Karakoram Highway Cycling Tour

Karakoram Highway Cycling Tour

Trango Adventure has a long track record of organizing Trekking in Pakistan. We have had groups successfully completed K2 and Gandogoro Trek on previous occasions. We designed our itinerary based on over 40 Years of experience, which is the best in terms of acclimatization, safety and enjoyment. It is our intention to keep to the day by day itinerary detailed below, although there might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control. If this is the case the trek leader will do everything possible to work out the changes to the itinerary in order to minimize your inconvenience.

Adventure travel requires an open and flexible attitude. You may experience extreme conditions, unpredictable weather and last-minute changes to the itinerary beyond our control. The ability to work in team is an important aspect of all of our trips.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY IN ISLAMABAD-PAKISTAN

Pass By: Islamabad International Airport, Airport Ave, Islamabad Gandhara International Airport, Islamabad, Attock, Punjab, Pakistan
Most of the international flights arrives at Islamabad International Airport in the mornings. Your Guide will meet and greet you at the airport, then you will be transfer to the hotel. Rest of the days is free to recover from your journey. Later in the day, when everyone has arrived, we will have a group briefing about the Tour. Depending on the time available to us, there may be an option to do some sightseeing in Islamabad, A purpose-built City in 1961 as the new capital of Pakistan.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL

Day 2: DRIVE TO CHILLAS (461km)

Stop At: Karakoram Highway, Hassanabdal Pakistan From Hassan Abdal to China border, Gilgit Pakistan
Today you will start your Epic Journey towards Karakoram Highway. You will pass through some other culturally rich and historical Towns, Taxila, Hassan Abdal, Hari Pur, Abbot Abbad then Basham. You will do few stops along the ways for tea breaks. KKH takes off from Hasan Abdal. The road follows every twist and turn of the Indus River. About 190 km after Beshamn, the road meets Chillas which appears to be an ‘oasis in a desert’. Chillas has a unique charm. Here you will have a magnificent view of the three World highest Mountain ranges: Karakoram in the north, Himalayas in east and Hindu Kush in west. Chillas is the getaway to Nanga Parbat (8126m). Nanga Parbat is the ninth world highest mountain, which is one of the hardest mountain to climb. It has a nick name of Killer Mountain. In Chillas there are no Tourist attractions.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL

Day 3: CYCLE TO GILGIT (60km)

Stop At: Karakoram Highway, Hassanabdal Pakistan From Hassan Abdal to China border, Gilgit Pakistan
In the morning you will start your Cycling Adventure Towards Gilgit on the Karakoram Highway along the mighty Indus and Hunza River. The real attractions of Pakistan are in the Gilgit Baltistan and to get there you need to travel along the world’s highest paved road, The Karakoram Highway. Cycling along The Karakoram Highway is an unforgettable experience; you will see peaks and valleys, rivers and glaciers. Twenty-one of the world’s one hundred highest peaks are visible from the KKH and the journey is a great introduction to the mountains as civilization slips away behind us.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL

Day 4: CYCLE TO MINAPIN (80km) 2,030m

Pass By: Karakoram Highway, Hassanabdal Pakistan From Hassan Abdal to China border, Gilgit Pakistan
Setting off from Gilgit, we rejoin the Karakoram Highway the road climbs slowly passing a few small villages, before we start to witness the huge spiral of Rakaposhi looming in the distance. The road goes so close to its base that it is hidden most of the way. It is only when we arrive at our small family guesthouse at Minapin that we really witness the true beauty of Rakaposhi. Our accommodation for the night is situated in a beautiful tranquil orchard.

Minapin Altitude: 2,030m (6,660ft)

Cycle Distance: 82km (51 miles)

Total Climb: 1,353m (4,439ft)

Total Descent: 772m (2,533ft)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: GUESTHOUSE

Day 5: CYCLE TO KARIMABAD (32km), 2,400m

Pass By: Karakoram Highway, Hassanabdal Pakistan From Hassan Abdal to China border, Gilgit Pakistan
The Karakoram highway (KKH) is at its most spectacular between Ghulmit and Gulmit. The road rides high on the eastern side of the river, twisting and turning around the barren foot of the Hispar Range, which boasts six peaks over 7,000 metres. On the opposite bank, villages cling implausibly to the side of the 7,388m Ultar Mountain. Above, the jagged teeth along the ridge hide the highest snow-covered peaks from view. A short but spectacular day to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza Valley.

