15 EPIC Things to Do in Hunza Valley (Insider Guide • 2025)

If you want to experience a true heaven on earth, look no further than the majestic Hunza Valley. 

Located in Pakistan’s mountainous Gilgit Baltistan territory, Hunza has long been the country’s most popular tourist destination, and for good reason. Hunza is simply stunning, and has an incredibly unique culture and rare languages.

Situated amongst the enormous Karakoram Mountain range on the expertly built KKH, Hunza is a true paradise for trekkers and nature lovers.

While most tours only cover a few places, the reality is that there are hundreds of things to do in Hunza Valley, and many of them are off the tourist trail. 

I’ve been lucky enough to call this valley home for more than four years now, and have now visited all of Hunza’s top attractions.

To help you plan a trip that goes beyond the basics, let’s get into the absolute best things to see in Hunza Valley–from the touristy must-dos to hidden locales you might have otherwise missed.

Let’s get into it! 

What is the Best Month to Visit Hunza Valley?

The best month to visit Hunza depends on what you want to do in the valley. While May-September is generally the warmest (and best) time to visit for trekking and enjoying other Hunza attractions, this is also peak season and many popular places will be full.

If you’re ok with foregoing overnight treks, October is a magical time to visit thanks to fall colors and still-pleasant weather. Meanwhile, March and the beginning of April are both ideal to see millions of cherry blossoms and other spring flowers.

The Karakoram Highway makes most of Hunza accessible year-round (including winters), but keep in mind that winters are extremely cold and most hotels lack centralized heating.

Where to Stay in Hunza Valley

These are the best places to stay while traveling in Hunza:

15 Incredible Things to Do in Hunza Valley 

Hunza is often the highlight of a Pakistan trip. Here are the most iconic Hunza Valley attractions and activities:

1. Visit the Baltit & Altit Forts

Central Hunza holds a ton of the region’s history, mainly in the form of two iconic forts: Altit and Baltit. Both are some of the most iconic places to visit in Hunza, especially if ancient traditions interest you!

Baltit Fort is more than 700 years old, and looks down upon the famous village of Karimabad (formerly known as Baltit.)

The Altit Fort and Royal Garden are only a few kilometers away in neighboring Altit village. These are some of the most unique historical places in Pakistan, so do take your time with them!

🕓 Visiting hours: 9 AM-5 PM Daily

💵 Entrance fee: 1200 PKR for foreigners / 800 for Pakistanis

2. Try Traditional Hunza Food

Hunza Valley cuisine is unlike anything else you’ll find in mainland Pakistan. So if you’re wondering what to do in Hunza, definitely don’t forget to sample the local food!

Instead of dishes filled with chilies and spices, Hunza foods are spice-free and instead typically use mint, onions, local cheese (called buruz), and a signature ingredient: apricot oil.

Some essential items to try are: chapshoro (a pita filled with minced meat), molida (a creamy mix of pieces of dough, local cheese and apricot oil), and hoilo garma (essentially a spinach pasta.) 

There are of course other staples too. The absolute best place to try the cuisine is in a local home, but iconic restaurants like a Hunza Food Pavillion (Karimabad) and the Bozlanj Cafe (Gulmit) are must-visits. 

3. Rent a Cycle

One of the best things to do in Hunza is to explore its back streets by cycle. 

Somehow, this is quite an offbeat activity but it shouldn’t be! Cycling is particularly magical around blossom season in the spring and fall foliage that comes around in October.

Cycles can be rented from various shops in Karimabad, and helmets are also available. A relatively peaceful tree-lined road that connects Karimabad with Aliabad is one of the best and easiest routes. 

💵 Rental fee: 1000- 2000 PKR

4. See some yaks

Don’t forget to include wildlife in your Hunza sightseeing plans! Out of all the things to see in Hunza, yaks might just be my favorite.

These “mountain” cows are often kept in far-away pastures most of the year, but you can often see them in and around many of Hunza’s villages during winter.

Yaks are often sighted in Khunjerab National Park and Shimshal Valley. Yaks can also sometimes be seen in roadside Chapursan Valley hamlets depending on the time of year.

