Camps up to 3500 m, easy way back. Less than 10 km/day, no river crossing, no dangerous parts.
Confusing vertical lines, Bubulimating appears in its entire splendour. It is easy to reach from Hunza. You can also climb to more than 4000 m, up to Hon Pass. It takes a good day for walkers, or you can spend a night in this beautiful circus.
This route is relatively easy, except for those prone to vertigo. By the channel, the passage is exposed.
In Karimabad, it is possible to hire guides, the visit being mostly a day you don’t need porters. Be ready to pay between 800 and 1500 Rps per day, depending on your experience. Negotiate tips before (15 to 20% of total salary).
How to get there ?
Departure from Karimabad
April-November
Shopping: Karimabad, Aliabad.
Day 1
Departure: 2400 m Arrival: 3300 m Return Distance: 10 km Length return: 5 to 8 hours
In Karimabad, go to Baltit fort. Reaching a junction, you have a sign indicating Ultar path right on the other side; it is not the case anymore, the passage into the gorge is dangerous. On your right Baltit Fort, on your left the village, take in this direction, and cross it.
The path continues between orchards, after a hundred metres it climbs. You get to the bottom of a valley you have seen earlier, don’t cross it and climb along. Go around a pond where children bathe in the village. Continue up to the main channel; turn right up to a water supply pipeline. Follow this small penstock to a magnificent view. A cascade goes down the channel; go up, the trail becomes very exposed. If you are subject to vertigo just enjoy this panorama.
It is a scary 500 meters precipice. At the end of the channel, don’t go to the river, turn left 50 m before. Go up on a well marked trail punctuated by cairns. A good half hour later, comes an expanse of grass at the bottom of cliffs, it is Quru Phari. Half an hour more along the glacier, then the slope gets steep shifting to your left. A little further, near a big rock, the circus unfolds in its entire splendour. There is a good quarter of an hour more up to Ultar Meadows huts, where you can eat and sleep (a little expensive!). Return by the same route.
It seems that one of the owners of a portion of the trail at level of the penstock asks for a right of passage depending on the person. Well, fair enough, but we had the feedback of trekkers who have been attacked (something extremely rare in Hunza) by this guy.
Water : Quru Phari, Ultar Meadows
Hon Pass
Departure: 3300 m
Arrival: 4257 m
Distance return, to go: Ultar Meadows, to come back: Karimabad: 11 km
Length return: 6 to 8 hours
From Ultar Meadows, go up towards the pass that locals will have shown you from the huts. It seems close, but this is not the case, there is 1000 m altitude difference. In case you go without a guide, find the right path not to get lost when you return; there are many cliffs. The view at the pass overlooks Hunza Valley; Rakaposhi and Bubulimating are impressive.
Water : Ultar Meadows
WARNING Treks described in this rubric have all been walked by the author, itineraries are detailed daily, maps and pictures illustrate them. On no account these sheets will replace the experience of a local guide; they are complementary and should be taken as such! Never go alone, without warning anybody! The course of some trails might change from one year to another, landslides, mud slides are numerous enough.
Print it !
