Visiting Attabad Lake, Hunza: A Travel Guide

Attabad Lake formed in 2010 when a massive landslide blocked the Hunza River, submerging a stretch of the Karakoram Highway and creating a lake that now stretches for kilometres between steep, bare mountain walls. Its striking turquoise-blue colour against grey rock has made it one of the most recognisable images of northern Pakistan, and it sits right on the main route through Hunza, so most travellers heading further north pass it anyway.

Getting there

Attabad Lake is in Hunza, roughly a 20 to 22 hour drive from Islamabad along the Karakoram Highway, or about 2 to 3 hours past Karimabad if you're already based in Hunza. Most travellers fly to Gilgit and drive from there, or make the full overland journey from Islamabad, usually broken up over two days with an overnight stop. Shareide's coverage is city-based, so the way to use it for this trip is booking your per-seat ride around Islamabad or Gilgit itself — getting to the airport, between hotels, or to your onward transport pickup point — rather than the mountain leg, which runs on the KKH and needs a proper hired vehicle for that terrain.

Best time to visit

Hunza is accessible for more of the year than higher-altitude spots like Deosai, but the most popular windows are April to October, when the roads are clearest and the weather is mildest. Spring brings cherry and apricot blossoms across the valley, while autumn is known for the turning colours of the poplar and apple orchards. Winter is quieter and colder but the lake itself remains a striking sight, and the KKH generally stays open, though conditions can vary, so check current road status before travelling in winter months.

What to expect at the lake

• Boating and jet-ski rides. Local operators run boat trips on the lake, a popular way to take in the surrounding cliffs from the water.
• Lakeside food and rest stops. A stretch of restaurants and small hotels line the shore, many with outdoor seating facing the water.
• The submerged village story. Below the surface are the remains of the settlement and highway that existed before the 2010 landslide — worth reading up on before you go, since it gives real context to what you're looking at.
• The tunnels beyond. The KKH now bypasses the lake through a series of tunnels, an engineering feat in its own right if you continue north toward Gojal and the Khunjerab Pass.

Planning around it

Very few people visit Attabad as a standalone trip — it's usually one stop on a longer Hunza itinerary that includes Karimabad, Altit and Baltit Forts, and Passu further north. Give yourself at least a few days in the valley rather than rushing through, since travel times between spots are longer than they look on a map. For the city legs of your journey, download the app before you set off so it's ready when you land in Islamabad or Gilgit.

Frequently asked questions

How was Attabad Lake formed?

A major landslide in January 2010 blocked the Hunza River near Attabad village. The water backed up over several months, submerging a section of highway and several settlements, and created the lake that exists today.

Can Shareide take me all the way to Attabad Lake?

Shareide's core service covers major cities like Islamabad and Gilgit. The mountain stretch of the Karakoram Highway up through Hunza is best covered by a hired vehicle suited to that route, so use the app for your city-side travel and arrange the mountain leg separately.

Is Attabad Lake worth visiting outside summer?

Yes — the lake's colour holds up well into autumn, and the surrounding valley is often considered at its most beautiful during the spring blossom and autumn foliage seasons rather than peak summer.