Karakoram Highway Tour - Pakistan to China

Join Pioneer Adventure Travel as we embark on the ultimate road trip, the Karakoram Highway. Regarded as one of the best journeys in the world. Your tour will take you across northern Pakistan to China’s most northwestern locations. You’ll follow in the footsteps of weary travellers from the ancient Silk Roads and witness new empires and their allies emerging in modern times.

Your adventure with Pioneer Adventure Travel begins in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. Unlike any other tour, you’ll delve deep into the heart of the city and culture meeting the drivers who take on the Karakoram Highway. Over time, these drivers have created their unique style of truck painting which you’ll experience their artistic approach.

The Karakoram Highway was constructed in the 1960s and 70s and is a symbol of the friendship between China and Pakistan. For a few days, we will be making our way up towards the mountains. One of the first stops is Abbottabad. A place that might be familiar to you as the hiding place of Osama Bin Laden. Though his compound is destroyed, you’ll still have the opportunity to sit for a cup of chai in the town.

You’ll then continue up north, we’ll be visiting the natural wonders of Fairy Meadows, raging rivers (like the Indus), creaking glaciers, deep ravines, and incredible high peaks of the Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Himalayas. Along the way, we’ll take advantage of the incredible views making stops for photos and to take in the breath-taking landscape that we’re experiencing. Surrounded by high mountains, you’ll spend a relaxing day in the Hunza Valley to experience the local culture and explore the Hunza.

Your journey continues through Pakistan’s most remote villages until we cross into the Xinjiang region in China. The area is unique and heavily influenced by Uyghur people’s traditions and culture, which you’ll have the opportunity to experience.

The journey concludes in one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the World, Kashgar. Now an important modern city that serves as the terminus for the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. You’ll experience how Kashgar flourished during the Silk Road, visiting bazaars, and winding alleyways of the old town and sampling the delicious cuisines.

Now is the time to visit this spectacular region of the world, don’t miss out! Why not continue further with Pioneer Adventure Travel, along the Pamir Highway! Combine both tours for a special rate of €4745 in total!

Sunday 31st August – Islamabad – Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Arrival at your convenience in the city of Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city with great flights connecting from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The driver will meet you at the airport and take you to our hotel.
A pre-tour meeting will be held at 5:00pm in the hotel lobby to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travelers and Pioneer Adventure Travel guide.
We’ll out for dinner to get to know your fellow traveling companions and guides.
Overnight stay in Rawalpindi.

Monday 1st September – Rawalpindi – Islamabad

Morning

Early morning starts with breakfast at the hotel before we discover the beauty of Pakistani artistic culture.
We’ll head off to the truck yard where Pakistani trucks, vans, and anything that moves is painted with vibrant and bedazzled works of art. The traditional artwork not only displays the trucker’s way of life but celebrates it!
Next, we’ll visit the Faisal Mosque – the national Mosque of Pakistan can hold up to 300,000 worshippers making it the largest Mosque within South Asia and the 5th in the world.

Afternoon

Islamabad is famous for its cuisines, for lunch, we’ll head to a local restaurant. We recommend trying Niharia’s delicious meat stew or daal for a vegetarian option both served with roti and rice.
Pakistan has had a turbulent history ever since its foundation. We’ll visit the Pakistan Monument which was constructed to symbolize the unity of the Pakistani people, particularly for those who sacrificed their “today” for a better “tomorrow”.
We head to the top of Daman-e-Koh, a beautiful hilltop garden overlooking Islamabad just in time to capture a spectacular sunset. It’s also a perfect opportunity to capture daily life in Islamabad and to interact with the friendly residents.
Dinner at a local restaurant followed by an evening walk and dessert from a popular street stall.
Overnight stay in Islamabad.

Tuesday 2nd September – Rawalpindi – Abbottabad – Naran

Morning

Early morning starts with breakfast in the hotel before your epic adventure begins along the Karakoram Highway.
Our journey will take us through Abbottabad, a city that unknowingly sheltered Osama Bin Laden – the founder and first general of al-Qaeda and mastermind behind the September 11 attacks.

Afternoon

We’ll take a rest stop here and enjoy some tea and a light lunch taking in the scenery.
Once we’re ready, we’ll continue along the Karakoram Highway, we’ll take a slight detour to see an even more impressive part of the region.
On your journey along the disputed border with Indian Kashmir, passing along incredible mountain peaks, we’ll make many stops to appreciate the spectacular scenery.
On arrival to Naran, we’ll check into our hotel relax, and freshen up before heading out to explore the town.
Dinner at a local restaurant with the optional evening walk around town.
Overnight stay in Naran.

