Explore the Traditions in Hindukush Mountains

Arrive in Skardu, the start and finish point for this three-week expedition. Settle in and take your motorcycle for a shakedown ride before the itinerary heads south into the Hindu Kush tomorrow.

Open the expedition on Deosai's high plateau, 3,000 km² of near-treeless grassland above 4,000m, and home to the Himalayan brown bear in summer. Take in Sadpara Lake, Kala Pani, Bara Pani and Sheosar Lake before descending to Astore.

The longest single transfer of the trip, dropping from alpine altitude down through Raikot, Chilas and Dasu to the warm river plains near Besham, a ten-hour day best broken up by stops at Raikot Bridge and the Indus River viewpoint.

Turn into the Swat Valley, long nicknamed the "Switzerland of Pakistan," riding over Shangla Top and through Bahrain's riverside bazaars on the way to Kalam.

A day trip through Usho Forest to Mahodand Lake, with Falak Sar's snow ridge in view. Stop at Matiltan and Saifullah lakes before returning to Kalam for a second night.

Cross Badgoi Pass at 3,523m via Thal into Kumrat, one of the most densely forested and least developed valleys in the Hindu Kush, where deodar trees run right down to the riverbank.

Ride via Upper Dir and Lowari Pass into Chitral district and down into Kalash Valley through Ayun Village, arriving at one of South Asia's most distinct living cultures.

A full day among the Kalasha people, whose pre-Islamic religion and traditions survive nowhere else on earth. Visit the Kalash Museum and the traditional Madawjaw Dur burial ground, and spend time learning about daily life in the valley.

Head north through Ayun and Chitral town, with Tirich Mir's 7,708m summit, the highest in the Hindu Kush, dominating the skyline for much of the ride to Booni.

Climb to the flat-topped Shandur Pass, home to the world's highest polo ground, with Buni Zom (6,542m) tracking the ride most of the way, before descending to Phander for the night.

Descend through Gupis, following the Ghizer and Gilgit rivers past Phander and Khalti lakes, a long day that marks the transition from Hindu Kush culture into Karakoram Highway territory for the second half of the expedition.

Join the Karakoram Highway proper, riding to Hunza with Rakaposhi (7,788m) as a constant backdrop. Explore Altit Fort and Karimabad Bazaar in the evening.

Ride via Hopar, where the glacier reaches close to the road, through the Pak-China Friendship Tunnel and past Attabad Lake's turquoise water, crossing Hussaini Suspension Bridge before reaching Passu.

Take on the cliffside Shimshal road, consistently ranked among the world's most dangerous, past the granite towers of Passu Cones. The isolated village at the end rewards the effort with genuine, unhurried hospitality.

Ride via Sost to Chapursan Valley, ending at the last village on this stretch of the Karakoram Highway corridor. Stop at Baba Ghundi Ziarat, a shrine of pilgrimage for generations of local families.

Head south again, via Gulmit Village and a second pass through Karimabad Bazaar, back to Gilgit, the last overnight before turning east toward Skardu and the expedition's final chapter.

Retrace the Indus back to Skardu, with the Haramosh massif and Himalayan valleys in view for most of the ride. Stop at Astak Nala and Shangrila Lake before a night's rest ahead of the trip's final push.

Head deep into Baltistan to Askole, the last motorable village before the trekking trail to K2 base camp, the world's second-highest mountain. Stop at the restored Shigar Fort and Blind Lake on the way, the road gets rougher and the villages sparser the closer you get.

A full rest day in one of Pakistan's most remote inhabited villages. Walk through Askole, visit the local school and meet students and teachers, and spend free time on photography, this is as far from anywhere as the tour goes.

Retrace the route out of Baltistan's high valleys back to Skardu, stopping once more at Sarfaranga Cold Desert, a striking contrast after two days among Askole's glacier-fed terrain.

A gentle final full day. Ride out to Chunda Valley's apricot and apple orchards for a relaxed close to three weeks on the road, with time in the evening to pack at your own pace.

A final morning with time to explore Kharpocho Fort's viewpoint over Skardu town if you wish, before transferring to Skardu Airport for your departure flight.