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.
We’re excited. It’s day one. You wake up to the fresh valley air of Pakistan’s famed capital, Islamabad and before the sun comes up, we’re already out of the city, riding up mountain roads till we stop for lunch along the banks of the famous Kunhar River. From there on, we ride to the mountain resort of Naran and call it a day.
Naran is our doorway to the mountains, and from here on we follow breathtaking roads along a river that leads us to Babusar Pass. We’ll push our bikes up 13,700 ft and you’ll get your first taste of riding one of the highest paved roads in the world- the Karakorum Highway. This is one of the tour’s longest riding stretches at about 7 hours, and we stop for the night at Gilgit, an ancient city along the old Silk Road.
Gilgit-Baltistan is home to ancient Buddha sites, where we will stop for light sightseeing and photographs. After a visit to Karga Buddha, we ride up to Pakistan’s crown jewel: Hunza, famed for its fruit orchards and its gentle people. Don’t shy away from stopping at fresh fruit stalls along the ride for the best cherries, apricots and apples you’ve ever had- some of them straight off the hanging branches!
Hunza has a lot to offer, and it’ll be hard to make you leave. The Karimabad Bazaar- one of the most vibrant bazaars in the entire province- boasts stunning indigenous finds. From antique jewelry to silk carpets and traditional embroideries, it’s going to be a blast from the past through quaint shops on the hill. We’ll take a trip to the Altit and Baltit forts, built over a thousand years ago, and if you’re a foodie, save some room for dessert because Karimabad is home to Café de Hunza’s famous walnut cake.
Hunza defies every stereotype of an emerging economy, with a 95% literacy rate and an empowered population of businesswomen including an all women-run furniture factory. The homes are quaint and humble, the traditions are ancient and respectful of culture… but don’t challenge anybody to a knowledge duel- you won’t win. We’ll take a tour through one of the schools and meet the educators, and students, who have made Hunza the extraordinary place it is.
We’ll hit the Karakorum Highway once more, riding all the way up to the Pakistan-China border- the Khunjerab pass which stands at a majestic 15,400 ft making it the world’s highest international border. If you’re fortunate, you’ll get to see a Markhor, an Ibex or a snow leopard- all rare sightings. Bring your own binoculars if you’re feeling lucky.
This is going to be a relaxing, short day on the road and will be your last chance to hit the bazaar one more time for a final bargain on a rug (or a slice of the walnut cake). It’s important to take it easy here because the next day is going to be a challenging one.
It’s going to get bumpy! The road has been under construction for over a year, and though it’s now a far wider road than it was not so long ago, it’s still wild and exhilarating riding so close along the raging Indus River. A heavy breakfast before leaving Gilgit will be VERY important and we’ll be taking lots of snacks along because getting lunch on the road will be tough.
Skardu is packed full of history and adventure, and home to a spectacular cold desert. Summiteers and mountaineers looking to conquer Pakistan’s massive peaks all land in Skardu as a starting point for their excursions. There’s climbing fever everywhere you go, with bazaars loaded with expedition gear, and some of the shopkeepers famous mountaineers themselves! If it’s a cloudless night, the stars will take your breath away.
Deosai Plains, known as the land of giants, is the world’s second highest alpine plateau with an average elevation of over 13,500 ft. It is almost impossible to describe riding along its vast, infinite stretch- an experience so humbling, it will bring even the toughest riders to an emotional brink. It is a land of legend and story-telling, and the shepherds you’ll meet along the way will give you your fill of ancient folk tales.
We’ll take a rest day in Rama, surrounded by green meadows and an 8000 meter peak, Nanga Parbat, the western anchor of the great Himalayas. Rama Lake is just 15 minutes away- a fun short ride with gorgeous views.
We head back over Babusar Pass one more time. Climbing up the pass from this end is challenging and steep, but a new paved road makes it both fun and doable.
One last day of riding through the hustle and bustle of mountain towns, we will finally go through Pakistan’s favorite northern getaway, Nathia Gali, packed full of posh mountain homes. From there, we ride down to Islamabad and get a night’s sleep, hopefully brimming with more stories to share than we have time.
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.
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