Wednesday 3rd September – Naran – Fairy Meadows

Morning

Early morning starts with breakfast at our hotel before we set out for today’s adventure.
Once we’re ready we’ll continue on our scenic journey along the Kunhar River to the beautiful Lulusar. We’ll take a moment to enjoy the natural scenery and for photo opportunities.
We’ll continue a journey toward Babusar Pass, at 4173m it’s the highest point accessible by vehicle on the Kaghan Valley. The panoramic views of the west Himalayas and Hindukush are breathtaking.
We’ll continue our journey and descend to Chilas and join the Karakoram Highway to Raikot Bridge. To make the most of the region, we’ll change our transport to 4WD Jeeps to experience one of the hair-raising adventure journeys to Jhel village. Along the journey, we’ll make rest stops and appreciate the stunning views.

Afternoon

After a picturesque morning, we’ll settle down for lunch and a cup of chai while having the opportunity to interact with the friendly residents.
Once we’re ready, we’ll continue on a 3-hour hike to Fairy Meadows – fondly named by a German explorer for its natural beauty. Locally the National Park is referred to as Joot. For those wishing to take in the scenery can journey along horseback for an additional fee.
Fairy Meadows is located at the base of majestic Nanga Parbat, which translates to “Naked Mountain” – with a peak of 8126m making it the second-highest mountain in Pakistan and the ninth in the world ranking. This is one of the most beautiful parts of northern Pakistan, and a must-visit place.
On arrival, we’ll settle down in our huts before having dinner. With little light pollution, the remote location and small populations make it a perfect place to go stargazing.
Overnight stay in Fairy Meadows.

Thursday 4th September – Fairy Meadows – Raikot Glacier – Nanga Parbat

Morning

A leisurely morning starts with breakfast before we discuss our options for today’s itinerary.
We’ll have a full day around Fairy Meadows to explore the magnificent sights of west Himalayas & Karakorams. It offers plenty of options, you may want to rest and explore the surroundings with mesmerizing views or hike further upfield.
For those keen hikers, it’s possible to go to the viewpoint located next to Raikot Glacier or hike further to Base Camp and then return to Fairy Meadows later in the afternoon.

Afternoon

Lunch at your choice depending on the activity you choose.
Dinner at Fairy Meadows while enjoying our final night at the National Park.
Overnight stay in Fairy Meadows.

Friday 5th September – Fairy Meadows – Hunza Valley

Morning

Early morning starts with breakfast before we pack our belongings and hike back to our 4WD.
Along the hike, we’ll be able to take rest stops and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. On arrival to our 4WD, we’ll continue on our journey until we reach our minivan and continue along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza Valley.
Your journey will take you to the greatest mountain ranges, where the Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and the Himalayas meet.
We’ll continue along the journey taking us through Gilgit, a disrupted Kashmiri region. The region has a long history of trade through the Silk Roads and is a vital center for Buddhism.

Afternoon

For lunch, we’ll visit a local girls’ school in Gilgit, and we’ll have the opportunity to meet students hear about their ambitions, and answer their questions.
Once we’re ready, we’ll continue north to the Hunza Valley, making stops along the way to enjoy mountainous views.
On arrival at Hunza Valley, we’ll check into our hotel, freshen up, and head out for dinner.
Overnight stay in Hunza Valley.

Saturday 6th September – Hunza Valley

Morning

Breakfast at our hotel before we explore Hunza Valley and the surrounding area.
Hunza Valley has its own unique culture, traditions, and languages. We’ll make the most of our time here and capture the daily life in the mountainous region.
We’ll visit the ancient forts of Baltit and Altit, both are recognized by UNESCO. These forts were pivotal throughout the history of the region with Altit Fort having a darker past. Baltit Fort used to be the residence of the Mir of Hunza until 1945.

Afternoon

For lunch, we’ll head to a popular restaurant that serves local cuisine. We recommend trying chapshuro, a delicious pie filled with meat, onions, and spices. There are vegetarian options available also.
Once we’re ready, we’ll walk on the high irrigation channels carved into the rock for its spectacular views. We’ll have the opportunity to relax and take in the scenery.
For dinner, we’ll head to our favorite restaurant followed by chai and an evening walk.
Overnight stay in Hunza Valley

Sunday 7th September – Hunza – Passu – Sost

Morning

Breakfast at our hotel before we continue along the Karakoram Highway.
Our journey takes us to the newly formed Attabad Lake, the 20 km long lake that was only formed in 2010 after a massive landslide that submerged a section of the Karakoram Highway. Barges were used to transport vehicles until a new road tunnel was constructed in 2015.
We’ll continue to Passu, a small village famous for its snow-topped mountainous peaks and greenery. We’ll have the opportunity to explore the village and cross the incredible rope bridge to the neighboring village of Husseini.