Karimabad Altitude: 2,400m (7,874ft)

Cycle Distance: 35km (22 miles)

Total Climb: 703m (2,306ft)

Total Descent: 341m (1,119ft)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL

Day 6: SIGHTSEEING & REST DAY

Pass By: Baltit Fort, Karimabad Pakistan
Today will be a rest day, but with so much to see in this enchanting village, it is unlikely that you will get much rest. Highlights are a visit to the 13th Century Baltit Fort, Altit Fort or a visit to see the Sacred Rocks of Hunza. For the really adventuress amongst you a trek up to Hon will give you incredible views across the whole of the Nagar valley.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL


Day 7: CYCLE TO PASSU (41km) 2,480m

Pass By: Passu Glacier, Upper Hunza Valley (Gojal), Hunza 15750 Pakistan
As we leave Karimabad the road drops down to the village of Ganesh before we begin a fairly hard 15 km climb. Remember that if at any time you have had enough, just wait around for the back-up vehicle. Due to the floods of 2010, a section of the KKH between the village of Gulmet, and Gulkin is now impassable and we will take a ferry here to continue along the route. This afternoon we cycle on a further 16 km to Passu. The road climbs with intermittent glimpses of glaciers, precipices and gleaming white peaks, before the 10 km descent to Passu, which brings us directly in front of the incredible Passu Glacier where we will stop for the night.

Passu Altitude: 2,480m (8136ft)

Cycle Distance: 41km (25 miles)

Total Climb: 910m (2,985ft)

Total Descent: 762m (2,500ft)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: GUEST HOUSE

Day 8: CYCLE TO SHIMSHAL (60km) 3,100m

Pass By: Batura Glacier, Batura Valley, Passu Gojal Gojal Region, Hunza Pakistan
Today you can either cycle or transfer by vehicle. The first 6km along the KKH before turning just beyond the Batura Glacier to cross a suspension bridge over the Hunza river and follow a jeep track up to Shimshal. The road has been described as a miracle of engineering by some. On our approach to Shimshal we pass fields of stones partitioned by dry stone walls, and houses built of mud and stone. In the distance we may catch a glimpse of Odver Sar (6,303m). The village herdsmen pasture their sheep, yak and goats in the seasonal mountain grasslands, located several days walk from the village. The people of Shimshal are Wakhi.

Shimshal Altitude: 3,100m (10,170ft)

Cycle Distance: 59km (37 miles)

Total Climb: 972m (3,189ft)

Total Descent: 383m (1,256ft)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: GUEST HOSUE

Day 9: SHIMSHAL TO GULMIT (3,300m)

Pass By: Hunza River, Hunza Pakistan
Today you will cycle down the valley passing the Mulungutti Glacier as we travel through a stunning scenery. The valley is home to herds of sheep, goats and yaks that are moved up and down the area with the seasons. But you will see little evidence of settlement apart from the few shepherd’s huts on the narrow track road. You will cross the Hunza River over a suspension bridge before re-joining the KKH about 6km north of Passu. From here you will be transfer to Gulmit.

Gulmit Altitude: 2,465m (8,087ft)

Cycle Distance: 59km (37 miles)

Total Climb: 383m (1,256ft)

Total Descent: 972m (3,189ft)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: GUEST HOUSE

Day 10: GULMIT TO MINAPIN (68km) 2030km

Pass By: Rakaposhi View Point, Rposhi hunza valley, Ghulmet 15650 Pakistan
Once again you will pass the magnificent Karimabad and surroundings of Hunza valley; the mountains to soar high above us and the road is lined with apricot trees. Minapin is a small detour off of the main road; you will climb through tiny villages where friendly locals will greet you. Near Minapin you will enjoy a spectacular view of Mt Rakaposhi from the road. At a height of 7788 meters, Rakaposhi has an uninterrupted vertical rise of approximately 6000 m making it the tallest mountain on land when measured from the base to peak.

Minapin Altitude: 2,030m (6,660ft)

Cycling Distance: 68km (42 miles)

Total climb: 680m (2,231ft)

Total descent: 1,450m (4,757ft)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Dinner
Accommodation included: GUEST HOUSE

Day 11: MINAPIN TO GILGIT (80km)

Pass By: Indus-Gilgit Confluence, Pakistan
Today you will trek around the local area. You are surrounded by steep hillsides where small conifers grow. The village of Minapin is a popular destination as it provides the easiest access to three peaks that mountaineers are fond of scaling: the 7,788m Rakaposhi peak, the 7,266m Diran peak and the Miachar peak in the Karakoram Range. The valley’s natural beauty and the hospitality, culture and traditions of the locals all contribute to its popularity. The valley is also known for an abundance of fruit production, including apricots, apples, mulberry, walnuts and pomegranates. In the afternoon we will head towards Gilgit for a night stay.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL

Day 12: GILGIT TO ISLAMABAD

Pass By: Nanga Parbat, Astore Pakistan
The journey by road takes approximately a day. Please make sure to book your flight home on Day 13 later in the day – late afternoon or evening.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: HOTEL

Day 13: DEPARTURE DAY

Pass By: Islamabad International Airport, Airport Ave, Islamabad Gandhara International Airport, Islamabad, Attock, Punjab, Pakistan
After Breakfast you will be Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.


No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.