HIMALAYA & HINDU KUSH EXPLORER
PAKISTAN
Skardu
Gilgit
18 Day ADV Tour
~3,200km
Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram. Ride some of the Worlds highest Roads, Passes, Plains & Deserts
This tour is for you if you want to experience the ultimate tour of Northern Pakistan, we travel to places very few people visit, even Pakistani locals.
Expect spectacular scenery, unique cultures, and some distinctly challenging roads. We cross Mountains, Passes, Plains & Deserts as we head to the Khyber region in the West, to the Border with China in the North, and through the three largest mountain ranges on earth. We also optionally hike to Nanga Parbat Basecamp, the killer mountain.
This is a high-altitude tour, if you have any breathing-related medical conditions, this tour may not be right for you.
QAQLASHT MEADOWS, CHITAL
HIGHLIGHTS
When you land at Skardu Airport, we will be waiting for you, we will transport you and your luggage to the hotel where your bike will be waiting for you full of fuel. After your flight, it's time to get settled, chill out a little, or jump on your bike and take it for a spin around Skardu to get used to your bike. In the evening we will have a welcome feast to allow everyone to get to know each other, and the local team, we will go through a few logistics and answer any questions you may have.
The first few days we take it easy, allowing you time to get used to the altitude and the local road rules. Then it's time to head West and ride through some of the best dirt roads you can imagine, Roads that snake along the bottom of valleys following the course of the river. Roads that cling halfway up a cliff face with no barrier between you and the water below. Roads that have never been sealed and are maintained by the locals.
Pakistan is a country where Islam is the national religion with 97% of the population following this belief system, This tour takes you through the strongholds of the remaining 3%.
On this tour, we visit the Kalasha people who are indigenous to the Chitral region of western Pakistan and are considered to be the most unique with an Animism-based belief system.
Forget what you think or have read about Pakistan, this is a country that defies expectations, where everyone who visits comes away with a profound shift in their perception.
ROUTE
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ITINERARY
Day 01 - Arrive Skardu
A warm welcome awaits as we pick you up from Skardu airport and transfer you to the hotel where your bikes will be waiting full of fuel. Take them for a spin around town to get to know your new steed.
In the evening we will have a welcome Feast at a local restaurant, provide information on logistics, and answer any final questions you may have.
Day 02 - Khaplu
We Ride East following the mighty Indus River on our left with a stopover at Manthoka Waterfall for lunch.
Road: Mainly Asphalt
Day 03 - Hushe Valley
We explore the Hushe valley today and eat lunch in the village of Hushe in sight of K1 (Masherbrum.
Road: 50/50 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 04 - Shigar Valley & Sarfaranga Cold Desert
We return to Skardu via the world's highest desert (Sarfaranga) and explore the Shigar valley.
Road: 30/40 Dirt-Sand/Asphalt
Day 05 - Deosai Plains National Park
We cross the second highest plains in the world at an average altitude of 4110m, with luck you may spot a Bear, Himalayan Wolf, Snow Leopard, Marmot, or Yak.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 06 - Fairy Meadows
We ride to Raikot Bridge and take a jeep up the Fairy Meadows Road (2nd most dangerous road in the world)
Road: 50/50 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 07 - Nanga Parbat (The Killer Mountain)
Trek the 16 km to Nanga Parbat Base Camp or a shorter stroke to one of the villages alongside the Raikot Glacier, watch a Polo Match or just chill
Road: No Roads, only walking/horse tracks.
Day 08 - Besham
We follow the mighty Indus River to Besham, the road is a good sealed road as we make our way towards the Swat valley
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 09 - Shangla Pass
We leave the Indus River and head towards the Swat River via the spectacular Shangla Pass.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 10 - Swat Valley
We explore the Northern Swat Valley and visit Mahondand Lake, returning to Kalam.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Broken Asphalt
Day 11 - Thal
An early start today as we ride the stunning Badgoi pass to Thal and then explore the Kumrat Valley, hopefully, we will have time to get to the jungle at the end before returning to Thal for the night.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Broken Asphalt
Day 12 - Kalash Valley
Today we head to the Kalash Valley for a few days via the Lowari Tunnel..
Road: 50/50 Dirt/Broken Asphalt, mainly good Asphalt until Kalash Valley Rd
Day 13 - Excursion in Kalash Valley
Excursion to explore the 3 valleys of Kalash
Road: 100/0 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 14 - Booni
Today we climb to a higher altitude following the Kunar river as we hear to Booni and its lush altitude meadows
Road: 30/70 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 15 - Excursion in Booni
Explore the high meadows of Booni and its surroundings. If we are allowed, explore the valley towards Muligram, this is close to the border with Afghanistan, often not allowed, but we can try.
Road: 30/70 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 16 - Lasht & Mastuj
Explore the valley to Lasht, we will head as far as we can as this valley gets very close to Afghanistan and the Wagah Corridor.
Road: 90/10 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 17 - The Rood of the World
Today we cross “The Roof of the World'', the stunning Shandur Pass with its high-altitude meadows and the world's highest Polo Ground.
Road: 100/0 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 18 - Gilgit
We continue East and towards lower altitudes, we explore the Tasin Valley before heading on to the capital of Baltistan, Gilgit.
Road: 30/70 Dirt/Asphalt
What's Included |
|---|
4x4 Support vehicle to carry your luggage |
Breakfasts |
Detailed Itinerary |
Dinners |
Hotel Accommodation |
Local Tour Guide |
Mechanic |
Motorcycle Hire |
National Park entry fees |
Pakistan VIsa Letter & Support |
Skardu airport transfers |
What's Not |
|---|
Alcohol |
Entrance fees other than mentioned above |
Flights |
Petrol |
Snacks |
Travel Insurance |
Visa |