Khunjarab National Park is located in Pakistan, near the border with China. Khunjarab National Park is a protected area in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. It spans an area of approximately 2,270 square kilometers (877 square miles). The park is situated in the high-altitude part of the Karakoram Mountains and encompasses diverse landscapes, including mountain ranges, valleys, glaciers, and alpine meadows. It is one of the largest national parks in Pakistan and is known for its unique and fragile ecosystem and rich biodiversity.
Khunjarab National Park is located in the Karakoram Mountains range, known for its towering peaks and stunning landscapes. Some of the main mountains in and around Khunjarab National Park include:
Khunjarab Pass
Situated at an elevation of approximately 4,693 meters (15,397 feet), Khunjarab Pass is one of the main attractions of the national park. It is the world’s highest paved international border crossing, connecting Pakistan and China.
Rakaposhi
Although Rakaposhi is not directly within the boundaries of Khunjarab National Park, it is a prominent mountain visible from the park. It is located in the Nagar Valley and stands at an impressive height of 7,788 meters (25,551 feet).
Distaghil Sar
This majestic mountain is located in the Hispar Muztagh subrange of the Karakoram range. It reaches a height of 7,885 meters (25,869 feet) and is close to Khunjarab National Park.
Shimshal Whitehorn
Located near the Shimshal village, this mountain rises to 6,303 meters (20,679 feet). It is a popular climbing destination for mountaineers and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Diran Peak
Although not directly within the boundaries of Khunjarab National Park, Diran Peak is a well-known mountain in the region. Standing at 7,266 meters (23,839 feet), it is in the Rakaposhi-Diran subrange of the Karakoram range.
These are just a few examples of the notable mountains near Khunjarab National Park. The region is known for its impressive peaks, including several of the world’s highest mountains, making it a popular destination for mountaineering and adventure tourism.
The 10 highest mountains in Pakistan are as under:
1. K2 (Godwin Austen): 8,611 meters (28,251 feet)
The second-highest peak in the world, K2, sometimes referred to as Godwin Austen, is located 8,611 meters (28,251 ft) above sea level. It is a piece of the Karakoram Range, which straddles Pakistan’s and China’s borders. A British surveyor, Thomas Montgomerie, measured the mountain in 1856 and named it K2 since it was the second peak he found in the Karakoram Range. Since the early 20th century, climbers have made several efforts to reach the summit of K2. Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley first attempted to climb the peak in 1902. They failed and turned back at 7,200 meters (23,622ft). A group of Italian climbers under Ardito Desio reached the summit for the first time in 1954. On July 31, 1954, the crew used the Abruzzi Spur route to the top. Since then, K2 has grown in popularity as a mountaineering destination.
2. Nanga Parbat: 8,126 meters (26,660 feet)
In Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan area, Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak) is an 8,080 meter (26,444 ft) high peak in the Karakoram mountain range. It is the third-highest mountain peak in Pakistan after K2 and Nanga Parbat and the eleventh-highest mountain peak on the whole planet. It is also one of the 8,000-meter-high or higher eight-thousanders, or mountain peaks. It is sometimes known as K5 and was first scaled by an Austrian team in 1958.
3. Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak): 8,080 meters (26,444 feet)
In Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan area, Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak) is an 8,080 meter (26,444 ft) high peak in the Karakoram mountain range. It is the third-highest mountain peak in Pakistan after K2 and Nanga Parbat and the eleventh-highest mountain peak on the whole planet. It is also one of the 8,000-meter-high or higher eight-thousanders, or mountain peaks. It is sometimes known as K5 and was first scaled by an Austrian team in 1958.
4. Broad Peak: 8,047 meters (26,394 feet)
The Karakoram Range of the Himalayas has an 8,047-meter-tall (26,401-foot) peak known as Broad Peak between Pakistan and China. It is one of the world’s tallest mountains, and an Austrian/German team became the first to summit it in 1957. Due to its extraordinarily lengthy summit ridge, which is more than one kilometer (0.62 miles) long, the peak was given the moniker Broad Peak. The mountain is renowned for its steep faces, which provide some of the world’s most challenging climbing.
5. Gasherbrum II (K4): 8,035 meter (26,362 feet)
Gasherbrum II (K4) peak rises 8,035 meters (26,362 feet) above sea level in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan province’s Karakoram range. It is the third-highest peak in the Karakoram Range, after K2 and Gasherbrum I, and the thirteenth-highest mountain on the planet. The Baltoro Muztagh, a division of the Karakoram range, is also a component of the Gasherbrum massif. In 1956, an Austrian expedition became the first to summit the peak, and several more climbing groups have since followed suit.
6. Disteghil Sar: 7,885 meters (25,938 feet)
The Hindu Kush mountain range’s tallest peak is called Disteghil Sar. It is situated in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Chitral District. The mountain is the 22nd tallest peak in the world and rises to a height of 7,885 meters (25,943 ft) above sea level. A Japanese group made the first ascent of the summit in 1974. The settlement of Arandu, which is linked to Chitral by a road suitable for jeeps, offers access to the peak.
