Khunjerab National Park

Khunjerab National Park is located in the Hunza valley of Hunza District, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It is the 3rd largest national park in Pakistan. The park is 269 km northeast of Gilgit. The Karakoram Highway has made it easier for ordinary people and tourists to reach here. It is a protected alpine ecosystem spread over the upper Hunza region, bordering China.

The Khunjerab National Park, covering an area of ​​226,913 hectares, includes Khanjrab Valley and Shamshal Valley. The area was declared a National Park in April 1979 to protect the “Marco Polo Sheep”. Because this animal is not present anywhere else in Pakistan. There are also a variety of snow leopards, foxes, golden eagles, hawks, brown herons, owls, wolves, polar bears, Himalayan goats, brown bears and golden mice.

This entire national park is 3200 meters to 600 meters above sea level. Therefore, the park is covered with snow during most months of the year and Greenery is scarce in the area. The whole area has vast glaciers and glacial lakes. Due to the ban on hunting, you will see many animals walking on the Karakoram Highway.

It is one of Pakistan’s highest altitude parks and a vital conservation area for endangered species such as the snow leopard, Marco Polo sheep, Himalayan ibex, and lynx. The park features rugged terrain, glacial rivers, and windswept valleys that attract nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers from around the world.

A stop at the park gate is a customary part of any journey along the Karakoram Highway, and lucky travelers may spot rare wildlife in their natural habitat. With its pristine beauty and ecological importance, Khunjerab National Park is an essential destination for eco-tourism in northern Pakistan.