Afternoon

We’ll have lunch at the local village with time to explore, a perfect spot to capture some amazing pictures.
Along the journey, we’ll pass Borith Lake where we can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery before continuing onwards to Passu Glacier.
Our journey will take us to Sost also referred to as Sust – the village is not only famous for its 2800m elevation but for being the last major settlement along the Karakoram Highway within Pakistan.
On arrival to Sost, we’ll check into our hotel before heading out for dinner and celebrate our final night in Pakistan.
Overnight stay in Sost.

Monday 8th September – Sost – Tashkurgan, China

Morning

Early morning starts with breakfast at our hotel, before we depart onwards to China.
Our route will take us through Khunjerab National Park, the park was specially designed to protect Marco Polo sheep and snow leopards. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see these majestic animals whose populations are sadly decreasing.
Next, we’ll be entering the Khunjerab Pass making our way to the Chinese border.

Afternoon

We’ll have lunch at the border where we can use our Pakistani rupees. Leftover currency can be exchanged.
Border formalities as we depart Pakistan and enter China. You’ll notice the uniqueness of Xinjiang with its large population of Uyghur people who follow the Islamic faith.
On arrival to Tashkurgan which means “Stone Fortress”, we’ll check into our hotel before heading out to enjoy a much-deserved beer and baijiu.
Dinner at a local restaurant, which serves cuisines distant from the Xinjiang region.
Overnight stay in Tashkurgan.

Tuesday 9th September – Tashkurgan – Karakul Lake – Kashgar

Morning

Breakfast at our hotel before we head out to explore Tashkurgan. The ancient town was a vital stop for weary travelers on the Silk Road.
We’ll explore the town visiting key sites before grabbing a tea while enjoying the daily life of Tashkurgan.
Once we’re ready, we’ll continue to Karakul Lake, at 3600m it’s the highest lake on the Pamir plateau. However, the lake is renowned for its dark green to light blue appearance.
We’ll make the most of our time at Karakul Lake to capture some amazing pictures and enjoy the incredible scenery.

Afternoon

Once we’re ready, we’ll continue along the journey and stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
Our journey continues for the final part of the Karakoram Highway, we’ll have the opportunity to along the journey for photo opportunities before the route becomes more modern.
On arrival at Kashgar, China’s most westernmost city and terminus for the Karakoram Highway. There have been major developments in the city as it’s a vital link for the China–Pakistan economic corridor.
We’ll check into our hotel where we can relax and freshen up before having an evening walk around the city.
Dinner at a local restaurant, for those inclined to a few drinks to celebrate our journey along the Karakoram Highway.

Wednesday 10th September – Kashgar

Morning

Leisurely morning starts with breakfast at our hotel, before we discover the hidden gems of Kashgar.
Once we’re ready, we’ll visit Kashgar Livestock Market where you can experience locals trading sheep, goats, camels, and even horses! The lively atmosphere with give a glimpse of traders from a tradition that dates back thousands of years.
Next, we’ll visit Haohan Village which has the holiest site for Muslims in the region, the resting place of Afaq Khoja – regarded as the most important figure for the Uyghur people. The mausoleum is a perfect example of Islamic architecture, influenced by Central Asian colorful tiled minarets.

Afternoon

For lunch, we’ll visit a small establishment to enjoy the freshly locally produced cuisines.
Once we’re ready, we’ll drive North of Kashgar to visit the oldest surviving Buddhist caves in Western China. You’ll learn about the spread of Buddhist teachings along the Silk Road.
After a busy day, we’ll return to Kashgar and head straight out for dinner.
Overnight stay in Kashgar.

Thursday 11th September – Kashgar

Morning

Early morning starts with breakfast at our hotel before we explore and learn about the ancient and modern history of Kashgar.
We’ll begin with a visit to the People’s Square which has an impressively large Chairman Mao statue, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.
Next, we’ll continue to the beautiful Kashgar old town, where we can explore the streets. Kashgar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore the old town at your own pace, purchase gifts, take photos, or simply enjoy some tea while observing daily life.

Afternoon

For lunch, we’ll head to a local restaurant located in the old town.
Once we’re ready, we’ll take the narrow lanes where the residents reside until we reach Id Kah Mosque.
We’ll then continue to one of the biggest bazaars in Asia, where you’ll have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs. The markets continued to thrive which was historically a trading point during the Silk Road.
For dinner, we’ll explore the night markets where there’s a selection of street food. This is the perfect place to sample the delicious local cuisines. As it’s our final night, we’ll celebrate our journey along the Karakoram Highway with a few drinks.
Overnight stay in Kashgar.

Friday 12th September – Kashgar

A leisurely morning starts with breakfast at the hotel.
At the end of the tour depart at your convenience. Pioneer Adventure Travel can arrange additional nights in Kashgar and airport drop-off for a fee, we are more than happy to provide advice for ongoing flights.
Continue your adventure further with Pioneer Adventure Travel along the Pamir Highway in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan!