Ancient forts, terraced orchards and views of Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar, the best base for exploring Hunza.
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Karimabad is the main town of Hunza and the place most visitors choose to stay. It sits on a terraced slope above the Hunza River, with apricot, cherry and walnut orchards around it and the great white peaks of Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar and Diran standing over the valley. On a clear morning the view from almost any rooftop is spectacular.
The town was once the capital of the Hunza princely state and is dominated by the old Baltit Fort, which looks down over the bazaar and homes below. The people of Hunza are known for their warmth, high literacy and strong sense of community, and visitors often say the welcome is as memorable as the scenery.
Karimabad is easy to reach, easy to walk around and a perfect base for day trips to Attabad Lake, Passu, Gulmit and Khunjerab Pass. Even a short stay gives a real sense of the valley's history and way of life.
8 Days / 7 Nights
8 Days / 7 Nights
The old town winds up the hillside around Baltit Fort, with narrow lanes, traditional stone and wood houses and a lively main bazaar for crafts, dried fruit, gemstones and woollens. Higher up, guesthouses and hotels line the slopes to catch the views. Early morning brings soft light on the peaks, while spring blossom and autumn leaves change the whole valley's colour.
Drive along the Karakoram Highway, about 11 hours to Chilas. Many groups break the journey with a night in Chilas or Besham. Alternatively, fly to Gilgit if flights are operating.
Continue on the Karakoram Highway to Gilgit, about 3 to 4 hours.
Drive about 100 km north on the Karakoram Highway, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, passing Rakaposhi viewpoint on the way.
Karimabad is small and walkable. Hotels, the bazaar and Baltit Fort are all close together, and taxis or local drivers are available for Altit and Eagle's Nest.
March to May
Cherry and apricot blossom, fresh green fields and mild days. |
June to August
Warm, bright and the main tourist season. Busy.
September to October
Golden leaves, clear skies and fewer crowds. One of the best times
November to March
Cold with snow. Quiet, some facilities close.
Travel smart
A few useful things to know before you go there.
Karimabad works best as a base, not just a stop.
Get up early for sunrise light on the peaks.
The fort and village lanes are steep and uneven.
Wind and strong sun are both common at altitude.
ATMs are available in Karimabad but can be unreliable.
Try local food and ask your hotel for recommendations.
Buy crafts and dried fruit locally to support small businesses.
Take rubbish with you and avoid plastic.
Hunza is a conservative region, so dress modestly and ask before photographing people.
especially after rain, because landslides can affect the Karakoram Highway.
Where the Karakoram Highway ends and the adventure begins, the jeep stop for one of Pakistan's most famous mountain trails.
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A restored 17th-century Balti palace in Shigar Valley, now a museum and heritage hotel at the gateway to K2.
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Clear glacier water, steep mountains and a short walk away from the crowds, a peaceful escape above Lower Kachura.
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Red-roofed cottages, a calm lake and snow peaks, Skardu's most famous lakeside resort.
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A large, deep-blue lake just outside Skardu, the water source of the valley and the gateway to the Deosai Plains.
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Rolling sand dunes, the Indus River and snow-capped Karakoram peaks, all in one frame, a short drive from Skardu city.
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Quiet forest paths, alpine meadows and glimpses of the Raikot face, the best way to experience Fairy Meadows on foot.
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A row of sharp, snow-streaked peaks above the Hunza River and Passu Glacier, one of the most iconic mountain views in Pakistan.
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A day-long trek from Fairy Meadows through forest, meadow and glacier moraine to the foot of the world's ninth-highest peak.
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Mist, green meadows and clear mountain water, one of Baltistan's most dramatic waterfalls, a scenic drive from Skardu.
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Golden dunes at over 2,200 metres, with snowy peaks behind them, one of the highest deserts on Earth, just outside Skardu.
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A swaying plank-and-rope crossing over the Hunza River, with the Passu Cones rising behind it.
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Pine forest, glacier views and the north face of the world's ninth-highest mountain, a peaceful high camp above Fairy Meadows.
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A high mountain pass where Kaghan meets Gilgit-Baltistan, with sweeping views, cool winds and the road to Chilas, Gilgit and Hunza.
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Glacier-blue water, towering Karakoram peaks and the Karakoram Highway running beside it, one of the most photographed lakes in Pakistan.
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Still water, migrating birds and Karakoram views, a peaceful short detour from the Karakoram Highway near Gulmit.
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A restored mountain fort above Karimabad, with royal rooms, old stonework and sweeping views of Rakaposhi and the Hunza Valley.
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Explore Karimabad in Gilgit-Baltistan and get directions easily.
Gilgit-Baltistan
It is the main town of Hunza, in Gilgit-Baltistan, on the Karakoram Highway about 100 km north of Gilgit.
Let us plan your Hunza trip while you enjoy the forts and the mountains.
