National park · Pakistan
Khunjerab National Parkخنجراب نیشنل پارک
Drive the Karakoram Highway through the park to the Khunjerab Pass (the world's highest paved border crossing) between May and October; the park itself has no trails or visitor infrastructure, so the experience is the drive and the high-altitude landscape. Entry costs about Rs 200 per person at the gate 35 km (22 mi) from Sost; no guide required for the road, but you need a vehicle (private hire or tour).Drive the Karakoram Highway through the park to the Khunjerab Pass (the world's highest paved border crossing) between May and October; the park itself has no trails or visitor infrastructure, so the experience is the drive and the high-altitude landscape. Entry costs about Rs 200 per person at the gate 22 mi (35 km) from Sost; no guide required for the road, but you need a vehicle (private hire or tour).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,270 km² (876 sq mi)876 sq mi (2,270 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan befo…
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Pakistan ↗Check your own government travel advice for Pakistan before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Pakistan ↗Get the visa only through the official online system (visa.nadra.gov.pk); some areas need a separate permit (NOC) or police registration.
- Pakistan ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to the provinces you will visit before you rely on it.
- Gilgit‑Baltistan ↗All foreign visitors need a Pakistani e‑visa and must register with local authorities (NOC) on arrival; trekking permits are issued by the regional tourism department.
- Gilgit‑Baltistan ↗Winter (Nov‑Mar) often blocks roads and flights; summer monsoon can cause landslides on the Karakoram Highway.
At a glance
- Country
- Pakistan
- Area
- 2,270 km² (876 sq mi)876 sq mi (2,270 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Sost
Khunjerab National Park covers 2,270 km² of the Karakoram range along the China–Pakistan border, centred on the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m. The park is a high-altitude wilderness of stark rocky canyons, glaciers and rare wildlife — most famously the snow leopard, but also Marco Polo sheep, ibex and Himalayan brown bear. There are no marked trails, no visitor centre and no accommodation inside the park; the only way to experience it is by driving the Karakoram Highway (KKH) from Sost to the pass. The park is a conservation area, not a recreation park, and the military presence along the border means permits and checkpoints are part of the visit.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
2,270 km² (876 sq mi)876 sq mi (2,270 km²) · national park since 1975
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sost.
Why go
- Drive the highest paved international border crossing in the world — the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m.
- Spot rare high-altitude wildlife: snow leopard, Marco Polo sheep, ibex and Himalayan brown bear.
- Experience the stark beauty of the Karakoram Highway through rocky canyons and past glacier-fed rivers.
- Visit a remote national park that sees very few tourists, offering a genuinely wild high-altitude landscape.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanPass closed; heavy snow
- FebPass closed; heavy snow
- MarPass closed; heavy snow
- AprPass may open late April; snow possible
- MayPass open; clear skies, cool
- JunWarm at lower elevations; snow at pass
- JulWarmest; some rain
- AugWarm; occasional rain
- SepClear and cool
- OctCool; pass may close mid-month
- NovPass often closed; snow
- DecPass closed; heavy snow
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow leopardAll year · Extremely rare; seen by very few visitors. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Marco Polo sheepMay–Oct · High slopes; best in summer. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| IbexMay–Oct · Commonly seen on rocky slopes. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Himalayan brown bearMay–Sep · Rare; check | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sost
Drive north on the Karakoram Highway for about 35 km (22 mi) to the park gate; then continue to the pass.Drive north on the Karakoram Highway for about 22 mi (35 km) to the park gate; then continue to the pass.
1 h
Open the page →
From Gilgit
Drive north on the KKH via Karimabad and Sost; the road is paved but winding.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Islamabad
Fly to Gilgit (1 h) or drive the KKH (18–20 h); then continue as above.
1 day
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Karakoram Highway corridor | The paved road from the park gate to the pass; the only accessible area. | Open with entry fee; no walking off the road. |
| Khunjerab Pass | The border crossing at 4,693 m; a small customs post and a sign. | Open to vehicles with border permits; pedestrians not allowed. |
| Backcountry | The vast majority of the park — steep rocky slopes, glaciers and wildlife habitat. | Closed to visitors without special permission; no trails. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate; the park covers a large area along the border.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | PKR 200 | person | check |
| Vehicle entry fee | PKR 100–200 | vehicle | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Border crossing permit (to China) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- PKR 200
- PKR 100–200
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- No off-road driving
- Stay on the KKH; the park is a protected area and the terrain is fragile.
- No camping
- Camping is not permitted anywhere in the park.
- No hunting or poaching
- Strictly enforced; the park is a conservation area.
- Border permits required
- To cross into China, you need a valid visa and a border crossing permit; these are not available at the pass.
Where to stay
Near the park
Sost
Basic hotels and guesthouses; the nearest accommodation to the park.
Near the park
Karimabad (Hunza)
Wider range of hotels and guesthouses, about 2 h drive south.
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Cold and wind medium
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The park is accessible only by private vehicle or tour; there is no public transport.
- The road is paved but steep and winding; not suitable for low-clearance vehicles.
- No wheelchair-accessible facilities exist in the park.
Visiting lightly
- Do not buy or trade any wildlife products; the military has been implicated in the illegal trade of endangered species.
- Take all rubbish out with you; there are no bins in the park.
- Respect wildlife: do not approach or feed animals.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Khunjerab National Park?
The entry fee is about Rs 200 per person and Rs 100–200 per vehicle, paid at the gate. Prices are a 2026 estimate and may change.
What are the best hikes in Khunjerab National Park?
There are no marked trails or hiking routes in the park. The only way to experience it is by driving the Karakoram Highway from Sost to the Khunjerab Pass.
When is the best time to visit Khunjerab National Park?
The park and the pass are open from May to October. The best months are June to September for the warmest weather and clearest skies. The pass is closed from November to April due to snow.
Can I see snow leopards in Khunjerab National Park?
Snow leopards live in the park but are extremely rare and rarely seen. Do not expect a sighting; the park is better for ibex and Marco Polo sheep.
Do I need a guide to visit Khunjerab National Park?
No guide is required to drive through the park. If you want to cross into China, you need a border permit arranged in advance.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Khunjerab National Park
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