Hunza is situated in the extreme northern part of the region, bordering with the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and the Xinjiang region of China. The Hunza valley is situated at an elevation of 2,438 meters. For many centuries, Hunza has provided the quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person travelling on foot. The route was impassable to baggage animals; only human porters could get through, and then only with permission from the locals.

Most of the people of Hunza are Ismaili Muslims. The local language is Burushaski & wakhi although Urdu and English are also widely understood