Pakistan’s Hunza Valley lies south of the China border along the Hunza River Located in the far north of Pakistan, the Hunza Valley lies in the Gilgit–Baltistan region just south-southwest of the China border and southeast of the Afghan Wakhan Corridor.  Stretched along the Hunza River at an elevation of 2,500 m on average, the valley is flanked by a few spectacular peaks higher than 6,000 metre, including Rakaposhi (7,788 m), Hunza Peak (6,270 m), Passu Peak (7,478 m), Bublimotin (Ladyfinger Peak) (6,000 m), Diran Peak (7,266 m), and Ultar Sar (7,388 m). More about Pakistan in this issue. The valley is dotted with quaint villages such Nasirabad in the Lower Hunza Valley, Karimabad in the Central Hunza Valley, and Gulmit in the Upper Hunza Valley. Some villages have ancient fortresses standing such as the Altit Fort in Altit Village and the Baltit Fort in Karimabad. Apart from the spectacular peaks, glaciers, the river, and the quaint villages, the people of the Hunza Valley are quite friendly. Most of the inhabitants of the valley are Ismaili Shia Muslims and also followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV (a few small villages are mainly Shia Muslims). Many of these Ismaili Shia people are fair skinned and trace back … Continue reading Pakistan’s Hunza Valley (Photo Essay)