Hunza is truly a trekkers paradise if you are an adrenaline junkie this is the place to be. In the heart of the Karakoram surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world, Hunza is home to some of the epic treks and climbs. Ranging from day hikes to 10-14 days expeditions it has everything to offer for an adventurer. Here are some of the best treks you can do.
- Rakaposhi Base Camp Trek
One of the well-known treks, Rakaposhi base camp also called Tagafari in the local language, is the most well-known trek in Hunza Nagar. It is a one-day trek from Minapin Valley in Nagar. The trek is best if you are a newbie in trekking. It has an amazing view of Rakaposhi glacier if you are at the feet of the majestic mountain Rakaposhi. You can extend the trek up to 03 days if you continue the trek to Diran Base Camp and traverse to Kho Viewpoint. This is considered to be one of the most beautiful treks in Hunza Valley.
Usually, we offer the Rakaposhi Base Camp trek as a 02 Day trek. On day 01, you stay in Hapakun Camp while on the second day, you trek to the base camp of Rakaposhi and return to Minapin.
- Baladiyat meadows Trek
One of the lesser-known treks this hidden meadow is located just above Attabad Lake you have a birds-eye view of the iconic Attabad Lake and the Attabad tunnels
The meadow is full of alpine trees. The place has a pure nomadic alpine feel with several shepherd huts and no shortage of wood. It starts from the Sirat settlement. It is quite steep, to begin with, and takes 5 to 7 hours but when you are at the top it is more than worth it with a unique view of 7000er peaks, Rakaposhi, Diran, Golden Peak, and all of Hispar Muztagh range.
- Rush lake Trek
A 2-day trek from the beautiful Hooper village, the trek starts with a glacier crossing experience with Hooper glacier and Barpu glacier.
After that, you end up in the beautiful Hooper pastures and walk straight to the Hapakun pasture. The second day is the most challenging you have 4 hours of the steep hike, and after that, you are in a meadow for an hour to Rush Lake, one of the highest alpine lakes it offers a close-up view of the beautiful golden peak, Malibuting, Ulter, Lady Finger peak, and you go further up to Rush Peak which is just 3 hours from the lake you have a view of mighty K2.
- Hon pass
A steep hike from Karimabad is a grind but like every other trek worth it the pass is at an altitude of 4200M with a view of all of central Hunza. On the way back you can descend towards the Ulter basecamp and move towards Karimabad.
- Baskochi Meadows Trek
The Baskochi meadow trek is famous for its aerial view of Attababad Lake. It’s more of a hike than a trek. If you are not a pro trekker you just need an hour hike and enjoy the serenity this is a hike you can do easily just after the second Attabad tunnel on the right side before the Famree resort you ascend with a defined path to the Baskochi meadow
- Ondra Poygah
The newly defined trek of Ondra Poygah is easy in the peaceful Gulmit valley. It’s a 2-hour easy trek with a stone paved path built by the local people of Gulmit. The location has also historic importance Ondra is the name of a hill, and also the name of an ancient fort, while Poygah in the local Wakhi languages means “stair” or “step”. The Ondra Poygah, thus, is the name given to the steps built by the local community to connect Gulmit village to the Ondra fort. Around 2,000 steps will be constructed, covering a trail of around 3,500 meters
- Patundas Meadow Trek
Patundas meadow is at an altitude of 4’400m the plain field of Patundas has to offer one of the best 360 views of the Karakoram mountains. The trek starts from the flanks of the Passu glacier after the crossing of the slippery Passu glacier you are in a steep green forest on the other side 3 hours of ascent and you are in the Patundas meadow shepherds hut. From the top, you have a view of 16 to 20 – 7000-meter peaks, including Share, Ulter 1&2, Diran Rakaposhi, and almost every peak in the Hispar Muztagh range. The only downside to this trek is the lack of water and wood.
- Batura Glacier Trek
The trek starts from the 56 km long Batura Glacier Morain. It is one of those treks where you don’t have to worry about its steepness most of the trek is straight and well defined after 2 days of trek you are in Yashpirth pastures which is the best-facilitated pasture with more than 15 shepherd huts and clean water. From Yashpirth you have a view of the whole Batura wall. It is indeed one of the iconic views and if you have the stamina you go further the yasphirth and trek towards the kampire Dior peak basecamp which is 1 day from Yashpirth.
- Avdegar
The most challenging part of this trek may be the crossing of the dangerous Passu bridge to end up in the Kharamabad valley. The trek to Avdegar Meadow from the settlement of Kharamabad is steep from start to end the slow trek upwards offers the view of three massive glaciers Passu, Gulkin, and the Batura Glacier, and the view of all Batura Muztagh peaks and even the remote Kampire Dior, Koz sar in Chuparsan valley. to the left the diran and Rakaposhi. It’s a one-day trek from the Kharamabad summer settlement. Mostly this trek is done in autumn because in the summer there is no snow on the top and the is no running water available.
- Duiker Eagles Nest View Point Trek
A 3-hour hike from Karimabad is one of the easy hikes toward the beautiful Duikar valley. this trek offers a view of all of central Hunza it is a beginner trek for the ones who are tired of mainstream sightseeing this is the best trek to start with and have a different perspective of Hunza
About the author
Salim khan is a trekking guide/travel/adventure photographer and travel writer from Hunza Pakistan. He has been hiking and climbing in the Himalayas for the past 8 years and has captured and compiled many stories along the way on these adventures. his photographs, articles, and photo essays have been featured on several big platforms such as Worldnomads, Everyday Pakistan, Dawndotcom, Geomorphic Landscapes, Pamir Times, etc
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