Top 20 Places to Visit in Hunza Valley

Majestic and Serene, Hunza Valley offers you a heady mix of beautiful and high landscapes, historical forts and orchid farms rich in organic food, glimpses into Chinese culture, mind-blowing local food, undiluted snow-covered peaks, and undeniable romantic vibes. A holiday in the Northern part of Pakistan’s party destination could be easily become a life-lasting affair if you do one thing – Book your tour package in one of the best Hunza tour packages and explore the beautiful destination that dots the region.

Planned your Hunza trip and packed your bags already? Let the ride begin. To help you out, we have sorted some of the ideal places to visit in Hunza valley in no particular order.

Places to Visit in Hunza Valley:

Karimabad Passu Cones
Duiker Attabad Lake
Altit Fort Buddha Carvings
Baltit Fort Sost Border
Bazaars of Hunza Borith Lake
Hussaini Suspension Bridge Gojal Valley
Nagar Valley Sust Border
Rakaposhi View Point Khunjerab National Park
Hoper Glacier  
Hunza De Café  
Eagles Nest  
Gulmit  
Passu Glacier  

1. Karimabad, The Capital of Hunza

Karimabad | #1 of 20 Best Places to Visit in Hunza Valley

 

One of the most spectacular villages in Hunza Valley, Karimabad welcomes you to its golden sand and spellbinding natural scenic views. Blessed with vibrant apricot trees colors s and swaying cherry trees, the place offers a chilled-out party vibe. Whether you are looking for adventurous activities and water sports or just a relaxed day under the sun, Karimabad fits your pocket ranges. There’s more! The Small market at Karimabad, which is organized every day, gives you an option to experience the lively shopping culture Hunza is known for.

  • Activities: Canoeing, Trekking, Hiking, Musical Nights, Yoga, Kayaking, Paragliding, Community tour, and shopping

2. Duiker Hunza Valley

Duiker Point Hunza Valley

An adventurous place in Hunza valley, Duiker is the viewpoint of the complete valley. The pristine viewpoint is peppered with snow-covered peaks. Birds and cliffs further add to its splendid beauty. It is also one of the places for eagles nesting sites also known as eagles nest, which gives you all the one reasons to visit Hunza Valley Duiker. You want to relax and rejuvenate, make your way to Duiker and you will come back in a happy mood. 

  • Activities: Sightseeing, Hiking, Camping 

3. Baltit Fort Hunza Valley

Counted amongst the oldest forts in Hunza Valley, Baltit fort boasts of a rich past and history of the legends living once with it. Prince Agha Khan stayed at this fort during their stay at Hunza Valley. Fort named after the people of Baltistan so it’s called Baltit fort. Today the fort is the location of the top of Bazaar and you can enjoy majestic views of the surroundings from this fort.

  • Location: Hunza
  • Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; every day

4. Altit Fort Hunza Valley

Altit Fort Hunza Valley

This fort is famous for its royal garden and local communities living around it. Old women sitting in colonies wearing local traditional dresses and talking with each other. A swimming pool is a skating place in winters. Views from the Altit fort are incredible and mesmerizing

  • Location: Karimabad
  • Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; every day

5. Cafe In Hunza

cafe in Hunza ValleyThis fort is famous for its royal garden and local communities living around it. Old women sitting in colonies wearing local traditional dresses and talking with each other. A swimming pool is a skating place in winters. Views from the Altit fort are incredible and mesmerizing

  • Location: Karimabad
  • Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; every day

Hunza Valley may have the reputation for being quieter and fewer options for dining out than other Northern areas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a coffee here. In fact, there are several places to visit in Hunza Valley at night or day and chill out. Some of the best cafe spots in the Hunza are:

The Baltit Cafe

  • Location: Near Baltit Fort
  • Timings: 11:30 am to 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm to 12:00 am;
  • Cost for two (approx.): PKR 200

The Hunza De Cafe

  • Location:  Royal Garden
  • Timings: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm; every day
  • Cost for two (approx.): PKR 150

6. Hussaini Suspension Bridge

Hussaini Suspension Bridge

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Ratti Gali Road Conditions 2016

Ratti Gali Trek will be opened in July 2016.

