The Passu Cones, also called Passu Cathedral, are the jagged, saw-toothed spires of Tupopdan (6,106 m / 20,033 ft), rising above Passu village in the Gojal area of Upper Hunza. They are one of the most photographed views on the Karakoram Highway.
You can admire them from the highway itself, from Passu village and from the riverbank near Hussaini, without any trekking.
Plan your visit to Passu Cones
- Entry: free to view
- Open: year-round (best May–Oct)
- Time needed: 1–2 hours, or overnight
History of Passu Cones
Tupopdan belongs to the Karakoram range and was first climbed only in 1987, by British climbers Andy Cave and John Stevenson. Passu and the surrounding villages are home to Wakhi communities, mostly Ismaili Muslims, who have farmed this high valley for centuries.
The area opened up to travellers after the Karakoram Highway was completed in the late 1970s. The 2010 Attabad landslide cut the highway for several years, until tunnels around the new lake reopened it in 2015.
Attractions at Passu Cones
- The Cones: best seen in the early morning or at sunset from the highway and Passu village.
- Passu Glacier: a large glacier just south of the village, reachable on foot.
- Hussaini Suspension Bridge: a famously gappy footbridge over the Hunza River with views of the Cones.
- Borith Lake: a small lake above Hussaini, reached by a short drive or walk.
Things to Do at Passu Cones
- Photography from viewpoints along the Karakoram Highway.
- Day hikes to Passu Glacier or Borith Lake; longer glacier treks need a local guide.
- Cross the Hussaini bridge only if you are comfortable with heights; hold on to the cables.
- Village visits in Passu and Gulmit to learn about Wakhi culture.
Passu Cones – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Entry: free to view; some bridges and viewpoints charge a small fee.
- Access: year-round from the Karakoram Highway, weather permitting.
- Best time: May to October; autumn colours peak in late October.
How Long to Spend at Passu Cones
A stop of an hour or two is enough to see the Cones and cross the Hussaini bridge. Stay a night in Passu or Gulmit if you want to hike to the glacier or Borith Lake.
How to Get There
- From Karimabad: drive north on the Karakoram Highway past Attabad Lake, about 1–1.5 hours by car.
- Public transport: minibuses run from Gilgit and Aliabad towards Sost and can drop you at Passu.
- Arriving in the north: fly from Islamabad to Gilgit (weather-dependent) or travel the full Karakoram Highway by road.
Flying into Islamabad? Book a fixed-price airport transfer to your hotel, then fly or drive north (flights to Skardu/Gilgit are weather-dependent)
Eateries Nearby Passu Cones
Passu, Hussaini and Gulmit have small hotels, guesthouses and roadside cafés serving Pakistani and Hunza dishes, including local apricot specialities. Choices are limited, so eat where you sleep or carry snacks for hikes.
Other Attractions Nearby Passu Cones
- Attabad Lake: the turquoise lake just south of Gulmit.
- Khunjerab Pass: the high border crossing with China, further north.
- Karimabad: forts and bazaar in central Hunza.
- Gulmit: a Wakhi village on the Karakoram Highway, with old houses and orchards.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Karimabad (Hunza): base yourself in Karimabad, or stay in Passu or Gulmit to see the Cones at sunrise.
- Get a Pakistan eSIM before you land (foreign phones may need PTA registration for long stays).
The Passu Cones are the spiky summits of Tupopdan above Passu village, one of the great views of the Karakoram Highway. Combine them with the Hussaini bridge and a walk to Passu Glacier.
They fit easily into a day trip from Karimabad via Attabad Lake.
