Gilgit-Baltistan · Karimabad · Upper Hunza
Where orchards climb into the Karakoram.
April – October 3–4 days Valleys
Hunza is the postcard of the north: a river valley carved through the Karakoram where terraced orchards, stone-and-timber forts and snow peaks share a single frame. Karimabad is the hub, with Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar looking down on the town.
Baltit Fort — on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list since 2004 — watches over Karimabad, and conservation work has traced its core structures back to the 8th century. Come in April for blossom, or October when the entire valley turns gold.
01Baltit & Altit forts above Karimabad
02Sunrise at Eagle's Nest (Duikar)
03Attabad Lake and the Passu Cones further up the valley
04Walnut, apricot and Hunza bread in the bazaars
PhotographyAlllexxxis (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) · Bilal Javed Awan (CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) · Mr.KhalidJawed (CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
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