About 18 kilometers patch from Dowarian to Ratti Gali blessed with Incredible beauty. About 14 kilometers jeep trek covered in 4 hours. Roads are very bumpy but due to scenic beauty it’s the worth to visit. Call 03005772942 to book your tour.

We are offering tour packages for RattiGali Lake Call 03005772942 for tours to Ratti Gali.

 

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Saif ul Malook Lake

THE STORY OF SAIF-UL-MALOOK

Lake Saif-ul-Malook is a famous tourist spot and it is located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) North of Naran, in Kaghan Valley, in District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is located at an altitude of 3,224 metres (10,578 feet) above sea level. It the place, where the story of Prince Saif-ul-Malook and Badi-U-Jamal was started.

Story of Saif ul Malook

The legendary story of Lake Saif-ul-Malook is penned by the Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, in the form of poetry.

SAIF 10

The story describes the tale of an Egyptian Prince, Saif-ul-Malook, who fell in love with a fairy, Badi-u-Jamal. He saw her in his dreams and after waking up the prince at once set out in search of his beloved fairy Badi-u-Jamal. Until he met a Saint, he was clueless regarding his journey. The Saint told him how and from where he could find the fairy. He informed him about the hurdles which he would face before he could find and marry Badi-u-Jamal, because she was a fairy and the prince himself was a human being.

Hence the prince started the journey in the name of love for a fairy, but after facing many challenges and with his courage and valiance, his journey turns into the spiritual explorations.

The prince, Saif-ul-Malook lived in Egypt. He was a handsome man after Joseph, on the face of the earth; tall, lean, gleaming skin, sharp eye-brows, dark-black deep eyes and jet-black hair that billowed over his shoulders. He was brave, a skilled hunter, rider and trained swordsman, true to his Arabic name the “Sword of the Kings”. Prince Saif-ul-Malook was born in riches. He had never asked for anything in his life; until he saw a dream of a fairy that had changed the whole course of his life and his peace of mind was stolen by her.

saif 1

He saw a lake, which he had never seen before, surrounded by sky-high mountains that they seemed to touch the sky and the shimmering water of the lake looked emerald-green in the silvery moonlight.  In the lake seven fairies were taking bath, tender, slim and delicate creature, with creamy skins, golden eyes, and curly blonde hair. Beauty of all the fairies outmatched to one another but the glamour of the seventh one surpassed the charm of the rest with her black hair. Her face was as glooming as the full moon (badr). It was her laughter that seized the heart of the prince, even on waking up it still rang sweetly in his ears. He did never see such a spell-bounding dream in his whole life.

He went out in search of fairy and kept on wandering to and fro. One day while he was in the outskirts of the Cairo city, the prince happened to meet a Saint who sitting under a shady olive tree. He thought the Saint might be helpful to him. As soon as he approached him, the old man looked at him expectantly and a smile lit up his face. He informed the prince that he was waiting for him. He narrated the story of the prince and revealed his predictions of coming life the prince. He warned the prince of the obstacles in the way towards Badi-u-Jamal. He guided Saif-ul-Malook about the direction to access the fairy.

SAIF 14

The prince reached at the Lake Saif-ul-Malook after intense hardships and barriers. At last he saw his beloved, Badi-u-Jamal in the emerald-green water of the lake. There she entered the Lake in the last, gliding into the water effortlessly, with her long black hair spread over her back, her face was as radiant as the full moon and her eyes were twinkling. Prince Saif-ul-Malook felt himself in the heavens after undaunted and tiring struggle for consecutive six years and forty days. He was right there to see the palpable fairy, whom he could touch, feel and to live with!

