Hunza Valley

Hunza was formerly a princely state, and one of the most loyal vassals to the

Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, bordering China to the north-east and Pamir to its north-west, which continued to survive until 1974, when it was finally dissolved by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south, the former princely state of Nagar to the east. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known asKarimabad) and its old settlement is Ganish Village.Hunza was an independent principality for more than 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892 followed by a military engagement of severe intensity. The then Thom (Prince) Mir Safdar Ali Khan of Hunza fled to Kashghar in China and sought what can be called political asylum. The ruling family of Hunza is called Ayeshe (heavenly), from the following circumstance. The two states of Hunza and Nagar were formerly one, ruled by a branch of the Shahreis, the ruling family of Gilgit, whose seat of government was Nagar. Tradition relates that Mayroo Khan, apparently the first Muslim Thum ofNagar some 200 years after the introduction of the religion of Islam to Gilgit, married a daughter of Trakhan of Gilgit, who bore him twin sons named Moghlot and Girkis. From the former the present ruling family of Nager is descended. The twins are said to have shown hostility to one another from birth. Their father seeing this and unable to settle the question of succession, divided his state between them, giving to Girkis the north, and to Moghlot the south, bank of the river. The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheet fields, set against the background of snow-covered mountains. Situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters, Hunza Valley's tourist season is from May to October. The temperature in May is maximum 27°C and minimum 14°C. The October temperatures are: maximum 10°C and minimum 0°C. Three Regions of Hunza

Upper Hunza, Gojal Upper Hunza (Gojal) is beautiful valley of Hunza, and one of its sub region where three different linguistically people are existing, Burushaski speakers originated from central Hunza and migrated during kingdom of Ayashoo and wakhi speakers oriented from Wakhan corridor. 65% of population encompass of wakhi speakers and rest of 34% composed of Burushaski speakers. The third dialect Domki compared of 1% and their families found in Nazim abad and Shishkat village.

The upper Hunza starts from Ayean Abad village, nowadays affected with natural hit (Atta Abad Disaster) and sunk completely in artificial lake; Upper Hunza extends to Misgar, Shimshaal and Chuporson, (Border areas).

Gulmit village is capital city of upper Hunza, and Sost is important village for commercial purposes due to Sost dry port. Upper Hunza is sub divided into four regions, as Gojal1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. Gojal one composed of Ayean Abad, Shishkat, Gulmit, Passu, Hussaini. Gojal two composed of Khyber, Galapan Murokhoon, Jamal Abad, Gircha, Nazimabad, Hussain Abad, Sost, Khudabad and Misgar. Gojal 3 composed of Shimshaal and finally Gojal 4 composed of Khair Abad, Rashit, Kirming, Kill, Espangi, Shersaabz, and Zodokhon. The almighty KKH running from this region of Hunza and exit to neighbouring country China, at Khunjareb pass area of upper Hunza and from Chopurson wakhan corridor open and this piece of land isolate this region from former USSR. Centre Hunza

Center Hunza remained the administrative region during monarchial rule of Ayashoo dynast, a ruling family of Hunza for 980 years from 996-1974 and in realistic way center Hunza is capital center of Hunza State. Historically scholars published many credentials about the origin of families in center Hunza but no mutual consent literature confine the rationality about the origin of families in the Center Hunza. Center Hunza starts from a beautiful village Murtaza abad and ends at Attaabad composed of villages namely Murtaza abad, Hassan abad, Ali abad, Dorkhan, Shiras, Garelth, Hyder abad, Ganish, Karim Abad (Baltit), Momin Abad, Altit, Ahmed Abad, Gama Sareth and Atta abad. This is most populous sub region of Hunza; Center Hunza is two linguistic oriented region 97% people speak Burushaski and rest of 3% speaks Domki. The Buroshoo Hunzai families everywhere on the globe oriented from this region, the diversify families roots found in Baltit, Altit and Ganish. The main families of Baltit are Diramiting, Khurokutz, Barataling, and Boroung, the main families of Altit are Hussenkutz, Hakalkutz, Khunukutz and Shu-shuroting, and the main families of Ganish are Shuknoting, Chaboekutz, Barchating and Chil Ganishkutz. The 3% Domki families settled in Momin abad, and found in minor ratio in some villages of Hunza. Lower Hunza

