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.

The Largest District of Gilgit-Baltistan

After leaving Hunza village, you drive through the number of Pak-China Friendship tunnels on the KKH while moving toward Attabad Lake. You are driving in the world's highest altitude valleys.

Gojal is the largest district of the Gilgit-Baltistan and its the homeland of highest mountain valleys and hills. Shimshal valley is the largest and highest valley in the region, at the altitude of 10,170 feet above the sea level. Shimshal is the most favorite place for tourists. Distaghil Sar in the Karakorum Range, the seventh highest mountain in Pakistan, is the highest hill in the Shimshal Valley. Other prominent hills in the Shimshal Valley are Kunjut Sar, Trivor, Pumari Chhish, and Yukshin Gardan Sar. It is also known as the Valley of Mountaineers.

Gulmit - Historical Wakhi Village

Gulmit is another most important tourist spot in the Upper Hunza at the altitude of 7,900 feet above the sea level. It is a historic and sprawling Wakhi village near a peaceful saline alpine lake, known as Borith Lake. Borith Lake is a superb and quiet camping site away from highway noise. In Gulmit, there are number of facilities like hotels and shops for tourists and visitors.

Passu Cathedral Peaks and Passu Glacier

After passing Gulmit and Shisper viewpoint, you are in the wider valley of high-altitude mountains of the Passu Cones. Passu is situated on the Karakorum Highway in the Karakoram Range. It is the most dangerous place due landslides and flood in rivers. It is also known the most ancient village in the region. Two gigantic glaciers, Batura and Passu Glacier, are also located in Passu. Batura Glacier, 56 km long, is the third longest glacier of Pakistan. Passu Cones, also known as Passu Cathedral Peaks or Tupopdan, are the most beautiful range of mountains in Passu. A magnificient and beautiful view of Passu Cones is clearly visible from the Karakoram Highway.

Hotels and restaurants are available near the Passu Cones to enjoy the dynamic beauty of the Passu Codes at the different times of the day. Passu Suspension bridge over the Hunza River in located near the Passu village is another adventure there. The most thrilling and extreme level adventure is trek toward the Passu Glaciers. A small trek leads from the Passu village toward Passu Glacier.

Turquoise Waters of Attabad Lake

Shishkat is a beautiful place in the Gojal district that attracts number of tourists. Attabad Lake is also located in the Shishkat that is formed accidentally in 2010 due to massive landslide in the Hunza River. The turquoise water of the lake in front of dark brownish rocky mountains gives a unique scenic view. The best time to visit the lake is in the morning when bright rays of sun touches the lake water to give it full bright colors. Visitors can also enjoy boating and jet ski facilities there. There are luxurious hotels near the bank of Attabad lake with pleasant views of the lake. Theses hotels in the close proximity of lake must be discouraged as they are going damage the natural beauty of lake as well disturb the eco-system of the environment.

International Dry Port in Sost

Sost, the village on the Pakistan - China Border, is an important town in the Gojal. The importance of this town is due to the dry port which is the main hub of trade between China and Pakistan. You can perform shopping there at cheap prices. Sost is the last place to access ATMs, buy snacks before next part of journey, and fuel up your vehicle before your long and remote drive toward Khunjerab Pass on China Border.

Highest Borderline on Khujerab Pass

After Passing Sost port, KKH enters into the protected Khunjerab National Park. The area is reserved for different types of wildlife species. Now passage begins a steep and winding ascent through sharp rock canyons. The high-altitude pastures with thin-air near the Khunjerab Pass. The highest Khunjerab Pass, a gateway to China, is a massive and high-altitude cold plateau on an elevation of 4,693 meters. It is the high-altitude frontier between Pakistan and China with an extreme cold temperature even in month of July you need warm clothes. The Khunjerab Pass has its international importance, as it is a trade gateway between Pakistan and China. In winter season, it is closed due to high snow from December to March.

The Karakoram Highway is the most wonderful adventure while traveling toward Khunjerab Pass from Hunza. One can see number of beautiful and attractive peaks and scenic valleys while traveling among the highest peaks in the Karakoram Range. One can also enjoyed the scenic views of the Hunza River that is fed by number of small rivers and streams in the region. Then finally, it merges with the Gilgit River in Gilgit.

For those looking for some challenging mountaineering trails, review the base camp trek in our detailed Rakaposhi Mountain Guide.

Gojal Upper Hunza is famous for Valley of Mountaineers