Marvelous Tourism The light breeze, humming through poplar trees and the sight of wheat fields carpeting the mighty, mountainous landscape is enough to overwhelm the visitor’s senses. Glittering with fragrant flowers, set against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains, the valley can be compared to a garden from heaven. The spectacular sunrise, showcasing a panoramic dance of light and shadows on the surrounding mountain ranges, is a sheer delight for the tourists. Along with the picturesque view from the valley, the seasonal fruits and the tasty cuisine also attract travelers.
Hunza is a mountainous valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Hunza is situated in the extreme northern part of Pakistan, bordering with the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and the Xinjiang region of China.
Places of Attractions
Karimabad
Karimabad town, located on the west bank of the Hunza River is a valley which is at 8,200 feet (2,500 m) elevation. The town is made up of stone walled steep sloping large terraces. The town was a caravan halting place for people who were traveling through the Hindu Kush mountains to the Vale of Kashmir. It is set amidst snow clad mountain peaks of Rakaposhi (altitude of about 25,000 feet (7,600 m)), and glaciers like the Ulter Nala as a backdrop, and deep gorges. Access is by hill road from Gilgit.
Altit, Baltit Forts
The stunning Baltit Fort is one the most admired tourist attractions in Hunza. The oldest part of the fort dates back to the 13th Century, when the Fort established itself as the prime seat for power in the state of Hunza. The fort was renovated and reopened in 1997. From its top, tourists can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the surrounding valley. Behind the fort is the mighty Ultar Peak, while at its fore is the Hunza River, Rakaposhi Mountain, the Golden Peak and the Broad Peak. The old heritage that is part of the Valley needs to be preserved so that more tourists can be lured into the area. For trekking enthusiasts, Rakaposhi Mountain is the easiest to climb. The Royal Geographical Society of London carried out a survey to determine a restoration plan for the Fort, which was then initiated and supported by Agha Khan Trust for Culture Historic Cities Support Program. The fort was renovated and reopened for tourists in 1997, and is now run by Baltit Heritage Trust.
Attabad Lake
Attabad Lake which is also commonly known as Gojal Lake is an amazingly beautiful lake in Gojal Valley. This lake was formed as a result of a landslide. Initially, it presented a lot of difficulty to the locals and even resulted in the loss of lives of many people as well as the displacement of many locals. However, with time, it has become a major tourist attraction in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. In fact, today, it stands as one of the most scenic lakes in the world.
Khunjerab Pass
Khunjerab Pass (sometimes called Khunerjab Pass) is a high mountain pass on the northern border of Pakistan with China, at an elevation of 4.733m (15,528ft) above the sea level. The Khunjerab Pass is the highest border-crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. Khunjerab Pass is located in the Karakoram Mountains in a strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan’s Gilgit–Baltistan Hunza-Nagar District on the southwest border of the Xinjiang region of China. For comparison, Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe, is 4.810 m and Mount Whitney, the highest point in the 48 contiguous United States, is 4.421. This section of the road was completed in 1982 and is possibly the highest metalled border crossing in the world. On the Pakistani side, the surface of the road is gravel. On the Chinese side, the surface of the road is bad asphalt.
Naltar Valley
Naltar is a valley near Gilgit, Hunza and Nomal. Naltar is 40 km (25 mi) from Gilgit and can be reached by jeeps, a forested region known for its dramatic mountain scenery.
Mountains of Naltar, on the foothills of which, Skiing is a popular sport.
Ski competitions are held at Naltar ski resort. Naltar Bala and Naltar Pine are two villages of Naltar valley. N.Pine Is at a distance of 34 kilometers (21 mi) and Naltar Bala at 40 kilometers (25 mi) from Gilgit. There is a main village known as Nomal between Naltar valley and Gilgit. A road from Nomal goes to ‘The Silk Route’ to China.
Borith Lake
Borith Lake is a lake located near Gulmit, Gojal, in the upper Hunza area. The altitude of Borith is roughly 2,600 m (8,500 feet) above sea level. The lake can be reached via a 2 km unpaved jeep route from Husseini village, and is also accessible by a 2-3 hour trekking route directly from Ghuylkin, across the end of the Ghulkin glacier. The site is an important sanctuary for migrating wildfowl and is a must visit for bird-watchers and nature lovers. During the months of March and June one can witness the large number of ducks arriving from the warmer parts of southern Pakistan, and from September–November, the same occurs in reverse.
Hoper Glacier
The Hopar Valley is a scenic portion of the Nagar Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, in Pakistan. It is about 10 km away from Nagar Khas, the principal city of the Nagar Valley. Hopar Valley is home of the Spantik and Hopar (Hopper) glaciers.
Hopar Valley is a cluster of villages around a natural bowl at a bend of Baltoro Glacier. Opposite to Hopar the white Bualtar is joined by the Barpu Glacier. This is a base camp for treks into the high, glacier-draped peaks called the Hispar Muztagh. Whole population of this valley is Burushaski speakers.
The valley has a number of natural formations, including glaciers, lakes, and high mountains.
Glaciers
There are three glaciers existing in the valley:
- Hoper glacier
- Barpu glacier
- Mier glacier
Some other places to visit:
- Gojal Valley
- Satrangi Lake
- Rakaposhi View Point
- Ganish
- Shim Shal
- Hussaini Bridge
- Lady Finger
- Passu Cones
- Sust
