Biking through Karakoram Highway
Duration:
15 days
Next Departure:
April 2022
Airport:
Islamabad
Reference:
CH236A
Summary:
Travel the Old Silk Road and absorb ancient cultures while enjoying some of the best cycling in the world on this amazing bike tour in Pakistan. Riding on dirt and paved roads through the Karakoram Range, the backbone of vast colliding mountains of 7,000-8,000 m peaks, will lead to the base of some of the longest non-polar glaciers and along the banks of Pakistan's longest river, the Indus.
After meeting in Islamabad, fly to Skardu, the gateway to K2 expeditions and relax in Khaplu for three nights in order to adjust to the 2,600 m elevation. The day trips will lead to the stark and striking valleys of Hushe and Thalley. Then cycle along the Shyok River to where it meets the mighty Indus before heading up to the Deosai Plateau. Here you can climb 4,200 m passes and ride by turquoise blue lakes.
Head north to the Hunza Valley where you explore the dramatic 700-year-old Baltit and Altit Forts followed by a ride over to the rival Nagar Valley. These valleys are filled with apricot and almond trees, and the sheer ice-covered walls of Rakaposhi (7788 m) provide a stunning backdrop.
Two more days of cycling, with some thrilling descents, takes you to Gilgit. After a wander through the bazaar to pick up some dried apricots or fresh walnuts, you depart this Northern Province and fly back to Islamabad.
Over 10 days you will cycle 560km. This is a tough trip due to the altitude and the terrain. You will spend three nights at 2,600 m in Khaplu acclimatizing and slowly increase your activity level during those days to prepare for the passes ahead.
You’ll be staying in hotels wherever possible and, for four nights, you’ll be camping due to the remoteness of the terrain. Two of these overnights will be at 4,200 m, so it can get cold at night. It is the combination of conditions: altitude, weather, topography, and overall environment that makes this a challenging tour and a test of sustained riding. Remember, all the tours are vehicle supported allowing cyclists the option to get into the van as needed.
Tour Includes:
Domestic flights
Support vehicle
Guide(s)
Meals (as indicated)
Airport pick up
Airport drop off
Accommodation
Snacks and drinks
Domestic fees
Itinerary:
Day 1: ISLAMABAD
You will be met at the airport and transfer to our hotel in Islamabad. The city of Islamabad is a capital of modern Pakistan. Islamabad is beautiful surrounded with margallla hills. It is a region-wide symbol of progress, innovation and architectural marvel. Islamabad is a well-organized city divided into different sectors and zones. You can explore it on its own thanks to friendly atmosphere and great sightseeing. We meet up in the evening for a trip briefing and then have dinner.
Day 2: SKARDU - KHAPLU
After breakfast, we head to the airport for our flight to Skardu. This short, but spectacular, one-hour flight skirts past the breath-taking Rupal and Dia-mir faces of Nanga Parbat. It is even possible to catch a fleeting glimpse of K2 and the other high peaks of the Baltoro in the distance. After lunch in town, we continue our journey, which will take 2 to 3 hours by jeep on a spectacular road beside the Indus to the village of Khaplu. At 2600 m, we will begin our acclimation in this village of stone houses. We check into our hotel located high above the village with magnificent views over the rock spires and towers that mark the entrance to the Hushe Valley.
Day 3: KHAPLU - THALLEY BROK - KHAPLU (Distance: 50km)
As part of our acclimation, we will spend our day at the lovely settlement of Khaplu, with its stunning views across the broad valley of the Shyok to the Batura Spires. Depending on how we feel, we will either take a short cycle, 16 km, on a part-finished jeep road up to a lake where the views of the Karakoram peaks are superb. If we are acclimating well, we'll go for a longer cycle, 50 km, up the Thalley Valley, where the landscape varies from the sands of the Indus Valley to high snow-capped peaks. Returning to our hotel in Khaplu, there will be time to explore the old polo field and the beautiful, 600-year-old Khaplu Palace.
Day 4: KHAPLU - HUSHE - KHAPLU (Distance: 60km)
Testing out our lungs, we will have an undulating ride as we cross a number of nullahs, or small river valleys, until we reach the beginning of the Hushe River Valley. Here the road gradually ascends to Hushe Village on a rough jeep track. Hushe is the highest village in the area at 3,100 m (10,200 ft) and is the last permanent habitation in this area, with the huge bulk of Masher-brum (also known as K1) at 7,821 m (25,659 ft) dominating the valley to the north. After lunch, it is nearly all downhill, as we ride back to our hotel in Khaplu.
Day 5: KHAPLU - SKARDU (Distance: 100km)
Following the eastern banks of the Shyok River to Kiris, the once wild jeep track has now been tarred, resulting in an excellent biking road. With hardly any traffic but passing through a succession of small, lush villages set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, this road is perfect for riding. Beyond Kiris and the confluence of the Shyok and Indus Rivers, the landscape becomes more barren but unforgettable. It is a full day's ride to our hotel in Skardu, although there will be time to explore this wild west bazaar town, which is the gateway for all expeditions to K2, the second highest mountain in the world.
Day 6: SKARDU - DEOSAI PLATEAU (Distance: 50km)
It is a relatively decent tarmac road out of Skardu, which climbs steeply to the beautiful Satpara Lake and continues up on to the Deosai Plateau. It’s a hard slog of around 35 km with a 2,000-m climb to reach the start of the plateau, where the terrain levels out. Our aim is to reach the start of the national park and set up our camp (4,100 m) close to a lake.
