Karimabad gets all the attention in Hunza Valley: the forts, the Eagle's Nest, the famous Rakaposhi views. Most visitors never drive the 80 kilometres north to Passu and Gulmit. This is a mistake. The upper Hunza valley is, in many ways, more dramatic than the stretch around Karimabad, and it is almost always quieter.
Passu and the Cones
Passu is a small village about 80 kilometres north of Karimabad on the Karakoram Highway. The Passu Cones, the cluster of sharp rock spires that rise above the village, are among the most photographed rock formations in Pakistan: cathedral-like needles of dark granite rising directly from the valley floor to over 6,000 metres. The KKH passes directly at their base.
The most famous photograph of the Cones shows them reflected in the Passu Glacier lake in the foreground. The glacier has retreated in recent years, so the exact composition of this shot depends on current conditions, but the cones themselves are always visible and always extraordinary. The best viewpoint is a short walk from the road, signposted from the main KKH.
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In addition to the Cones, Passu has the Passu Glacier itself: a significant glacier flowing down from the Batura Mustagh range. The glacier front can be reached by a 2 to 3 hour walk from the village. The Passu Suspension Bridge (also called the Hussaini Bridge) over the Hunza River near the village is one of the most photographed structures on the KKH: a narrow rope-and-plank bridge that sways dramatically. Crossing it is optional but memorable.
Gulmit: the upper valley town
Gulmit, 10 kilometres south of Passu, is the administrative centre of upper Hunza and home to the Gulmit Museum: a small but excellent collection of traditional Hunza artefacts, household items, and historical photographs that gives context to the valley's long separate history as an independent kingdom. It is one of the better local museums in Gilgit-Baltistan and rarely crowded.
The PTDC Tourist Cottage in Gulmit is one of the better-positioned accommodation options in upper Hunza: views of the Ghulkin Glacier above town and the KKH valley below. For those who want to spend a night in the upper valley rather than returning to Karimabad each evening, Gulmit is the most practical base.
Borith Lake
Borith Lake is a shallow wetland lake near Passu, sitting between the Ghulkin and Passu Glaciers. In summer it attracts migratory birds and provides a reflective foreground for the surrounding peaks. The walk around the lake from Passu village takes 2 to 3 hours. In the right conditions, both glaciers are visible from the lake shore simultaneously.
How to do Passu as a day trip from Karimabad
Karimabad to Passu is 80 kilometres, about 1.5 hours each way on the KKH. A day trip leaving after breakfast gives enough time for: the Cones viewpoint, the Hussaini Bridge, a walk toward the glacier or around Borith Lake, lunch at a local guesthouse in Passu, and the Gulmit Museum before returning to Karimabad in the late afternoon. Total driving: 3 hours. Activity time: 5 to 6 hours.
The road is straightforward on the KKH section. The 4x4 requirement is lower than for Deosai or the Skardu mountain roads: a standard vehicle can handle this route, though Raahi still uses a Prado as standard.
Staying overnight in upper Hunza
Spending one night in Passu or Gulmit fundamentally changes the trip. Without the day-tripper traffic (most of which comes from Karimabad), the upper valley feels genuinely remote. Sunrise on the Passu Cones from the village, before any other visitors arrive, is a different experience from the same view at midday. For photographers, the morning and evening light on the Cones is far superior to midday.
Where upper Hunza fits into a wider itinerary
If you are combining Hunza with the Khunjerab Pass drive (see our Khunjerab guide), upper Hunza is on the way: you drive through Gulmit and Passu en route to Sost and the pass. Breaking the Khunjerab drive into two days by sleeping in Passu makes the journey significantly more enjoyable and adds the Cones and Borith Lake without extra time.
Raahi includes upper Hunza in itineraries where the schedule allows. If you are planning 4 or more nights in Hunza, we almost always recommend one night in the upper valley. Our Do Wadiyan 10-day itinerary includes upper Hunza as standard. Tell us your dates and we will build it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Passu from Karimabad in Hunza?
Approximately 80 kilometres, about 1.5 hours on the Karakoram Highway. The road is paved and straightforward. A day trip from Karimabad allows time for the Passu Cones viewpoint, the Hussaini Bridge, and a walk toward the Passu Glacier or around Borith Lake, with return by late afternoon.
Is an overnight in Passu worth it?
Yes, if you can manage it. The Passu Cones at sunrise, before day-tripper traffic arrives from Karimabad, is a fundamentally different experience from the midday visit. For photographers, a night in Passu or Gulmit is strongly recommended. The Gulmit PTDC Motel and guesthouses in Passu village are basic but functional and well-positioned.
Do you need to visit upper Hunza if you are already going to Attabad Lake?
Attabad Lake is 45 kilometres from Karimabad, en route to Passu, not a competing destination. If you are driving to Passu, stopping at Attabad is automatic. The question is whether to continue the extra 35 kilometres from Attabad to Passu. If you have the day, continue: the Passu Cones and Hussaini Bridge are significantly more dramatic than Attabad's boat-ride appeal alone.