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N 35°18′ · E 75°37′
Upper Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan
Khunjerab Pass
4,893 metres. The top of the Karakoram Highway. The end of Pakistan. A full day of driving through some of the most extraordinary mountain landscape on earth, and Marco Polo sheep grazing by the road.
The Pass
The highest paved border
crossing in the world.
The Karakoram Highway ends, or begins, depending on which direction you are travelling, at Khunjerab Pass, 4,893 metres above sea level on the border between Pakistan and China. The name comes from the Wakhi language: khun means blood, jerab means stream. The pass was named for the freezing temperatures that historically claimed travellers crossing in winter.
Today the road is paved to the border monument and well-maintained by Pakistani standards. The drive from Karimabad in Hunza takes three to four hours, climbing steadily through the Gojal valley, past Passu and the dramatic cones of Passu Sar, and then into Khunjerab National Park, one of the highest altitude national parks in the world. The final stretch opens into wide grassland plateaus where Marco Polo sheep graze undisturbed and are remarkably easy to spot.
At the pass itself there is a monument marking the border. Pakistani and Chinese flags flank it. Most visitors photograph here, sit for a few minutes in the thin air, and then turn back, the altitude ensures that lingering is uncomfortable rather than pleasant. The point is the journey: seven hours of driving through the most dramatic mountain corridor on the Karakoram Highway, passing glaciers, ridgelines, and valleys that look like nothing else on earth.
Practical Info
Planning the day trip
what you need to know.
Altitude and acclimatisation
Khunjerab sits 2,455 metres above Karimabad. Even well-acclimatised visitors typically feel some breathlessness. Spend at least two nights in Hunza before attempting the pass. If you feel dizzy or develop a headache on the way up, descend, altitude sickness is a real risk. Stay hydrated and move slowly at the top.
Season and road conditions
Open roughly May through October. Always confirm locally before departure, snowfall can close the road even in summer. Early morning departures are recommended: weather at altitude deteriorates faster in the afternoon.
Permits and documentation
A Road Open Certificate (ROC) is required beyond Sost. Your Raahi driver handles all permit formalities. A park entry fee for Khunjerab National Park is also collected at the checkpoint. Bring your passport.
What to combine it with
Passu Cones is on the way to Khunjerab and worth a stop for 30 to 45 minutes. The Hussaini Suspension Bridge near Passu is another easy addition. Most day trips from Hunza stop at both on the return leg.
Common Questions
Before you go
answered honestly.
What altitude is Khunjerab Pass?
Khunjerab Pass sits at 4,893 metres above sea level, making it the highest paved international border crossing in the world. The altitude is significant, even visitors who have acclimatised well in Hunza (2,438m) may feel breathlessness, headache, or fatigue at the pass. The drive from Hunza to the pass climbs over 2,400 metres in altitude, and spending extended time at the top is not recommended. Most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes at the pass monument before descending.
Can foreigners cross into China at Khunjerab Pass?
No, not without a valid Chinese visa issued in advance. Foreign tourists can travel to the Khunjerab Pass monument (the Pakistani side of the border) and take photographs, but cannot cross into Chinese territory. Pakistani citizens with proper documentation can approach the border formalities at Khunjerab, though the border crossing for non-commercial travellers operates under specific bilateral arrangements. If crossing into China is the goal, a Chinese visa must be obtained before travel.
When is Khunjerab Pass open?
The road to Khunjerab Pass is typically open from late April or May through October or early November, depending on snowfall in a given year. Heavy snowfall closes the pass in winter and can also cause temporary closures during summer storms. The safest and most reliable window is May through September. October visits are possible but carry higher risk of early closure. Always confirm road conditions locally before attempting the drive.
Do you need a permit to visit Khunjerab Pass?
Pakistani nationals travelling beyond Sost toward the pass need a Road Open Certificate (ROC), obtainable in Sost or sometimes in Hunza. Foreign nationals require both the ROC and their passport. Khunjerab is within Khunjerab National Park and a small park entry fee is also collected. Your Raahi driver will manage all permit formalities on the day.
How long does the Khunjerab Pass day trip from Hunza take?
Allow a full day: approximately 3 to 4 hours driving each way from Karimabad, plus time at the pass, Sost, and Passu (which most visitors stop at on the way). Departing by 7am and returning by 6pm is a reasonable schedule. The drive through the Khunjerab National Park in the final stretch is among the most scenic sections of the Karakoram Highway, the valley opens up into wide grasslands where Marco Polo sheep are regularly seen grazing.
Plan Your Visit
Add Khunjerab Pass to your Hunza itinerary.
The Khunjerab day trip is available as an add-on to any Hunza itinerary. We provide the vehicle, the driver, and handle all permit formalities.
→Hunza Valley: complete destination guide→Passu Cones: stop on the way to Khunjerab→Do Wadiyan: 10-day Skardu and Hunza tour→Khunjerab Pass day trip: permits, altitude, and what to expect→Passu & Gulmit: upper Hunza guide for the route to Khunjerab→Karakoram Highway guide: driving the KKH from Islamabad to Khunjerab→Hunza in June: when Khunjerab road opens for the season→Hunza in August: best conditions for the Khunjerab day trip→Add the Khunjerab Pass trip to your Hunza itinerary
Plan Your Visit
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Get in touch and we'll add the Khunjerab day trip to your Hunza itinerary, permits included.
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