Nomal valley is a green, farmed side valley on the Hunza River, about 25 km north of Gilgit. It sits at the point where the Naltar river meets the Hunza, which makes it the doorway to Naltar rather than a sight in itself. Most visitors go through it on the way to the Naltar lakes and stop only to change vehicles; this guide is for anyone who wants to know what the valley is, how to reach it from Gilgit, and whether it deserves more than a passing glance.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance from Gilgit | About 25 km north |
| Elevation | About 1,582 m |
| Size of the valley | About 12 km long, up to 3 km wide |
| Connection to the highway | Concrete bridge over the Hunza River from the Karakoram Highway |
| Main role | Start of the road to Naltar; farming villages |
| Languages | Shina and Burushaski |
Where is Nomal and how do you get there?
A concrete bridge over the Hunza River links Nomal to the Karakoram Highway. From Gilgit you head north along the river; one report on the Naltar drive describes the road along the river as in excellent condition and running parallel to the highway. A rented car or taxi from Gilgit is the usual way, and the distance is short enough for a half-day return trip.
The valley continues up the Naltar river to the Naltar villages. A metalled road links Nomal with Nalter Bala and Nalter Pain, and the Gilgit–Nomal–Naltar road is listed as a provincial highway of about 55 km. Our guide to how to reach Naltar Valley covers the road beyond Nomal, so this page stays with the valley mouth.
What is Nomal like?
The valley floor is about 12 km long and up to 3 km wide, at roughly 1,582 metres. It is a patchwork of fields, orchards and poplar-lined channels in country that is otherwise dry and rocky. The British archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein, travelling here in the early twentieth century, called it a green oasis in an otherwise barren valley, and that description still fits what you see from the road.
The settlement is divided into ten mohallahs, or sectors, a system dating from the time of the Rajas, with names such as Sigal, Majini, Kamalabad and Momin Abad. People speak Shina and Burushaski. The Naltar river runs through the northern end of the valley and supplies its water, which is why the land is green.
The bridge also connects Nomal with villages across the Hunza River, including Jutal, Matum Das and Gujardas, so the valley acts as a small local crossroads as well as the way into Naltar.
What do visitors actually do in Nomal?
Not a great deal, and it is better to be clear about that. There is no developed attraction. What visitors do is:
- Change vehicles. Travellers heading for Naltar and the lakes park here and hire 4x4 jeeps for the rougher ground beyond, according to accounts of the journey. Check the current rules and the state of the road locally before you set out.
- Walk through the villages. Walk along the irrigation channels and through the orchards if you have an hour, and ask permission before photographing people or entering private land.
- Head on for the mountains. For a view of Rakaposhi from the highway, our Rakaposhi view point guide is more specific than anything Nomal itself offers.
Is Nomal the way to Rakaposhi's western side?
Partly, and not as a standard trek. A Himalayan Club account of an early expedition describes crossing the Hunza near Nomal, then turning up a side valley to the village of Jaglot and the western approaches to Rakaposhi. Operators today run a remote south-west base camp trek that starts from a place called Jaglot; ask any operator exactly where it begins. It is a guided, multi-day trek, not a side trip from Nomal.
For the standard base camp walk from the Hunza side, see our Rakaposhi base camp trek guide.
Where to stay near Nomal
Nomal has a few small guest houses and village stays, and there are more options further up the Naltar road. Listings show a range from budget guest houses at roughly USD 20 to 21 a night (about PKR 5,600 to 5,900, 2025–2026 listings; prices change) to mid-range hotels at around USD 100. Standards, availability and heating vary a lot, so confirm by phone before you travel.
Most visitors choose to base themselves in Gilgit, where there are far more hotels and restaurants, and visit Nomal on the way to Naltar. If you want to be in the valley at night, our guide to hotels in Naltar covers the higher stays, and hotels in Gilgit the city.
When to visit
Nomal is far lower than Naltar, so the village is reachable for more of the year than the lakes, but conditions on the road beyond it change with snow and rain. Spring and autumn suit a walk among the fields. See our guide to the best time to visit Naltar Valley for the seasons higher up, and check locally before you go in winter.
Is it safe? A note on the road from Islamabad
Gilgit-Baltistan is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against travel to. The road from Islamabad to Gilgit, though, goes along the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, and the UK advises against all travel on that stretch (updated September 2026). Pakistani families travel it regularly, and the Babusar Pass route (N15) avoids it in summer. Check local news and police advice before you go, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice, because travel against it can void insurance.
Is Nomal worth a stop?
Stop if you are driving to Naltar anyway: the green valley floor is a gentler introduction than the dry slopes either side of the Hunza, and an hour on foot among the fields is easy to fit in. Do not make a separate day trip for it. If you have one free day near Gilgit, the Kargah Buddha, Naltar or Bagrot give you more, and our day trips from Gilgit compares them.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Nomal from Gilgit?
About 25 km, along the Hunza River. It makes a short half-day trip or a stop on the way to Naltar.
What is Nomal famous for?
It is a green oasis valley and the start of the road to Naltar. The archaeologist Aurel Stein described it as a green oasis in barren country.
Can you stay overnight in Nomal?
Yes, there are small guest houses and village stays, though most visitors stay in Gilgit or higher up in Naltar. Confirm by phone first.
Is Nomal the same as Naltar?
No. Nomal is the village and valley at the mouth of the Naltar river; Naltar is the higher valley with the lakes and ski area further up the road.
Do I need a jeep to go beyond Nomal?
Accounts of the journey say visitors hire 4x4 jeeps at Nomal for the road to the lakes. Check current conditions locally before you go.
