At 4,693 metres (15,397 feet) above sea level, the Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved international border crossing in the world, marking the frontier between Pakistan and China on the Karakoram Highway. For many travellers, standing beneath the great border gate with the Karakoram giants all around is the climax of a trip to Hunza.

The journey from Karimabad

The journey is as memorable as the destination. From Karimabad the highway climbs through Upper Hunza (Gojal), passing Attabad Lake, the villages of Gulmit and Passu and the customs town of Sost — the last settlement before the border. The final stretch winds through Khunjerab National Park, where you may spot Himalayan ibex, marmots and, very rarely, the elusive snow leopard. The road surface is excellent, but the climb is relentless: the pass stands more than 2,000 metres above Karimabad.

At the top of the pass

At the top, the Pakistan-China border gate, the altitude marker and the famous high-altitude ATM make classic photo stops. Pakistani day visitors can walk right up to the gate; crossing into China, however, requires a Chinese visa arranged well in advance and is not open to casual individual crossings. There are no shops or fuel on the Pakistani side beyond Sost, so the top is a place for photographs and deep breaths — most people stay 30 to 60 minutes before the altitude encourages a descent.

When to visit

The pass is generally open for tourists from May to November and closes in winter under heavy snow. Even in midsummer, temperatures at the top hover near freezing with a biting wind, and low cloud can sweep in within minutes. The drive from Karimabad takes about three hours each way, so the pass is usually visited as a full-day excursion from Hunza, often combined with stops at Attabad Lake, the Hussaini Suspension Bridge and Passu on the way back.

Practical tips: Carry your CNIC (for Pakistani citizens) or passport (for foreign visitors) — documents are checked at Sost and at the national park entry, where a fee is charged. Fill your fuel tank in Sost or Karimabad, wear full winter clothing, a hat and sunglasses, walk slowly at the top, and descend promptly if you feel dizzy or nauseous — altitude sickness is a real risk at 4,693 metres. Start early to reach the pass in clear morning weather.