Pass
Khunjerab Pass
Hunza district · 4,693 m
4,693 m. The Chinese border and the highest paved border crossing in the world.
The Khunjerab Pass is the highest international border crossing on a metalled road. The guidebook gives its height as about 4,700 m, and the waypoint figure is 4,693 m. It lies about 86 km from Sost and takes around three hours by bus.
Kind PassDistrict HunzaElevation 4,693 mPosition 36.851° N, 75.419° E
About Khunjerab Pass
A monument at the pass records that it opened in 1982. It is popular with travellers crossing in either direction, and with the road trade expected between China and Pakistan its importance keeps growing.
About 35 km from Sost is the check post at Deh, which also marks the start of Khunjerab National Park. The park covers about 2,270 square km on either side of the highway. It was once the Mir of Hunza's private ground, and it was declared a national park after the abolition of the state of Hunza, to give refuge to species such as Marco Polo sheep.
You pay the park entry fee at Deh, and again when going on to China. Day trips to the top, which the book also calls Khunjerab top, can be arranged from Sost, and our Hunza Blossom trip goes up on the sixth day, weather permitting.
Elsewhere in Hunza
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
Town or village · 2,450 m
Karimabad
The old seat of the Mir of Hunza, and the heartbeat of tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Fort · 2,500 m
Baltit Fort
Seven hundred years old, and beautifully restored between 1990 and 1996 by the Aga Khan Cultural Service.
- 2,350 m
Fort
Altit Fort
The older of Hunza's two great forts, on the edge of a cliff above the river.
- 7,388 m
Summit
Ultar Sar
7,388 m directly above Karimabad, and the glacier that waters most of Central Hunza.
Lake or water · 2,450 m
Attabad Lake
A turquoise lake on the Karakoram Highway, with boat rides, lakeside camping and a new road through the tunnels.
- 2,500 m
Town or village
Gulmit
Gojal headquarters, Wakhi speaking, with the old Mir's summer residence and a village full of charm.
- 2,480 m
Town or village
Hussaini
The famous suspension bridge over the Hunza river, planked at intervals and a treat for adventure lovers.
- 2,500 m
Town or village
Passu
Between the Passu and Batura glaciers, with the Cathedral Peaks in view and some of the best walks in the valley.
Summit · 6,106 m
Passu Cones
Tupopdan, 6,106 m. The serrated wall every photograph of Upper Hunza is taken against.
- 2,600 m
Lake or water
Borith Lake
An emerald green lake above Ghulkin, where migrating birds stop in spring and autumn.
- 2,800 m
Town or village
Sost
The dry port and the last Pakistani customs post before China, and the base for Khunjerab and Chapursan.
- 3,100 m
Town or village
Misgar
Up a side valley off the highway, below the Mintika Pass on the old silk route from China to India.
- 3,300 m
Town or village
Chapursan
A Wakhi valley running west to the Afghan watershed, with the shrine of Baba Ghundi and a famous festival.
- 3,100 m
Town or village
Shimshal
Pakistan's most remote valley, home to great guides, a mountaineering school and yak pastures above 4,700 m.
- 4,735 m
Pass
Shimshal Pass
The gate onto the Pamir pastures, walked by Shimshali herders twice a year.
- 4,735 m
Base camp
Shuwerth
Summer pasture on the Pamir, and blue sheep ground in winter.