Standing at the Khunjerab Pass, with the Pakistan–China border gate in front of you and the Karakoram all around, is one of the great bucket-list moments of Northern Pakistan. Here's how to do it right.
What is the Khunjerab Pass?
Khunjerab is the highest paved border crossing on earth at 4,693 m, where the Karakoram Highway meets China inside Khunjerab National Park. The drive up — past Attabad Lake, the Passu Cones and the town of Sost — is as memorable as the pass itself.
When is it open?
| Period | Status |
|---|---|
| Early May – late Nov | Generally open |
| Jun – Sep | Most reliable (clear roads) |
| Dec – Apr | Closed (heavy snow) |
If reaching the border is the goal, plan for high summer and keep your day flexible for weather.
How to get there
From Karimabad (Hunza) it's a long but spectacular day trip up the KKH via Attabad Lake → Passu → Sost → Khunjerab, about 3–4 hours each way. Most travellers do it as a full-day excursion from a Hunza base — exactly how our Hunza & Naltar and 8-day Hunza & Skardu tours run it.
Altitude: take it seriously
Nearly 4,700 m is high enough to feel. To stay comfortable:
- Ascend gradually — spend a night or two in Hunza (≈2,500 m) first.
- Hydrate and avoid heavy exertion at the top.
- Limit time at the summit if you feel dizzy or short of breath.
- Bring a down jacket, hat and gloves — it can be near-freezing even in summer.
What you'll see
The stark, beautiful border gate and monument, the high Khunjerab plateau, and — if you're lucky — wildlife like ibex, marmots or even the rare snow leopard's prey in the national park. The journey up, threading the Karakoram, is the real reward.