Karakoram, Baltistan & Shimshal Motorcycle Expedition
16 days / 15 nights · 20 April–5 May 2027
2027 expedition dates
Seasonal access: Khunjerab and Shimshal may be affected by snow, road damage or official restrictions. Flexible lower-altitude alternatives will be used when necessary.
USD 3,000–6,000 per person. The USD 6,000 level applies to a solo rider. The per-person price reduces as the number of paying riders increases. Final pricing depends on group size, rooming, confirmed hotels, flight fares, motorcycle category and operating arrangements.
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Karakoram, Baltistan & Shimshal Motorcycle Expedition
A premium supported expedition linking Baltistan, the Karakoram Highway, Hunza, Khunjerab and remote Shimshal. Domestic flights reduce the long southern road sectors while all meals, heritage accommodation and full riding support are included.
The journey in detail
Day 1 · Arrival in Islamabad
Arrival transfer and expedition briefing covering safety, altitude and the mountain route.
Day 2 · Fly to Skardu and familiarisation ride
Weather-dependent flight to Skardu, motorcycle allocation and a short ride to Manthal Buddha Rock, Satpara Lake and selected viewpoints.
Day 3 · Skardu to Khaplu
Follow the Shyok Valley to Khaplu Palace, Chaqchan Mosque and the historic settlement.
Day 4 · Hushe Valley return ride
Ride into Hushe beneath Masherbrum, Laila Peak, K6 and K7, then return to Khaplu.
Day 5 · Khaplu to Shigar via Sarfaranga
Ride through Baltistan to the Sarfaranga Cold Desert and onward to Shigar Fort.
Day 6 · Shigar to Gilgit
Follow the Indus, pause near the mountain-range junction at Jaglot and visit Kargah Buddha.
Day 7 · Gilgit to Karimabad
Ride beneath Rakaposhi into Hunza and explore Baltit Fort and Karimabad Bazaar.
Day 8 · Central Hunza
Visit Altit Fort and village, then ride to Duikar for wide views across Hunza and Nagar.
Day 9 · Hopper, Attabad and Shishkat
Ride into Hopper Valley, cross the Attabad tunnels and continue through Gulmit to Shishkat.
Day 10 · Upper Hunza exploration
Explore Ghulkin, Hussaini Bridge, Passu and Borith Lake with time for photography and Wakhi community encounters.
Day 11 · Khunjerab Pass and return to Hunza
Ride through Khunjerab National Park to 4,693 metres when snow, road and official access permit.
Day 12 · Hunza to Shimshal Valley
A demanding ride along the cliff-cut road into Shimshal. Final access remains subject to road condition.
Day 13 · Shimshal to Hunza
A relaxed morning precedes the return ride through gorges beside the Shimshal River.
Day 14 · Hunza to Skardu
Complete the major riding circuit through the Indus Valley and return the motorcycles in Skardu.
Day 15 · Fly to Islamabad and visit Taxila
Weather-dependent flight followed, when timing permits, by Taxila Museum and two Gandharan archaeological sites.
Day 16 · Departure
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for the onward departure.
Seasonal access: Khunjerab and Shimshal may be affected by snow, road damage or official restrictions. Flexible lower-altitude alternatives will be used when necessary.
Follow the route day by day.
Each day marker shows its focus. The route line is indicative and roads are confirmed locally.
- Day 1 · Arrival in Islamabad — Arrival transfer and expedition briefing covering safety, altitude and the mountain route.
- Day 2 · Fly to Skardu and familiarisation ride — Weather-dependent flight to Skardu, motorcycle allocation and a short ride to Manthal Buddha Rock, Satpara Lake and selected viewpoints.
- Day 3 · Skardu to Khaplu — Follow the Shyok Valley to Khaplu Palace, Chaqchan Mosque and the historic settlement.
- Day 4 · Hushe Valley return ride — Ride into Hushe beneath Masherbrum, Laila Peak, K6 and K7, then return to Khaplu.
- Day 5 · Khaplu to Shigar via Sarfaranga — Ride through Baltistan to the Sarfaranga Cold Desert and onward to Shigar Fort.
- Day 6 · Shigar to Gilgit — Follow the Indus, pause near the mountain-range junction at Jaglot and visit Kargah Buddha.
- Day 7 · Gilgit to Karimabad — Ride beneath Rakaposhi into Hunza and explore Baltit Fort and Karimabad Bazaar.
- Day 8 · Central Hunza — Visit Altit Fort and village, then ride to Duikar for wide views across Hunza and Nagar.
- Day 9 · Hopper, Attabad and Shishkat — Ride into Hopper Valley, cross the Attabad tunnels and continue through Gulmit to Shishkat.
- Day 10 · Upper Hunza exploration — Explore Ghulkin, Hussaini Bridge, Passu and Borith Lake with time for photography and Wakhi community encounters.
- Day 11 · Khunjerab Pass and return to Hunza — Ride through Khunjerab National Park to 4,693 metres when snow, road and official access permit.
- Day 12 · Hunza to Shimshal Valley — A demanding ride along the cliff-cut road into Shimshal. Final access remains subject to road condition.
- Day 13 · Shimshal to Hunza — A relaxed morning precedes the return ride through gorges beside the Shimshal River.
- Day 14 · Hunza to Skardu — Complete the major riding circuit through the Indus Valley and return the motorcycles in Skardu.
- Day 15 · Fly to Islamabad and visit Taxila — Weather-dependent flight followed, when timing permits, by Taxila Museum and two Gandharan archaeological sites.
- Day 16 · Departure — Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for the onward departure.
Indicative route for journey planning, not field navigation. Seasonal roads, flights and access may change the sequence.
What is planned and what is included.
Accommodation plan
15 nights on the route. Properties and room categories are confirmed in the written proposal.
Journey profile
- Supported motorcycle journey with a guide and route planning.
- Rider requirements and seasonal road decisions are detailed below.
- Exact motorcycle specification and services follow the written quotation.
Clear arrangements from the beginning.
Services included
Not included
International airfare; Pakistan visa fee; mandatory insurance covering motorcycle riding; helmet and personal protective equipment; motorcycle security deposit where applicable; rider-caused damage or repairs; personal expenses, beverages, optional activities and gratuities; and disruption costs beyond confirmed contingency arrangements.
Indicative pricing
USD 3,000–6,000 per person. The USD 6,000 level applies to a solo rider. The per-person price reduces as the number of paying riders increases. Final pricing depends on group size, rooming, confirmed hotels, flight fares, motorcycle category and operating arrangements.
Safety and operating conditions
Flights: Northern domestic flights are weather dependent. An overland contingency may change the sequence and require additional road time.
Khunjerab: The high pass may be restricted by snow, road conditions or official instructions.
Shimshal: The narrow access road includes exposed and rough sections. Participation is subject to rider ability, road condition and the expedition leader’s safety decision.
Motorcycles: 150cc motorcycles are guaranteed. Larger motorcycles are confirmed only when a sufficient, mechanically consistent fleet is available for the complete group.
Useful official resources
Review entry requirements through the Pakistan Online Visa System, learn about the archaeological context through UNESCO’s Taxila information, and explore conservation context through the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency.
Explore more Experience Pakistan journeys
All motorbike journeys · 14-day Karakoram Highway Motorcycle Journey · Hunza and Upper Hunza · Skardu and Baltistan
Plan this expedition
Discuss motorcycle availability, rooming and private group arrangements with our team.
WhatsApp +92 344 5053818Email enquiryPlan this journey.
Discuss dates, motorcycle specifications, rooming and the support plan with our team.
Enquire about this journey