Baltit Fort
A centuries-old fort on a ridge above Karimabad, restored and opened as a museum. Its wooden balconies, carved rooms and rooftop views over the valley and the peaks beyond give a sense of Hunza's royal past.
Hunza Valley
Orchards glowing in autumn, snowy peaks, blue Attabad Lake and the old Baltit and Altit forts fill this mountain valley.
Attractive locations
Altit Fort
One of the oldest buildings in Hunza, standing on a cliff above the village of Altit. Restored rooms, a watchtower and views of terraced fields and mountains make it a rewarding stop beside Baltit.
Attabad Lake
A bright turquoise lake created when a landslide blocked the Hunza River in 2010. Boats cross the water, and the Karakoram Highway now passes through tunnels cut along its shore.
Borith Lake
A quiet lake reached on a short walk from Hussaini village in upper Hunza. Its shore draws birdwatchers and picnickers, and the surrounding hills and glacier views make a peaceful break from the highway.
Rakaposhi
A towering snow-covered peak that rises above the Hunza and Nagar valleys. A viewpoint beside the Karakoram Highway lets travellers see its long slopes from the road without any climbing.
Khunjerab Pass
A high mountain pass on the Karakoram Highway at the border with China, among the highest paved border crossings in the world. The road climbs through snow peaks and wide mountain scenery.
Hussaini Suspension Bridge
A long, swaying rope-and-plank footbridge over the Hunza River near Hussaini, with gaps in the boards and mountain views all round. Visitors cross it at their own risk for the views and photos.
Airports
Gilgit Airport GIL
It is about 53 km in a straight line from Hunza Valley.
Skardu International Airport KDU
It is about 135 km in a straight line from Hunza Valley.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Pakistan page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-15.9 °C16 mm
- Feb-13.9 °C20 mm
- Mar-8.8 °C18 mm
- Apr-2.9 °C22 mm
- May1.4 °C16 mm
- Jun5.8 °C14 mm
- Jul9.3 °C16 mm
- Aug8.7 °C15 mm
- Sep4.1 °C11 mm
- Oct-1.8 °C7 mm
- Nov-8.1 °C13 mm
- Dec-13.4 °C10 mm
Driest months: Sep, Oct, Dec. Wettest months: Feb, Mar, Apr.
Costs
Prices here are about 24% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 15, rescue and ambulance 1122 (in many cities), fire 16 - confirm with your hotel or guide.
local government
Gilgit-Baltistan Police Tourist Police
Helps with: Tourism police unit of the Gilgit-Baltistan Police, deployed at tourist destinations in that region. Its page lists a Tourist Police Helpline, and the force's main office is in Gilgit.
Who qualifies: Visitors in Gilgit-Baltistan only. This unit does not cover the rest of Pakistan.
Phone: 1422
Email: info@gbp.gov.pk
Address: C.P.O (Central Police Office), Konodass, near Jinnah Bridge Road, Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan
ngo
Pakistan Red Crescent Society
Helps with: Pakistan's national Red Crescent society. Its 1030 helpline is described as offering ambulance support, blood donation, first aid and psychosocial care; it also works on disaster response and restoring family links.
Who qualifies: People in Pakistan who need its first aid, ambulance, blood or disaster relief services.
Phone: 1030
local government
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
Helps with: Pakistan's national disaster management body. It runs an emergency helpline and a WhatsApp contact, and issues alerts and travel guidance for disaster-prone areas.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Pakistan affected by a disaster or reporting one.
Phone: 051-111-157-157
Email: info@ndma.gov.pk
Address: Main Murree Road, near ITP Office, Islamabad
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan
Helps with: The UN migration agency. Its Islamabad office handles migration matters in Pakistan; its contact page lists an email and a separate migration health department.
Who qualifies: Migrants and migration-related cases in Pakistan. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Email: iomislamabad@iom.int
Address: Islamabad, Pakistan
local government
Police emergency number 15
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 15
local government
Ambulance and fire emergency number 1122
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance and fire services. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 1122