Through the eyes of our travellers
Come May 2023, Kiki Azim and Rebels will take off on a Co-Ed motorcycle journey to the vast lands of Pakistan, one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. Having traveled around various parts of the globe, we can say the most enriching experiences are the ones that you can immerse yourself in the culture and support the improvement of systems in some capacity. This motorcycle journey and mission will be an extension of the work we began in 2022 during our maiden voyage. Kiki/Anjuli, a Pakistani native, has been a driving force.. or shall we say a “riding” force and supporter of the moto community for over 10 years. A road warrior and world traveler whose long time dream has been to promote and share a positive experience of her homeland, all whilst coupling together what she loves most…motorcycle adventures and helping those in need.
If you feel that something like this speaks or screams to the core of your soul then this is the motorcycle tour for you.
As us Rebels will be adjusting to our new surroundings in the beautiful capital city of Pakistan, our first hop will be to visit Faisal Mosque, the first modern architectural construction of a mosque built in the early 80s. We’ll do lunch at Saidpur village where one of the rare hindu temples on Muslim territory remains standing. Let’s not linger too long, as we want to make it to AKHO Sunbeam School before the last bell of the day. We’ll meet and greet the children and teachers and present our donations, and head to Balakot for the night.
It’ll be your first day on the motorcycle in Pakistan so we leave in the morning, familiarize ourselves with the bikes, as we make our way to the foothills of the Karakoram mountains. This leg of the trip takes us through the scenic roads through beautiful mountainous villages, winding roads, and plenty of stops to take photos. Lunch will be on the go with a little rest and time to mingle with people.
We always try our best to stay at a family-run guest houses/hotels for a more personalized and memorable experience.
Naran is known to be the entry point to the North. We’ll encounter a few water crossings, a few herds of goats, as we make our way up to Babusar Pass which is 13,700ft above seal-level and one of the most spectacular high passes in the country. You finally get a chance to ride the world-famous Karakoram Highway on this day! The “KKH” is considered the highest paved international road in the world.. Tracing one of the many pathways of the ancient Silk Road, the KKH is also often called the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions in which it was constructed. We ride all the way to Hunza, which approximately takes 7 hours without stops…but trust me, what awaits us there is worth every mile of the way.
After enjoying our beautiful breakfast overlooking the majestic Rakaposhi mountain we will enjoy a day off of the bikes. We’ll visit the Karimabad, Hunza Bazaar and head up to the 800-year-old Biltit & Altit Fort. Here we’ll have tea and lunch overlooking the Hunza river. On the way back we’ll stop at CIQAM, an all women run woodworking factory. Afterwards we’ll return back to our hotel for dinner and have Moin show us some magic tricks!
Breakfast will be served bright and early. It’s gonna be a long climb up to the world’s highest frontier. CHINA. We’ll go through tunnels, pass lakes, glaciers. You’ll ride through some of the wildest sceneries you’ve ever seen in your life. The Pak-China border is at a whopping 16,200 ft altitude. So forgive us if we don’t stay and party there too long. On the way back we’ll stop and rest in Gulmit for the night along the magical Hunza River.
On this day you’ll have the option of cruising on the bikes or riding in one of the support vehicles. We’ll visit the Hussaini Suspension Bridge where you’ll have a chance to cross over the Hunza River. Afterwards we’ll make our way over to the women’s weaving center or the NKMA community based school to meet and greet the local kiddos. Then we’ll finish the day off at the Attabad Lake for a boat ride or taking some jet skis out for a spin, why not?
Yet another yummy breakfast in the morning and the group departs for Gilgit. We’ll ride through the Pak – China friendship tunnel that spans over 7km. Then we arrive in Gilgit for a quick lunch and visit the 7th century Kargah Buddha. Once we arrive in Gah Kuch we’ll have dinner and give rest to our bodies as the next day’s going to be an early one.
We’ll have breakfast bright and early as this will be the longest day on the bikes. With the Wakhan Corridor to our right and Shandur National Park to our left, there will be plenty of scenic gems to take in along our ride. Lunch will be en route. We will stop at Shandur Pass, where the world’s highest polo fields is. And finally rest our sore butts in Mastuj for the night.
Although this day ride claims to be merely 80 miles, it takes us a full day to get to Ayun. We’ll enjoy lunch en route in Buni. Womp womp… another day surrounded by breathtaking mountain views and rivers. You’ll see some of the most prominent peaks of the Hindu Kush region, leaving you mesmerized. Riders and crew finally get to kick their feet up in Ayun for the night.
This will be a very special day for us Rebels as our mission extends to the people of the Kalash valley. A people who are believed to be the last descendants of Alexander the Great, a lost tribe hidden in a remote village in the northern mountains of Pakistan. We shall immerse ourselves with this unique and vibrant tribe of indigenous people, amidst their village, their traditions, their incredible school and immense beauty. We will hear their stories, learn their history, and do everything in our power to ensure their future.
We’ll be riding along mountains and rivers and small villages all day long. But the treat of the day will be us riding through Lowari Pass, the Stelvio Pass of Pakistan. Once we get through this mind-blowing road we’ll be rewarded with yet another flavorful lunch en route. Riders will arrive in Mardan or not for the night depending on how we’re feeling after Lowari Pass. It’s important to leave some wiggle room for any delays that might occur en route.
This will be our last day on the bikes. Boohoo. It’s gonna look a lot like our first day, except we’re gonna look ten years older, but, on the plus side we’ll be better riders for sure, so go ahead and enjoy playing frogger until we get to our final destination, Islamabad. Once we reach the capital make sure to hug our support crew tight and thank them for keeping us safe and alive throughout the tour. This will be the last night that’s included in the package, however, if you still want second servings of adventure additional nights can be arranged for you to explore this grand city as it has so much to offer.
If you have any other questions then please Contact Us
Share This Tour