Discover Silk Road and the Coldest Desert in the World
Follow a modern route along the old Silk Road, by private coach from Islamabad through the Kaghan Valley and over Babusar Pass to Gilgit, then by motorcycle along the Karakoram Highway to Khunjerab Pass, 4,693m above sea level and the highest paved international border on earth. Along the way: the cliff-edge Shimshal road, rated among the most dramatic in the world, and a night beside Pakistan's own cold desert in Skardu.
- Khunjerab Pass (4,693m) ,the world's highest paved border crossing
- Shimshal Valley ,one of the most dangerous roads on earth
- Babusar Pass (4,173m) and the Kaghan Valley by private coach
- Choice of 150cc, 250cc or 450cc motorcycle for the riding leg
Tour Facts & Quick Info
Watch Our Virtual Expedition Video Guide
Embark on a virtual journey along the winding asphalt. Our video showcases the raw vertical peaks and the luxury comfort setups our adventurers experience.
Route Briefing & Altitude Tips
Visual map of our itinerary stops.
Acreage & Landscape Previews
Unedited high-definition footage.
Safety Protocols & Ride Controls
Learn about our certified mechanics and support.
Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad
Arrive at Islamabad International Airport, where the team meets you for the short transfer to your hotel. Settle in over a welcome dinner and a briefing on the route ahead — the first two days cover ground by coach before the motorcycles come out in Gilgit.
Day 2: Coach to Naran via Kaghan Valley
Leave the plains behind on a scenic coach journey into the Kaghan Valley. The road climbs steadily through pine forest and past Balakot, with a stop at Kiwai Waterfall before Shogran Valley's high meadows come into view. Arrive in Naran, the valley's alpine hub, in time for dinner.
Day 3: Coach to Gilgit over Babusar Pass
Today's drive is one of the highlights of the whole trip: past Lulusar Lake and over Babusar Pass at 4,173m, close to the point where the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges converge — with Nanga Parbat visible in the distance on a clear day. Descend into Gilgit for the evening.
Day 4: Ride to Hunza
Collect your motorcycle in Gilgit and set off along the Karakoram Highway, one of the great road trips of the world, toward Hunza Valley. Stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint for a clear line of sight to the 7,788m peak, then explore Karimabad Bazaar and the centuries-old Altit Fort before settling in for the night.
Day 5: Ride to Passu via Hopar
Ride north via Hopar, where the glacier comes right down to the valley floor, and pass through the Pak-China Friendship Tunnel — a striking piece of Karakoram Highway engineering. Cross the wooden planks of Hussaini Suspension Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in Pakistan, before reaching Passu beside the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake.
Day 6: Ride to Khunjerab Pass (Chinese Border)
Ride to the top of the Karakoram Highway and the Pakistan–China border. Past the iconic Passu Cones and through Sost, the last Pakistani town, the road climbs into Khunjerab National Park to the pass itself — 4,693m above sea level, the highest paved international border crossing on the planet, complete with the world's highest ATM. Return to Passu for the night.
Day 7: Ride to Shimshal, One of the World's Most Dangerous Roads
Today is for riders who want a genuine off-road test. The track to Shimshal Valley is carved into a sheer cliff face above the Hunza River, with no guardrail and long drops — regularly ranked among the most dangerous roads in the world. The village itself, isolated for centuries, rewards the effort with some of the warmest hospitality in the Karakoram. Ride back down to Minapin for the night.
Day 8: Ride to Skardu
Leave Minapin and ride toward Skardu, following the Indus River with the Haramosh massif and Himalayan valleys as a backdrop for most of the day. Stop at the Indus River viewpoint and Sarfaranga Cold Desert — the golden dunes that give this tour its "coldest desert in the world" reputation — before a final stop at Shangrila Lake.
Day 9: Flight to Islamabad
Take the short, scenic domestic flight from Skardu back to Islamabad — one of the world's most spectacular commercial flight routes on a clear day, passing close to Nanga Parbat. Spend the afternoon in the capital visiting the Lok Virsa Museum and the striking modernist Faisal Mosque before a farewell dinner.
Day 10: Departure
A relaxed final morning at leisure to pack and reflect on the ride before transferring to Islamabad Airport for your onward flight.
✅ What's Included (✔️)
- Letter of Invitation (visa support)
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned coach for Days 1–3
- Motorcycle for the riding leg (Suzuki GS 150 / Yamaha TTR 250 / Kove 450 Rally)
- Basic spare parts and backup support vehicle
- On-tour mechanic for motorcycle repairs
- Professional, experienced tour leader
- Hotel accommodation, twin sharing (standard category)
- All three meals daily, with varied menus
- Crew food and accommodation expenses
- Bonfire, music night and BBQ evening
- Pillion transport (optional, on request)
❌ What's Excluded (✘)
- Anything not listed above
- Sightseeing entry tickets
- Motorcycle fuel
- Tips for driver and guide
- Personal expenses of any kind
- Extra costs from road blocks or natural disasters
- River rafting, boating or horse riding
- Personal travel insurance
Traveler Stories
Professional, properly planned riding trip, open for custom routes and carefully timed. Good bike, good mechanic, good route planning by David and Salman. The hotel was nice, and every need was handled.
Good bike, good staff. Be careful driving on sand.
Very good — a great experience with Salman, Hussin and David. Very recommended.
Great deals and a really good journey with this company. Recommended.
Epic!
It's wide enough at most points for two vehicles to pass, though a few short stretches require careful, single-file driving under guidance from your rider or driver.
Not usually. We park at the pass and walk slowly to keep oxygen levels stable, and ambulance services are stationed nearby in case of an emergency.
Private. We use a dedicated 20-seater coach reserved exclusively for the tour group — you won't be sharing with the public.
Two: Babusar Pass at 4,173m by coach, and Khunjerab Pass at 4,693m by motorcycle — the world's highest paved international border.
The riding leg begins in Gilgit on Day 4 and ends in Skardu on Day 8; Days 1–3 and 9–10 are by coach and domestic flight.