Despite what the News world has tried to convince us, the Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan could be the most peaceful location in the country. Ninety-nine percent of Pakistan is as secure as Europe, and these days, the Hunza Valley is more stable than central Europe.
One of the major stops on the Iconic Karakoram Highway is the Hunza Valley, and it is a convenient place to rest for days, if not weeks or even months. It is a valley of heaven.
The Hunza Valley, Upper Hunza, Middle Hunza, and Lower Hunza are broken into three regional subdivisions.
The central area of the valley is the most famous one, and when they say they are going to the Hunza Valley, people talk about it.
The Hunza valley is known to be the epitome of Pakistani travel destinations. It is one of the first places to worry about whether tourists and locals want to go to the subcontinent for a break. What has prompted visitors to coin the Hunza valley as a heaven on earth is the captivating landscape of the valley.
One of the most relaxing of all my travels was my time in the valley, mostly because of the vibrant people and gorgeous scenery that sends out endless feel-good vibes.
As I unfold my journey to the Hunza Valley, read on ahead and offer a full guide on what to do, where to stay, and how to plan for the trip to the Hunza Valley for life.
The Hunza valley is situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan province, on the Pakistan-China frontier. Karimabad, which provides a stunning view of Rakaposhi Peak, is the state capital of Hunza.
The temperature in the Hunza valley will plunge below 0 ° C at an altitude of 2438 meters and the official tourism season is from May to October due to the closing of roads due to snow (during the summers).
HUNZA VALLEY PEOPLE:
The inhabitants of Hunza are known as the fair-skinned Hunzakuts, who speak the almost unheard language of Burushaski. Ismaili Muslims are mainly locals in the city and are very generous in welcoming visitors.
You will find that you are always greeted by the residents of the Hunza Valley in hotels, pubs, cafés, and houses. One of the best ways for me to explore the valley was to get to know the history and culture of the people there.
How to get to the valley of Hunza?
Once you are in Islamabad, there are two routes to enter the Hunza Valley. The first is to take a flight directly to Gilgit airport and then to Hunza valley for a short 2-3 hour trip. To get from Gilgit to Hunza, there are many rental van services that you can pick from. You can find daily flights between Gilgit and Islamabad via PIA, but due to weather approval, all flights are subject to delays. This alternative is easier than the second option but much less thrilling.
The second choice is to take a 24-hour bus straight from Islamabad, seeing on the way the elegance of Karakoram, Skardu, and Kaghan Valley. Like me, if you love to discover new locations, then I would suggest that you take a drive and stay overnight in some of Pakistan's must-visit places, such as Naran.
Private cars are mainly used for transportation while you are in the Hunza valley, and most people hire jeeps for the duration of their trip. Within Hunza, you can enter the various cities by bus or by your own leased transport as well. The first stop is the capital of a state, i.e. Karimabad. Karimabad
PREPARING FOR A VALLEY RIDE TO HUNZA:
Next up, with all the stuff you need to get through, is how you can dress for the journey to Hunza. Depending on how long you schedule your journey for, this can be a long list, but in general, the most important things you will need to travel to the Hunza valley are:
Trekking and Hiking Gear: In the Hunza valley and nearby, there are quite a few trekking and hiking places, such as Baltit Fort and Ultar Base Camp. You will have to walk through slightly hilly terrain much of the time, especially in Karimabad and other cities, so you should keep your large boots with you for the ride.
Food products and bottles of water: If you want to go by bus to Hunza by route, then note that there are not many stops where you can find food and water supplies. It is recommended that you keep simple food products and a few water bottles with you while you are in Islamabad to quench your thirst along the way.
Local Sim Card: In the Hunza valley, there are no service centers to register sim cards for you, so you will have to buy a local sim card from either Islamabad or Gilgit. The Broadband speed is not great, but in some places, you get EDGE internet speeds and occasionally even 3G, so it's enough to get by.
Travel Necessities: When going to the Hunza Valley, bring your sunblock, warm clothing, extra footwear, and camping kit with you (if you will be visiting other places or want to hike to the mountain ranges).
As for the daily budget for your journey, it will range from PKR 4000 to PKR 5000, which includes lodging and nearby cafés with three big meals. If you choose to walk over renting out jeeps and staying in dorms, you would not find it too pricey and should be able to get around in as little as 1500 PKR as well.
GET CUSTOMIZED TOUR PACKAGES FROM PAKISTAN TRAVEL DIARIES:
Contact Pakistan Travel Diaries or visit their website www.pakistantraveldiaries.com to see the outstanding travel packages offered by them. Let’s visit Hunza together!