistan, surround by Shishper, Batura and Kumpirdior peaks. On reaching Sost one can continue the journey up to Khunzhrav or turn west to witness the mystic beauty of Chipursan (also Chapursan) valley. Chipursan valley has some of most exotic tourist spots in the area. In Yarzerech (also Yarzirich) you can have a look at the majestic Kundahill peak (6000 m), or trek along the Rishepzhurav to the Kundahill to experience the soothing sceneries. Beyond Yarzerech you can travel further to Lupghar, Raminj, Reshit, Yishkuk up to Bobo Ghundi (Oston), the shrine of Baba-e-Ghund, a saint from Afghanistan near the border between Pakistan and Wakhan region of Afghanistan.

Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Altit village, Duiker, Hoper glacier, Ulter Meadows, Channel walk, Local market,

[edit][add listing] Do

• Camping
• Swimming
• Hunting
• Hiking and Trekking
• Mountaineering
• Mountain Biking
• Horse riding
• Eco tours
• Skiing
• Safari tours
• Fishing
• Shopping
• Gliding

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Cafe de Hunza, Hunza (Main bazzar Karimabad).  edit
• Hidden Paradise Resturant karimabad hunza, ☎ 03463114234. 18. Local restaurant, where you can find the Hunza local food 80 items of hunza traditional hunza food with a grand view of altit for and altit valley. ower and chef is known as founder of hunza traditional healthy food.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Mulberry Hotel, Main road Karimabad.  edit
• Baltit Inn, Zero point Karimabad.  edit
• Hotel Darbar, Zero point Karimabad.  edit
• Hotel Hilltop, Main bazzar Karimabad.  edit
• Woldroof Hotel, Main bazzar Karimabad.  edit
• Karimabad Inn, Zero point Karimabad. Budgeted Hotel  edit

[edit] Get out

• To China The bus service (NATCO & PTDC)is scheduled to begin crossing the border from Sost, Gilgit-Baltistan, to Tashkurgun, China, every day at 09 O'clock in summers and In autumn it depends on the passengers, if the bus is full with passengers then it will leave, in case of lack of passengers it takes days to get into China .

• To Islamabad Via the Karakoram Highway, popularly known as the Silk Road. There are many buses leaving for Islamabad every day from Aliabad Hunza and Gilgit.

• To Gilgit Via the Karakoram Highway, popularly known as the Silk Road. Mini buses leaves for Gilgit in every 30 minutes from Aliabad.

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