7. Chogolisa: 7,665 meters (25,164 feet)
Chogolisa mountain, part of the Baltoro Muztagh range, is situated in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, and rises to a height of 7,665 meters (25,096 feet) above sea level. Behind K2, it is the Karakoram mountain range’s second-highest summit. It is situated in the same mountain range as Masherbrum, therefore it is sometimes known as Masherbrum peak. Chogolisa is a well-known mountaineering location, and several ascents of its summit have been attempted. An American team attempted to climb the summit in 1975, but they were unsuccessful due to poor weather. A Japanese expedition made a failed effort in 1979. A Japanese team headed by Masatsugu Kono successfully ascended the summit in 1984. Since then, several efforts to reach the summit have been made, with varied degrees of success.
8. Tirich Mir: 7,708 meters (25,289 feet)
In the Chitral District of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province (KPK) of Pakistan, Tirich Mir Peak is the highest mountain peak in the Hindu Kush mountain range. It is the tallest peak in the Chitral District, rising to a height of 7,708 meters (25,289 ft). Italian climbers achieved the first successful ascent of Tirich Mir in 1950. Professor Ardito Desio was the team’s leader, while Walter Bonatti and Mario Piacenza were also on board. Given the absence of technology and limited understanding of the mountain at the time, the climb, which took nine days, was hailed as a tremendous accomplishment. The group depended on neighborhood porters to carry supplies up the mountain using basic equipment.
9. Kunyang Chhish East: 7,611 meters (24,965 feet)
Kunyang Chhish East (7742m) is a mountain in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. It is the 42nd highest mountain in the world and a subsidiary peak of the main Kunyang Chhish summit (7790m). A Japanese team first scaled it under the direction of Dr. T. Nakamura in 1976.
10. Rakaposhi: 7,788 meter (25,551 feet)
At the height of 7788m, Rakaposhi is a peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. It is the 12th highest peak in Pakistan and the 27th highest mountain in the whole planet. It can be found in the Nagar Valley, around 100 kilometers north of Gilgit’s metropolis. In the local dialect, Rakaposhi means “Snow Covered,” From late October to late May, it is blanketed with snow. It is a Himalayan mountain with a striking pyramidal summit. Hikers, photographers, and climbers all like visiting it. On June 23, 1953, Mike Banks and Tom Patey, two members of a British-Pakistani expedition, accomplished the first official climb of Rakaposhi. Together with team members Tom Patey, Eric Shipton, Muhammad Abdul, and Pasang Dawa Lama, Mike Banks oversaw the mission.
Wildlife in Khunjarab National Park
Khunjarab National Park is situated in the Karakoram Mountains’ high-altitude region, making it a unique and diverse ecosystem. The park is home to a variety of wildlife species, including:
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
Khunjarab National Park is known for its population of snow leopards. These elusive and endangered big cats thrive in mountainous terrain and are well adapted to survive in harsh, snowy conditions.
Marco Polo Sheep (Ovis ammon police)
Also known as the Pamir Argali, this is one of the largest species of wild sheep found in the world. The males have impressive, spiraled horns and inhabit the cliffs and grassy slopes of the park.
Siberian Ibex (Capra Sibirica)
These mountain goats are adapted to rocky terrain and can be found in Khunjarab National Park. They have impressive, curved horns and are well-adapted to survive in cold climates.
Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
Although rare, the park is also known to have a small population of brown bears. They primarily inhabit the forested areas and are generally solitary animals.
Golden Marmot (Marmota caudata)
This species of marmot is found in the alpine meadows and rocky areas of the park. They are known for their distinctive golden coat and social behavior.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red foxes can be spotted in the park’s lower elevations. They are adaptable and can thrive in various habitats, including grasslands and forests.
Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis)
This bird species is well-adapted to high-altitude regions and can be found in the rocky areas of Khunjarab National Park.
Himalayan Yaks
And in of Khunjarab National Park you will enjoy Himalayan Yaks. Yaks are large, shaggy-haired mammals that are well-adapted to high-altitude environments. They have long, curved horns and a thick, woolly coat that helps them withstand the cold temperatures of the Himalayan region. Yaks are commonly found in the Khunjerab National Park, where they roam freely in the rugged terrain.
The park provides:
- Suitable habitat for yaks.
- Offering them access to grazing lands.
- Freshwater sources.
- Sheltered valleys.
Yaks are herbivores and primarily feed on grasses, mosses, and lichens. They are well-suited to the harsh conditions of the park, as they have a slow metabolic rate, allowing them to conserve energy and survive in low-oxygen environments.
Yaks are herbivores and primarily feed on grasses, mosses, and lichens. They are well-suited to the harsh conditions of the park, as they have a slow metabolic rate, allowing them to conserve energy and survive in low-oxygen environments.
Yaks have cultural and economic significance in the region. Local communities use them as pack animals, helping transport goods and supplies across the challenging terrain.
Additionally, their milk is utilized to produce various dairy products, and their hair is woven into textiles and ropes.
If you visit the Khunjerab National Park, you will likely spot yaks in their natural habitat, grazing on the alpine meadows or traversing the mountain slopes. The yaks are wild animals; see them from a safe distance to avoid disturbing them or causing them any harm.
