Inclusions
Exclusions
What's it all about?
This is one of the ultimate road trips in the world. Our Karakoram Highway tour will take you from Pakistan’s cultural capital Lahore all the way to the Chinese border area high in the mountains and back again to Islamabad.
The Karakoram Highway was constructed in the 1960s and 70s and is a symbol of the friendship between China and Pakistan. Often, it is considered the eighth wonder of the world. For a very special few days, we will be making our way up into the mountains.
We’ll be driving past lush green hills, raging rivers, deep ravines and incredible high peaks. Along the way, we will make stops for photos and to take in the breath-taking landscape. The highlight will surely be spending plenty of time at the famed Fairy Meadows. We’ll also spend a relaxing day in the Hunza Valley to experience the local life here.
From the Hunza Valley, we’ll head north again to Passu and the famous rope bridge – cross it at your own risk! We’ll then head south to the colorful and vibrant city of Peshawar making stops at Gilgit, Besham, the Swat Valley and finishing in Islamabad.
Choose to extend your stay in the region with an optional extended tour to Afghanistan directly after this tour.
Highlights
Where?
Lahore – Islamabad – Naran – Fairy Meadows – Gilgit Hunza – Passu – Gilgit – Besham – Peshawar – Islamabad
When?
September 26th – October 9th, 2025
Visa?
We will apply for a letter of invitation on your behalf and then you can either apply for the visa at the nearest Pakistan embassy or online.
The Itinerary
Where the Himalaya meets the Karakoram
September 26th | Lahore
- Arrival at your own convenience in Pakistan’s cultural capital – Lahore.
- Airport transfers are provided for all arriving flights.
- Depending on your arrival time we’ll arrange some short sightseeing on this arrival day.
- Dinner and overnight in the Luxus Grand Hotel, Lahore.
September 27th | Lahore
- After breakfast we’ll head out for a full day sightseeing in Lahore
- Badshahi Mosque, Allama Iqbal Tomb, Lahore Fort, Sheesh Mahal, Lahore Museum, Wazir Khan Mosque.
- After a local lunch we’ll visit Shalamar Garden and then drive to the Wagah border to see the iconic flag lowering ceremony on the border with India.
- Dinner overlooking the Badshahi Mosque.
- Overnight in Lahore.
September 28th | Lahore - Islamabad
- Hit the road early and drive to Pakistan’s capital city of Islamabad.
- In the afternoon we’ll visit the enormous Shah Faisal Mosque as well as the Pakistan Monument & Museum.
- Overnight in the Hill View Hotel, Islamabad.
September 29th | Islamabad - Naran - Chillas
- Early start for our drive along the Karakoram Highway.
- We’ll take a detour from the Karakoram Highway, to see an even better part of this specific area. Driving past incredible peaks, right next to Indian Kashmir, we’ll make our way to Naran before continuing to Chillas.
- Overnight in the Indus Lodge, Chilas.
September 30th | Chillas - Fairy Meadows
- After breakfast, we set off for another day of winding roads along the Karakoram highway.
- En route, we’ll see the stunning Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain in the world.
- From Railkot bridge, we’ll take an off-road jeep to Tatto village where we’ll start the trek towards the famed Fairy Meadows – according to most people the most beautiful part in Pakistan, and maybe even in the world!
- Overnight at the Raikot Sarai, Fairy Meadows.
October 1st | Fairy Meadows
- We have a full day around Fairy Meadows to explore the magnificent mountains and do some trekking.
- Overnight in Fairy Meadows at our camp.
October 2nd | Fairy Meadows – Hunza Valley
- Trek back down to Tato village, take a jeep transfer to Raikot bridge and drive to the Hunza Valley via Gilgit,
- En-route stop at the junction point of three great mountain ranges meet, The Korakorum,
Himalya and the Hindukush. - Stop at the Rakaposhi viewpoint.
