July 2027
PlannedExact dates are being prepared. Leave an enquiry — we’ll get in touch once the date is confirmed.
Waiting list 35.90°N 74.60°E
Pakistan by motorcycle The Karakoram Highway to the Khunjerab Pass
- Country
- Pakistan
- Duration
- 14 days
- Route
- ~2,100 km
- Travel mode
- Motorcycle
- Difficulty
- Next date
- 7 – 20 August 2027
About the expedition
Fourteen days by motorcycle through the highest mountains in the world: the Karakoram Highway, the Hunza valley, the Khunjerab Pass at 4693 m and the Deosai plateau.
There are roads you know from stories, and then there is the Karakoram Highway. Carved into the rock along the Indus and the Hunza, it runs beneath Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi and on, all the way to the Khunjerab Pass — the border with China at an altitude of 4693 m.
This is our most expedition-style motorcycle trip. We ride local motorcycles prepared for local conditions, with a support vehicle, a mechanic and a local team. The days are long, the road surfaces vary, and the views are hard to put into words.
But above all, Pakistan is about its people. Tea at roadside chai shops, invitations into homes in Hunza and a hospitality that changes the way you see the world.
Highlights
- The Karakoram Highway — one of the highest roads in the world
- Views of Nanga Parbat (8126 m) and Rakaposhi (7788 m)
- The Khunjerab Pass at 4693 m
- Turquoise Attabad Lake and the Passu Cones
- The Deosai plateau — the “land of giants”
- Baltit and Altit forts in the Hunza valley
Character of the expedition
- Difficulty
-
Altitude, changing road surfaces and long days in the saddle. Experience and good fitness required.
- A day on the road
- 5–8 hours a day, gravel sections and altitudes of up to 4693 m
- Atmosphere
- Mountains · Expedition · Culture · Off-road
- Who it’s for
- Open group · Men’s trip · Group of friends
- Group
- 6–10 people
Route journal
Day by day
The programme may change depending on the weather, road conditions and the pace of the group — on the road, common sense and a good atmosphere come first.
- Day01
Islamabad
Islamabad
- No riding
- Hotel in Islamabad
Highlight Motorcycle handover and a first test ride
Arrival, rest, motorcycle preparation and a briefing.
- Day02
Onto the Karakoram Highway
Islamabad → Besham
- Tarmac
- ~260 km
- 7 h
- Hotel in Besham
Highlight The first kilometres of the KKH along the Indus
We leave the city heading north into the Indus valley.
- Day03
The Indus canyon
Besham → Chilas
- Mixed
- ~250 km
- 8 h
- Hotel in Chilas
Highlight A road carved into the rock hundreds of metres above the river
One of the most dramatic stretches of the KKH. A long but unforgettable day.
- Day04
Beneath Nanga Parbat
Chilas → Raikot / Nanga Parbat
- Gravel
- ~80 km
- 3 h
- Mountain guesthouse
Highlight A view of the “Naked Mountain” — 8126 m
A shorter day, a viewpoint over Nanga Parbat and the meeting point of three ranges: the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush.
- Day05–06
The Hunza valley
Raikot / Nanga Parbat → Karimabad, Hunza
- Tarmac
- ~190 km
- 5 h
- Hotel in Karimabad
Highlight Autumn poplars and Rakaposhi at sunset
Two days in Karimabad: Baltit and Altit forts, a walk across the terraces and a rest day.
- Day07
Attabad and Passu
Karimabad, Hunza → Jezioro Attabad → Passu
- Tarmac
- ~60 km
- 2 h
- Guesthouse in Passu
Highlight A turquoise lake and the Passu Cones
A boat trip on Attabad Lake, and the Hussaini suspension bridge for the brave.
- Day08
The Khunjerab Pass — 4693 m
Passu → Przełęcz Khunjerab → Karimabad, Hunza
- Tarmac
- ~240 km
- 7 h
- Hotel in Karimabad
Highlight The highest border crossing in the world
The climb to the Chinese border. Yaks, snow in August and a photo to treasure for ever.
- Day09–10
To Skardu
Karimabad, Hunza → Skardu
- Mixed
- ~300 km
- 8 h
- Hotel in Skardu
Highlight The Indus valley and the Katpana desert
The ride to Baltistan and a rest day in Skardu.
- Day11
The Deosai plateau
Skardu → Płaskowyż Deosai
- Gravel
- ~120 km
- 6 h
- Hotel in Skardu
Highlight Gravel at 4100 m and brown bears
One of the highest plateaus in the world — flowers, streams and absolute silence.
- Day12–13
Back to the south
Skardu → Chilas → Islamabad
- Tarmac
- ~620 km
- 2 days
- Hotels along the way
Highlight The final kilometres along the Indus
A two-day return to Islamabad (alternatively a Skardu–Islamabad flight, weather permitting).
- Day14
Departure
Islamabad
- No riding
Highlight Shukriya, Pakistan!
Transfer to the airport.
Dates, options and prices
Choose your option
7 – 20 August 2027
Waiting list| Option | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle provided locally | Locally provided motorcycle. | €3,290 / person |
| A seat in a 4x4 vehicle | You travel with the tour leader or as part of a crew; you can take turns at the wheel. | €2,490 / person |
- Deposit · 40%
- once your booking has been confirmed
- Balance · 60%
- 60 days before departure (permits)
August 2028
PlannedExact dates are being prepared. Leave an enquiry — we’ll get in touch once the date is confirmed.
The price includes
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Motorcycle with fuel
- Support vehicle with a mechanic
- Local guide and permits
- MotoGadabout tour leader
- Airport transfers
The price does not include
- Flights to Islamabad
- Lunches and dinners
- Entrance fees to the forts
- Travel insurance
- Motorcycle deposit
Practical
Before you set off
Accommodation
Mountain hotels and guesthouses with breakfast, twin rooms. A simple standard, but clean and with hot water.
Transport
Local motorcycles (model to be confirmed), a support vehicle with a mechanic and luggage, a local guide and permits.
Group
6–10 participants, looked after by a MotoGadabout leader and local guides.
Requirements
- Category A driving licence and at least 2 years of regular riding
- Experience on gravel and in the mountains
- Good fitness and tolerance of altitude
- Readiness for a simple standard of accommodation in the mountains
Documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Pakistan visa (e-visa, we help)
- International Driving Permit with category A
- Travel insurance covering motorcycle riding and high altitude
Season
June – September. Full preparation guide: FAQ and preparation.
Your hosts
Who travels with you
- Motorcycle guideWojtekPlans the motorcycle routes and makes sure the group rides at its own pace — no racing, just the best bends.
- Local guidesAhmedPeople from the places we travel to. Thanks to them we reach places no catalogue will take you.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Is Pakistan safe?
The northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan is a tourist area, and we prepare the route together with a local team. We keep a close eye on official foreign ministry travel advice — before departure we will share an up-to-date assessment of the situation.
How do you deal with the altitude?
The route gains height gradually, and we spend only a short time at Khunjerab. The support vehicle carries oxygen and a high-altitude first-aid kit.
Can I book for a whole group and pay for everyone?
Yes. One person can submit the booking for the whole group and settle the payment for the trip. Participants’ details can be added later in the central MotoGadabout account.
Does the price include flights?
Usually not — we help you choose a flight so that everyone meets on location at roughly the same time. Full details are always in the “What’s included / not included” section.
What if I’m travelling alone?
Most participants come on their own or in pairs. We’ll help you find a room-mate, and if you’d prefer a single room, just ask about the supplement.
