Fall foliage — The changing colours of Hunza

I left Karachi for Hunza in keen pursuit of autumn in its full glory in the Valley.
Published November 19, 2015

In October of this year, I left Karachi for Hunza in keen pursuit of picturesque views, lush-green valleys and tranquillity. Accompanied by two other photographer friends, we excitedly started on our journey.

In Karachi, the humdrum of monotonous city life, devoid of colour, had started to irk me.

As a photographer, I have a wanderlust and often feel the urge to break out of the tedious routine as often as possible and therefore, a change of landscape does this to perfect effect.

Grazing in Altit Gardens.
Grazing in Altit Gardens.
The water channel.
The water channel.
A view from Altit.
A view from Altit.

From the urban structure of Karachi where the lights never go off and the sounds never wane, what better change is there than to sit under the apricot trees of Hunza, watching the shedding of golden leaves?

Or looking up at the Valley’s starry skies at night, or sitting at the foot of the magnificent mountains absorbing their incredible glory?

The final sunset.
The final sunset.
Building Hunza.
Building Hunza.
A woman carrying her child.
A woman carrying her child.
Apples of Hunza.
Apples of Hunza.
Looking down the water channel.
Looking down the water channel.

Having already made a road trip previously from Islamabad to Hunza through the Karakoram Highway, we decided to take a flight this time to catch autumn in its full glory.

As much as I had insisted on a road trip to observe the change of scenery all the way from Punjab to Gilgit Baltistan, the flight to Skardu treated me to an astounding aerial view of Nanga Parbat.

Split in the clouds.
Split in the clouds.
Children of Hunza.
Children of Hunza.
Looking out at the eagle's nest.
Looking out at the eagle's nest.
Scenery after school.
Scenery after school.

The wind was chilly and caused a flurry in the leaves which glided through the air before landing on the ground.

This created a spectacular sight and I basked in the true spirit of autumn that I may never have been able to see if I had stayed back in Karachi.

Carpets hung out to dry.
Carpets hung out to dry.
Hansel & Gretel in Altit Gardens.
Hansel & Gretel in Altit Gardens.
Route up to Baltit Fort.
Route up to Baltit Fort.
Through the water channel.
Through the water channel.

We had made it in good time. The next 10 days consisted of blissful morning walks and evenings spent at Cafe De Hunza. This was only my second visit to this paradise on earth, and definitely not my last.

Full bloom.
Full bloom.
Children of Hunza.
Children of Hunza.

Haseeb Amjad is an Architecture student from IVSAA Karachi and a Photographer at Lighthouse Photography.

Follow him on Instagram @s.haseebamjad