 

Author: Fehmeeda Farid Khan

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Kaghan Valley vs Neelum Valley

neelum valley vs naran kaghan
The two valleys are located on parallel position to each other and separated by snow-covered peaks, some over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Both the Valleys have equally beautiful landscape, Lakes, Glaciers, and high Mountain Peaks. Nature bestowed them with generous hands; we would remain undecided, which Valley to visit first. Here we make a comparison of both the Valleys below:

Kaghan Valley:
Kaghan Valley stretches in the lower Himalayan Mountains Range. The Kaghan Valley is famous for its splendor and natural beauty, and one of the most fabulous Resorts of Hazara Division, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It is located at the distance of 64 kilometres from Balakot, it is surrounded by magnificent mountains, mighty glaciers, mesmerizing waterfalls and crystal clear lakes in abundance with of flora and fauna. The valley is spread over a 155 kilometres area and rising from an elevation of 2, 134 feet (650 metres), with its highest point, 13,700 feet (4, 176 metres) at Babusar Top, above sea level.
Shogran:
Shogran is at a distance of 34 kilometres from Balakot. It is a plateau, reachable by metalled road via Kawai. It is surrounded by green mountains with cool climate.
Jared:
Jared is a small hamlet, located at 40 kilometres from Balakot and beyond Shinu. This small place serves you with a large variety of locally manufactured products
Naran:
Naran is a medium sized town, located at the height of 2498 m (8, 196 feet) above sea level. It is 119 kilometres (74 miles) away from Mansehra.
Lake Saiful Muluk:
It is located at an elevation of 3, 224 metres (10, 578 feet) above sea level. This bowl-like famous Lake and it is 10 kilometres away from Naran. It can be visited during the whole summer season.
Lake Dudipatsar:
This beautiful Lake is located at an elevation of 12, 467 feet (3800 metres) above sea level and famous for trout fish. It can be reached from Basel after 8 hours trekking.
After the middle of June when the weather is more pleasant is the best time for visiting the lake.
Lake Lulusar:
Lake Lulusar is the biggest natural lake in the Hazara Region, and located at the height of 3, 410 metres (11, 188 feet). It is main source of Kunhar River.
Babusar Pass:
Beautiful Babusar Pass (Top) is at a distance of 80 kilometres from Naran/Kaghan Valley. From the Babusar Top tourists can view Nanga Parbat (8, 126 metres).

Neelum Valley:
Neelum Valley spreads over 144 kilometres area in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is named after the River Neelum, which flows through the Valley.
The Valley is situated in the North-East of Muzaffarabad, and it is connected from Muzaffarabad by Neelum road, which leads up to Kel. The road condition from Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam is very good and suitable for any kind of transport.
Rest houses and lodges of AJK Tourism and Archeology Department are available in Keran, Kutton, Dawarrian, Sharda, Kel and Taobat. There are some private hotels, rest/guest houses etc. as well.

Places to Visit:

Kundal Shahi:
The village is located at 74 kilometers (46 miles) from Muzaffarabad, on the bank of River Neelum.

Jura:
Jura is densely populated area in District Neelum, which is famous for its beautiful places and highest mountains.
Athmuqam:
This main town of valley is situated about 84 kilometres from Muzaffarabad. It is the headquarters of Neelum District.
Kutton:
Kutton/Jagran Valley is a village and also a tourist resort. It is situated 82 kilometers (51 miles) from Muzaffarabad and 8 kilometers (5.0 miles) away from Kundal Shahi on the bank of Jagran stream.

Keran:
It is at the distance of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Athmuqam. Keran is tourist resort and located on the bank of River Neelum, at an altitude of 1, 524 meters (5, 000 feet)

Dowarian:
It is located at a distance of 106 kilometers (66 miles) from Muzaffarabad and 22 kilometers (14 miles) from Athmuqam. Its altitude is 1, 615 metres (5, 299 feet). It is the base camp to Ratti Gali Lake.
Dudhnial:
It is a very famous and beautiful town of Neelum Valley.
Sharda:
One of the beautiful areas of Neelum Valley located at an altitude of 1, 981 metres (6, 499 feet). It is 136 kilometres (85 miles) away from Muzaffarabad.
Tehjian:
Tehjian is small beautiful Village of Neelum Valley and its total population of Tehjian is nearly 5000.