Day 7: ACROSS THE DOESAI PLATEAU (Distance: 60km)
Now on the Deosai Plateau proper, it’s only a short climb up to the Chachur Pass (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). There is only a rough dirt jeep track to follow now, with the occasional small river crossing. Beyond Sheosar Lake, our route turns into a downhill blast. We aim for a side jeep road, which has a short climb up to the village of Tarashing. Here, we camp (4,200 m) in the shadow of the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world.
Day 8: DOESAI PLATEAU - ASTOR - MUSKIN (Distance: 60km)
We have time for a short exploration in the morning before we leave the Deosai with a fantastic descent to the small bazaar town of Astor. We then enter a narrow gorge that descends to the mighty Indus River. Depending on our progress, we will look for a camp somewhere in the shade around Muskin.
Day 9: MUSKIN - GILGIT (Distance: 50km)
More downhill biking into the roaring Indus Valley, where we eventually cross the river and climb onto its western bank to reach the Karakoram Highway. It's then a rolling route that winds its way to Gilgit. Here, we check in to a comfortable inn that has a relaxing garden shaded by poplars and chinar, or plane tree. Gilgit is another fascinating town, and our first chance to take in the sights and sounds of the Hunza at the bazaar, as well as enjoy our first shower for a few days.
Day 10: GILGIT - KARIMABAD
Today is our first day off the bikes in seven days! We load our bikes onto the support vehicles for a drive up the Karakoram Highway to the Hunza Valley, a journey of about 4 hours. On the way, we stop off at a café below Rakaposhi, which at 7,788 m (25,552 ft) is the 29th highest mountain on earth. Rakaposhi was first climbed in 1958 by a British expedition that included George Banks and Tom Patey. The glacier spilling down from its flanks reaches almost to the road. Once we arrive in Karimbad, we explore this old capital city and the dramatic Balti and Alti Forts. These 700-year-old forts were occupied by the former Mirs of Hunza and were inhabited until 1945. Once in a state of disrepair, these Tibetan-influenced forts have since been restored and provide a perfect window into the lives of the Mirs.
Day 11: KARIMABAD - HOPAR - KARIMABAD (Distance: 30km)
We explore Hunza's once rival state of Nagar. We bike down to the Karakoram Highway and cross it for a stunning ride through the Nagar Valley. We cycle on an old jeep road that follows the Hispar River to the village of Nagar and climb gradually upwards for 800 m to a spectacular viewpoint above the village of Hopar, which lies at the end of the jeep road and the start of the jagged Bualtar Glacier. There we have a well-earned lunch at the “Hopar Hilton”, and if you have the energy, it is worth taking a short walk above Hopar for a magnificent view of the Bualtar Glacier and the surrounding peaks of the Karakoram. Retracing our tracks to Karimabad, it is downhill all the way, well nearly. From the highway there is a last short climb to Karimabad, which should finish you off nicely!
Day 12: KARIMABAD - CHALT (Distance: 40km)
Back on the Karakoram Highway, we drop down to the Shia village of Chalt. This first hour is one of the most relaxed and beautiful sections of our trip, being a constant downhill, cycling through small villages shaded by poplar trees and all overshadowed by the huge white bulk of Rakaposhi. Just past Minapin, we again leave the main road and cross the river to join part of the original Silk Road caravan route. Home to various fruit trees, you should try the local specialty of nuts from the inside of apricot kernels. We celebrate our last night’s camping within the gardens of the Mir’s house at Chalt.
Day 13: CHALT - GILGIT (Distance: 60km)
From Chalt, we again join the Karakoram Highway, but only for a short while, as we soon re-cross the river on a wild foot bridge and join the old road to Gilgit from Naltar. We follow the river to Gilgit, arriving in time for a late lunch at our hotel. There will be plenty of time in the afternoon to do some shopping or simply to relax. Gilgit has an interesting bazaar, full of trade goods from China and Afghanistan.
Day 14: GILGIT - ISLAMABAD
After an early breakfast, we go to Gilgit Airport and catch the flight to Islamabad. It is a short transfer to our hotel in Islamabad from the Airport. The afternoon is free to explore Islamabad.
Day 15: DEPART ISLAMABAD
After breakfast, we'll transfer you to the airport for onward travel.
Important Information:
Suitability: This trip is designed for the experienced cyclist. The lack of oxygen at the high altitudes we’ll be cycling, as well as the climbs we’ll be doing, means that this is a tough trip that you'll enjoy much more if you have a good level of stamina and fitness. The distances and gradient each day are not extreme but getting into the best shape possible for the trip will ensure you get the most from your holiday.
Biking Conditions: The road surfaces are a mix of paved and dirt roads, but in high altitude conditions of extreme weather, there will be patches where the road has disintegrated and will be potholed or even gravel.
Travel: It is not dangerous to travel in Gilgit-Balistan province. Our route avoids troubled regions altogether. Please remember that the news media tends to emphasize the few trouble spots because these make more sensational news. Our itinerary has been kept flexible to handle things like land slides or bad weather that can delay flights. As this is an adventurous holiday, you will need to be prepared to be flexible when necessary, and we will do our best to adhere to the original itinerary should there be unexpected events.