5. Climb the stairs of Ondara Poygah

The Ondara Poygah-which leads to the historic Ondara Fort– is a community project undertaken by locals of Gulmit and surrounding villages.

They’ve constructed a several-hundred-foot stone staircase to the top, where you’ll be greeted with incredible views of the Passu Cones and Attabad Lake. 

Located in Gulmit, this is one of the best day hikes to do in Hunza. 

🕓 Visiting hours: 9 AM-5 PM Daily

💵 Entrance fee: 1200 PKR for foreigners / 800 for Pakistanis

6. Cross the Hussaini Bridge

Ah, one of the most popular things to do in Hunza Valley. Something that’s on practically every tourist’s Pakistan itinerary. The infamous Hussaini Suspension Bridge.

The slightly scary bridge connects Hussaini Village with a summer settlement known as Zarabad and has been a hallmark of Hunza Valley tourism for ages.

These days, a zip-line runs parallel to the bridge, and adventurous travelers can take things up several notches by trekking through Zarabad to the Passu Suspension Bridge.

Do be warned though–the latter is significantly scarier than Hussani! 

🕓 Visiting hours: Daylight

💵 Entrance fee: 1200 PKR

7. Admire the Passu Cones

After living in Hunza for more than a year now, I can tell you the Passu Cones NEVER get old. I’m sure you’ve seen them on social media by now, but nothing compares to seeing them with your own eyes.

If you’re wondering what to do in Hunza, know that this is a sight that just shouldn’t be skipped.

The cones are unsurprisingly located in Passu, but you’ll start to see them around Hussaini. 

8. Swim or paddle in Borith Lake

Swimming in Borith Lake is hands down one of my favorite things to do in Hunza. Despite being beneath several snow capped peaks, the lake is surprisingly warm and ideal for swimming.

Even if swimming isn’t your thing, there are small boats, kayaks and other water toys for rent, in addition to a few lake-side cafes. 

💵 Rental fees: 2000 PKR

9. Walk on a Glacier

Gilgit Baltistan has the largest number of glaciers outside of the polar regions, and many of these are located right in Hunza! 

The best part is, you can actually walk on one yourself WITHOUT planning a demanding trek. Y’all–Hunza sightseeing doesn’t get better than this!

The Ghulkin Glacier near Ghulkin is mostly filled with rocks these days, but the nearby Passu Glacier is pristine and icy. 

The Passu Glacier is most easily visited from the Borith Lake Zero Point, AKA the last point where a car or bike can reach.

If you’re a trekker, you can also arrange a proper overnight to the Batura Glacier, which at 57 km is one of the longest in the world.

10. Eat The BEST Burger in Pakistan

Yes, a burger is in fact on this list of Hunza’s tourist spots. And it’s very well deserved.

As an American, I’d confidently say I have my fair share of experience with burgers. It is one of our most popular foods, after all. 

So trust me when I say the best burger in the world– not just Pakistan- is located in the picturesque village of Passu.

The incredible Yak Grill is a locally owned, organic burger restaurant that will surpass even the highest of expectations. 

Not only do they have their own yaks, but they also grow their own vegetables AND bake their own buns. 

I think I’ve visited at least 50 times by now, and I can assure you the quality only improves. 

🕓 Hours: 12 PM-10 PM daily

🍔 Cost: 1200 PKR

11. Take a hike

Hunza Valley hiking opportunities are seeming endless. From multi-day expeditions and unclimbed peaks to view points that could be reached in 20 minutes, Hunza has something to offer for all time frames.

Still, keep in mind that if you want to hike you need to be at least moderately fit. Hunza trails are often wild and do not have facilities for people who are capable of hiking, but are too lazy and want a donkey ride or other luxury amenities (tbh one of the most annoying things I’ve seen in Pakistan.)

To keep trails from being ruined by this type of tourism, I won’t be listing any of my favorites in the area.

But rest assured that if you actually want to give proper hiking a try, your guesthouse owner or host will be able to point you in the right direction.

12. Go boating on Attabad Lake

Perhaps the best thing to do in Hunza for families, boating on Attabad Lake is an unforgettable experience. 

