Cycling the Karakorum Highway

Trek Essentials

Where: Karakorum Mountain Range, Northern Pakistan 
Best Season: October – March
Best Sights: Wind through highest altitude tribal villages, see the Killer Mountain and K2, the second highest peak in the world.

Estelle Bingham’s Journey Route (as Featured in Best Treks)

The Karakoram is the highest highway in the world. Linking Pakistan with China, it took 30 years to build and is truly one of the greatest feats of engineering since the Pyramids. This journey starts in the northern town of Gilgit, where Estelle Bingham travels by bicycle. She follows part of the old silk Route as it winds its way through tiny tribal villages and valleys. With incredible views of Nanga Parbat, the Killer Mountain, Estelle cycles on to the Hunza Valley, where she samples the local specialty, apricot soup, and attends an evening of revellry and mysticism.

From here Estelle journeys on to the highest border in the world – the Khunjerab Pass – and a photo opportunity with the Chinese border guards who patrol this remote region. Back down the Karakoram Estelle goes on a short trek into the lower mountainous regions to visit remote villages where people survive some of harshest conditions on earth.

Estelle and her jeep driver heads across the Deosai Plains, to Skardu, the capital of Baltistan. In Skardu, Estelle joins a helicopter trip to K2 basecamp – the second highest mountain in the world and a breathtaking end to her journey.

Taking a break along the route of the Karakoram Highway

More Information

Karakoram Jeep Tours International(KJTI)
156 Bromley Road,
Beckenham
Kent.
BR3 6PG
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) 20 86 500 539
Fax: (+44) 20 86 500 539
Email Karakoram Jeep Tours
Pakistan International Air
You can fly to Pakistan with Pakistan International Air. Their website has information about their timetables, booking offices, special interest tours and Awards+Plus programme