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. We’ll head towards Rama Lake and take a break next to its quiet blue. Sometimes, you can opt to join the local boys in a game of cricket, or get lost for a while between the oak trees off the beaten path.
From Rama, we’ll pass the Deosai Plains, the land of giants- the second highest plains in the world. Words cannot describe the extraordinary scale and vastness of this place, the still clouds hanging over the endless green horizon. We’ll ride all the way to Skardu, a city of many great adventures and the landing spot for some of the world’s biggest thrill-seekers. All the big 8000-meter peak expeditions begin in Skardu and you get to bump into really cool high altitude alpinists readying to summit. There’s a bazaar packed full of mountaineering treasures and stories of shopkeepers who are mountaineers themselves.From Skardu, We’ll ride the Jewel, the road connecting Skardu to Gilgit. 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 motorist.
By the time you reach this place, you will have experienced local flavor, 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 travelling, 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.
An easy short day on the road as the next day is going to be a long day!
The road is under construction for over a year now, so get ready for a bumpy ride, although they have widen the road
quite a bit, it’s still an experience to ride alongside the mighty Indus river. Take lots of snacks with you because you
getting lunch on the road is rare, Heavy breakfast before you leave Gilgit and a bunch of snacks for the road will help you
get to Skardu.
Skardu has a lot of history, all the world class climbers land in skardu before climbing the world’s biggest mountains. All
the major expeditions start from skardu so you usually bump into famous climbers here. Gazing at the stars.
You’ll be crossing the second highest plateau in the world, Deosai Plains also known as the Land of the Giants is a high-
altitude alpine plain with an average elevation of over 13,500Ft. above sea level.
A rest day in Rama is a must, surrounded by green meadows and a 8000ner Nanga Parbat right in front of you is quite a
site. Rama Lake just 15 minutes away is also a fun short ride with gorgeous views
We head back to over Babusar Pass 13,700ft one more time. Climbing up Babusar Pass from this end is challenging as it
gets quite steep however the super nice paved road makes it really fun.
One last day of riding through the hustle bustle of Abbottabad, we go through Nathia Gali before entering Islamabad.
Rest, shop, eat, sleep. It’s your last day in beautiful Pakistan. We’ll take you to the airport and leave you with a lifetime of incredible memories.
Please visit https://visa.nadra.gov.pk for complete information.
General riding gear, which includes a helmet, jackets, pants, shoes and gloves, jeans, long and short-sleeved T-shirts, riding shoes or boots, and gloves. For summer, long-sleeved T-shirts are a great idea. You will have the opportunity to keep a small pack in our chase vehicle, so you’ll have some margin for error if you end up packing too much. Mornings and evenings can be chilly. Some windbreaker gear is great and easy to carry. Bring cash for any personal expenses like shopping, laundry or snacks. 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-HAVES for winter tours
– Windbreaker/ gear as needed per tour/ season
– SPF 50 Sun Block
– Hand Sanitizer
The visa process can sometimes take up to two months for Pakistan so we suggest getting your visa as soon as possible. If you already have a visa, you will need to book a tour with us at least a month in advance so we can prepare properly for you.
We recommend you arrive two days before the tour begins, so you can wear off your jet lag, and be fresh for the adventure ahead!
Absolutely! We give a 15% discount for pillion riders or they can always hop into one of our vehicles and follow the riders.
We can also arrange for passenger minivans that can be driven to trail the group if they want. That way, non-riders can either be on the back of the bike, or can all ride together in their party van depending on the weather, and how much they want to be on the bike.
Riding days can vary from as little as 150 km to 350 km per day, depending on the tour you choose. In the twisty Himalayas or the Karakoram range, a 300 km day can easily take up to 7 hours due to ferry crossings, side excursions etc., depending on the trip you choose. Keep in mind that we design itineraries that make full use of your vacation time, and it will be difficult to get bored at any point.
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.
There could be a wide range of weather possibilities on some particular tours depending on location and season. 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 better suited 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, contact us and let’s discuss what shape you’re in and the type of tour you’re planning on to make sure it’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.
No. Your tour begins in Islamabad on the day of the tour and ends when we get back. 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 take 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 book these hotels and figure out the transport for these days.
– 10% discount for a group of 4.
– 15% discount for a group of 6.
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