15-Day

Pakistan Motorcycle Tour

Karakoram Odyssey

Islamabad – Gilgit – Karimabad – Hopar Valley – Passu – Borith Lake – Khunjerab Pass – Shimshal Valley – Gilgit – Soq / Upper Kachura – Shigar – Khaplu – Hushe Valley – Skardu – Islamabad

Fly out of Islamabad to Gilgit and ride deep into the high country through long climbs, glacial valleys, and winding corridors carved into the Karakoram. Cross into Baltistan’s broad river basins, follow old routes between fort towns, and move through remote villages set against towering peaks. This is an extended sweep across Pakistan’s mountain world.

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Islamabad

Arrive at Islamabad International Airport and transfer to the Hillview Hotel. The afternoon is reserved for meeting the tour team and running through a clear briefing on safety, road conditions and local customs. The evening is set aside for a welcome dinner, introducing Pakistani food and giving the group a first opportunity to get acquainted.

Day 2: Islamabad – Gilgit

An early transfer runs to the airport for the flight north into Gilgit. On clear days the route delivers sharp views of K2, Nanga Parbat and the surrounding ranges. If weather disrupts flying, the plan shifts to a long but dramatic minibus journey along the Karakoram Highway or Babusar Pass. With a successful flight, the afternoon is kept for a short shake-down ride around Gilgit, taking in Buddha Rock and a viewpoint overlooking the town.

Day 3: Gilgit – Karimabad

The ride north from Gilgit marks the functional start of the motorcycle tour. The route follows the Karakoram Highway as it tracks the Hunza River, with steep rock walls and high snow lines rising on both sides. A stop at Rakaposhi Viewpoint breaks the run before a short off-road section on an old Silk Route alignment introduces rougher terrain. The day ends in Karimabad, with time allocated to visit Baltit Fort, move through the town streets, or reach a local lookout for sunset views.

Day 4: Karimabad – Hopar Valley – Karimabad

Time is spent exploring the immediate Karimabad area, including Baltit Fort and Altit Fort. The route then crosses the Ganish Bridge into Nagar Valley and climbs steadily toward the Hopar Glacier viewpoint. Cooler air and expanding views mark the ascent before the road drops back into the main valley and returns to Karimabad for the night.

Day 5: Karimabad – Borith Lake – Passu

The day shifts focus north toward Upper Hunza. A short off-road track leads up to Borith Lake, a quiet saline lake set above the main valley, followed by time at viewpoints looking across the Passu Glacier. The route continues on toward Passu, where the day finishes beneath the sharp skyline of the Passu Cones.

Day 6: Passu – Khunjerab Pass – Passu

The Karakoram Highway runs all the way to the Chinese border at Khunjerab Pass, climbing through broad valleys and long open straights. As altitude increases, temperatures fall and the landscape shifts into a high-plateau setting. The gate at the top sits at 4,693 metres, ranking among the highest paved border crossings in the world. Time is allowed for photos, hot tea and instant noodles before descending the same route back to Passu for the night.

Day 7: Passu – Shimshal Valley – Passu

The route leaves the highway and turns onto the narrow jeep track leading into Shimshal. The road is cut into cliffs above a fast river with limited margin, keeping the pace steady and controlled. As the ride pushes deeper into the gorge, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic until the valley opens near the village, where fields and stone houses sit beneath steep peaks. After a break in the settlement, the track is retraced back to Passu.

Day 8: Passu – Gilgit

The route turns south and follows the Karakoram Highway back toward Gilgit, offering new angles on the mountains and valleys climbed earlier in the week. The day runs mostly on good tarmac with a smoother rhythm and time built in for photo stops at a relaxed pace. Arrival in Gilgit leaves space to explore the bazaar, pick up local dry fruits, or rest ahead of the Baltistan leg.

Day 9: Gilgit – Soq / Upper Kachura

Leaving the main highway, the route follows the Indus as it cuts through tight gorges on the way toward Skardu. The road narrows and becomes more varied, mixing bends, short straights and broken sections. Approaching Soq and Upper Kachura, the landscape softens with increased tree cover and water around the lakes. The day ends near Upper Kachura Lake, a calm setting that marks entry into Baltistan.

Day 10: Soq – Skardu Cold Desert – Shigar

The ride crosses the Skardu Cold Desert, where pale sand spreads out beneath high, dark peaks. Surface changes register clearly under the tyres, and the setting reads more like a high-altitude coastline than an inland valley. The route then continues to Shigar for a visit to the historic fort complex, a restored structure positioned above the river and the village below.

