Explore Karimabad: A Complete Travel Guide

5 Awesome Things to Do in Karimabad

1. Climb up the Baltit Fort ♥️ Must Visit

This fairy-tale-like fort, built in the 8th Century BC on top of a hill overlooking Karimabad, is the most prominent landmark in the Hunza Valley. The moment I gazed upon the fort, I knew this was Shangri-La. Its majestic location, surrounded by snowy mountains, makes this fort one of the most photogenic spots in Pakistan.

In order to get to the fort, you will have to climb a steep road for 15 minutes through a local village before you arrive at the fort. There, you will be able to get an unobstructed view of Karimabad and the valleys beyond. On a clear day, you can see Rakaposhi and Diran peaks all the way from the fort.

The local village around the fort is also worth exploring, so make sure to spend some time and walk around the village.

Where to Stay in Karimabad?

Budget

Tourist Cottage Hunza

Twin Room | $

See Availability

👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Hunza Boutique Hotel

Suite | $$

See Availability

High-End

Roomy Daastaan

Double Room | $$$

See Availability

View More Hotels

2. Visit the Altit Fort and Village

There is another fort, although without much maintenance, that lies below at the bottom of the valley, which is worth visiting as well. You can simply follow the Sultan Abad road across the river and down the Ahmedabad road before you arrive at the fort. There is not much to see inside, as the renovation is still ongoing, but the exterior is quite interesting in itself.

3. Hike to the Ultar Base Camp

If you can't get enough of hiking in Pakistan, there is a day hike you can do here in Karimabad called Ultar Base Camp hike. The trail starts near the Baltit fort, and it will take you all the way up to Ultar Base Camp, where you can see the glacier and the Ultar peaks up close. The hike will take you along the irrigation channel as the trail climbs steeply up a narrow gorge.

It should take you around 4-5 hours to reach the ridge, where you will be rewarded with a view of the massive Ultar glacier and the beautiful jagged peaks of Ultar. There is a hut at the base camp where they serve tea and food during the summer months. You can also camp here if you have camping gear or return in one day to Karimabad.

4. Visit Ganish Village

Ganish Village is the first settlement of the Hunza Valley, dating back a thousand years. The people came from different areas, and as the settlement grew, they expanded outward and into different areas around the Hunza Valley. There are several old mosques, one of which is 400 years old, and the Shikari watchtower you can explore. If you are a history buff like I am, visiting Ganish Village is a no-brainer.

5. Take a Break at Cafe de Hunza 🥘 Place to Eat

Last but not least, take a break at Cafe de Hunza and have a nice cup of joe with their famous walnut cakes. They serve western-style coffees and cakes, so if you are indeed in need of a proper coffee fix, especially if you have been traveling in Pakistan for a while, come by Cafe de Hunza and indulge yourself in their selections of coffee and cakes.

If you have been disconnected for a while and would like to let your friends and family know how you are, Cafe de Hunza also provides free, reliable Wi-Fi that you can use. They probably have the most reliable Wi-Fi in Karimabad. Either way, the cafe offers a great view of the valley from the balcony on the third floor, so be sure to check that out.

When to Visit Karimabad, Hunza Valley?

The best time to visit Karimabad and the Hunza Valley is from April to October, but avoid June to August if you do not like crowds. The Hunza Valley can get quite crowded during the midsummer months as both the local and Chinese tourists flock to the place when the temperature is nice and warm.

I was in the Hunza Valley in October, and the temperature hovered around 15°C, while the nights dipped a bit lower. The temperature was very manageable, and I didn't have to deal with the crowds.

Daily Budget

This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.

Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.

Which tourist SIM card is best for The Hunza Valley?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Karimabad, Pakistan without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Karimabad, Pakistan:

The internet is unreliable in Hunza Valley, even if you have a local SIM card. You will be getting unreliable EDGE internet speed that often doesn't work. Power outages also happen a lot in this region, so even if your accommodation has WIFI, it might not work all the time. By this time, if you haven't bought a local SIM card from Islamabad or Lahore, you are pretty much out of luck as there is no service center to register the SIM card for you.

The only reliable internet I found is from Cafe de Hunza. They have fast internet and are often available even during power outages. So, if you want to stay in contact with your friends and family, buy a cup of coffee there and ask for their Wi-Fi.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

How to Get to Karimabad?

There is no direct transport to Karimabad. You will either have to fly to Gilgit from Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi, or you will have to take a 20+ hour bus from these cities. If you are looking for a flight, I would recommend you browse through Expedia or Skyscanner for the best and cheapest deals possible.

Once you get to Gilgit, you can take a van directly to Karimabad from the bus stop on the outskirts of the city. This should take around 3-4 hours, depending on how long they will be driving around picking up more people. The location is shown below:

If you are somewhere along the Karakoram Highway, like in Minapin, the fastest option is to walk to the Karakoram Highway and hitchhike directly to Karimabad. Alternatively, if you are passing through Ali Abad, you can drop by there and take a taxi up to Karimabad or walk. People are very friendly and willing to help you by any means.

You can also wait for a bus or a van and flag them down if you don't feel comfortable hitchhiking. Either way, you will have to get yourself to the Karakoram Highway and flag down your transportation yourself.

How to Get Around Karimabad, Hunza Valley?

Karimabad is easily accessible on foot. The town is a little hilly, but most of the attractions are within walking distance, so there is no need to take a taxi.