The Shangri-La that James Hilton alludes to in Lost Horizon is Karimabad. At 2,435 meters above sea level, the Hunza Valley’s capital city is a heaven on earth and one of the greatest places to unwind after your excursions through Fairy Meadows and Rakaposhi. You are guaranteed to have a fantastic time in Karimabad with its laid-back ambiance, awesome eateries, and gorgeous locations to explore, all surrounded by lovely scenery. Here are five fantastic activities you may do in Karimabad:

The most notable sight in Hunza Valley is this fable-like fort that was constructed in the 8th century BC on top of a hill overlooking Karimabad. I knew this was Shangri-La the instant I set eyes on the fort. The spectacular setting of this fort, which is encircled by snowy mountains, makes it one of Pakistan’s most picturesque locations.

You must ascend a winding route through a nearby village for 15 minutes to reach the fort, from which you can see Karimabad and the valleys beyond in all their unimpeded glory. The Rakaposhi and Diran peaks are visible from the fort on a clear day. Spend some time walking around the neighborhood settlement that surrounds the fort since it is equally interesting to explore.

At the bottom of the valley, there is another fort that is worth visiting even though it is not well maintained. To get to the fort, just take the Sultan Abad road across the river and down the Ahmedabad road. Since the renovations are still being done, there isn’t much to see inside, but the outside is already quite fascinating.

There is a day walk you can do here in Karimabad if you can’t get enough hiking in Pakistan. The trail begins close to the Baltit fort and ascends to Ultar Base Camp, where you can get a close-up view of the glacier and the Ultar peaks. As you go, you’ll follow an irrigation canal as it steeply ascends out of a little gorge. The crest, where you will be rewarded with a glimpse of the enormous Ultar glacier and the stunning jagged peaks of Ultar, should take you about 4 to 5 hours to reach. At the base camp, there is a hut where they provide food and tea throughout the day.

The Hunza Valley’s first community, Ganish village, existed more than a thousand years ago. The inhabitants originally came from many locations, and as the community evolved, they spread out and settled in various regions throughout the Hunza Valley. There are several ancient mosques, including one that is 400 years old, as well as the Shikari watchtower, which you can visit. It makes sense to see the Ganish Village if you enjoy history as much as I do.

Last but not least, stop by Cafe de Hunza for a breather and a tasty cup of coffee with one of their renowned walnut cakes. If you need a decent coffee fix, particularly if you have been traveling through Pakistan for some time, stop into Cafe de Hunza and indulge in their range of coffee and cakes.

Cafe de Hunza also offers free, dependable WIFI that you may use if you’ve been away from the internet for a while and want to update your friends and family on how you’re doing. They most likely have Karimabad’s most stable wifi. In either case, be sure to check out the cafe’s third-floor balcony, which has a beautiful view of the valley.

The finest months to visit Karimabad and the Hunza Valley are April through October, but if you don’t like crowds, stay away from those months. When the weather is warm and pleasant, both locals and Chinese visitors travel to the Hunza Valley, which may get rather crowded during the midsummer months.