Karimabad (aka Baltit) is the capital of Hunza Valley in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Karimabad is 100 km drive from Gilgit, it takes almost 2 - 3 hours. The journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours.
By bus
[edit]The main bus stand is on the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in nearby Aliabad. There are booking agents in town for long distance buses & jeeps along the KKH, and there you can find a shared taxi or hitch-hike to Karimabad (which is uphill).
From China
[edit]From Kashgar (China) there is a ¥270 regular bus service to Hunza via Sost crossing over the Khunjerab Pass (about 5000 m high). Across river Hunza at Sost, there is a village called Khuda Abad. People usually do not stop at Khunjerab Pass, they just carry on their journey to Sost with the bus. From Sost, you can do a number of activities around like trekking in the valleys, or drive to Hunza-Karimabad (2 hours), where the Baltit Fort is standing. The Khunjerab Pass is open from May 1-Dec 30, but closed in winter.
Thrice-weekly bus service was scheduled to begin crossing the border from Gilgit, Northern Areas, to Kashgar, China, and road widening work was scheduled for 600 km of the Karakoram Highway. There were also plans for one daily bus in each direction between Sust and Taxkorgan in the border areas of the two countries.
From Islamabad
[edit]Via the Karakoram Highway, popularly known as the Silk Road. Faisal Movers buses leave from Faizabad station (just out of Islamabad and into Rawalpindi; easily reachable by red Metro Bus line or taxi) and take 13 hr to Aliabad (Rs 5000 in 2025).
From Gilgit
[edit]Via the Karakoram Highway, popularly known as the Silk Road.
By plane
[edit]Pakistani International Airlines has at least one daily 45-minute flight from the capital Islamabad to the nearest major airport in Gilgit (GIL IATA), three hours south of Karimabad. All flights, however, are subject to weather clearance, and in winters, flights are often delayed by several days.
Get around
[edit]
Private vehicles are normally used as local transport. Renting jeeps is also a common way of moving around. You can go to nearby cities on buses and by air.
So called "Zero point" is hotel zone, a bit below main market. No people houses there.
See
[edit]- 1 [formerly dead link] Baltit Fort (from Zero point go up for about 10 minutes), ☏ +92 5821 57640. Beautiful old fort that was the seat of the Mirs of Hunza for centuries. Tour guides are knowledgeable and the fort has quite a lot of artefacts to see. Similar to Altit Fort which is Rs 1650.
- 2 Altit Fort (quite a long walk from Zero point, better catch a car or a motorcycle there). This fort is a hundred years older than Baltit Fort and is impressively situated. Not so well restored as Baltit Fort, no museum inside, but still well worth a visit. Rs 1650.
- Eagle's Nest (a long hike up from Altit Fort, better catch a car or a motorcycle; 15-20 min by car from main market). A place up the mountain (near Eagles Nest Hotel Hunza, see the map) with spectacular views of Hunza Valley. Nice to come here to watch sunset.
- Ruby mines
- Spectacular sceneries
- Rock carvings
Do
[edit]- Karakoram Air Safari is the scenic air journey offered by PIA
- Mountaineering, trekking and hiking: The area is ideal for mountaineering, trekking and hiking. Permission for mountaineering and trekking for restricted zone is issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Sports Complex, Kashmir Highway, Aabpara, Islamabad (Telephone: 92-51-9203509). Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department at Gilgit and Skardu.
- Fishing at Lakes. Fishing permits are issued by the Fisheries Department.
- Biking
- Walking
- Hike to Ultar meadow through the steep canyon above the main town that can be seen behind Baltit fort. Great views of the area can be enjoyed, especially of the imposing Lady Finger peak high above the town. As of July 2019, floods have washed away the path on the right hand side of the canyon, therefore it is advisable to hire a guide to show you the way.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]There are many places serving food along Karim Abad Rd, especially between Zero point and Baltit fort. Most hotels will also serve food.
- Hunza Food Pavilion (Lal Shehzadi), Baltit Fort Road, near polo ground (go up from Zero point to Baltit fort, ask locals on the way). Lal Shehzadi is a local woman who, with her company, makes and serves local food, inexpensive and tasty. You can hear staff in the kitchen talking Burushaski, the local language.
- 1 Cafe de Hunza, Karim Abad Rd (Near Baltit Fort). Popular with travellers, has free Wifi.
- 2 Pizza Pamir, Karim Abad Rd (Near Baltit Fort). Great views from the seating area.
- 3 Sweet Tooth Hunza, Karim Abad Rd (Zero point). Restaurant that serves Western food.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- Tourist Cottage & Restaurant (Zero point, near Haider Inn). Friendly staff, welcomes you with green tea, reccommeds sigts and places to eat. Same owner as Haider Inn. Double with breakfast Rs 2500.
- Hunza Backpacker's Inn, 200 metres from zero point Karimabad (check Google maps). Hotel, wifi, hot shower.
- Karimabad Inn, Zero point Karimabad.
- Haider Inn (behind Zero Point). Homely feel, en suite doubles and dorm rooms with hot water. Fantastic set meal at 8PM Rs125.
Mid-range
[edit]- Mulberry Hotel, Main road Karimanad (between Zero point and the main bazzar of Karimabad).
- Darbar Hotel, Zero point Karimabad. Claims three stars.
- Hunza Baltit inn.
Splurge
[edit]- 1 Eagles Nest Hotel Hunza. Mountain-top hotel with spectacular views.
- 2 Hunza Serena Inn, ☏ +92 5813 457660.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Wherever you go next, usually first you have to get down to Karakoram Highway (KKH). Walk 20 minutes down from Zero point to get to KKH, but even better if you visit very old Ganish village on the way.
- Passu - go there for good hikes and mountain views. You can take a minivan or hitch-hike. Admire Attabad Lake on the way. You can continue on KKH to Sost and all the way to Kashgar.
- Rakaposhi Base Camp - take a nice hike there, starting from Minapin village. You will see trees, pastures, houses, streams, domestic animals, rocks and impressive glacier. If you're lucky and no clouds, you'll probably even see Rakaposhi, a 7,788-metre peak. The base camp lies in a quiet setting, there is a warden there and you can sleep there as well. To reach Minapin village, first get to KKH and to Aliabad, then take a minivan to Pissan (at Hunza River bridge; ask to let you out there) on the way to Gilgit, then hike or catch a ride to Minapin. In Minapin you can stay at Manokur-e-Basa Hotel (2025 double with breakfast Rs 3500) at the end of the village. The hotel host Fida Hussein is nice and helpful, food is really good, and a minivan can later take you from there i.e. to Gilgit. The hike to Rakaposhi Base Camp starts from the hotel and may take you 3.5 hr up and 2.5 hr down; Rs 300 for entry.
- Gilgit - catch a minivan there from Aliabad.