HUNZA TRAVEL

Posted by shuaib hunzai Sunday, February 28, 2010

HUNZA TRAVEL

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.Is it safe to travel to Hunza? Yes it is very safe Hunza vally is about 650 kilometers from Swat and about 800 kilometers from waziristan the Afghan border, this region has never had any problem. The people in the valley are believers of His Highness the Aga Khan who gives his followers and the whole world message of brotherhood peace respect and pluralism.Not only Hunza valley is far from the trouble you don’t even have to fly to Pakistan’s major cities to get there you can come to Hunza via Khunjerab pass the highest paved road and border on earth. Extension of Hunza valley into your silk road will become highlight of the whole silkroad tour. Hunza is probably Pakistan’s most visited valley, by the tourists. It is a fairy tale land surrounded by beautiful rugged & snow capped mountains. Only at a distance of 100 Kms. from Gilgit Hunza is a small town on Karakorum Highway. At the altitude of 7000 – 800 feet it is the first main town or stop if you are entering Pakistan from China.The central Hunza known as Karimabad is basically a town of just 6 villages. The first main villages as you come from Gilgit on the main Karakorum Highway is Aliabad. There there are spectacular views of Rakaposhi mountain (7788 meters), PTDC Motel Hunza and other small hotels are located on the main Karakorum highway here. Just above Aliabad on the hill are Altit and Baltit villages the heart of Hunza. There is a very interesting Bazaar and two Forts in Altit & Baltit Villages. The Baltit fort has recently been restored and converted nto a guided museum.Hunza is undoubtly the Shangri-la of James Hilton’s novel The Lost Horizon. It is probably the most Photogenic point in the world. There are numerous tours and activities available from Hunza Below you will find some options for bus/culture tourist where as for the adventure lovers.

Karimabad:


As described above is the main bazaar of Hunza full of colorful shops with local dry fruits (Dried Apricots, Apricot Nut, Almonds, Walnuts Mulberry, etc.) At the end of bazaar is the Baltit village and Baltit fort which are restored by the Aga Khan fund for Culture & heritage. The fort has been brought into a guided museum you can spend time in the for visiting different sections of the fort and viewing the slide show in the small hall of the fort.
Duikar:

At an height of 10000 feet above sea level this is a beautiful spot to see sunrise. You can see 8 peaks above 7000 meters from here each gets the sun light one by one as sun rises.

Half Day Gulmit & Passu:
If you are not doing Khunjerab pass you must drive upto Passu for those (must See) views of the Karakorums in Gulmit & Passu. You can also have a walk in the Gulmit village and hike to Passu glacier. Scenery is beyond description. Yow will Just love it.

Full Day Khunjerab Pass:
Early morning 7AM or 8AM Drive to Khunjerab pass an extraordinary drive with beautiful view of mountains at the pass have some snack and walk a few steps in China later drive back to Sost for a Lunch . or carry Lunch boxes and do a picnic at Khunjerab National park. Return to Hunza late Afternoon.
Morning Sunrise Safari :

Drive early morning (Before Sunrise ) by jeep to Duikar (10000 ft altitude ) Watch the snowcapped mountains as sun lits all the snow capped peaks one by one, later have a breakfast in the wilderness return to the hotel in time for your other program.
Nagar & Hoper

Pick up from your hotel at 9AM or 2:30PM the duration of the tour is 4 hours you can take it either in the morning or afternoonDrive by jeep to the spectacular valley of Nagar across the Hunza river. Jeep ride is awesome. You see beautifully laid terraces for different crops and orchids. Jeep passes through the villages and the fruit orchids . At Hoper you get down and watch the Hoper glacier. If you feel like you may hike down to the glacier and have a great view of Kapal & Golden peaks.

Altit Baltit tour

Pick up from your hotel at 9AM or 2:30PM the duration of the tour is 3 – 4 hours you can take it either in the morning or afternoonVisit the newly restored Baltit fort a guided tour will be offered inside the fort emphasising the history of Hunza vally and architecture of Baltit fort which was made about 600- 400 years ago by Tibatan Artisans brought by the wife of Mir of Hunza. Late we will have an easy walk in Karimabad bazaar, we than drive to Altit for which is actually under renovation. If you desire we can also visit a school in Hunza or visit a family home in Hunza.
Hunza – Sost :

85Kms. 3 Hours with stops. it is a spectacular journey through some of the most interesting villages of Karakorum Highway. This transfer is more like an excursion as there are many photogenic points and we need to stop and see the magnificent scenery of the Karakorums. As we leave Karimabad we stop at the rock drawings on the road, later we stop at Gulmit to seea great view of cathedral , & Gulmit tower mountains. Later we make several stops for Passu, Shispar , Rakaposhi and other beautiful views. Sost is a small border town where only in the mornings there is some activity . You have to change to Government coach to go to China.

