Khunjerab National Park

Khunjerab Overview

Khunjerab National Park, locally known as خنجراب نیشنل پارک, is one of Pakistan’s highest-altitude protected areas, covering approximately 2,270 square miles (5,775 square kilometers).

Situated in the Gilgit-Baltistan region in northern Pakistan, the park lies along the Pakistan-China border and encompasses the Khunjerab Pass, which sits at an elevation of 15,397 feet (4,693 meters) above sea level. The park is part of the Karakoram mountain range and is located within Hunza District, offering dramatic high-altitude landscapes shaped by glaciers, alpine meadows, and rugged peaks.

The terrain of Khunjerab National Park is shaped by towering mountains, glacial valleys, and windswept plateaus. Much of the landscape is barren and rocky due to the extreme altitude and cold temperatures, but alpine vegetation such as mosses, grasses, and hardy shrubs can be found in lower areas during the short summer season.

Snow blankets large portions of the park for most of the year. The park’s high peaks, including parts of the Khunjerab range, dominate the skyline, while rivers formed by glacial meltwater flow through deep valleys, adding contrast to the stark beauty of the environment.

Khunjerab National Park is internationally recognized for its rare and endangered wildlife. The park provides critical habitat for the elusive snow leopard, one of the most iconic species in the region. Other mammals found here include the Marco Polo sheep, blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan ibex, and lynx.

The high-altitude terrain also supports smaller mammals like marmots and weasels. Among bird species, visitors may spot golden eagles, lammergeiers (bearded vultures), snowcocks, and choughs. The park’s avian and mammalian life are well adapted to the harsh climate, making wildlife sightings a remarkable experience for visitors.

A major attraction of the park is the Khunjerab Pass, which serves as a high-altitude gateway between Pakistan and China along the Karakoram Highway. This scenic mountain road, one of the highest paved international roads in the world, passes directly through the park and provides travelers with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The park also attracts photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who seek out its remote beauty and rare animal sightings. Due to its location and elevation, the park has limited visitor facilities, but its pristine landscapes remain one of its greatest draws.

Visitors typically experience Khunjerab National Park by driving along the Karakoram Highway, with stops at key viewpoints and border posts. Wildlife viewing is best done with the help of local guides, as many of the species are well camouflaged and hard to spot.

Trekking in some areas is possible during the warmer months, although the altitude requires acclimatization. Educational signage along parts of the highway helps raise awareness of the park’s natural and ecological significance.

Conservation in Khunjerab has seen some important successes. The park was established in 1975 to protect the Marco Polo sheep, and since then, ongoing efforts have included anti-poaching patrols and community involvement in wildlife monitoring.

The Khunjerab Village Organization, working in partnership with conservation groups, has contributed to improved wildlife protection through local stewardship. Still, challenges remain, including climate change, habitat fragmentation, and increased vehicle traffic. Continued investment in conservation infrastructure and community engagement will be essential to preserve this fragile high-mountain ecosystem.

Park Map

Khunjerab National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

The alpine meadows, rocky cliffs, and cold desert valleys of Khunjerab National Park are home to a variety of hardy bird species. These birds are well-adapted to the high elevations and harsh conditions of this mountain habitat.

Golden Eagle
A majestic raptor with a broad wingspan and keen eyesight, the golden eagle soars above the cliffs in search of marmots, hares, and birds, often seen gliding on thermal updrafts.

Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
Known for its striking appearance and unique diet, the lammergeier feeds on bone marrow by dropping bones from great heights to crack them open.

Himalayan Griffon Vulture
This massive scavenger with broad wings plays a vital ecological role by cleaning up carcasses. It is commonly seen circling high above the mountain valleys.

Horned Lark
Small and ground-dwelling, the horned lark has distinct feather tufts on its head and is one of the few songbirds adapted to the high-altitude plains of Khunjerab.

Chukar Partridge
A stocky, ground-foraging bird with a red bill and legs, the chukar thrives on dry slopes and rocky outcrops, feeding on seeds and insects.

Snow Pigeon
This pigeon is well-adapted to cold climates and is usually found near cliffs. Its muted gray and white plumage offers camouflage against the snow and stone.

Guldenstadt’s Redstart
A striking red and black songbird that inhabits alpine meadows and rocky outcrops, often darting among boulders in search of insects.

White-winged Redstart
A high-altitude songbird with dramatic white wing patches and dark plumage, often spotted flitting between rocks in alpine areas during the breeding season.

Brown Accentor
A small, streaky bird commonly found near shrubs and rocky terrain, the brown accentor is a quiet presence that forages close to the ground.

Northern Raven
Intelligent and resourceful, the northern raven is one of the few large birds that remain in the high mountains year-round. It feeds on carrion, insects, and even small animals.

Khunjerab National Park, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, is one of the highest-altitude national parks in the world. Nestled within the Karakoram Range near the China border, the park is a haven for cold-adapted, high-altitude wildlife and is crucial for the conservation of several iconic mountain species.

Snow Leopard
The elusive and endangered snow leopard roams the park’s rugged cliffs and snowy peaks. With its thick spotted coat and long tail for balance, it is a top predator in this alpine ecosystem.

Marco Polo Sheep
Known for its massive spiral horns, the Marco Polo sheep is the world’s largest wild sheep species. It grazes in high alpine meadows and is a symbol of Khunjerab’s rich biodiversity.

Siberian Ibex
This hardy mountain goat features a muscular build and impressive backward-curving horns. It thrives in steep, rocky areas, using its agility to evade predators and navigate rugged terrain.

Himalayan Brown Bear
One of the largest carnivores in the region, the Himalayan brown bear hibernates in winter and forages in summer for roots, insects, and small animals. It is a rare but protected resident of the park.

Himalayan Marmot
These large, burrowing rodents are social animals often seen sunning near their dens. Their loud whistles serve as warnings to alert the colony of approaching danger.

Tibetan Wolf
A subspecies of the gray wolf, the Tibetan wolf is well-adapted to cold and thin air. It preys on marmots, ibex, and other high-altitude animals, usually hunting in pairs or small packs.

Red Fox
With a bushy tail and keen senses, the red fox is a versatile predator and scavenger that lives throughout the park. It often feeds on small mammals, birds, and carrion.

Blue Sheep (Bharal)
Despite its name, the blue sheep is neither blue nor a true sheep, but a goat-antelope hybrid. Its grayish-blue coat blends with the rocks, offering camouflage from predators like snow leopards.

Ladakh Urial
This wild sheep species prefers rolling hills and open valleys. Males have distinctive curled horns and are often seen grazing in herds during the warmer months.

Pallas’s Cat
A rare and stocky feline with a flat face and thick fur, Pallas’s cat is a master of camouflage in the stony grasslands. It hunts pikas, voles, and other small mammals.