Traveling to Khunjerab pass by road is the most scenic route in Pakistan to cover the distance of about 741 km between Islamabad to Pak-China Border. It takes about 16 hours and 16 minutes as per Google Maps to get there. But believe me, you can not cover it in this time frame because the scenic landscapes on the route won't let you do this.
Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass
Khunjerab Pass's direction is very colorful in terms of road and scenic views, as the scenery of Karakoram highway doesn't let you bother by traveling on it.
I strongly recommend you to stay in Hunza valley for a night if you are coming from Gilgit city, to admire beautiful tourists places in Hunza valley.
How far is China's border from Islamabad?
China's border is Known as Khunjerab pass in Pakistan and it is about 745 km away from Islamabad if you cover the distance in a straight line. It is about 370 nautical miles far from Islamabad if you go there by helicopter, as you can't land there by plane due to the unavailability of any airport.
How can I reach Khunjerab pass?
You can use both traveling means to reach Khunjerab pass Aerial traveling or by road. If you use the aerial way you have to take flight from Islamabad to Gilgit city or Skardu, then you have to travel by road on one of the highest elevated roads of the world, the Karakoram Highway.
And secondly, you may choose to travel only by road, It would be your most scenic journey in life. In either way, you will have to travel by road to reach Khunjerab pass.
Where is Khunjerab Pass in Pakistan?
Khunjerab Pass is the highest pass in Pakistan at an elevation of 4700 m, known as a border located in Pakistan that connects Pakistan with China as China and Pakistan are old friends. When it comes to the friendship between countries, the Pak-China friendship quotes as an example all over the world.
The friendship between these two countries is not about the interest of these countries, it's all about brotherhood relations. These countries are examples for the world that how two neighboring countries should live together.
Islamabad to Mansehra
Starting your journey to cover the most scenic distance to Khunjerab pass from Islamabad, the beautiful capital of Pakistan, you have to go to M-1 (Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway) that will lead you to M-15 (Hazara Motorway).
Mansehra to Babusar Pass
From Mansehra to Naran, the valley of lakes and waterfalls, the Kunhar river becomes your travel partner and joins with you from Amazing Balakot city. This is the place where the river adds beauty to the lush green mountains that surround your route.
Now getting ahead to Babusar top, known as the viewpoint of two majestic peaks, from Naran you will go through by seeing a number of great tourist spots like Lulusar lake, beautiful Geti-Das waterfall and much more.Babusar pass to Gilgit
From Babusar your downward journey starts to Chilas, where you can feel a sudden change in atmosphere, from cool to hot, and view of lush mountains, to barren peaks. It will be a very pleasant change to surprise you. It takes about 4 hours to cover a distance of about 170 km from Babusar Top to Gilgit.
Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass
Gigit to Khunjerab pass distance is about 275 kilometers which you can travel in a day easily but staying in beautiful and cultural Hunza valley will allow you to make your trip more energetic and enjoyable. And you can see beautiful and heaven-like places on earth which I will tell you below.
Khunjerab Pass
Khunjerab pass weather remains 5 to 15 Celsius when Pakistan's temperature touches 50 celsius in major areas of the country in summer. These days each and everyone wants to plan for vacations in Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan.
So visiting Hunza valley and Khunjerab pass becomes the first priority to visit. Hunza to China border distance is about 175 kilometers, where along the way you can see the most beautiful places and stunning scenic views. which includes,
Attabad Lake
Fascinating Attabad lake would be your first destination while traveling to Khunjerab pass from Hunza. The average distance from Hunza to Attabad lake is about 25 to 30 kilometers. There was a village at this point before 2010.
But one unfortunate day it becomes a lake here due to a big landslide here, which caused to stop the way of river Hunza. And that village sank somewhere in it.
This journey will be full of scenic views as you will be traveling by the river Hunza. This is a turquoise color lake, which cost lives of about 20 people and displacement of about 6000 people and a part of Karakoram highway which connects Pakistan to Hunza and upper areas of Gilgit Baltistan.
It took about 6 months of very hard work here to develop the spillway of Hunza River. This is about 13 kilometers long lake as a result of a natural disaster. As a result of natural disasters, the Karakoram highway has vanished.
So officials start to make tunnels here in 2012 on Karakoram highway, which was completed later on in 2015 and Karakoram Highway restored. Its tunnel name is the Pakistan-China friendship tunnel.
Today this lake has become a tourist hot spot due to its color and immense beauty. You can not go through without capturing some clicks here in your camera.
Hussaini Bridge
Hussaini bridge would be your next destination on this Khunjerab pass direction. It is a village by the Karakoram Highway named Hussaini village. You have to park your vehicle and get a walk about 200 meters which leads you to the Hussaini bridge.
It is built on the river Hunza, there is no pillar under it and no support rather than its ropes on both sides. It looks very hazardous, scary, and hazardous to walk on it. Normally it gets closed after 6pm. There are no such facilities at Hussaini bridge-like hotels or food.
Remain distance from here is about 130 kilometers from a total Hunza to Khunjerab Pass distance by road is 175 kilometers.
Passu Cones
There is a beautiful and long bridge on your route, Hunza to Khunjerab Pass. Suddenly you will see a beautiful change in the scene here by crossing the bridge as you can see Passu Cones the marvelous peaks here.
The peaks of Passu cones are covered with snow all year round. There are two places to visit here Passu cones and Passu Glacier. You can see Passu cones right from the road but you have to trek to go to Passu Glacier.
Sost
Sost is the next tourist destination here to Khunjerab Pass Pakistan. This is a small and last village of Pakistan there is no population beyond it. It's a very important area as there are several departments. are working like custom and immigration for Pak-China trade.
You can avail of all services here like petrol, food, hotel, etc. I suggest you take a while here and get some important checks here like fuel, water, tires, etc. of your vehicle as there are no facilities beyond it with upward slop ahead.
The remaining 90 kilometers distance is full of adventures, as it is upward slop with sharp turns as well as this is a Khunjerab National Park, and you might see wildlife here. There is a check post as well as you have to pay some fee as entering Khunjerab National Park.
You can see super scenic views here. Lush green area with cool breeze and snow on the peaks all around. You have to go there and see how nature is kind to Pakistan.
This is a very quiet, beautiful, and clean area. We have to keep it as it is. So please keep your trash along with you. This is our home and we have to keep it clean for us and for our generation.
Here you can see the world's highest ATM installed by the National Bank of Pakistan. This is a place which you will not forget ever.
The memories of travel and seeing the most beautiful valleys, noisy rivers, lush green fields, shiny peaks, glaciers, healthy atmosphere, heaven-like scenic views, and hospitable people will always ask you to visit here again and again.
Park your vehicle and go, visit Khunjerab Pass. And don't forget to have some dry apricots along with you as these will help you to breathe there, because Khunjerab Pass altitude is about 4700 meters and some people get a headache or feel difficulty breathing.
You can get apricots from Hunza valley as it is famous for the city of apricots. Khunjerab Pass height is about 15400 ft. The highest border of the world.
