Karakoram Highway

This article is an itinerary.

The Karakoram Highway (also spelled Karakorum) runs between Western China and Pakistan (through disputed Kashmir). It is one of the very few routes that cross the Himalayas and the most westerly of them. Following the KKH is considered to be one of the classic journeys of the travel world.

Culture and History

Historically, this was a caravan trail, one branch of the ancient Silk Road. More recently, the Chinese and Pakistani governments have built a highway.

It is the highest border crossing in the world, over 4800 meters (roughly 16,000 feet) in the Khunjerab Pass at the border. For comparison, the pass is higher than:

• Mont Blanc, tallest mountain in Western Europe
• Mount Whitney, highest point in the 48 contiguous United States.

It may be the ultimate challenge for the devoted cyclist. There are organized bicycle tours, and several books about bicycling this route. Unfortunately the border is not open for cyclists. Everybody has to board the bus in either Tashkurgan (China) or Sost (Pakistan). From the Pakistani side you CAN cycle up to the pass, but not over it. You will have to return to Sost to take the bus.

Prepare

Choose your time carefully. The highway is closed to tourists for part of the winter and the desert area at its northern end can be very hot in summer.

Travel to Karakoram Highway - Visa Requirements

The usual jumping off points are Kashgar on the Chinese end or Gilgit in Pakistan. You can take a PIA flight or bus from Gilgit to Islamabad the capital of Pakistan.

Route

The highway passes the Hunza Valley The Hunza was the original Shangri La that inspired the novel (and later movie). Hunza is known for its orchards, moderate Islam, welcoming hospitality and beautiful scenery.

Karakoram Highway cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• Serena Hotel, Gilgit, [1].  
• Hunza Baltit inn, Hunza_Valley, [2].  
• Shigar Fort Residence, Shigar Valley in Skardu Valley, [3].  
• Shangrila Resort, Near Shangrila lake, also called Kachura lake, [4]. Place of complete bliss and delight and peace 
• K2 Motel, In Skardu. There is also a museum on K2 expedition near the motel 
• PTDC Motel, Chilas, [5].  
• PC Bhurban, Near Murree in Bhurban, on your way to Islamabad from Karakoram Highway, [6]. is a five star holiday resort 
• Marco Polo inn, Gulmit Village in Hunza Valley(Along Karakoram Highway), [7]. checkout: 12 noon. The Gulmit museum, full of traditional ethnic artifacts is part of the Marco Polo Inn. 

Stay safe

There is considerable risk of altitude sickness on this route. Weather can be extreme and much of the territory is fairly wild and remote.

Get out

This page was last edited by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Hotels Combined, Evan Prodromou and Todd VerBeek, Wikitravel user(s) Pashley and WindHorse and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license