Day 11: Shigar – Khaplu

The route runs east along the Shyok River on a road that threads between cliffs, cultivated fields and small Balti settlements. The valley gradually opens as Khaplu comes into view, a former royal centre with its distinctive palace set above the town. After checking in, time is available to explore the palace grounds and walk the nearby streets.

Day 12: Khaplu – Hushe Valley – Khaplu

This loop day pushes deeper into Baltistan on the road toward Hushe, a valley known as a launch point for K2 and other major climbs. Tarmac gives way in sections to rougher surfaces as the valley narrows and then opens again with gained elevation. Massive peaks line the skyline near the upper reaches of the route before the road turns back and descends to Khaplu for the night.

Day 13: Khaplu – Skardu

The route follows the Shyok River back toward its junction with the main valley, combining river bends, short climbs and open straights. The approach into Skardu signals the close of the mountain loop, returning to a larger town with broader facilities. An overnight stay at Shangrila Resort or a similar property provides a final stop in Baltistan before the journey turns south.

Day 14: Skardu – Islamabad

The bikes are returned before transferring to Skardu Airport for the flight to Islamabad. In clear conditions, the flight provides a wide aerial view of the ranges covered during the ride. If flying is not possible, the schedule shifts to a long road transit instead. Back in the capital, a final dinner marks the close of the riding portion of the tour.

Day 15: Islamabad

This buffer day holds space in the schedule for any delays and provides free time in the capital if everything runs to plan. Major monuments, local markets, or rest time are all options during the day. The tour concludes with a transfer to the airport later that day or the following morning.

Motorcycles

Suzuki GS 150

US $198/day

Inclusions/Extras

Karakoram Odyssey FAQ

What riding conditions should I expect on this tour?

Roads vary constantly. Large sections of the Karakoram Highway are smooth and fast, while higher-altitude stretches show frost damage, cracks and ripples. The Shimshal Valley ride is fully unpaved, narrow and exposed, with loose rock, landslide zones and occasional water crossings.

What altitude, temperature, and weather conditions will we ride in?

Riding spans warm spring conditions in the valleys and near-freezing temperatures at altitude. Khunjerab Pass sits at 4,693 metres, where wind, snow and rapid weather changes are common. Riders experience large temperature swings within a single day and must be prepared for cold, rain and sudden weather shifts.

What gear, luggage, and equipment are required or provided?

A Suzuki GN150 is supplied with a top box and a 40-litre soft bag. Helmets are available but fit and comfort cannot be guaranteed, so bringing your own is recommended. Layered riding gear, waterproofs and proper protective equipment are essential due to variable mountain conditions.

How does the tour handle weather disruption, routing, and flight cancellations?

Flights between Islamabad and Gilgit are weather dependent. If cancelled, the group transfers by private minibus via the Karakoram Highway or Babusar Pass. A buffer day is built into the itinerary to absorb delays. Daily routing decisions are made by the guide based on weather, road conditions and group capability.

What languages do the guides speak on this tour?

Guides speak English and Urdu and are able to share insight into local culture, daily life and the regions you ride through. They also handle all communication with hotels, airlines, police and local contacts throughout the tour.

What is the riding pace like on this tour?

The riding pace is relaxed and deliberate. This is not a high-speed or endurance-focused tour. Daily distances are set to allow time for scenery, stops and acclimatisation, with rough or exposed sections ridden steadily rather than aggressively.

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Pakistan Motorcycle Tour

Karakoram Odyssey

Overview

Itinerary

Day 1: Islamabad

Day 2: Islamabad – Gilgit

Day 3: Gilgit – Karimabad

Day 4: Karimabad – Hopar Valley – Karimabad

Day 5: Karimabad – Borith Lake – Passu

Day 6: Passu – Khunjerab Pass – Passu

Day 7: Passu – Shimshal Valley – Passu

Day 8: Passu – Gilgit

Day 9: Gilgit – Soq / Upper Kachura

Day 10: Soq – Skardu Cold Desert – Shigar

Day 11: Shigar – Khaplu

Day 12: Khaplu – Hushe Valley – Khaplu

Day 13: Khaplu – Skardu

Day 14: Skardu – Islamabad

Day 15: Islamabad

Motorcycles

Inclusions/Extras

Karakoram Odyssey FAQ

What riding conditions should I expect on this tour?

What altitude, temperature, and weather conditions will we ride in?

What gear, luggage, and equipment are required or provided?

How does the tour handle weather disruption, routing, and flight cancellations?

What languages do the guides speak on this tour?

What is the riding pace like on this tour?

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