Karakorum Highway

Karakorum Highway
15 days
Islamabad
Karakorum-Gebirge
Skardu
Pakistan
2,000 km

Overview

On- and off-road adventures through the most spectacular landscapes of Northern Pakistan.

This 15-day guided motorcycle tour through Pakistan takes you across some of Asia’s most impressive high-mountain regions—from lush green valleys to the raw, dramatic heights of the Karakoram Range.

The journey begins in Islamabad, where we explore key sights and ease into the adventure. From here, we head north toward Naran and cross the breathtaking Babusar Pass (approx. 4,200 m), followed by an unforgettable ride along the legendary Karakoram Highway, widely regarded as one of the most scenic mountain roads in the world.

In Gilgit, we visit the ancient Karga Buddha rock carvings before continuing into the Hunza Valley. Here, vibrant bazaars, centuries-old forts, and sweeping views of some of the world’s highest peaks define the landscape. The route then climbs to the majestic Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), the highest paved border crossing on Earth, before descending into the peaceful village of Passu, surrounded by striking glaciers and jagged peaks.

From Passu, the ride continues into the Astore Valley and onward to the vast Deosai Plains—one of the highest plateaus in the world. Glamping under a star-filled sky in this remote high-altitude wilderness is one of the tour’s true highlights. After descending from Deosai, we reach Skardu, where there is time to relax, explore the surroundings, and reflect on the journey before flying back to Islamabad to conclude this extraordinary adventure.

This motorcycle tour through Northern Pakistan balances demanding riding days with comfort and recovery. After each stage, we unwind in carefully selected boutique hotels, lodges, and unique accommodations, offering tranquility and comfort amid Pakistan’s untamed mountain landscapes.

Experience an exceptional Karakoram motorcycle adventure with Asia Bike Tours (ABT)—authentic, immersive, and far beyond the beaten path.

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At A Glance

Category Details
Region Karakoram Mountains & Himalaya, Northern Pakistan
Duration 15 days / 14 riding days
Total Distance Approx. 2,000 km motorcycle journey through Northern Pakistan
Maximum Altitude 4,693 m (Khunjerab Pass – the highest paved border crossing in the world)
Difficulty Level Moderate to challenging – suitable for experienced riders with good physical fitness and prior high-altitude riding experience
Terrain Asphalt, gravel, sand, river crossings, and spectacular high-mountain roads in the Karakoram Range
Motorcycles Honda CB150 or CFMOTO 450 (well-suited for high-altitude touring)
Accommodation Double occupancy – hotels, lodges, boutique hotels, and authentic guesthouses along the route
Group Size 8–12 participants (average 9–10 riders)
Included
  • Personal on-site welcome and full local support
  • Private airport transfers
  • All domestic flights as per itinerary
  • Motorcycle including fuel and tour guide
  • Basic spare parts, tools, and first-aid kit
  • Support vehicle for luggage and technical assistance
  • All parking fees, entrance fees, and government taxes
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Full-time mechanic throughout the tour
  • Bottled mineral water on riding days
  • Half board plus daily lunch snack
Not Included
  • International flights to/from Pakistan
  • Tips for drivers, guides, and crew
  • Drinks, laundry services, and personal expenses
  • Personal travel, health, and accident insurance
  • Costs related to emergency evacuation
  • Visas, vaccinations, and official permits
  • Additional costs outside the official tour dates

