RoadAtlas
Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China — Mountain
South Asia

Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar

Pakistan / China

Point-to-point
Gilgit Kashgar

In short: Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar is a Approximately 690 km mountain road trip in Pakistan / China, typically driven over 7 days, best in May–Oct; verify border operations and weather. Highlights: Gilgit, Karimabad, Passu.

Distance
Approximately 690 km
Duration
7 days
Best Season
May–Oct; verify border operations and weather
LegendaryHardSUV onlyMountainBorder crossingPermit requiredGuide recommended

A measured seven-day crossing of the Karakoram from Gilgit through Hunza and Passu, with Sost used for border staging before Khunjerab, Tashkurgan and Kashgar.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
Treat this as an operator-led international vehicle crossing, not an ordinary rental-car drive. Pakistan and China formalities include immigration and customs, while China also requires temporary vehicle import and registration, a temporary plate, insurance, and a temporary Chinese driving licence arranged in advance with the operator. Khunjerab has operated year-round since December 2024 but is normally closed on weekends; reconfirm the exact day, hours, nationality eligibility, convoy or escort rules, and road status immediately before departure. Review current Pakistan security advice, avoid night driving, and carry spare fuel, water, food, cash, warm layers and altitude medication agreed with a clinician. Floods, landslides, snow and checkpoints can add a full day.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Gilgit to Karimabad

Rakaposhi View Point · Baltit Fort · Serena Hotel Gilgit restaurant

Day 2Karimabad and Altit

Altit Fort and Royal Garden · Eagle’s Nest viewpoint at Duikar · Hunza Food Pavilion

Day 3Karimabad to Passu

Hussaini Suspension Bridge · Borith Lake and Passu Glacier viewpoint · Yak Grill Passu

Day 4Passu to Sost border staging

Passu Cones viewpoint · Sost customs document briefing · PTDC Motel Sost dining room

Day 5Sost to Tashkurgan via Khunjerab

Khunjerab border crossing · Prearranged Sost–Tashkurgan crossing meal pack

Day 6Tashkurgan

Tashkurgan Stone Fort · Tashkurgan Golden Grasslands boardwalk · Tashkurgan Crown Inn restaurant

Day 7Tashkurgan to Kashgar

Karakul Lake · Kashgar Old City and Id Kah area · Altun Orda

Stops along the route

Gilgit — Departure — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Departure
Gilgit
The practical southern gateway, used to meet the crossing operator, inspect documents and begin in daylight.
Hotels
Karimabad — City — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
City
Karimabad
Hunza’s heritage base for Baltit Fort, Altit Fort and the valley’s best-known restaurants.
Sost — City — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
City
Sost
A functional customs and immigration staging town; it is an overnight for an early crossing, not a sightseeing destination.
Tashkurgan — City — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
City
Tashkurgan
The first Chinese base, with time reserved for arrival formalities before exploring its stone fort and grasslands.
Kashgar — Arrival — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Arrival
Kashgar
The western Silk Road city, with a proper final day for the old city and Id Kah Mosque area.
Hotels

Things to Do

Passu — Nature — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Nature
Passu
A village beneath the Passu Cones, close to the Hussaini suspension bridge and glacier viewpoints.
Khunjerab Pass — Landmark — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Landmark
Khunjerab Pass
The 4,693 m frontier crossing, visited only when both sides confirm operations and the operator’s documents are complete.
Karakul Lake — Nature — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Nature
Karakul Lake
A high Pamir lake on the onward road to Kashgar, weather and access permitting.
Rakaposhi View Point — Mountain viewpoint — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Mountain viewpoint
Rakaposhi View Point
Pause at the signed valley viewpoint on the direct Gilgit–Hunza road, leaving the afternoon for Karimabad.
Baltit Fort — Historic fort — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Historic fort
Baltit Fort
Tour Hunza’s landmark fort with enough time for its exhibits and views over Karimabad.
Altit Fort and Royal Garden — Historic site — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Historic site
Altit Fort and Royal Garden
Give the restored fort and garden a relaxed morning rather than treating Hunza as a fuel stop.
Show 7 more
Eagle’s Nest viewpoint at Duikar — Sunset viewpoint — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Sunset viewpoint
Eagle’s Nest viewpoint at Duikar
Drive up for the late-day panorama only in clear weather and return before dark.
Hussaini Suspension Bridge — Scenic walk — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Scenic walk
Hussaini Suspension Bridge
Allow a careful walk at the bridge without combining it with a rushed border push.
Borith Lake and Passu Glacier viewpoint — Nature — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Nature
Borith Lake and Passu Glacier viewpoint
Use the afternoon for the lake and a signed glacier viewpoint, adjusted for road and trail conditions.
Passu Cones viewpoint — Mountain viewpoint — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Mountain viewpoint
Passu Cones viewpoint
Make one final valley stop before the short transfer to Sost.
Sost customs document briefing — Border preparation — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Border preparation
Sost customs document briefing
Meet the licensed crossing operator to inspect passports, manifests, vehicle import papers, insurance, temporary licence paperwork and next-morning timing.
Khunjerab border crossing — International border — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
International border
Khunjerab border crossing
Keep the entire day for Pakistan exit, the high pass, Chinese entry, customs, temporary vehicle registration and escorted transfer procedures.
Tashkurgan Stone Fort — Historic site — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Historic site
Tashkurgan Stone Fort
Visit the fort after a slow morning that accounts for altitude and any unfinished entry formalities.

