According to local legend, the river water contains traces of gold and has life-prolonging powers, and the people of Hunza are noted for their longevity. Many of the Hunzakut, as they are known, have light-colored hair and eyes and claim to be descended from Alexander the Great's soldiers. Their dialect, Brushaski, has no apparent link to any existing language family. The town of Hunza is the starting point for treks to the Batura, Hopar and Hispar glaciers. The trek to Ultar Canyon gives especially dramatic views of the surrounding glaciers and granite peaks.
Trekkers can stay overnight in distinctive shepherds' huts built of piled stones.
The sound of ice crashing down from the surrounding glaciers provides a unique lullaby. The Swat Valley Visitors who want a taste of northern Pakistan's historical variety should head for this lush valley. Located in the monsoon belt, it receives more rain than most northern areas, so the land is particularly fertile and green. The Swat River and its tributaries gush through rocky gorges and are particularly known for trout fishing. The houses of the small villages in the area are stacked one on top of the other up the mountainsides, with the roofs of one level of houses used as a front street for houses on the next level.