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A journey from Hunza to Khunjerab Pass is one of the most memorable road trips in northern Pakistan. The route follows the legendary Karakoram Highway, passing turquoise lakes, dramatic mountain peaks, small villages and the wide landscapes of Upper Hunza before reaching the Pakistan-China border.
Khunjerab Pass stands at about 4,693 metres or 15,397 feet above sea level. It is widely described as the world’s highest paved international border crossing and is also the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.
Despite its remote setting, you do not need to trek to Khunjerab Pass. The road runs all the way to the border area. However, the long drive, unpredictable mountain weather and high altitude mean that good planning is essential.
This guide explains the Hunza to Khunjerab Pass distance, travel time, route, road conditions, best season and practical travel tips for anyone planning the trip in 2026.
The distance from Hunza to Khunjerab Pass depends on where you start because Hunza covers a large area.
If you are staying around Karimabad or Aliabad, it is sensible to plan for approximately 170 to 180 kilometres one way to Khunjerab Pass. The Sost to Khunjerab Pass distance is particularly useful for planning. Sost is the last major Pakistani town before the border and is around 80 to 85 kilometres from the pass.
Allow around 3.5 to 4.5 hours of driving each way from central Hunza in good conditions.
That does not include long photography stops, meals, traffic, security checks or delays caused by road conditions.
For most travellers, a Hunza to Khunjerab Pass day trip takes 9 to 12 hours once sightseeing stops are included.
Leaving early is important. A departure around 6:00 or 7:00 am gives you more daylight and allows time to enjoy Attabad Lake, Passu and other locations without rushing. Mountain weather can also become less predictable later in the day.
The route is simple because almost the entire journey follows the Karakoram Highway, also known as the KKH or N-35. The classic route is:
Karimabad/Aliabad → Attabad Lake → Gulmit → Hussaini → Passu → Sost → Dih → Khunjerab National Park → Khunjerab Pass
It is not simply a drive to the border. The route itself is one of the main reasons to make the trip.
After leaving Karimabad or Aliabad, the road enters Upper Hunza and soon reaches Attabad Lake.
The bright turquoise water surrounded by bare mountains is one of Hunza’s most recognisable sights. The lake was formed after a major landslide in January 2010 blocked the Hunza River. Today, the Karakoram Highway passes the lake through the famous Attabad tunnels, making this section of the journey much easier than it was in the years immediately after the landslide.
If you want to enjoy boating or spend time beside the lake, it is better to do this on a separate day. A long stop here can make your Khunjerab day trip rushed.
The highway continues north towards Gulmit, one of the main settlements of Gojal or Upper Hunza.
Gulmit is worth visiting for its peaceful village atmosphere and mountain views. Travellers staying here are already closer to Khunjerab Pass than those starting from Karimabad. It can therefore be a convenient base if Khunjerab is one of the main priorities of your Hunza itinerary.
The scenery becomes even more dramatic as the road approaches Passu. The famous Passu Cones, also known as the Cathedral Peaks, rise sharply above the Karakoram Highway. This is one of the best photography locations on the entire Hunza to China border route.
Nearby attractions include Hussaini Suspension Bridge, Borith Lake, Passu Glacier and views towards Batura Glacier. If Khunjerab is your main destination that day, keep these stops short and visit the larger attractions separately.
From Passu, continue along the Karakoram Highway towards Sost. Sost is the last major town in Pakistan before the Chinese border. It is also an important customs, immigration and trade centre for traffic moving between Pakistan and China.
This is your best place to refuel, buy water, get snacks and use basic facilities before continuing towards Khunjerab. Services become very limited after Sost.
After Sost, the road becomes quieter, and the landscape changes dramatically. Green villages gradually disappear. The mountains become wider, colder and more barren as you enter Khunjerab National Park.
An entrance fee applies for visitors entering the protected area. The amount can change, so carry Pakistani cash and confirm the latest fee locally rather than depending on an old online price. The park protects an important high-altitude ecosystem. Wildlife may include Himalayan ibex, Marco Polo sheep, marmots and, much more rarely, snow leopards. Keep your distance from wildlife and avoid leaving food or rubbish behind.
The final section climbs steadily towards the border. The landscape opens into a high alpine plateau with snow-covered mountains in the distance. Even during summer, conditions here can feel completely different from those in Hunza Valley.
Eventually, the road reaches the famous Pakistan-China border gate at Khunjerab Pass. This is the end of the normal tourist day trip from the Pakistani side. Crossing the gate into China is not the same as visiting Khunjerab Pass. International crossing requires the appropriate Chinese visa, immigration clearance and compliance with current border procedures.
Yes. The main route follows the paved Karakoram Highway. The road from Hunza through Attabad, Gulmit, Passu and Sost is asphalt, and the highway continues towards Khunjerab Pass. A standard vehicle can handle much of the route during good summer conditions, although many travellers prefer an SUV or 4×4 for comfort and additional security in changing weather.
The bigger concern is not whether the road is paved. It is whether the road is open and safe on the day you travel. Landslides, rockfall, flash floods, heavy rain and sudden snowfall can interrupt mountain roads with little warning.
In 2026, travellers are advised to check current weather and road-clearance information before travelling because of risks from heavy rainfall, landslides, flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods. Do not depend only on a map application showing the road as open. Check locally with your hotel, driver, district administration or relevant road authorities on the morning of departure.
