Hunza Valley – A Peaceful Heaven in Gilgit-Baltistan
Hunza Valley is one of the most beautiful mountainous regions in northern Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The main river flowing through the valley is the Hunza River, which later joins the Gilgit and Naltar Rivers. The valley is surrounded by Ishkoman, Shigar, Afghanistan’s Wakhan border, and China’s Xinjiang region. Hunza covers an area of about 7,900 square kilometers and is one of the fourteen districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Karimabad – The Heart of Hunza Valley
The capital and main town of Hunza Valley is Karimabad, also called Baltit. It is located at a height of about 2,438 meters. The best time to visit Hunza Valley is between May and October, when the weather stays pleasant.
During May, temperatures range between 14°C to 27°C, while in October they drop to around 0°C to 10°C.
Hunza is full of tourist attractions such as Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Borith Lake, Rush Lake, Buddha Figure, Batura Glacier, Chipursan Valley, and the ancient watchtowers of Ganish.
Festivals in Hunza Valley
People in Hunza Valley celebrate many local festivals including Navroz, Ginani, and Salgirah. Traditional dishes like Sharbat and Harissa are cooked on these occasions. Most of the population in Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of Aga Khan.
The only road route to reach Hunza Valley is through the Karakoram Highway, which connects Hunza with Gilgit and other cities of Pakistan.
A Short History of Hunza Valley
For more than 900 years, Hunza was an independent princely state. From 1889 to 1892, the British Empire took control of the region after several military conflicts.
When the British captured Hunza in 1891, the then-ruler Mir Safdar Ali Khan fled to Kashgar, China. His brother Mir Nazim Khan was made ruler under British supervision. British officers in Gilgit made all the major decisions, while Mir Nazim Khan ruled from 1892 to 1938.
Main Towns of Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley has several important towns including Karimabad, Aliabad, Ganish, Gulmit, Gojal, and Altit.
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Karimabad is the capital city and one of the most visited spots in Hunza. It is around 100 kilometers from Gilgit and takes about 2 to 3 hours by road.
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Aliabad is the main business center of Hunza and lies along the Karakoram Highway. The weather here stays cool all year, averaging around 11°C. July is the warmest month, while January is the coldest with temperatures ranging from 23°C to -3°C.
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Ganish is the oldest town in Hunza, just 6 kilometers from Aliabad. It is known for its 800-year-old mosques and ancient watchtowers. The Ganish Watchtowers, Ali Gohar House, and Sacred Rocks are worth visiting.
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Gulmit, the capital of Upper Hunza, is located along the Karakoram Highway. Popular attractions here include Topek Dan, Falful Peak, Shatabar Glacier, Tomb of Salim Khan III, and the Gulmit Museum.
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Gojal, also called Upper Hunza, is the largest sub-division of Gilgit-Baltistan. It borders both China and Afghanistan at the Khunjerab Pass and Chapursan Valley. Main villages include Shishkat, Gulmit, Ghulkin, Hussaini, Passu, and Shimshal.
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Altit is another ancient town, famous for the Altit Fort, built in the 11th century and restored in 2007. The main tribes here are Husain Kuts, Khano Kuts, Hukalo Kuts, and Shoshorating.
Regions of Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley is divided into three parts: Upper Hunza, Central Hunza, and Lower Hunza.
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Upper Hunza (Gojal):
This is the most scenic area of Hunza. Three main languages are spoken here — Burushaski, Wakhi, and Domki. About 65% of the people speak Wakhi, 34% speak Burushaski, and around 2% speak Domki. -
Central Hunza:
This region starts from Murtazaabad and ends at Attabad. It includes villages like Hassanabad, Aliabad, Ganish, Karimabad, and Attabad. About 97% of people here speak Burushaski, while 3% speak Domki. -
Lower Hunza:
This area starts from Khizerabad and ends at Nasirabad. Villages here include Mayoon, Hussainabad, Khanaabad, and Nasirabad. The main language spoken is Shina.
Hunza Valley is truly one of Pakistan’s most beautiful and culturally rich places. From its high mountains and old forts to its kind people and colorful festivals, it has everything a traveler could wish for.
Contact Us to Visit the Place
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Contact us to visit Hunza Valley and explore this wonderful region with us.