Ultar Sar is the 7,388 metre peak that stands directly behind Karimabad in Hunza, and it is the easiest Karakoram giant in this series to see. From the town, Baltit Fort and the Duikar viewpoint you can look straight up at it without any trek. Its first ascent came late, in 1996, after around fifteen expeditions had failed.
This page covers its height, climbing history and where to look at it, from a fort terrace to an all-day walk to the meadow below its glacier.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Height | 7,388 m, about 70th highest mountain in the world |
| Range | Batura Muztagh, Karakoram |
| Position | About 10 km north-east of Karimabad |
| First ascent | 1996, two Japanese expeditions (first summit 11 July) |
| Easiest views | Karimabad, Baltit Fort, Eagle's Nest (Duikar) |
| Walk to the base | Ultar Meadows, roughly 4 hours up from Karimabad |
How high is Ultar Sar?
Ultar Sar is 7,388 metres (24,239 feet), the south-eastern major peak of the Batura Muztagh. What makes it special is the relief. Its south flank rises more than 5,300 metres above the Hunza river in about 9 km of horizontal distance. Karimabad is at about 2,060 metres by the usual figure, so you are looking up well over five kilometres.
Climbing history
For a peak this visible, Ultar Sar resisted climbers for a long time. In the 1980s and 1990s around fifteen expeditions tried it without reaching the top, and several climbers died. In 1996 two separate Japanese expeditions succeeded. Akito Yamazaki and Kiyoshi Matsuoka of the Tokai section of the Japanese Alpine Club made the first summit on 11 July 1996.
It is still climbed rarely. The mountain is steep, avalanche-prone and technical, and it is not a peak for trekkers.
Where to see Ultar Sar
- Karimabad and Baltit Fort. The peak and its glacier rise straight behind the fort, and the fort's upper terraces show Rakaposhi and Ultar together. This is the easiest view and needs no walking beyond the fort itself. Our Karimabad old town walk fits it into a morning.
- Eagle's Nest (Duikar). At about 3,000 metres, this viewpoint looks back over Hunza towards Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar and Diran. Photographers go up before sunrise, leaving Karimabad around 4:30 to 5 am. See Eagle's Nest for the road and timing.
- Ultar Meadows. Guides describe a walk of about four hours from Baltit Fort to the meadow at around 3,300 metres, with the glacier snout and the south face directly overhead, and five to six hours for the return. It is a long day, not a stroll; our Ultar Meadows hike gives the detail.
For a wider list of what you can identify from town, see mountains visible from Karimabad.
Ultar Sar and its neighbours
Ultar Sar is the south-eastern end of the Batura Muztagh, the westernmost subrange of the Karakoram. Further along the same chain are Shispare (7,611 m) and Batura Sar (7,795 m), which are seen from Passu and upper Hunza rather than from Karimabad. If you are travelling north, our pages on Shispare and Batura Sar cover where to look for them.
When is the view best?
Early morning is the usual time photographers choose, and cloud can hide the summit for a day or more in any season. For seasons in Hunza see the best time to visit Hunza.
Is it safe to travel to Hunza?
Gilgit-Baltistan is not among the areas the UK government advises against, and Pakistani visitors travel to Hunza throughout the season. The UK does advise against all travel on the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, which the main road route from Islamabad follows; the Babusar route avoids that stretch in summer, and flying to Gilgit avoids it altogether. Foreign-passport holders should check their own government's advice, which can affect insurance. See our Hunza safety guide and check local news before setting out.
Is Ultar Sar worth planning around?
You do not need to plan around it, because if you stay in Karimabad you will see it every day. What is worth planning is a clear morning at Baltit Fort or Eagle's Nest, or a day at Ultar Meadows if you are a fit walker. If you have a single day, choose one of those over trying to fit all three. Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour is built around this valley, and the Gilgit and Hunza page gives the wider picture.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Ultar Sar?
7,388 metres (24,239 feet), making it roughly the 70th highest mountain in the world.
Who first climbed Ultar Sar?
Two Japanese expeditions in 1996. Akito Yamazaki and Kiyoshi Matsuoka reached the summit on 11 July.
Can you see Ultar Sar from Karimabad?
Yes. It rises directly behind the town, and it is visible from Baltit Fort and most of the upper town on a clear day.
How far is Ultar Sar from Karimabad?
About 10 km in a straight line, to the north-east.
Can tourists climb Ultar Sar?
Not as a trek. The peak is a serious technical mountaineering objective. Visitors can walk to the meadow below it instead.