The bright blue lake was created from the deadly January 2010 landslide disaster that blocked the flow Hunza River, thus creating the lake. 

These days, it’s the most popular place to visit in the valley, and there are dozens of colorful boats just waiting for you! 

13. Experience the Magic of Shimshal 

In addition to the towns and villages along the Karakoram Highway, Hunza is also home to several mesmerizing side valleys that aren’t often visited.

Enter Shimshal Valley, which at about 10,400 ft, is the highest settlement in Hunza. The peaceful village lies at the end of one of the most dangerous and thrilling roads in the world, about 4 hours from Passu. 

As it has very few amenities (think basic, backpacker-style hotels without running water) Shinshal is best suited for adventurers and is NOT for families or those looking for luxury. 

14. Fall in Love with Ghulkin Village

Invisible from the KKH, Ghulkin Village is one of the most idyllic locales in Hunza, and is absolutely worth a place on your itinerary. 

The best way to explore Ghulkin is to simply wander around the streets and see where they take you. 

The village also has its own black glacier that connects it with Borith Lake. 

15. See a Sunset at Eagle’s Nest

Of all Hunza’s things to do, few are as famous as an Eagle’s Nest Sunset (or sunrise if you prefer!)

The rocky viewpoint is situated in Duikar, the highest village in Central Hunza.

There, you’ll also find a number of hotels and cafes including the famous Hard Rock Cafe and Eagle’s Nest.

Tips for Visiting Hunza Valley

Yes, it’s an extremely easy place to travel, but that doesn’t mean it’s a theme park.

Hunza Valley is an indigenous region where locals have been living for centuries. It’s paramount you respect that. So leads to point number one…

• Be respectful to locals! This should be a given but behavior I’ve seen with my own eyes proves it needs to be said. It is a privilege to visit Hunza, and the land belongs to the locals. It is a unique and special place and NOT even an official province of Pakistan. ALWAYS respect locals and their beautiful culture.
  
• NEVER litter: Hunza is the cleanest place in Pakistan for a reason: people actually throw out their trash! Domestic tourists often throw trash and even diapers on the ground when trash cans are common sights. Do NOT do this, and if you see someone doing it, call them out!
  
• Understand altitude: Hunza is a high-altitude valley at more than 2500 m which means that in all famous places in Hunza, there’s significantly less oxygen than there is in most places. If you’re coming from a city, do not underestimate how much of a difference this is. Elderly people with no experience in such climates, babies/young children, and people with heart issues should avoid visiting such areas.
  
• Take a break from biryani: Hunza has a delicious local cuisine that’s significantly better than biryani (sorry not sorry) and is worth trying. Yak is also prevalent throughout the valley and is way tastier than beef!

Bonus: Two Iconic Places to Visit Near Hunza Valley

Located across the Hunza River is Nagar Valley, which is absolutely stunning and home to dozens of famous peaks and glaciers. 

As it’s so close to Hunza – and only recently became a separate district – here are two things you shouldn’t miss:

Hopar Glacier 

At the end of the Hopar Valley lies the beautiful Hopar Glacier. There are trekking and photography opportunities here, and a few restaurants and hotels.

Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek 

Rakaposhi Basecamp is a real trek best done in at least one overnight. The trek begins in Minapin Village, and culminates at an altitude of 3500 meters. 

There are no hotels and only mediocre camping gear for rent, so this is another activity in the area meant for backpackers / hikers only. RBC is at a high altitude and is not suitable for children or elderly folks with no hiking experience. 

You can still get a fantastic view of Rakaposhi from Aliabad and Minapin. 

FAQ About the Things to Do in Hunza Valley

A few commonly asked questions about what to do in Hunza…

Final Thoughts on Hunza’s Attractions

I hope you’re feeling inspired for your Hunza trip right about now. Some popular destinations are overrated, but every word of Hunza hype is real as you soon will see.

To really get a feel for the valley, 7 days is a good minimum plan. With that, you should be able to see and do most Hunza Valley activities. But if you really want to see all of Hunza and the highlights of neighboring Nagar, you’ll want a solid month. Hunza is huge!

Enjoy every second of Karakoram Magic, it really is something.