5 Best Things to Do in Karimabad

5 Awesome Things to Do in Karimabad

1. Climb up the Baltit Fort ♥️ Must Visit

This fairy-tale-like fort, which dates back more than 700 years, sits on a hill overlooking Karimabad and is the town's most prominent landmark. It served as the residence of the Mirs of Hunza until 1945 and was later restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The moment I gazed upon the fort, I knew this was Shangri-La. Its majestic location, surrounded by snowy mountains, makes it 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 | $

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Hunza Boutique Hotel

Suite | $$

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High-End

Roomy Daastaan

Double Room | $$$

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2. Visit the Altit Fort and Village

Altit Fort, about 2 km from Karimabad, is another historic fort worth visiting and is actually older than Baltit Fort, dating back more than 900 years.

When I was there it was still renovating, but the fort has now since completed and open to visitors. Be sure to explore the surrounding historic village and gardens as well as the fort itself, with beautiful views over the Hunza River and valley.

3. Hike to the Ultar Base Camp

If you can't get enough of hiking in Pakistan, you can hike toward Ultar Meadows/Base Camp above Karimabad. When I did it, I started near Baltit Fort and followed the trail and irrigation channel steeply into the gorge.

Be warned: landslides have affected the former trail, and recent hikers report exposed sections, loose terrain, scrambling, and route-finding difficulties. Check the current trail condition locally and consider hiring a local guide, especially if you are not comfortable with exposed mountain paths.

If all is well, 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 was a hut at the base camp where they serve tea and food during the summer months, but don't count on it as this may have changed since the trail was damaged.

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.

When I visited, Cafe de Hunza had some of the most reliable Wi-Fi I found in Karimabad, which made it a useful place to catch up online. Mobile coverage in Hunza has improved considerably since then, so you might not need it. Either way, the cafe offers a great view of the valley from the balcony, 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?

Mobile connectivity in Hunza has improved substantially since my trip. SCOM, operated by the Special Communications Organization, has the broadest network footprint across Gilgit-Baltistan and now operates 3G/4G services in the region. Coverage and speeds can still become weak or disappear in remote valleys and on hiking trails, so download offline maps and do not depend on mobile data everywhere.

On my original trip, the most reliable internet I personally found was at Cafe de Hunza. That is useful historical context, but today I would get a local SIM/eSIM instead.

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?

For most independent travelers, the usual route is to reach Gilgit first and continue by road to Karimabad. From Islamabad, you can fly to Gilgit or travel overland with operators such as NATCO; schedules, fares, and journey times change, so check your travel date rather than relying on the old 20+ hour figure. NATCO now publishes routes, schedules, fares, and booking information through its official website and app. If you are looking for a flight, you can compare options through Expedia or Skyscanner.

Once you get to Gilgit, shared vans and other road transport run toward Aliabad/Karimabad and the rest of Hunza. The drive itself is roughly 2-3 hours under normal conditions, although shared transport can take longer while picking up passengers and road delays are possible. Confirm the current departure point locally, since transport stands and operating arrangements can change.

When I traveled along the Karakoram Highway, I sometimes hitchhiked between places such as Minapin and Karimabad, and it worked well for me. I would treat that as my personal experience rather than the default transport recommendation today. A more predictable option is to use a shared van, local taxi, or NATCO service where available. If you are passing through Aliabad, you can continue up to Karimabad by local transport or taxi.

Shared vans and buses remain useful for getting around Hunza, but routes and pickup points are not always formalized. Ask your accommodation or a local transport stand for the current departure point and timetable rather than assuming you must flag a vehicle down on the highway.

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.