Hunza Valley

NTRODUCTION:


I remember when I was had to spend a few days in a hostel in Peshawar University due to some transportation problems i was having to go to the university, I made acquaintances with a girl from Hunza valley, her sort of Afghan Chinese features made her stand out and she was one of the most intelligent human ever. She was always saying that she will go back to Hunza once she is done with her studies and encourage girls there to seek education and will teach the little ones there such a nice person she was…I wonder whether she was able to fulfill her dreams..i pray that she has.
SOME FACTS ABOUT HUNZA:




HUNZA VALLEY

The valley is believed to be the inspiration of the the mythical valley of Shangri-la of “Jame’s Hilton’s” novel “The lost horizon” Hunza opened up by the completion of the engineering marvel Karakoram Highway(KKH) tracing the old “silk route” from Pakistan to China.

Once a princely state which was dissolved by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974,after being an independent state for almost 900 years. Hunza is among the most famous holiday get aways to the north of Pakistan. It is a mountainous valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Standing at the north of Hunza river, it is at an elevation of 8,200 ft. The traditional name for the ruler of Hunza was Thum, and now they are addressed as soori. The people of Hunza are fair skinned and light eyed. They are mostly Ismali shia muslims or Shia muslims. The language spoken is Burushaski..one of the most enigmatic languages as it is not related to any other language known to man..wonder where it came from..hmmm

HOW TO REACH HUNZA:



THE SILK ROUTE

Hunza can be reached via the Karakoram Highway i.e the silk route. As you travel up the valley Hunza is on the left side and the former state of Nagar is on the right of the Hunza river. Busses and other road vehicles regularly move between Gilgit and Hunza and Islamabad. You can also reach hunza via air transport. A 42 seater PIA has regular flights from Islamabad to Gilgit Airport(IATA:GIL) and the flight takes 45 min to reach Gilgit but they can be delayed depending on the weather conditions.

WHERE TO STAY:

HUNZA BALTIT INN


There are many hotels available including

Hunza hill top hotel, Hunza

Hunza Embassy hotel

PTDC Motels in Hunza and Sost

Hunza view hotel

Hunza Baltit Inn and many more.
WHAT TO DO IN HUNZA:

Now after you have figured out how are you going to reach Hunza and where are you goin to stay you might consider doing the following activities to make this trip a memorable one. Camping, hunting, hiking, swimming, hiking and trekking, mountain biking, eco tours, safari tours, horse riding, skiing, fishing, shopping and gliding…so many things to do yay Pakistan
WHERE TO GO:



FAIRY TALE HOUSE IN HUNZA

Enjoying the lovely weather, the smell of apricot tress, snow covered mountains and lush green land..i wouldn’t want to go anywhere but to enjoy the beauty sitting out in the lawn:P The houses alone are like in fairytales..you have to see them to believe me. Enjoy the Buddhist remains and prehistoric carving of animals and men in the rocks of the valley. The valley has some of the highest and most magnificent peaks of the world including, Rakaposhi(25,551ft), Ultarsar(24,239ft), Ghenta Sar peak(23,261ft), the ladyfinger peak or Bulimating peak(19,685ft) and many more small and large ones.



RAKAPOSHI PEAK
THE FORTS:



BALTIT FORT HUNZA

Some of the most ancient fort watch towers are in forts of the valley including in the famous forts of Blatit in Karimabad and Altit fort at the foot of the valley. The Baltit fort has been brought into a guided museum you can also visit it and know about the history of Hunza KARIMABAD: holds the most colorful bazars including shops of local dry fruit, dried apricots, walnuts, almonds, mulberry etc.
NAGAR AND HOPER:

A jeep drive(which is awesome) will take you to these places where you can enjoy the lush green landscapes, and different crop traces and orchid fields, you will be shown the Hoper Glacier with golden peaks as the sunrays fall on them.
THE SUNRISE SAFFARI:




SUNRISE IN HUNZA

In this safari you will be shown the mountain peaks turn to gold as the sun rises and its rays fall on the mountain capes one after another..that would be spectacular…later on you can have breakfast in the beautiful wilderness.
KHUNJERAB PASS:



KHUNJERAB PASS

A bus service is also available which will take you across the border from Gilgit to China. If you have come this far, why not meet the neighbours..go to Khunjerab pass enter China enjoy a few moments there, have some snacks, talk to people and get sovenioursJ and if you are not going to Khunjerab you must visit Passu then.

THE LAKES:




BORITH LAKE

The lakes worth seeing are the Rush lake and the Borith lake.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

With so many things to do and so many places to visit Hunza had to be THE MOST POPULAR vacation choise of everyone.