This point causes a lot of confusion. Pakistan and China moved towards year-round operation of the Khunjerab border for trade from December 2024. However, year-round trade operations should not be interpreted as guaranteed year-round tourist access.
Tourist access remains heavily affected by snow, weather, road clearance and border regulations. May to October or November is the practical tourism season, while winter access can be restricted or impossible. The safest approach is simple: if you are travelling outside the main summer season, confirm access before leaving Hunza.
For most travellers, the best time to visit Khunjerab Pass is from May to October. June, July, August and September normally provide the most practical conditions for the journey. May can still be cold, with snow remaining around the higher sections. July and August are the busiest months and usually offer easier road access, but summer rain can increase the risk of landslides elsewhere in Gilgit-Baltistan.
September is an excellent month for clearer skies and fewer crowds. October brings beautiful autumn colours to Hunza, but Khunjerab itself becomes much colder and early snowfall becomes more likely. Winter travel should never be planned on the assumption that the tourist road will remain accessible.
Never judge Khunjerab Pass weather by conditions in Karimabad. Hunza may feel warm and sunny while Khunjerab is freezing, windy or covered by clouds.
At nearly 4,700 metres, the pass has an extreme alpine climate. Temperatures can remain low even during summer, and weather can change quickly. Take a warm jacket, preferably windproof layers, even if you are visiting in July or August. A cap, gloves and sunglasses are also useful.
Sunlight is stronger at high altitude, so sunscreen is important even when the air feels cold.
Sost should be treated as your final major service point.
Fill the vehicle before travelling farther north. Carry enough drinking water and simple snacks for the journey.
There are very limited food facilities near the actual pass, and Pakistan’s National Tourism Portal also advises travellers to bring their own food and water.
Mobile coverage may become weak or disappear as you travel farther into Khunjerab National Park. Download important information before leaving Sost and do not depend completely on mobile internet.
Cash is also useful because card payments cannot be relied upon in remote areas.
During stable summer conditions, the main Karakoram Highway route is paved and many normal vehicles travel through Upper Hunza. However, a well-maintained SUV or 4×4 can offer greater comfort and confidence, especially during early spring, late autumn or uncertain weather.
More important than vehicle type is vehicle condition. Check tyres, brakes, coolant, fuel and the spare wheel before leaving. There are few repair options once you travel beyond Sost. A local driver is a sensible choice if you are unfamiliar with mountain driving.
A Khunjerab day trip is possible from Karimabad, but it makes for a long day. If you want a slower journey, staying in Passu, Gulmit or Sost can make the trip easier.
Passu is ideal if you also want mountain scenery and nearby attractions. Gulmit offers a quieter Upper Hunza experience. Sost is the most practical location if reaching Khunjerab early in the morning is your main goal.
Karimabad remains the better base for travellers who want to combine the trip with Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Duikar and central Hunza attractions.
The best Khunjerab trip starts early and does not try to fit every Upper Hunza attraction into one day.
Check the weather and road status before departure. Fill your fuel tank in Sost. Carry your CNIC or passport, cash, water and warm clothing. Keep your schedule flexible because road delays are part of travel in the Karakoram.
Avoid driving this route at night whenever possible.
Most importantly, respect the altitude. Khunjerab Pass is a place to experience slowly, not a place to rush around for a few photographs.
Yes, especially if you enjoy scenic road trips.
The attraction is not only the border gate. The journey combines some of the best landscapes in Hunza Valley and Upper Hunza, including Attabad Lake, Gulmit, Passu Cones, the Karakoram Highway and Khunjerab National Park.
Few road trips change so dramatically within a few hours. You begin among villages, orchards and turquoise water, then end on a cold high-altitude plateau beside the Pakistan-China border.
That contrast makes the Hunza to Khunjerab Pass road trip one of the most distinctive journeys in Pakistan.
From the central Hunza area around Karimabad or Aliabad, plan for roughly 170 to 180 km one way, depending on your exact starting point.
Sost is approximately 80 to 85 km from Khunjerab Pass.
Allow roughly 9 to 12 hours for a full return day trip from central Hunza, including stops and normal delays.
Khunjerab Pass is approximately 4,693 metres or 15,397 feet above sea level.
June to September generally offers the most convenient conditions. May and October can also be good, but colder weather and snow are more likely.
The main route is paved and widely travelled, but safety depends on current weather and road conditions. Landslides, flash floods, rockfall and snowfall can temporarily close sections.
Only travellers who meet current Chinese visa, immigration and border requirements can cross into China. A normal tourist visit to Khunjerab Pass does not include permission to cross the international border.
The drive from Hunza to Khunjerab Pass is more than a visit to the China border. It is a journey through Upper Hunza and some of the finest scenery along the Karakoram Highway. Plan a full day, start early and leave room for delays. Stop at Attabad Lake and Passu, prepare properly in Sost and take the final climb through Khunjerab National Park slowly.
Road and weather conditions in Gilgit-Baltistan can change quickly, so always verify the latest local situation before departure. With the right planning, the Hunza to Khunjerab Pass route becomes one of those road journeys where getting there is every bit as memorable as the destination.
Saba Ghani is Senior Content Editor at Pakistan Tour and Travel. With expertise in travel writing, she creates inspiring content that connects with audiences. Reach her at saba@pakistantourntravel.com or Twitter
12 Years of Tourism Services
Government of Pakistan, DTS License ID-2650
