Hunza Valley

Panoramic view of Hunza valley from Baltis Fort

The most mentioned destination in this South Asian country is the wild mountainous region in the North - Hunza Valley. To get here, you have to overcome a distance of nearly 600km of winding mountain passes from the capital Islamabad along the N15 highway, passing the Barbusar pass peak of over 4,000m, before descending along the Karakoram highway. On the road are dangerous hair-raising curves, one side is a cloud-covered cliff, the other side is a deep abyss; on rainy and flood days, landslides can occur, causing traffic jams for hours. Only Pakistani drivers are alert and agile enough to drive skillfully, giving visitors a feeling of fear but also fascination. On the way, you will encounter many large trucks, decorated with famous colorful motifs, sometimes even military convoys maintaining security and order at key peaks and border areas; it will certainly be a memorable experience for hours of wandering in the sun's footsteps.

Attabad Lake with peaceful blue-white water

Another option for visitors is to fly from the capital to Gilgit airport, 100km from Hunza by road. However, this domestic route uses ATR aircraft, so takeoffs and landings are completely dependent on the weather, and most of these flights are cancelled if conditions are unfavorable.

Crossing the Karakoram Highway, admiring the dark green patches of forest on the rocky hills, looking at the rivers and streams flowing at the foot of the pass, and following the sunset in the clouds hidden behind the snow-capped peaks, visitors "fall" into the heart of the Hunza Valley in the wonderfully fertile Gilgit Baltistan. Hunza is surrounded by many majestic peaks such as Rakaposhi (7,788m), Diran (7,266m), Ultar II (7,388m), Shispare (7,611m), Passu Sar (7,478m), making this place a famous destination for those who love mountain climbing and adventure sports . One of the favorite activities of our group of Vietnamese tourists is to wake up very early, climb to the high points, set up a tripod and leisurely watch the first sunrise of the day spreading its dawn carpet over the snow-capped mountain slopes, and shining into the peaceful valley with the lively villages at its foot. When night falls, in the silence all around and surrounded by mountains, the high and vast Hunza sky captivates people with thousands of twinkling stars and the proud and unbelievably beautiful Milky Way!

Hunza people are friendly and hospitable

The uniqueness of Hunza lies not only in the landscape but also in the culture and people of this land! As descendants of the Indo Aryan race, carrying within them the oldest blends of Zoroastrianism from Persia, along with the South Asian breath crystallized on the thousand-year-old silk road, mixed with the quintessence of Shia Islam; the people of Hunza surprise anyone who only knows this land through the media. The sincerity and hospitality of the people here is the best reward for those who are not afraid to explore .

Pakistani children go to school and learn English, so in Hunza, everyone can easily communicate with foreign tourists. They are willing to invite you to their home to drink tea, eat jam, go to the garden to pick fresh fruit to eat. When you leave, you receive fruits that they have grown and harvested themselves. I don't remember how many kilometers of hills I traveled, how many houses I visited, how many stone fences I passed, how many natives I met, but I remember clearly the feeling of being moved by each charming Pakistani smile. To them, it seems that everyone comes as a stranger and leaves as a familiar friend.

In recent years, Pakistan has been trying to attract tourists by opening eVisa for more than 170 countries including Vietnam, tightening security, promoting friendliness and safety as well as upgrading tourism services and amenities. It is believed that this land will soon welcome more footprints of passionate travelers and explorers.

Source: https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/thung-lung-hunza/