Discover Karimabad: 5 Unique Activities to Enjoy

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 | $

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Hunza Boutique Hotel

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High-End

Roomy Daastaan

Double Room | $$$

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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 🥘 Best 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.

What to Pack for Karimabad, Pakistan?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Karimabad, Pakistan:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

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.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Karimabad, Pakistan while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

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

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Pakistan

I hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Pakistan. I have written a ton more articles about Pakistan, and here's a selection of them to help you further plan your Pakistan trip.

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Pakistan? One Month Travel Itinerary for Pakistan.
• If you do not have one month to spare, you can spend 2 weeks traveling the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad to Sost. Here is a complete travel guide and a 2-week itinerary for traveling the Karakoram Highway.
• Lahore is a beautiful city full of stunning Mughal and British architecture that has stood the test of time. If you are looking for things to do in Lahore, here's 7 amazing things to do in Lahore.
• Islamabad is a new capital city of Pakistan, built with the modern mindset in mind, and it shows. Here’s 6 best things to do in Islamabad.
• Are you ready to go hiking in Pakistan? First, you will have to get to Gilgit-Baltistan, and here's a complete travel guide on how to get to Gilgit from Islamabad.
• Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat, the 8th highest mountain in the world, is probably the most accessible 8000+ mountain out there. Here's a complete hiking guide to Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base Camp.
• Another great hike you can do is the Rakaposhi Base Camp hike, which will take you up atop Nagar Valley with an unbeatable view of the Minapin Glacier. Here's a complete hiking guide to Rakaposhi Base Camp in one day.
• You can also watch my travel videos about South Asia here: Sri Lanka travel video, Nepal travel video, and Pakistan travel video.
• Want to know where to go after Pakistan? How about exploring the Golden Triangle in India, doing some trekking in Nepal, or going off-the-beaten-path and exploring Sri Lanka by train?
• For all articles about Pakistan, visit Pakistan Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for South Asia? You can find more on my South Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.