HUNZA BOIGRAPHY

172 Kilometers from the Khunjerab pass highest paved road on earth 100 Kilometers from the town of Gilgit and about 300 Kilometers from the Chinese town of Kashgar lies a firy tale land of Hunza. The pace where the height and magnitude is practically redefined. The mountains here are su gigantic that every thing else looks too small. The scenary is so spectacular that one feels as if he/she is riding in a picture frame or in a dream.Hunza vally is the land of the high Karakorum mountains. The central town Hunza valley is Karimabad situated at an elevation of 2,438 metres (7,999 feet). The administrative territory of Hunza is about 7,900 km² {3,050 mi²). Karimabad is the main town of Hunza and usually referred as Hunza itself, it being the hub of tourism in Hunza. Kirimabad was known as twin Village of Altit & Baltit in the old times when Hunza was an independent state ruled by the Mirs of Hunza. From Karimabad there are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains like, Ultar Sar, Rakaposhi, Bojahagur Duanasir
II, Ghenta Peak, Hunza Peak, Darmyani Peak, and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak), all 7,000 meters or higher. The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze and the silver color water from the glaciers signing through tall, graceful poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheat fields, set against the background of snow-covered high mountains like Ultar & Rakaposhi. How to Get there?One can reach Hunza from Islamabad
Pakistan long drive to Gilgit and an other 100 Kilometers to Hunza there are also flights from Islamabad to Gilgit but since the flights are dependent on weather Driving is mostly the choice with overnight stops in between. The plus of driving is also due to the drive being on spectacular 8th wonder of the world the Karakorum Highway.From China One can reach Hunza from China there are daily buses of Chinese governments from Taxkorgan to Sost the first city of Hunza from Sost we will drive you to your hotel in Karimabad Hunza.
Weather in Hunza

The temperature in May is maximum 27 C and minimum 14 C. The October temperatures are: maximum 10 C and minimum 0 C.
PEOPLE

People of HunzaMost of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness the Aga Khan. The local language is Brushuski, Urdu and English are also understood by a number of people. The fairy-tale like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a Hunza landmark built abut 600 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden bay windows look out over the valley. Originally, it was used as the residence of the Mirs (the title of the former rulers of Hunza).Mountaineering and HikingHunza is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking. Special permits are required for mountaineering. Please contact the Tourism Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

JEEP SAFARIS

The Journey along KKH (Karakoram Highway also known as eighth wonder of the world), world’s highest paved trade route connecting China and Pakistan,Viewpoints on the way to Hunza are exceptionally attractive forcing tourists to halt for a while in some places and for a day in the others. The highway turns east at Chalt and hugs Hunza River round the north side of Rakaposhi, at 7,788 meters (25,550 feet), the 27th highest mountain in the world. As you drive along, you catch intermittent glimpses of glaciers, gleaming white peaks and ridges surrounded by wide expense of smooth snow. Two of the best views of Rakaposhi are two kilometers past the petrol pump at the turning to Chalt where you come around a corner to find a great mass of Rakaposhi staring you down, and nine kilometers further on, where a sign-board displayed saying ?Rakaposhi viewpoint?. The two restaurants on either sides of the bridge are worth staying for some time, taking snaps of Rakaposhi, having lunch in an open elevated place and do some shopping. It takes an hour or so to get Karimabad (2500m). Staying in Karimabad and visiting around costs atleast two days. Baltit Fort (once the palace of Mir of Hunza, now renovated for tourists), Altit Fort (perched on a rocky cliff with a sheer 300 meter plunge to the Hunza river), Duiker (a high altitude tiny valley over Karimabad for a picturesque view of Hunza, Nagar and number of beautiful mountains including Rakaposhi and Diran), and Hoper glacier are the most wonderful places to visit during the stay.

Day 01: Arrival at the airport Islamabad/Lahore and transfer to the
Hotel if Lahoreairport then drive to Islamabad for overnight

Day 02: Early morning drive to Chilas. Approximately 10 hours driving,
Or by air to Gilgit.

Day 03: Drive to Gulmit Hunza, 7 hrs from Chilas and 4 hrs from the
way you can view he Rakaposhi Peak, 7788m, Lunch Gilgit . On at
Rakaposhi view point and the proceed to Upper Hunza,overnight in Passu

Hunza

Day 04: A day excursion to Khunjerab Pass (approx. 7 hrs driving), the border between China and Pakistan. The altitude of the pass is 4,877Mtrs. Khunjerab Top is a broad, grassy saddle flanked on all side by snowy peaks. Overnight at Gulmit.

Day 05: A day for easy trekking, exploring Ghulkin-Borith Lake via the . Ghulkin glacier It is around 4 to 5 hrs trekking to go arround and if you will proceed further 2km you will reach the Passu white glacier.It is also possible to go around the village to cultural experience

Day 06: Drive to karamabad . This day you can visit the Baltit Fort at and Bazaar over night at Hunza karamabad

Day 07: Drive to beshim stop in route for lunch (Chilas) and over night Beshim hotel (approx 9hrs Drive)

Day 08: The last day of your journey if your time allows you visit Taxila on the way back to Islamabad it take 6 hrs drives.

Day 09: Drive to the airport and fly to destination

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