Through the eyes of our travellers
We will begin our tour in Pakistan’s green capital, Islamabad, nestled between the Margalla hills. It is at once a bustling urban town with restaurants full of foreign diplomats and journalists, and wide boulevards that lead to the mountains beyond the city.
We will explore Islamabad on our motorcycles to get you accustomed to riding in Pakistan and learn some of the local words (and swear words to vent any frustration on the roads!) before we head up to Murree, a famous old hill station that once popular with the British for its close proximity to the city, its tall pines, colonial architecture, and winding roads. It’ll be a short, easy ride the first day so everyone can ease into riding on the “wrong” side of the road and get comfortable on their motorcycles. The next day, it’s a straight shot to Naran, the gateway to the world’s biggest mountain ranges – all within a stone’s throw from the edge of the town.
We’ll make our way across the first high pass- Babusar Pass- and will test our bikes as they climb up to 13,700 ft. It is a breath-taking mountainside ride, with surprises at every turn. Slowly, we’ll make our way through the historical city of Hunza and up the Khunjurab pass, climbing up to 15,400 ft to the China-Pakistan Border. The Karakoram Highway is the highest paved international road in the world and although it is 100% perfectly paved tarmac, it will prove to be a challenge even for the skilled rider.
By the time you reach this place, you will have experienced local flavors, local culture, and Pakistan’s world famous hospitality. As we return to Islamabad, your days in the mountains will have changed everything you thought you knew about Pakistan, and you will leave knowing that one day you will be back for more.
It’ll be your first day on the motorcycle in Pakistan so we leave early in the morning to beat the traffic and get into the mountains. Breakfast is going to be one of those hidden gems on the side of the road and you’ll get to ride along the famous Kunhar River, We try our best to stay at a family-run guest houses/hotels for a more personalized experience.
Naran is known to be the entry point to the mountains, you get to cross Babusar Pass 13,700ft one of the most spectacular high passes in the country. You finally get a chance to ride the world-famous Karakoram Highway today!
Gilgit is home to a few ancient buddha sites and we will pay a visit to Karga Buddah before riding up to the jewel of the country, Hunza. A lot of Fruit sellers on the way, don’t shy away from stopping over and picking up some fresh apples or cherries for us! Get to Hunza, relax and go for a stroll around Karimabad.
Hunza has a lot to offer, one of the most vibrant bazaars in GB has to be the Karimabad Bazaar. From old ancient jewels, to hand made handicrafts, silk carpets, and clothes. Karimabad is also home to the famous Walnut cake at Cafe de Hunza. A lot of history too so you’ll be visiting some 1000-year-old forts too. My favorite is the all-women furniture factory, Hunza has a 95% literacy rate, one of the highest in the country
An exhilarating ride up Karakorum highway to the Pakistan/China Border, 15,400ft above sea level is a real treat to experience on 2 wheels. You might also get lucky and see the super rare Markhor, Ibex or even the snow leopard.
Rest up at the hotel or have a fun day off the bike. Swim Borith Lake, walk across the super sketchy suspension bridge, lay in the sun and stare at the Passu Cones, hang with the locals and collect wood for the bonfire tonight.
An easy short day on the road as the next day is going to be a long day! To Gilgit its a 3-hour ride, so you have a chance to visit the Karimabad, Hunza Bazaar one last time or have a coffee at Cafe De Hunza.
Tracing the ride back to Islamabad, we get to cross the spectacular 13,700ft high Babusar Pass from the chillas side this time around. Your bikes will want to give up, you will have to have superb throttle control with a perfect fuel and oxygen mix to push you up the steep road from this side of Babusar. It’s a fun and safe challenge for all the riders, it’ll also help you appreciate your EFI bike back home.
Last day on this familiar road is fun, we’ll stop a few times for snacks and chai. Get ready, it will get hot on this day and you’ll have to control your excitement as most crashes on our tours happen on the last day.
Please visit https://visa.nadra.gov.pk for complete information.
General riding gear (Helmet, jacket, pants, shoes, and gloves) Jeans, long and short-sleeved T-shirts, riding shoes or boots, gloves. For summer weather, some long sleeve white T-Shirts are a great idea. You will have the opportunity to put a pack in the chase vehicle, so you have some room for error in how much you pack. Mornings and evenings can be brisk. Some windbreaker/gear is easy and great to have. Some cash for personal expenses like shopping, laundry, snacks, etc. We can change currencies for you, please make sure to let us know beforehand.
Common items to include in your packing list:
– Motorcycle Gear (Head to Toe)
– Sunglasses
– Camera
– Base layers are must-have for our winter tours
– Windbreaker/gear as needed per tour/season
– Sense of adventure
– SPF 50 Sun Block
The Visa process sometimes takes up to 2 months for Pakistan so we suggest getting your visa as soon as possible. If you have a visa, you need to book a tour with us at least a month in advance so we can prepare properly for you.
We recommend you to arrive two days before the tour begins. We want you to wear off your jet lag, and be fresh for the adventurous journey ahead.
Absolutely, we give special 15% discounts for pillion riders or they can always hop on one of our vehicles following the riders.
Mini Van / Passenger Van: We can arrange for the passengers to have their own passenger minivan that they can drive trailing the group if they want. That way they can either ride on the back of the bike, or they can all ride together in their party van depending on weather, and how much they want to be on the bike. They just take turns driving if the others are on the bikes.
Riding days can vary from as little as 150 km to 350 km per day, depending on the trip you choose. In the twisty Himalayas or the Karakoram range a 300 km day can easily take up to 7 hours at times due to ferry crossings, side excursions, or other activities depending on the trip you choose, so just keep in mind that we design itineraries that make full use of your vacation time, and it would be difficult to get bored at any time.
The simple rule is: Anything is possible, so prepare accordingly. Riding season in Pakistan starts in May and ends around mid-October. It’s generally great weather to be in the Himalayas but the winds can suddenly change and short storms can hit us out of nowhere. So bring your rain gear, bring a summer mesh jacket for hot days plus a warm layer or two.
Also, it depends on the month and location that you choose a trip in, as we have a wide list of options and are growing all the time. There’s a wide range of weather possibilities on some trips. If you want to make sure you’re choosing a trip that suits your hopes for the weather, please be sure to Contact Us and we’ll help you make a “statistically wise” choice.
Yes, a valid operator’s license from your home country specifically with the motorcycle endorsement is necessary and will be confirmed at the starting point of your tour. This is not only for legal & insurance reasons but also for the safety of yourself and the people on the road with you.
This answer actually does not vary from tour to tour, as we at ADA hope you are in excellent physical and mental condition anytime you plan on riding a motorcycle. As with other topics, let’s discuss what shape you’re in and the type of tour you’re planning on to make sure there’s a match. However, our “approval” of your condition does not take the place of a trusted doctor’s evaluation, which is something we strongly encourage you to seek before any tour or rental. Also, we recommend you to arrive two days earlier than a tour date to Avoid Jet Lag.
No. Your tour begins in Islamabad on the day of the tour. We have found that this is really the best option for you. Arrangements can be made for extra hotel accommodations, upon request. The hotels we use on the first and last day of the tour are usually close to the airport. In most situations and tours, there will be a shuttle to shuttle you to or from the airport. We suggest arriving a couple of days early, and leaving a couple of days after the tour so you have time to rest before and after the tour. We can help you book these for you.
If you have any other questions then please Contact Us
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