HINDU KUSH EXPLORER
PAKISTAN
Explore the Hindu Kush, ride high mountain passes, deep valleys and the open plains of the Himalayan Foothills
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.
QAQLASHT MEADOWS, CHITAL
HIGHLIGHTS
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 kilometers, 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 Sgangla as being like Pakistan's dirt road version of the Transfăgărășan but with more chaos.
We explore the more interesting offshoot valleys of Swat for a few days before we head over to the incredible Kalash Valley, populated by the Kalasha tribe, who have a unique Animism-based belief system. We spend a couple of days here to allow you time to explore the 3 Kalasha valleys of Bumburet, Acholgah, & Rumbur.
Next, we visit the high-altitude meadows around Booni & the Lasht valley before we head on over the Shandur Pass at 3,700m, locally known as the "Roof of the World", this area is populated by the Whaki people who are a unique Iranian Ethnic group and speak their own "Khik zik" language.
We finish by visiting Gilgit, the capital of the region with its Bazaar before returning to Skardu for a well-earned farewell feast.
ROUTE
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 - Deosai Plains National Park (~140km)
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 03 - Besham (~260km)
We have an early start down from Fairy Meadows by Jeep to pick up the bikes and ride to Besham today. We follow the mighty Indus River the whole way from Riakot Bridge, the road is generally sealed for most of the way.
Road: 10/90 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 04 - Shangla Pass (~140km)
We leave the Indus River and head towards the Swat River via the spectacular Shangla Pass.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 05 - Swat Valley (80km)
We explore the Northern Swat Valley and visit Mahondand Lake, returning to Kalam.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Broken Asphalt
Day 06 - Kumrat Valley (80km)
Today we ride the stunning Badgoi pass to Thal and on to 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 07 - Kalash Valley (172km)
An early start today as 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 08 - Excursion in Kalash Valley
Free day to explore the 3 valleys of Kalash at your leisure.
Road: 100/0 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 09 - Booni (114km)
Today we climb to a higher altitude following the Kunar river as we hear to Booni where we will explore its lush green Qaqlasht high-altitude meadows
Road: 60/40 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 10 - Shandur Pass - The Rood of the World (121km)
Today follow the road east over the “The Roof of the World'', the stunning Shandur Pass with its high-altitude meadows, the world's highest Polo Ground, and the source of the Gilgit River. Our overnight stop will be in the beautiful Phaner Valley
Road: 100/0 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 11 - Gilgit (170km)
We continue East following the ever-growing Gilgit River and down to lower altitudes, if we have time we may be able to explore a little of the Yasin Valley before continuing to the capital of Baltistan, Gilgit.
Road: 80/20 Dirt/Asphalt
Day 12 - Skardu
We ride back to Skardu via the main Gilgit Skardu Road where we will have a goodbye feast in the evening, and reminisce on all the things we have seen and done..
Road: 10/900 Broken Asphalt/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 |
Rider Leader |
Skardu airport transfers |
Welcome Dinner and farewell celebration feast |
What's Not |
|---|
Alcohol |
Entrance fees other than mentioned above |
Flights |
Petrol |
Snacks |
Travel Insurance |
Visa |