Kel:
It is situated at a distance of 19 kilometres (12 miles) from Sharda, at the altitude of 6, 879 feet (2, 097 metres).
Arrang Kel:
A small tourist spot located on the hill top near Kel at an altitude of 8, 379 feet (2, 554 metres) feet.
Taobat:
This is last destination of the Neelum Valley. It is 200 kilometres (120 miles) away from Muzaffarabad and 39 kilometers (24 mi) away from Kel.
Chitta Katha Lake:
It is located in Shounter Valley, at an altitude of 13, 500 feet (4, 115 metres). The lake is 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from Kel through Jeep track.
Shounter Lake:
It is a small lake located in Shounter valley at an altitude of 10, 200 feet (3, 109 metres). It is accessible from Kel by a jeep track.

Ratti Gali Lake:
Ratti Gali is located in Neelum Valley at an altitude of 12, 130 feet (3, 697 metres).

Saral Lake:
Saral Lake is located at an altitude of 13, 600 feet (4,145 metres). Sharda is the base camp to this Lake.

 

Author: Fehmeeda Farid Khan

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Chitta Katha Lake trek Guide

Chitta katha lake is second beautiful lake of Azad Kashmir and of Neelum valley as well , it’s elevation is about 13500 feet from sea level.

Pakistan Travel Guide is offering tour packages to Chitta Katha Lake via jeep bookings from kel to base camp of Chitta Katha Lake. It’s called chitta katha lake because of it’s white color due to some chemical combinations.

We offer complete Neelum Valley lake tour packages with lake and trek guide + jeep bookings.

Content from Wikipedia

Chitta Katha means White Stream; it is the local name of the stream coming down from the Hari Parbat (pictured in the background), which originates from the lake named Chitta Katha Sar. This Mountain is sacred for some people who relate it to Lord Shiva and consider it as the abode of the Lord.

Chitta Khata Lake

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Ratti Gali Trek Guide

Ratti Gali Lake is  Glacial lake and one of the most beautiful lakes of Pakistan, It’s located in Azad Kashmir’s district named Neelum Valley.

Route to Rati Gali Lake : From Muzaffarabad to Keran it’s 3 hours drive and then the next station you will find is dowarian. From Dowarian to RattiGali it’s 19 kilometers trek and very beautiful which is of jeep track.

Base Camp of RattiGali Lake is 3 kilometers from RatiGali Lake , where we had one Tent village at Ratti Gali Lake, From Base camp to Ratti Gali is pedestrian trek.

For More Information Call 0300-5772942

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Ratti Gali Travel Guide

RattiGali surface elevation is about 12,130 feet and it’s residence time is July to August or Sometimes till September easily approachable. The Ratti Gali Lake is an alpine glacial lake which is located in Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir. Last year AJK tourism opens road to Ratti Gali till base camp after then RattiGali Lake is just 30 Minutes hike and Pakistan Travel Guide had a base camp.

We are offering day tour from Keran & Dowarian to RattiGali, the real fascination in Neelum Valley is RattiGali because now it’s approachable and worth seeing place. Book your travel guide from us for ratti gali.

How to Plan RattiGali Lake  Tour from Karachi ?

If you are planning Ratti Gali Lake tour and you are in Karachi we could make your trip easier for you.

Karachi to Neelum Valley Travel Guide :

Mode of Travels from Neelum Valley from Karachi :

=> By Air => Green Line Train => By Road

We offer bookings of Air Line tickets from karachi to Islamabad , book your tickets atleast one month ago in order to save your money.

Rati_Gali_Lake

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