Khunjerab National Park

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

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Khunjerab National Park, perched high in the Karakoram Mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, is Pakistan’s third-largest national park and one of the highest-altitude protected areas in the world. Established in 1975, it spans over 2,200 square kilometers and borders China’s Taxkorgan Nature Reserve, with the famed Khunjerab Pass—gateway to the Karakoram Highway—cutting through its rugged terrain.

This alpine sanctuary was created to protect the endangered Marco Polo sheep, but it’s also home to a remarkable array of wildlife, including snow leopards, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep (bharal), Tibetan wolves, and golden marmots. Birdwatchers can spot golden eagles, Himalayan griffon vultures, and snowcocks soaring above the stark, windswept valleys.

The park’s elevation ranges from 3,600 to over 5,000 meters, with landscapes that shift from glacial valleys and rocky plateaus to alpine meadows that bloom briefly in summer. Despite its harsh climate, Khunjerab is a biodiversity hotspot and a vital corridor for migratory species.