Town or village
Gulmit
Hunza district · 2,500 m
Gojal headquarters, Wakhi speaking, with the old Mir's summer residence and a village full of charm.
Gulmit is a peaceful, beautiful village at the centre of Upper Hunza, and it was the former summer residence of the Mir of Hunza. It is nothing like Karimabad when it comes to development, but it has its own charm and gets a steady number of visitors who come for the village itself.
Kind Town or villageDistrict HunzaElevation 2,500 mPosition 36.390° N, 74.869° E
About Gulmit
Most people of Gojal are Wakhi Tajiks, believed to have migrated to Hunza in the late 18th century through the Wakhan Corridor from Afghanistan. They once had their own ruler before coming under the Mir of Hunza. The whole population is Ismaili, and Wakhi is the language of the valley, although Burushaski is spoken in a few pockets and understood by many.
With the new highway alignment and tunnels, Gulmit is an easy and scenic stop on the road north, and a lovely place to sleep on the way to Passu.
There are a few small things to see. A small cultural museum sits in a traditional house run by the owner of the Hunza Marco Polo Inn, and there is a small library. Short walks start in and around the village, and taking a local along is a great way to hear the stories behind the place.
Elsewhere in Hunza
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
Town or village · 2,450 m
Karimabad
The old seat of the Mir of Hunza, and the heartbeat of tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Fort · 2,500 m
Baltit Fort
Seven hundred years old, and beautifully restored between 1990 and 1996 by the Aga Khan Cultural Service.
- 2,350 m
Fort
Altit Fort
The older of Hunza's two great forts, on the edge of a cliff above the river.
- 7,388 m
Summit
Ultar Sar
7,388 m directly above Karimabad, and the glacier that waters most of Central Hunza.
Lake or water · 2,450 m
Attabad Lake
A turquoise lake on the Karakoram Highway, with boat rides, lakeside camping and a new road through the tunnels.
- 2,480 m
Town or village
Hussaini
The famous suspension bridge over the Hunza river, planked at intervals and a treat for adventure lovers.
- 2,500 m
Town or village
Passu
Between the Passu and Batura glaciers, with the Cathedral Peaks in view and some of the best walks in the valley.
Summit · 6,106 m
Passu Cones
Tupopdan, 6,106 m. The serrated wall every photograph of Upper Hunza is taken against.
- 2,600 m
Lake or water
Borith Lake
An emerald green lake above Ghulkin, where migrating birds stop in spring and autumn.
- 2,800 m
Town or village
Sost
The dry port and the last Pakistani customs post before China, and the base for Khunjerab and Chapursan.
- 3,100 m
Town or village
Misgar
Up a side valley off the highway, below the Mintika Pass on the old silk route from China to India.
- 3,300 m
Town or village
Chapursan
A Wakhi valley running west to the Afghan watershed, with the shrine of Baba Ghundi and a famous festival.
- 3,100 m
Town or village
Shimshal
Pakistan's most remote valley, home to great guides, a mountaineering school and yak pastures above 4,700 m.
- 4,735 m
Pass
Shimshal Pass
The gate onto the Pamir pastures, walked by Shimshali herders twice a year.
- 4,735 m
Base camp
Shuwerth
Summer pasture on the Pamir, and blue sheep ground in winter.
Pass · 4,693 m
Khunjerab Pass
4,693 m. The Chinese border and the highest paved border crossing in the world.