The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest paved international road in the world. Built over twenty years by Pakistani and Chinese engineers at the cost of hundreds of lives, it runs 1,300 km from Hasan Abdal near Islamabad to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang province, crossing the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 m. Driving it is one of the great overland journeys.
The Route
The Pakistani section of the KKH runs from Islamabad through Besham, Chilas, Gilgit, Hunza, and Sost to the Khunjerab Pass. This stretch alone — roughly 800 km — passes through four major river valleys, skirts the edges of three of the world's great mountain ranges (Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Himalayas), and delivers views of over a dozen peaks above 7,000 m.
Key Stops Northbound
- Besham: Confluence of the Swat and Indus rivers. First major stop, 4 hrs from Islamabad.
- Dasu: Wild Indus gorge country. The road clings to near-vertical walls above the river here.
- Chilas: Gateway to Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat. Thousands of ancient rock carvings in the hills above town.
- Gilgit: The capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. Airport, banks, gear shops, and the best base for regional exploration.
- Rakaposhi Viewpoint: A roadside stop near Minapin with a face-filling view of Rakaposhi's 3,000 m south face.
- Karimabad (Hunza): The road trip's emotional climax. Baltit Fort, apricot orchards, and the triple presence of Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and Lady Finger above the town.
- Attabad Lake: A turquoise lake formed by a 2010 landslide. Boat crossings available; the colour is implausible.
- Passu: The Passu Cones — a row of cathedral rock spires — rise directly above the village. The old suspension bridge here is among Pakistan's most photographed structures.
- Sost: The last Pakistani town before the border. Customs and immigration formalities start here.
- Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m): The Chinese border. Even if you're not crossing, the drive to the pass through treeless tundra with Karakoram peaks on every horizon is extraordinary.
How to Do It
Three main options:
- Self-drive: Rent a 4WD in Islamabad (Toyota Hilux or Land Cruiser recommended — the road is paved but frequently damaged by landslides and floods). Full freedom; requires a valid international driving permit.
- Hire a driver: Most guesthouses in Hunza and Gilgit can connect you with experienced local drivers for PKR 8,000–15,000/day depending on vehicle type. By far the most common choice for foreign visitors.
- Public transport: NATCO buses run Gilgit–Rawalpindi daily (14–18 hrs, remarkably cheap). Local vans (wagons) connect individual towns. Slower and less flexible but a genuine window into how locals use the road.
How Long to Allow
Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass and back, doing it justice, requires at least 10–14 days. Most people who rush the KKH in 4–5 days regret it. The stops that seem like "just a viewpoint" on a map are days of walking, exploring, and simply sitting with the scale of what's around you. Hunza alone could absorb a week.
Best Season
The KKH is open year-round but best April–October. May and June offer snow on the peaks with green valley floors. July and August are peak season — warmer, busier, some landslide risk during monsoon. September and October give clear skies and autumn foliage in Hunza's orchards. Winter driving is possible south of Gilgit; the northern sections toward Khunjerab are often snowbound November–April.
What to Know
- Carry cash — ATMs exist in Gilgit and Karimabad but not reliably elsewhere
- Mobile data: Jazz and Zong have decent coverage on the main highway; coverage disappears in side valleys
- Landslide closures: The KKH closes unpredictably after heavy rain. Check current road status with PTDC or local guesthouses before departure
- Altitude: Karimabad sits at 2,400 m, Khunjerab at 4,693 m — drive slowly at the pass and don't rush a descent if you feel unwell
The Karakoram Highway was built so people could pass through a place that, for most of human history, was genuinely impassable. Every kilometre of it feels like a miracle of engineering — and of stubborn human will.