A grey river of ice at the top of Nagar Valley, with a viewpoint right above it.
Hopper Glacier is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Karimabad at the top of Nagar Valley, with the last part by jeep. You look down on the ice from a viewpoint above Hopper village, and fit walkers can take a steep path to its edge. Go from April to October and stop at Rakaposhi View Point on the way back.
Reviewed by ToursInPakistan Travel Team Last updated October 2026 ← Back to the Hunza Travel Guide
About 1.5 to 2 hours.
Via Nagar Khas; jeep for the last part.
April to October.
1–2 hours there; a full day in all.
Grey ice; start of the Rush Lake trek.
Blue ice, crevasses and peaks.
Drive times and access vary with season and road conditions.
Hopper Glacier, also called Bualtar, curves past Hopper village at the head of Nagar Valley. Its surface is covered in grey rock and dust, with blue ice showing in the cracks and along the edges.
Most visitors stay at the viewpoint with a cup of tea. Fit walkers can take the steep path down to the ice with a local guide.
Tell us your dates. We’ll pair it with Rakaposhi View Point on the same day.
The path down to the ice.
Ice, rock and peaks.
Viewpoint by vehicle.
Quiet tea with a view.
Pair with Rakaposhi View Point.
Private tours with transport, hotels and a flight and road backup plan.
At the top of Nagar Valley, across the river from Karimabad. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours via Nagar Khas, and the last part is usually done by jeep because the road is narrow and steep.
Yes. A steep, loose path drops from the Hopper viewpoint to the edge of the ice. Fit walkers can go down with a local guide. Stepping onto the glacier itself is only safe with a guide, and it is not suitable for children.
Yes. At Hopper you stand right above a wide, rubble-covered glacier that you reach by vehicle. Passu Glacier is in Upper Hunza beside the Karakoram Highway and fits into an Attabad and Passu day instead.
Yes, that is the usual plan. Leave Karimabad after breakfast, spend a couple of hours at Hopper, then stop at Ghulmet for Rakaposhi on the way back. It makes a relaxed full day.
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