Ghulkin

Ghulkin (غُلکن) is a village in Gojal Hunza. It is reached by following the Karakoram Highway (KKH).

Understand
Ghulkin occupies the site of an old glacier-fed lake, which has been silted up by continuous sedimentation. Many of the 140 traditional dwellings that constitute Ghulkin village are arranged in a circular form, facing the one-time shores of the lake, creating a wonderfully communal atmosphere. The central area now supports several dwellings and fields, including a strip of land often used as a cricket pitch.

The village is estimated to be around 700 years old. Through the involvement of capacity-building NGOs, there is also a handicraft production center and opportunities for other vocational training. The Jama'at Khana, the central religious institution for all Ismaili Muslims, holds a strong position in the community. Apart from its religious functions, it provides a central location for community meetings, festivals, celebrations, resolution of disputes, and other community activities.

Climate
In Upper Hunza, winters are long and can become bitterly cold. Summers are hot in the north, though more pleasant than the harsh temperatures in summer are around 30 °C. In winter the temperature remains below freezing point, further dropping at night.

Get in
140 km north of Gilgit. This trip takes 3–4 hours by road. From a turn-off just beyond Gulmit, a winding road leads upwards for 3 km, until the ground flattens out and the first houses of the village come into view.