- On arrival in Karimabad, Hunza – visit Baltit Fort which overlooks the entire valley
- Overnight in the Roomy Hotel, Hunza – Karimabad.
October 3rd | Hunza Valley
- We will have a full day in Hunza to explore life in the valley.
- Visit the ancient Altit fort (900 years old).
- Walk on the high irrigation channels cut into the rock which gives amazing views over the valley.
- Evening drive to Duikar to enjoy the sunset over Hunza.
- Dinner and overnight in Karimabad.
October 4th | Khunjerab - Gilgit
- After breakfast continue along the Karakoram Highway from Karimabad to Khunjerab.
- En route visit Attabad Lake – the 30 km long lake was only formed in 2010 after a massive landslide dammed the mighty Indus River.
- Make a stop at Passu where you can cross the famous rope bridge near the village of Husseini.
- Walk from Gulkin village to Borit Lake onto the Gulkin Glacier.
- Lunch at Borit Lake then drive to the viewpoint of Passu Glacier.
- Evening drive back to Gilgit and overnight.
October 5th | Gilgit - Besham
- After breakfast drive from Gilgit to Besham, en route, we’ll stop at numerous places for snacks and photo ops.
- Arrive in Besham. Dinner and overnight at the Besham Continental Hotel.
October 6th | Besham - Swat - Peshawar
- Morning drive from Besham along a different section of the highway to Peshawar city.
- Lunch on the way in the Swat Valley – an area once controlled by the Pakistani Taliban.
- Continue our drive to Peshawar – a richly Afghan-influenced city
- Photo stop at Bala Hissar Fort.
- Dinner and overnight at the Destination Green Hotel in Peshawar.
October 7th | Peshawar
- After breakfast, it’s a full day of sightseeing in Peshawar.
- Visit to Ghanta Ghar – the iconic clock tower which was presented by Queen Elizabeth.
- Explore Mahabat Khan Mosque – named after the former governor of Peshawar, it was built in 1630 AD during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan – the ruler of the Mughal Empire in India from 1628 until 1658.
- Wander the Qissa Khwani Bazaar for lunch.
- Visit the many street markets and soak up the atmosphere and character of the place.
- Dinner and overnight in Peshawar.
October 8th | Peshawar - Islamabad
- Drive from Peshawar to Islamabad.
- On the way, stop at the Taxila Museum, and the Jualian archaeological sites.
- On arrival in Islamabad, we’ll visit the Fatimah Jinnah Park, Rawal Lake and have an outside view of the Pakistan Parliament and Presidential House.
- Final group dinner.
- Overnight in Islamabad.
October 9th | Islamabad - Departure
- Transfer to airport and end of the Karakoram Highway tour.
- **Optional tour combo** Continue your journey onto Afghanistan on our 10 day epic journey directly following this tour.
*Please note that due to the changing road and weather conditions there can and will be changes to this itinerary throughout the tour. Your tour leader and local guide will always have the final say on the itinerary on the day*
Tour Map
What else?
Tour Notes
You’ll be in the vastly experienced hands of our English speaking local guides & fixer as well as your Rocky Road Travel guide. We visit northern Pakistan regularly, so we know the best spots and have perfected the itinerary accordingly. The itinerary may change slightly, but we will always go above and beyond with added extras to the itinerary such as stops at local cafe-bars, shisha lounges and more. We are also in constant communication with our local partners on the ground who advise the safest routes to take.
Before the tour we will add you to dedicated WhatsApp group so you can chat about the tour and share photos easily with your travel mates. Just let us know is you want to opt out of this.
To book the Karakoram Highway tour, simply hit the button below and start the conversation today.
Looking for a detailed review of this trip? Check out Caroline’s amazing blog here!
Apply for your spot on the tour now or simply request more info below.
Sept 26th - Oct 9th, 2025
Karakoram Highway Tour
Start in Lahore
Start in Pakistan's cultural capital and finish in the official capital.
Premium hotel
14 Days
The price
$2390