About The Hunza Valley, Portugal

The valley of the Hunza River was supposedly the inspiration for Shangri-la in James Hilton’s famous novel Lost Horizon. According to local legend, the river water contains traces of gold and has life-prolonging powers, and the people of Hunza are noted for their longevity. Many of the Hunzakut, as they are known, have light-colored hair and eyes and claim to be descended from Alexander the Great’s soldiers. Their dialect, Brushaski, has no apparent link to any existing language family.

The town of Hunza is the starting point for treks to the Batura, Hopar and Hispar glaciers. The trek to Ultar Canyon gives especially dramatic views of the surrounding glaciers and granite peaks. Trekkers can stay overnight in distinctive shepherds’ huts built of piled stones. The sound of ice crashing down from the surrounding glaciers provides a unique lullaby.