Hunza Hot Spring

## Overview Hunza Hot Spring is a natural geothermal spring located in the Hunza Valley of northern Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, at an elevation near the coordinates 36.4267°N, 74.8777°E. The Hunza Valley is world-renowned for its dramatic mountain scenery, sitting at the crossroads of the Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Pamir mountain ranges. Hot springs in this region are fed by geothermal activity associated with the tectonic forces that continue to shape the Karakoram Range, where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide. The people of Hunza have long valued their local hot springs for bathing and relaxation, and the springs hold cultural significance as gathering places for the community. Visitors to the area have historically reported that the warm, mineral-rich waters are soothing and restorative, though no formal water quality analysis is available for this particular spring. The region's hot springs are generally believed to contain sulfur and other dissolved minerals common to geothermal sources. ## Directions 1. The spring is situated in the Hunza Valley, accessible via the Karakoram Highway (KKH), one of the highest paved international roads in the world. 2. From Karimabad, the main tourist hub of Hunza, head along the KKH in the direction indicated by the GPS coordinates (36.426681, 74.877743). 3. Use the GPS coordinates with a navigation app such as Google Maps or Maps.me (offline maps recommended, as mobile signal can be unreliable in the valley). 4. Ask locally for the hot spring — residents are generally very welcoming and familiar with the location of geothermal springs in the area. *Note: Road conditions on the KKH can vary seasonally, especially during monsoon season (July–August) and winter months when landslides or snow may affect access.* ## What to Expect Hunza Hot Spring offers a chance to soak in naturally heated geothermal water surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on Earth. The Hunza Valley features views of peaks exceeding 7,000 meters, including Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar, and the landscape is dotted with terraced fields, ancient watchtowers, and apricot orchards. The spring water is warm and has been traditionally used by locals for bathing. Visitors should be aware that facilities at natural hot springs in the Hunza region can range from basic stone-lined pools to undeveloped natural seeps, depending on the specific site. It is advisable to bring your own towel and wear appropriate clothing, as local customs in Gilgit-Baltistan are conservative. The best times to visit are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November), when the weather is mild and the Karakoram Highway is generally in good condition. Winter visits are possible but may be limited by road closures and cold temperatures at altitude. While the spring is listed as a public drinking spring, no verified water quality data is available. Locals have historically used hot springs in the region for bathing rather than drinking. Visitors interested in tasting the water should exercise caution, as geothermal springs can contain elevated mineral concentrations.