What a contrast to the snowy peaks which are all around. The highlight of this tour is Hunza, comprising of a number of villages. Karimabad, the main centre for Hunza is like a stage setting. The attractive crescent- shaped valley laid our before you in encircled with mountains. This unfounded reputation is the result of their healthy and unique diet consisting heavily of walnuts and fruit, particularly the apricot which grows abundantly.
Life is fairly simple here - there are very few stresses as are known in the cities.
Their existence though is very tough and everyone works extremely hard. Hunzakuts are Ismailis - a moderate sect of Islam whose religious leader is the Aga Khan. With their distinct culture and their own languages the people are extremely proud of their Hunza heritage. Until 1974 Hunza was an independent kingdom, greatly isolated from the rest of the country until completion of the Karakoram Highway to China in 1978. The have a rich history though of attacking and being attacked by invaders and with prosperous trading along the Silk Route, gained many spoils from raiding the caravans.