Hunza
Hunza, Pakistan
Description
Hunza Valley is situated on the north/west of River Hunza in the region of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. In 2019, the valley was also selected as one of the 10 coolest places to visit by Forbes magazine. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Pakistan.
Hunza Valley is an ethnically diverse region with Shins in the lower, Brushos in the Central and Xiks (Wakhanis) in the Upper part. The valley is surrounded by hovering mountains including Ultar Peak, Rakaposhi, Shishper, Bojahagur Duanasir II, Ladyfinger Peak, Ghenta Sar, and Darmiyani Peak.
Routes
1
- Mansehra to Besham
- Excellent Road and it takes about 3 hrs 30 min to travel
Distance: 120km
2
- Besham to Chilas
- Rough Road (good road clearance cars recommended) and it takes about 7 hrs to travel
Distance: 200km
3
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge
- Rough Road (Suitable for all cars) and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 57km
4
- Raikot Bridge to Jaglot
- Excellent Road and it takes about 45 min to travel
Distance: 30km
5
- Jaglot to Gilgit
- Excellent Road and it takes about 1 hr 15 min to travel
Distance: 55km
6
- Gilgit to Hunza
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 100km
7
- Hunza to Passu
- Excellent Road and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 50km
8
- Passu to Khunjerab
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 125km
1
- Murree to Muzaffarabad
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 70km
2
- Muzaffarabad to Balakot
- Road Conditions: Good Road and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 40km
3
- Balakot to Naran
- Good Road and it takes about 2 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 80km
4
- Naran to Babusar
- Good Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 60km
5
- Babusar to Chilas
- Rough Road and it takes about 1 hr to travel
Distance: 50km
6
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge
- Some Rough Patches and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 57km
7
- Raikot Bridge to Jaglot
- Good Road and it takes about 45 min to travel
Distance: 30km
8
- Jaglot to Gilgit
- Good Road and it takes about 1 hr 15 min to travel
Distance: 55km
9
- Gilgit to Hunza
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 100km
- Mansehra to Besham
- Excellent Road and it takes about 3 hrs 30 min to travel
Distance: 120km
- Besham to Chilas
- Rough Road (good road clearance cars recommended) and it takes about 7 hrs to travel
Distance: 200km
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge
- Rough Road (Suitable for all cars) and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 57km
- Raikot Bridge to Jaglot
- Excellent Road and it takes about 45 min to travel
Distance: 30km
- Jaglot to Gilgit
- Excellent Road and it takes about 1 hr 15 min to travel
Distance: 55km
- Gilgit to Hunza
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 100km
- Hunza to Passu
- Excellent Road and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 50km
- Passu to Khunjerab
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 125km
- Murree to Muzaffarabad
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 70km
- Muzaffarabad to Balakot
- Road Conditions: Good Road and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 40km
- Balakot to Naran
- Good Road and it takes about 2 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 80km
- Naran to Babusar
- Good Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 60km
- Babusar to Chilas
- Rough Road and it takes about 1 hr to travel
Distance: 50km
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge
- Some Rough Patches and it takes about 1 hr 30 min to travel
Distance: 57km
- Raikot Bridge to Jaglot
- Good Road and it takes about 45 min to travel
Distance: 30km
- Jaglot to Gilgit
- Good Road and it takes about 1 hr 15 min to travel
Distance: 55km
- Gilgit to Hunza
- Excellent Road and it takes about 2 hrs to travel
Distance: 100km
Related Hotels
Places to see
Altit Fort
Altit Garden
Attabad Lake
Baltit Fort
Eagles Nest
Gulmit
Hopper Valley
Karimabad
Khunjerab Pass
Naltar Valley
Passu
Weather
|
Months |
Weather Details |
|
April to May |
The weather gets warmer with occasional cold spells. |
|
June and July |
It is the best time to visit Hunza Valley as the entire area is easily accessible and the temperature remains moderate. |
|
September and October |
Autumn in Hunza Valley is another great time to visit and enjoy the colors of nature. |
|
November to March |
The winters are harsh with cold winds, rain and snow. |
Activities
There are numerous activities in the valley which the tourists can enjoy. Don’t miss a chance to indulge in:
- Fishing at Hunza Valley River.
- Boating at Borith Lake.
- Legal licensed Trophy hunting (Duck/Ibex) in Gojal Valley.
- Horse Riding and Polo in Hunza Valley.
- Trekking to nearby basecamps.
- Camping amid the plateau, green meadows and the surrounding high peaks.
- Skiing in nearby Naltar Valley.
- Cultural and Sport festivals.
Cuisine
Hunza’s traditional cuisine is a delight for any food lover and is a must try while visiting the beautiful land.
- Buttering Daudo: Buttering Daudo or Apricot Soup is a winter specialty and is believed to be used as a cold remedy for centuries in Hunza. Sun- dried apricots are used for apricot soup and eaten as snacks. Apricot juice is widely consumed here and is very effective in relieving stomach problems.
- Molida, Geraal, Bath, Shulbuth, Ceman
- Garma Hoi: A dish made with cooked mustard greens and is served with flatbreads and salad making it a delicious healthy meal.
- Other regional dishes include Hunza Fenugreek Soup, Chap Shoro/Shuro and Khamli which is a flour tortilla.
Culture
People of Hunza are very warm-hearted, calm natured and hospitable. Native Languages are Brushahki, Wakhi and Shina but Urdu and English are also understood and spoken. The literacy rate of Hunza is more than 90%, largely due to community-based schools and Community organizations.
Local handicrafts are famous all over the world due to their high quality of craftsmanship. They are also used as souvenirs at birthdays, weddings and memorial ceremonies.
Famous festivals like Tagham, Ginan, Chineer, Baba Ghundi Festival, Wakhi Tajik Culture festival are good options for cultural experience.
