Altit Fort

Altit Fort, a historical landmark almost 1100 years old, is located on a big rock in Altit village in the Hunza valley at a distance of 5 km from Karimabad on the bank of the Hunza River. It was the old residency of Rulers of Hunza before Baltit Fort, and it is also considered as the oldest building in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Fort has been restored in 2007 by the Aga Khan Trust with the support of the Government of Norway. There are small rooms in the fort with wood carvings. Now it is considered as the best tourist place in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Shikari Tower

Shikari Tower is one of the major part of the fort and can be accessible by using internal timber staircase. Tower was constructed for defense purposes and used by royal marksmen to watch the area and to track the approaching enemies along the old Silk Route. It is the highest point in the fort and gives a sheer vertical look down into the river canyon.

The Settlement of Altit Village

The surrounding settlement of Altit village was beautifully restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service. The houses are properly decorated in the traditional style and gives a historical touch while walking through it. The trek for pedestrian through the Altit village leads directly to the fortress entrance gate.

The Royal Apricot Garden is just located outside the fort. It has premium quality apricot tree and you can enjoy the sweetest and best quality apricots in the month of July. Kha Basi Cafe is located on fort base in the courtyard in the Royal Apricot Garden. You can enjoy the local authentic Hunza cuisine within the scenic views surrounded there.

Fort Visit Timing & Ticket

Fort is open for general public from 9AM to 6:00PM in summer season. Ticket charges will be different for different type of visitors. The ticket charges are 500 rupees local general public, and it is 1,500 rupees for foreigner visitors. The ticket also includes the charges of guided tour. The local guide will guide you about the history and purpose of various components and rooms of the fort.

Access to Altit Fort

From Karimabad, drive through Altit Road to access the Altit Fort after 5 km drive. You can walk on the stone pedestrian path to the main brick entry gates. One can feel an entirely different rhythm of pleasant winds through the tight stone alleyways of Altit village. Visitors can pass near old community meeting spaces, traditional houses built with wood and mud, and historical irrigation channels. Passing through the lush apricot orchard trees into the open courtyard, one can walk to the heavy stone base of the fort. From the base, the fort structure seamlessly blends into the vertical rocks of the cliff dropping straight down to the valley. You can get the panoramic view of the entire valley from this viewpoint of the fort.

Searching the best places to stay at night and to enjoy the local food, explore out complete guideline about Karimabad Tour Places.

About Gojal Upper Hunza

Gojal is the largest city in Baltistan next to Hunza, having a border with China and Afghanistan. It connects with China through the Khunjerab Pass and with Afghanistan through the Chapursan Valley. Gojal, also known as Upper Hunza, is the highest mountains area in the Karakoram and Pamir mountain ranges, at an average elevation of 4,000 meters.