ITinerary

Day Description
Day 1 Arrival in Islamabad. Personal welcome by the local team, transfer to the hotel, and time to recover after the international flight.
Day 2 Islamabad – Mansehra/Balakot – Batakundi. Journey north by minibus (approx. 3 hours), handover of the motorcycles, and the first riding kilometers through lush green valleys to Batakundi at around 2,600 m.
Day 3 Batakundi – Nomal (Gilgit). Crossing the spectacular Babusar Pass (4,173 m) with wide alpine views, followed by a ride along the legendary Karakoram Highway to Nomal.
Day 4 Nomal – Passu. Motorcycle ride through the Hunza Valley with views of the mighty Rakaposhi. Arrival in Passu, framed by the iconic Passu Cones. Overnight stay with glacier and mountain views.
Day 5 Passu – Khunjerab Pass – Passu. Day ride to the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), the highest paved border crossing in the world. Pure high-altitude riding before returning to Passu.
Day 6 Passu – Karimabad via the remote Hoper Valley. Detour into the secluded Hoper Valley with views of the Hoper Glacier, then onward to Karimabad, the cultural heart of Hunza.
Day 7 Exploration day in Hunza. Visits to the historic Baltit and Altit Forts, a walk through Karimabad’s bazaar, and time for cafés, viewpoints, and local handicrafts.
Day 8 Karimabad – Rama Meadows (Astore Valley). Ride along the Karakoram Highway into the Astore Valley. Arrival at the Rama Meadows (approx. 3,300 m) with views of Nanga Parbat—weather permitting, an unforgettable panorama.
Day 9 Rama – Tarishing. Deeper ride into the Astore Valley, passing rivers, forests, and small villages to reach Tarishing—the gateway to the southern face of Nanga Parbat. Overnight in a simple, authentic lodge.
Day 10 Tarishing – Skardu via Deosai National Park. Crossing the high-altitude Deosai Plateau (above 4,000 m), also known as the “Land of Giants.” With some luck, wildlife sightings along the way. Descent into the Skardu Valley.
Day 11 Excursion to the Shigar Valley and the Sarfaranga Cold Desert. Visit the historic Shigar Fort (now a heritage hotel) and ride through the surreal dunes of the Sarfaranga Desert.
Day 12 Off-road adventure into the Basho Valley. Riding through forests, river crossings, and remote terrain. Picnic or tea stop en route before returning to Skardu.
Day 13 Skardu – Khaplu – Skardu. Scenic ride along the Shyok River to Khaplu, visit to the Khaplu Palace, and lunch on site. Return to Skardu in the afternoon.
Day 14 Flight to Islamabad and city exploration. Visits to the Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument, Daman-e-Koh, and the old quarters of Rawalpindi. Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Day 15 Departure from Pakistan. Transfer to the airport and return journey home. End of an extraordinary motorcycle adventure through the Karakoram and the Himalaya.

Dates & RATES

September 28, 2027
October 12, 2027
15 days

28 Sept. to 12. Oct, 2027 ((15 days)

Rider: € 3.980

Pillion-Rider: € 3.480

Single Room Supplement: € 490

Questions about this tour? Message us on WhatsApp
Deposit: €300 on booking (€400 if a domestic flight is included), balance due 6 weeks before the tour starts. Cancellation fees: up to 60 days before departure 30%, 60–30 days 50%, 30–15 days 80%, after that 100%. Full details in our Terms & Conditions.

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What people are saying

Cher Shankar.
J'ai le plaisir de te dire que mon voyage au Népal a été un vrai régal. C'est vrai que tout était fait pour avoir un beau voyage à moto enfield. La météo nous a été favorable, les lieux que tu as choisi pour nous héberger sont accueillants et propre et partout la nourriture est merveilleusement présentées et colorées, on y mange tellement bien.
Les routes sont comme je le recherchai terribles et caillouteuses. Les changements paysages et de climats sont grandioses, quel beau souvenir.
Ce voyage sans toi n'aurai pas eu la même saveur. Tu es joyeux et communicatif. Tu nous emmène dans des endroits encore authentiques vers une population accueillante. Chaque matin on pouvait t'entendre nous décrire le déroulement de la journée avec carte géographique. Aux arrêts tu as souvent une anecdote ou une histoire pour compléter ce qu'on regarde. Le soir aussi tu as de quoi nous en apprendre plus sur ce pays le Népal. Mon voyage prochain sera aussi avec toi en 2025. A bientôt

2025-02-06

Dear Heinrich.

A happy New year.
Last year I tried Edelweise Bike-Tour in NZ.
And Japanese one in Spain&Portugal.
I realized your tour is the best.
I hope everything is fine with you.

Kazuo Yamashita

2012-10-01

Dearest Heinrich:
Steve and I wanted to “THANK YOU” for such a wonderful trip through Shangri-La, China! We had such an incredible time – our heads are still spinning from all of the wonderful culture we experienced. As I mentioned to you many times, I only wish we would have had helmet cameras to capture all of the sights, sounds, animals and cultural dress we saw as we traveled through all of the different villages. It was a once in a lifetime experience and you and your crew made the trip so easy – we could have never experienced that on our own. All of the stories about your travels were so interesting and your knowledge of the area was very captivating. You are PERFECT at what you do. It’s very clear you love your job or can you even call it a job? We really enjoyed the fact you were right with us on the whole trip from breakfast to late evenings sharing a glass of wine.
We watched “Seven Years in Tibet” (as you recommended) and that kind of put it all together about the Tibetan culture and what happened to them. They are such a happy, warm group of people. I feel like we saw terrain from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to Baja Mexico. The bikes were perfect for the trip. Being on a dirt bike made it a lot easier navigating on some of the roads.
I only hope we can make it on another one of your trips in the near future – we would love to go to India. It says a lot for your business when you have repeat customers come back and do other trips as well. You are always welcome to come visit us in California – we could do our own little trip through Baja.
We wish you all the best in your travels! If ever you write a book – please put us on the list. I believe this was the best way to see the country – on the freedom of a motorcycle.
THANK YOU FOR AN ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME……..
Sincerely,

Shelly & Steve Morefield
shelly & steve, L.A

2011-08-26