Town or village
Passu
Hunza district · 2,500 m
Between the Passu and Batura glaciers, with the Cathedral Peaks in view and some of the best walks in the valley.
Passu sits at about 2,540 m between the Batura and Passu glaciers, in a village about 150 years old. The Shimshal river joins the Hunza river just north of the village, and the village you see today has its own quiet, easygoing charm.
Kind Town or villageDistrict HunzaElevation 2,500 mPosition 36.467° N, 74.883° E
About Passu
Villagers own large herds of yaks, cattle, sheep and goats, which spend the summer on the pastures above the village.
It is a beautiful place to break your journey and rest, with the Passu Cathedral Peaks in view. The guidebook calls it an ideal location for peace lovers. Passu also offers some of the best walks and treks in the valley, and there are plenty of short day treks in the open zone that you can do with or without a guide. Your hotel manager or a member of staff will be glad to describe the route or come along. For a walk that crosses a glacier, hire a local guide and enjoy the day with someone who knows the ice.
The Passu Ghar walk is a six to seven hour hike up to the shepherds' huts on the south side of the Passu glacier, with big views all the way.
Passu is also the start of the longer treks. The Batura trek heads west and north from the village over the moraines of the Batura glacier, and the jeep road to Shimshal leaves from here too.
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.
- 2,500 m
Town or village
Gulmit
Gojal headquarters, Wakhi speaking, with the old Mir's summer residence and a village full of charm.
- 2,480 m
Town or village
Hussaini
The famous suspension bridge over the Hunza river, planked at intervals and a treat for adventure lovers.
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.