Hunza

Concurrent with the claims of the local Hunzakuts that they are directly descended from the soldiers of Alexander the Great, there’s little question that the territory they occupy in this high-perched region of the Hindu Kush is suitably glorious and awesome to play host to such mythical heroes. The Hunza valley enchants with mindboggling vistas of snow-tipped Himalayan peaks and rugged ridges, cut-through by roaring mountain rivers and sweeping terraces of verdant rice paddies. In such a wild land, it’s hardly surprising that outdoorsy pursuits have taken centre stage, with travellers heading here to hike between the looming summits of Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar, or over the metamorphic glacier of Batura. Culture also abounds, and guests can spy out the old watchtowers and fortress walls that cling to the hillsides of Ganish Village, and the ancient Buddha carvings that pepper the cliffs of Kargah. Also, be sure not to leave without asking your Hunza tour guide about the local cuisine—a healthy mishmash of legumes and earthy barleys, washed down with herbal tea.