Hindu Kush Explorer
High mountain passes, deep valleys, deserts, & open plains of the unique and stunningly beautiful Hindu Kush
Duration
12 Days
Ride Level
Level 4
Sealed/Dirt
%/100%
Distance
~1,900km/3,040miles
Start/Finish
Skardu/Skardu
This tour takes you to some incredibly unique areas of Pakistan that very few people ever visit. This is for riders who want to be immersed in spectacular scenery, explore unique local cultures, and ride challenging roads with a lot of dirt under their tires.
We start the tour in Skardu and explore areas that see very few visitors, foreign or local. We ride some of the great passes such as Shangla & Shandur Passes and explore the valleys of Swat, Kalash, & Lasht to name just a few.
Terrain & Riding: Significant stretches of off-road riding, including loose gravel, mud, shallow water crossings, and steep gradients. Longer days in the saddle require higher stamina, good balance, and confident bike handling on uneven or changing surfaces.
Cultural Experience: Immersive remote travel. You may experience distinct cultural norms, limited English proficiency among locals, basic regional sanitation facilities, and rustic accommodations. Flexibility and an open mind toward local customs are usually required.
Highlights
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Testimonial
Price and Options
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We can run this tour on any date of your choice, subject to the availability of the resources needed (Staff/Bikes/etc). The itinerary can be adjusted, including the number of days, length, road/off-road elements, etc.
The number of participants and itinerary adjustments would detemine the exact pricing per person. Get in touch and let's have a chat.
We can run this with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 riders/participants at the price below
For fewer than the minimum, the price would need to be adjusted
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Itinerary
Day 01 - 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. Take them for a spin around town to get to know your new steed.
In the evening, we will have a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, provide information on logistics, and answer any final questions you may have.
Day 02 - 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.
Day 03 - Besham
We ride to Besham today along the Karakorum Highway, part of the historic Silk Route that brought spices and other goods from China to Europe. The road follows the mighty Indus River to Besham, our overnight stop. We pass and stop ot some of the thousands of Buddhist petroglyphs and inscriptions that line the road. The road is generally sealed for most of the way, so we should be able to make good progress.
Day 04 - Kalam
We leave the Indus River and head over to the Swat Valley via the spectacular Shangla Pass. A stunning mountain pass connecting Swat District with Shangla District.
Expect Breathtaking vistas with views of the Hindu Kush glaciers in the northwest and the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas, which look like a towering wall.
Included
4x4 Support vehicle to carry your luggage
Breakfasts
Dinners
Hotel Accommodation
Local Tour Guide
Mechanic
Motorcycle Hire
National Park entry fees
Pakistan Visa Letter & Support
English-speaking ride leader
Urdu-speaking driver
Skardu airport transfers
Not Included
Alcohol
Flights
Petrol
Snacks
Travel Insurance
Visa
Entrance fees other than those mentioned above
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions
What to Expect
The Ride
Our journey takes us along some of the more remote, challenging, and beautiful areas that very few people ever get to see.
On the first day of riding, we leave Skardu and cross the Deosai National Park, which has been described as a mini Mongolia. With an average altitude of around 4,100m and an area of 853 square kilometres, maybe you will see a Himalayan Wolf, a Snow leopard, or a Himalayan Brown Bear.
We then head on to Besham and ride the incredible Shangla Pass to explore the Swat Valley; think of Shangla as being like Pakistan's version of the Transfăgărășan but with more chaos.
Important Information
Some of the places visited on this trip are on certain governments' lists of places not to go, such as the Swat Valley, Lower Dir (although we only just skirt this), Kalash Valley etc.
We do ride very close to the Afghanistan Border (e.g when in Kalash we are about 5km from Afghanistan), but out of the tribal regions.
It is possible that your travel insurance may be invalid whilst in these regions.
Route
Accomodation
Dinning
12 Dinners are included, which are varied, from local curries to Chinese-influenced dishes and locally inspired dishes
12 Breakfasts are included, which consist primarily of Eggs, Paratha, Toast, Butter & Jam, occasionally Channa or Aloo Bhujia
The traditional cuisine of Gilgit-Baltistan is shaped entirely by its high-altitude landscape and rugged mountain climate. Unlike the heavily spiced, oil-rich dishes found in central Pakistan, traditional food here is subtle, organic, and deeply comforting.
The cooking focuses on preserving natural flavours using local mountain herbs, whole wheat, barley, dairy products, and mountain-grown fruits like apricots and walnuts.
Because winters in the region are long and severe, many traditional dishes are designed to be nutrient-dense, warming, and packed with energy.
News
We periodically send out a newsletter, maybe 2 to 4 times a year, to share important updates about new tours, dates, service offers, and training/coaching opportunities. Please complete the form on the right if you would like to stay informed.
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