day 1: Islamabad

Fly from London/Manchester to Islamabad

Accommodation:

day 2: Islamabad

A day spent either visiting the Shah Faisal Mosque (the biggest in Asia) or experience the bazaars of Rawalpindi.

Accommodation:

day 3: Islamabad to Gilgit

After an early breakfast we will try and take a flight to Gilgit

day 4: Gilgit

We spend the day acclimatising in Gilgit. People have the option of visiting the incredible Kargah Buddha.

day 5: Gilgit to Ghulmit

Not long after we leave Gilgit we cross over the longest suspension bridge in Asia, spanning a impressive 180 meters. The road climbs slowly passing a few small villages before we start to witness the huge spiral of Rakaposhi looming in the distance. The road goes so close to it's base that it is hidden most of the way, it is only when we arrive at our small family guest house at Ghulmit that we really witness the true beauty of Rakaposhi.

Accommodation: Guest house
Cycling distance:80km

day 6: Ghulmit and Gulmit

Cyclists from all over the world come to the Karakoram simply because it offers some of the most exhilarating and scenic bike rides on the Planet. The Karakoram highway is at its most spectacular between Ghulmit and Gulmit. The road rides high on the eastern side of the river, twisting and turning around the barren foot of the Hispar Range, which boasts six peaks over 7,000 metres (23,000 feet). On the opposite bank, villages cling implausibly to the side of the 7,388 metre (24,240 foot) Ultar Mountain. Above we see that the jagged teeth along the ridge hide the highest snow-covered peaks from view. We will stop for lunch after one of the hardest parts to our trip, a steep 15km climb from a Ganesh. After lunch we will continue on until we reach Gulmit where we will rest our tired bones.

Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling distance:70km

day 7: Gulmit to Sust

About 2 Km outside Gulmit we witness the rock and gravel covered Ghilkin Glacier as it almost touches the road. The road then climbs for about 8km. As we cycle you catch intermittent glimpses of glaciers, precipices and gleaming snow white peaks. The 10km descent to Passu brings us directly in front of the incredible Passu Glacier after which we head to Sust, the last town before China.

Accommodation:Guest house
Cycling distance:47km

day 8: Sust to Barkhum

The big one! Today we start a two-day climb to the top of the Khunjerab Pass (Altitude is the challenge here not distance). On our first day the road climbs 900 metres through deep gorges high above the Khunjerab River. Camp is set up at Barkhum 35 km before the pass.  

Accommodation:Guest house
Cycling distance: 55km

day 9: Barkhum - Khunjerab pass to Sost

We start after an early breakfast with a relatively easy 18 km climb, the hard part is the last 17 km of switch backs to the top of this 4730 metre pass. It was only in 1986 that tourists were allowed to cross the Kunjerab Pass. It is the highest border in the world, separating not just 2 countries but 2 of the world’s major mountain ranges, the Pamir and the Karakoram. From the pass we have a more relaxing day riding mostly downhill to Sost, only 35km away. We should arrive mid-afternoon then rest before exploring this amazing area.

Accommodation: Guest house
Cycling distance:125 km

day 10: Passu

Today people have the choice to rest and recuperate and absorb the magic of this dramatic area, we have aneasy 35km ride to Passu where you can take a guide and hike to Batura Glacier, said to be the Worlds' largest outside the Polar region (spanning 60km). Another option being a half days' expedition to Dut in the stunning Shimshal Valley, truly a beautiful days riding!

Accommodation:Guest house
Cycling distance: 35km

day 11: Passu to Karimabad

Today we cycle to Karimabad, the capital of Hunza. The road climbs and falls as the terrain dictates, but finally it reveals, the Ultra peaks still unclimbed and the Granite spiral known locally as Lady Finger

Accommodation : Hotel
Cycling distance:53km

day 12: Karimabad

We have 3 choices:
1. Explore this enchanting village, visit the 13th Century Baltit Fort or see the Sacred Rocks of Hunza.
2. Trek to Ultra Meadows with guide.
3. Cycle to Hopper in the Nagar Valley.

Accommodation:Hotel

day 13: Karimabad to Manipin

This is the most tranquil day of cycling, 25km downhill through scenes of unparallel beauty. We start with a steep 2km descent to Ganesh where we again join the KKH. From there we can observe the mighty peak of Diran (7,270m). After cycling through small villages shaded by Poplar trees we finally cross the Hunza river where we again leave the KKH and follow on an unpaved 3km road Manipin

Accommodation: Guest house
Cycling distance:32km

day 14: Manipin to Gilgit

Our last days cycling presents something of a challenge, as we continue to descend to Gilgit we will have the opportunity to cross the KKH at Nomal. This crossing on a precarious footbridge will give us the chance to travel the original Caravan route of the Silk Road.

Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling distance: 83km

day 15: Gilgit

A rest day...time to park the bikes up and spend a little time in Gilgit. We spend the day chillin' and possibly browsing for souvenirs in it's colourful Bazaars.

Accommodation Hotel

day 16: Gilgit to Islamabad

Transport back to Islamabad

Accommodation Hotel

day 17: Home

Transfer to airport for our flight home...