Lower Hunza is a sub region of Hunza, boundaries with Nagar valley on east and on

south. The beautiful sub region of hunza starts from a village Khizir abad and ends at Nasir Abad, Lower Hunza composed of Khizir abad, Mayoon, Hussainabad, Khana Abad and Nasirabad. Nasirabad location on KKH makes it as a centre village of Lower Hunza. This area basically composed of Shina speakers mainly migrants from nearby areas of Hunza, and many families belong to families of centre Hunza. The shina language is dominated language that’s why people declare it as “Shinaki”. Educationally Lower Hunza is sound enough and parallel to the other sub regions of Hunza, literally tasted personalities found in entire lower Hunza. The private and governmental institutions are operating in the region. The chain of Aga Khan Diamond jubilee schools is much actively participating in civil society. Many persons from the region are actively delivering their services in government and private sector. Culturally enriched and it is not much different from the culture of central Hunza. Culture of the area comes out from social customs and as well as from religious practices on births, marriages and deaths. The main occasions celebrations are Novroz, Ginani, and Salgirahs, on these occasions delicious food traditional touch manufacture in the region, especially Sharbat and Harisa.

The region is famous for mulberry and high quality graphs, beyond these apricots, plums and cherry are other fruits. People grow maize, wheat, peas and vegetables. KKH enter into the region on the first bridge of Hunza, at Nasirabad (Hindi) from Nagar Valley. Above text by Piyar Ali Sagi [edit]Cities / Villages Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, offers an awe-inspiring view of Rakaposhi (7,788 meters). The snows of Rakaposhi glitter in the moonlight, producing an atmosphere at once ethereal and sublime. Aliabad Ganish Village – the oldest village in Hunza, with 800 year old mosques, it was honored by UNESCO in 2002 and 2009. Gulmit Ghulkin Karimabad Nasir Abad Passu Sost Khuda Abad [edit]Other destinations Karakoram Range mountain peaks, incuding Hunza Peak, Ulter Peak or Ultar Peak, Bublimoting or Lady Finger. [edit]Understand The fair skinned and light-eyed Hunzakuts claim to be descendants of soldiers lost from Alexander's army as he invaded India, although genetic studies have disproved the claim. The language, Burushaski, provides linguists an enigma as it is unrelated to any other language known to man. The beauty of this mountain paradise is matchless; from the soft blossoms of the apricot trees to the dark snowcapped rock monuments of Rakaposhi (7788 m.), recently climbed Ultar Peak (7388 m.) jabbing a vivid blue backdrop high above, and Bublimoting Peak. Most of the people of Hunza are Islamili Muslims, followers of His highness the Aga Khan. [edit]Talk The local language is Brushuski, Wakhi, Shina and Domki. Urdu and English are also understood by most of the people 95% Urdu and 75% English. Urdu is the national language and is spoken throughout Pakistan as lingua franca. Local language is Brushuski, Wakhi, Shina and Domki, As elsewhere in Pakistan, English is fairly widely spoken among the educated classes and those involved in the tourist industry. [edit]Get in Via the Karakoram Highway.

Hunza is just 100 KM drive from Gilgit, and most people arrive by road and it takes almost 2 - 3 Hours to reach Hunza from Gilgit. The main bus stand is on the KKH Aliabad. There are booking agents in town for long distance buses & jeeps along the KKH. The journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours. From Kashgar (China) there is a regular international bus service to Hunza via Sost crossing over the Khunjerab Pass (about 5000 meter high). Across river Hunza at Sost, there is a village called Khuda Abad. People usually do not stop at Khunjerab Pass, they just carry on their journey to Sost with the bus. From Sost, you can do a number of activities around like trekking in the valleys, or drive to Hunza-Karimabad (2 hours), where the Baltit Fort is standing. The Khunjerab Pass is open from May 1st to Dec 30th, but closed in winter. The international bus waits until there are enough people, which can take days as of 2012. An alternative option is to take a first bus to Tashkurgan, stay at Tashkurgan one night, the next morning go to the immigration to get a departure approval, and then take a second bus to Sost, then another one to Hunza. [edit]By plane Gilgit Airport (IATA: GIL) is small and has 45 minute flights to Islamabad on PIA PIA offers regular flights of small 42 seater planes between Gilgit and Islamabad. All flights, however, are subject to weather clearance, and in winters, flights are often delayed by several days. [edit]Get around Private vehicles are normally used as local transport. Renting jeeps is also a common way of moving around. You can go to nearby cities on buses and by air. [edit][add listing]See This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing. Please plunge forward, give it your attention and help it improve! Suggested fixes: None specified. Please use the article's talk page to ask questions if you are not sure why this tag was added and whether it is safe to remove it. Hunza is one of the most exotic places in Pakistan. Several high peaks rise above 6,000 m in the surroundings of Hunza valley. The valley provides spectacular views of some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains of the world which include Rakaposhi 7,788 m (25,551 ft), Ultar Sar 7,388 m (24,239 ft), Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 m (24,045 ft), Ghenta Peak 7,090 m (15,631 ft), Hunza Peak 6,270 m (20,571 ft), Darmyani Peak 6,090 m (19,980 ft), and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 m (19,685 ft). The fairy-tale like castle of Baltit, above Karimabad, is a Hanza landmark built about 600 years ago. Stilted on massive legs, its wooden bay windows look out over the valley. Originally, it was used the resistance of the Mirs (the title of the former rulers) of Hunza.

