Rabiya Abid
Member
Hunza Valley
Hunza Valley is known as one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Pakistan. It is a part of Gilgit Baldistan region and includes monuments that attract tourists from all over the globe. The main town of Hunza is Karimabad (formerly known as Baltit). It is the capital of Hunza and most popular tourist destination as it offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi peak where the snow glitter in the moonlight, presenting an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime. The people of Hunza Valley are known for their hospitality and cooperation who visit it corroborate this statement. The much-renowned valley is often referred to as heaven on earth, enveloped in the grand Himalayas and the Karakoram mountain ranges
Geography of Hunza
It is situated at an altitude of approximately 900m above sea level. Hunza valley is located at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Gilgit, stretched along the Hunza River and is situated at an elevation of about 2.5 kilometers and also provides the quickest access to Gandhara and Swat for a person traveling on foot. The Hunza Valley is flanked by a few spectacular peaks higher than 6,000 metre, including Rakaposhi, Hunza Peak, Passu Peak, Bublimotin (Ladyfinger Peak), Diran Peak, and Ultar Sar.
Climate of Hunza
The maximum temperature in Hunza Valley in summer season is of 27°C and a minimum of 14°C. In the winter season, the temperature can reduce to -10° Celsius. There falls heavy snow in the winter season, so the Karakoram Highway is often blocked, and it is difficult to reach the valley. That is why, for having the best time there, the suitable season for tourism is considered generally from May to October.
Folks of Hunza
The people of Hunza are natural beauties often fair skinned, have friendly nature and they are very cooperative with the tourists. Inhabitants are mostly Ismaili Shia Muslims and also followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. Generally, they speak Urdu language but there are other languages that are spoken in the area including Shina, Wakhi, and Burushaski. The People of Hunza have high aims and for higher degrees and completion of their education, they travel to different cities of Pakistan or abroad after the high school degree. That is visible from the very high literacy rate of the area which is 90%.
Traditional Food
Hunza Valley is renowned for its local and traditional eateries that are served at most of the restaurants located in the Karimabad town. Some of the names of the traditional foods are Sharbat, davdo, diram-fete, muleda, amongst many others and most of them are cooked with pure butter and drowned in oil. These dishes are prepared on special occasions and are usually expensive.
The list of towns of Hunza Valley
- Karimabad
- Aliabad
- Gulmit
- Ghulkin
- Passu
- Nasir Abad
- Khuda Abad
- Sost
- Ganish Village (it is the oldest village of the valley and have a heritage of 800-year-old mosques)