Khunjerab Pass is the breathtaking gateway tucked away among the majestic mountains of the captivating Karakoram Range. It lies at the end of the spectacular Karakoram Highway. The Khunjerab Pass, also known as the Pak-China border, is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway.
It is an architectural wonder along with being the world’s highest paved international border crossing, with a height of 15,397 feet. Graana.com brings you all you need to know about the Khunjerab pass.
Between May and September is the optimum time to visit Khunjerab Pass. Living in the capital city of the Punjab region, organizing a vacation to the north requires time and effort. However, if you truly want to discover Pakistan and experience the natural beauty it has to offer, it is worth the effort, time, and money.
Consider visiting Gilgit Baltistan this summer, a true piece of heaven on Earth. The trip may be extensive and tiring but it’s surely worth it. Once you enter these gorgeous valleys filled with lush green meadows and tall snow-covered mountains, you probably wouldn’t mind the distance and effort.
Khunjerab Pass – An Overview
Khunjerab Pass is strategically located on Pakistan’s northern border i.e. Hunza and Nagar Districts of Gilgit–Baltistan and China’s southwest border i.e. Xinjiang.
It gets its name from two Wakhi words: “khun” meaning blood and “jerab” which denotes a brook that flows from a spring or waterfall. The Khunjerab Pass is the world’s highest paved international border crossing. The paved road was finished in 1982, and it now serves as the principal route across the Karakoram Range, replacing the rough Mintaka and Kilik Passes.
In 1966, China choose Khunjerab Pass for the Karakoram Highway, citing the fact that Mintaka would be more vulnerable to air strikes.
A daily bus service has been running between Gilgit and Kashgar, Xinjiang, since June 1, 2006. This is one of the international frontiers where left-hand traffic from Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan switches to right-hand traffic from China and vice versa.
How to get there?
Hunza and Gilgit are two of Pakistan’s most famous tourist destinations. However, a vacation to these regions would be incomplete without a stop at Khunjerab Pass.
The route from Islamabad to Hunza is in decent condition. As a result, you won’t have to worry about your journey being unpleasant.
| Distance of Khunjerab Pass from different points from | |
| From National Park station and checkpoint in Dih | 42 kilometers |
| From the customs and immigration post in Sost | 75 kilometers |
| From Gilgit | 270 kilometers |
| From Islamabad on the Pakistani side. | 870 kilometers |
The summit road, also known as Khunerjab Pass and Kunjirap Daban, is completely paved. It is one of the country’s highest roadways.
This portion of the road was finished in 1982, and it is the world’s highest metaled border crossing. Also, on the Pakistani side, you can see the world’s highest ATM.
Options to Travel to Khunjerab Pass from Islamabad
| Fly to Skardu | 1 hr. + 6 hr. 45 min by road to Khunjerab Pass |
| Fly to Gilgit | 1 hr. 15 min + 4 hrs. by road to Khunjerab Pass |
| Travel by road | 10 hr. 27 min |
Car, plane, or travel agent/tour packages are the three options for getting from Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass. All the options have their own merits and demerits. You can choose any depending on your personal preferences and requirements.
You should rent an appropriate vehicle instead of driving your car since a seasoned driver is experienced with the Karakoram Highway’s extremely challenging drive. If you’re travelling with a group, there are many tour companies that provide affordable packages from each city.
Northern Areas Transport Corporation, or NATCO, offers bus service from Islamabad to Hunza at very reasonable rates. If you want to travel to Khunjerab Pass, you need to travel to Hunza and Gilgit and from there, you can get to Khunjerab Pass. It is preferred that you travel in the early hours of the morning to avoid traffic congestion and breathtaking sunrise views.
The journey to Khunjerab Pass is extensive. The earlier you depart from your hotel in Hunza or Nagar, the sooner you will be able to return. By 7 a.m., you should be on the road. In perfect weather circumstances, it will take you roughly six hours to get from Nagar to Khunjerab Pass.
You can stop along the trip at the legendary Hussaini Gojal Hanging Bridge and the gorgeous Passu Cones to grab some great photos. Because of the unusual shape of the peaks, it is also known as ‘Passu Cathedral.’
Things to consider for the trip
- Travel is risky and difficult due to the high elevation, which poses a risk of altitude sickness, weather issues, dangerous roads, and general inaccessibility.
- Make sure you carry your medicines, food items, and any other essentials with you for the long journey.
- Select your time wisely. During the winter season, the long, relatively flat route is frequently snow-covered, and as a result, it is normally closed from November 30 to May 1. The border is open only Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Pakistani side and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Chinese side.
- Don’t forget to bring warm clothes as the weather can get extremely cold and chilled.
- It is recommended that you take plenty of water with you to prevent altitude sickness.
- Keep a first aid kit with you. People with breathing problems or altitude sickness need to be extra careful and must bring their medicines/inhalers with them.
Places to stay
There are a lot of places at Nagar, Gilgit, and Gulmit where you can plan your stay if you wish to visit the beautiful Khunjerab pass.
Some of them are as follows:
- Horizon Resort Attabad Lake
- Gulmit Farm House
- Famree Resort Hunza
- Khunjerab Hotel
A trip to Gilgit Baltistan can be a lifetime experience. You must experience the magnificent and breathtaking beauty it offers within our own country. The area provides multiple tourist destinations that can be a memorable experience for you and your family.
You can plan your itinerary according to your budget and the time you have on hand. Plan your next vacation this summer to Khunjerab Pass to see the world’s highest border offering picturesque scenery and sky-scraping summits.
FAQs
What is the significance of Khunjerab Pass?
Khunjerab Pass is significant because it connects Pakistan with China, serving as a major trade route between the two countries. It is also a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all around the world.
What is the altitude of Khunjerab Pass?
Khunjerab Pass is located at an altitude of 4,693 meters (15,397 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest mountain passes in the world.
What is the best time to visit Khunjerab Pass?
The best time to visit Khunjerab Pass is from May to October, when the weather is mild and the pass is open to tourists. During the winter months, the pass is usually closed due to heavy snowfall.
What are the activities that can be done at Khunjerab Pass?
At Khunjerab Pass, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Karakoram Mountains, take photographs at the famous border crossing, and visit the Khunjerab National Park, which is home to many rare species of plants and animals.
What are the facilities available at Khunjerab Pass?
There are several facilities available at Khunjerab Pass, including a tourist information center, restrooms, and a small market selling souvenirs and local handicrafts. Visitors can also find basic accommodation and food at nearby towns and villages.
What are the travel restrictions at Khunjerab Pass?
Khunjerab Pass is a restricted area due to its location on the border between Pakistan and China. Visitors must obtain the necessary permits and follow the rules and regulations set by the authorities.
Which 2 passes connect Pakistan with China?
The two passes that connect Pakistan with China are the Khunjerab Pass and the Mintaka Pass.
Which Chinese city is near Khunjerab Pass?
The Chinese city that is near Khunjerab Pass is Tashkurgan, which is located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It is the last town on the Chinese side before reaching the border crossing.