Hunza Valley is also host to the ancient watch towers in Ganish , Baltit Fort and Altit Fort. Watch towers are located in heart of Ganish Village, Baltit Fort stands on top of Karimabad whereas Altit Fort lies at the bottom of the valley. Dating back to 8th century AD, a huge Buddha figure surrounded by small Buddhisatvas is carved on a rock. Pre-historic men and animal figures are carved on rocks along the valley. Borith Lake is located in upper Hunza and Rush Lake is located near Nagar. The valley is popularly believed to be the inspiration for the mythical valley of Shangri-la in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. As one travels up on the Karakoram Highway, the beautiful sceneries keep on revealing themselves. On the way one can witness the 65 km long 'Batura' glacier, the second longest in Pakistan, surround by Shishper, Batura and Kumpirdior peaks. On reaching Sost one can continue the journey up to Khunzhrav or turn west to witness the mystic beauty of Chipursan (also Chapursan) valley. Chipursan valley has some of most exotic tourist spots in the area. In Yarzerech (also Yarzirich) you can have a look at the majestic Kundahill peak (6000 m), or trek along the Rishepzhurav to the Kundahill to experience the soothing sceneries. Beyond Yarzerech you can travel further to Lupghar, Raminj, Reshit, Yishkuk up to Bobo Ghundi (Oston), the shrine of Baba-e-Ghund, a saint from Afghanistan near the border between Pakistan and Wakhan region of Afghanistan. Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Altit village, Duiker, Hoper glacier, Ulter Meadows, Channel walk, Local market, [edit][add listing]Do Camping Swimming Hunting Hiking and Trekking Mountaineering Mountain Biking Horse riding Eco tours Skiing Safari tours Fishing Shopping Gliding [edit][add listing]Eat Cafe de Hunza, Hunza (Main bazzar Karimabad). edit Hidden Paradise Resturant karimabad hunza, ☎ 03463114234. 18. Local restaurant, where you can find the Hunza local food 80 items of hunza traditional hunza food with a grand view of altit for and altit valley. ower and chef is known as founder of hunza traditional healthy food. edit [edit][add listing]Sleep Mulberry Hotel, Main road Karimabad. edit Baltit Inn, Zero point Karimabad. edit Hotel Darbar, Zero point Karimabad. edit Hotel Hilltop, Main bazzar Karimabad. edit Woldroof Hotel, Main bazzar Karimabad. edit Karimabad Inn, Zero point Karimabad. Budgeted Hotel edit [edit]Get out To China The bus service (NATCO & PTDC)is scheduled to begin crossing the border from

Sost, Gilgit-Baltistan, to Tashkurgun, China, every day at 09 O'clock in summers and In autumn it depends on the passengers, if the bus is full with passengers then it will leave, in case of lack of passengers it takes days to get into China . To Islamabad Via the Karakoram Highway, popularly known as the Silk Road. There are many buses leaving for Islamabad every day from Aliabad Hunza and Gilgit. To Gilgit Via the Karakoram Highway, popularly known as the Silk Road. Mini buses leaves for Gilgit in every 30 minutes from Aliabad. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!