Imagine cycling through a mountain paradise of peaks over 7,000 meters with glaciers almost touching the road and inhabited by people so friendly that it is not unusual to be offered tea as a gesture of hospitality when you stop for a break. Well, this tour offers this and more. The KKH is a dream ride and we aim to make it as easy as possible for you to take in the sights and experience the cultures along the way. Each day is designed for you to enjoy the cycling and to soak in the splendid panoramas. At some stops we have also allowed time for day treks.

Difficulty level: Moderate. Vehicle-supported mountain biking on paved roads with short sections of rocky or gravel due to construction, rock fall or washouts. Support vehicle available to ride in if desired. Highest elevation reached is 4730m (15,518ft) at Khunjerab Pass which is ascended by motor vehicle. Nights spent in hotels or yurts.

Trip dates: Contact us to arrange a trip to fit your schedule.

Background and Summary: Prior to construction of the Karakoram Highway, transportation and communication moved via precipitous narrow paths that hugged the rock walls in the river canyons of the route this trip follows. It was via these paths, remnants of which are still visible, that goods on the Silk Road moved between China and India. This is also one of the tracks by which Buddhism came from India to China as documented by the monk Fa Hsien in the 5th century A.D. A few centuries later, this was one of the routes by which Islam would enter China. In the 19th century the entire area from Gilgit north to Kashgar, was the central playing field for the Great Game as England and Russia vied for control in order to protect their empires. Difficulties in communication and transportation in what is now Northern Pakistan allowed small isolated communities and kingdoms of diverse ethnic groups to exist outside of direct government control until as recently as the middle of the 20th century.

The KKH in Pakistan was completed in 1979 and the entire route to Kashgar opened for tourism traffic in 1986. Where once a traveler could expect to spend weeks or months traversing the narrow cliff-hanging paths and mountain passes from the area of Islamabad to Kashgar, now with the KKH, travel is relatively quick and easy. The many small communities of friendly people along the way make this route a pleasure to travel.

This tour begins in Kashgar. After spending the first night in Tashkorgan we drive to Sust (Pakistan) and on to Karimabad in the Hunza Valley. The next day we drive to Gilgit. We begin cycling from Gilgit. As this is vehicle-supported cycle touring, you only carry a bum or fanny pack containing the items you will need for the day's ride. If for some reason you do not wish to cycle our route for the day, you may choose to ride in our accompanying vehicle.

We spend a night in Ghulmet with a magnificent view looking up at Rakaposhi (7790m) soaring almost 6000m above. For the next several days we cycle short days through the Hunza Valley staying nights in Karimabad, Passu, and Sust. Our riding distances these first few days are not great and will give ample time to take in the sights and to stop along the way. Karimabad and Passu are interesting Hunzakut and Wakhi Tajik communities. Walking through them is very pleasant. In Karimabad you may want to walk up and tour Baltit Fort (former home of the Mir or ruler of Hunza), walk or cycle the narrow lanes or canal paths into the small Hunzakut farms or you may enjoy sitting in a lounge chair drinking Pakistani milk chai (tea) taking in the views of Ultar (7388m), Rakaposhi and the Hunza Valley spread out below.

After crossing into China and on the way to Tashkorgan we pass the entry road leading to the Wakhan Corridor, a remnant of the boundary games played by Russia and England at the beginning of the last century. In Tashkorgan we change over to our Chinese operator and cycle on to Kara Kul with excellent views, weather permitting, of Muztagh Ata and Kongur. Here we spend one full day hiking before descending the KKH some 2000 meters in elevation in about 130 kilometers to the Tarim basin and the predominately Uighur oases communities surrounding Kashgar. After attending Kashgar’s famous Sunday bazaar and touring other sites in Kashgar, our tour concludes.

On this trip, participants may bring their own mountain bikes or we rent bikes. Upon completing booking we send participants instructions on how to pack their bikes as well as a list of equipment and clothing to bring. It should be noted that wearing a bicycle helmet at all times while cycling is required on all of our cycle tours. On this tour we will be far from good medical care, all participants will need to ride conservatively drawing on their experience and skills to negotiate this route. Cycling through the Karakoram and Pamir on the Karakoram Highway is challenging, but the rewards make it an unforgettable experience!

Day 1: Drive from Kashgar to Tashkorgan (hotel, lunch and dinner provided). 

Day 2: Drive from Tashkorgan to Sust and to Karimabad.

Day 3: Drive to Gilgit.

Day 4: Cycle/drive from Gilgit to Ghulmet.

Day 5: Cycle from Ghulmet to Karimabad.

Day 6: In Karimabad day hiking or lounging, dinner at the Eagle’s Nest.

Day 7: Cycle/drive 51km from Karimabad to Passu, lunch in Gulmit.

Day 8: In Passu.

Day 9: Cycle/drive 42km from Passu to Sust.

Day 10: Cycle and ride in vehicles 87km to Khunjerab Pass, lunch at the pass, and then

cycle and ride in vehicles 126km from Khunjerab Pass to Tashkorgan.

Day 11: Cycle/drive 100km to Kara Kul, yurts

Day 12: At Kara Kul, trek around the lake, yurts.

Day 13: Cycle and ride in vehicles the 200km to Kashgar.

Day 14: Tour sites in Kashgar, hotel, end of services.