Where to Eat

Serena Hotel Gilgit restaurant — Pakistani and continental — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Pakistani and continental
Serena Hotel Gilgit restaurant
Use the established hotel restaurant for an early breakfast while the operator completes the departure check.
Café de Hunza — Hunza and café — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Hunza and café
Café de Hunza
A well-known Karimabad stop for walnut cake, coffee and a light meal after the drive.
Hunza Food Pavilion — Hunza — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Hunza
Hunza Food Pavilion
Try a focused menu of regional dishes beside Baltit Fort; reconfirm the day’s opening hours.
Yak Grill Passu — Hunza and grill — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Hunza and grill
Yak Grill Passu
A specific Passu meal stop; confirm seasonal opening through the accommodation before setting out.
PTDC Motel Sost dining room — Pakistani — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Pakistani
PTDC Motel Sost dining room
Reserve dinner with the confirmed Sost accommodation because independent options and hours are limited.
Prearranged Sost–Tashkurgan crossing meal pack — Travel provisions — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Travel provisions
Prearranged Sost–Tashkurgan crossing meal pack
Carry a sealed operator-provided breakfast, lunch, water and emergency food because border processing can overrun normal meal hours.
Show 2 more
Tashkurgan Crown Inn restaurant — Uyghur and Chinese — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Uyghur and Chinese
Tashkurgan Crown Inn restaurant
Use the booked hotel restaurant and have the operator reconfirm access and current trading status.
Altun Orda — Uyghur — Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar — Pakistan / China
Uyghur
Altun Orda
Finish with a well-known Kashgar venue for Uyghur dishes; reserve and verify its current location.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar drive?

The Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar covers Approximately 690 km from start to finish.

How long does the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar take to drive?

Most travellers spend 7 days on the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar?

The recommended season for the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar is May–Oct; verify border operations and weather.

Where does the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar start and end?

The Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar runs from Gilgit to Kashgar.

What are the main stops on the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar?

The Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar passes through Gilgit, Karimabad, Passu.

How difficult is the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar to drive?

The Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar is rated hard and is best handled with suv only.

Do I need a 4WD for the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar?

Yes — the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar includes off-road or rough sections that require suv only.

Do I need a permit or border paperwork for the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar?

Yes — the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar requires permits, fees, or border paperwork. Plan ahead: Treat this as an operator-led international vehicle crossing, not an ordinary rental-car drive. Pakistan and China formalities include immigration and customs, while China also requires temporary vehicle import and registration, a temporary plate, insurance, and a temporary Chinese driving licence arranged in advance with the operator. Khunjerab has operated year-round since December 2024 but is normally closed on weekends; reconfirm the exact day, hours, nationality eligibility, convoy or escort rules, and road status immediately before departure. Review current Pakistan security advice, avoid night driving, and carry spare fuel, water, food, cash, warm layers and altitude medication agreed with a clinician. Floods, landslides, snow and checkpoints can add a full day.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar, based on its Approximately 690 km length.

Is the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar safe to drive?

Treat this as an operator-led international vehicle crossing, not an ordinary rental-car drive. Pakistan and China formalities include immigration and customs, while China also requires temporary vehicle import and registration, a temporary plate, insurance, and a temporary Chinese driving licence arranged in advance with the operator. Khunjerab has operated year-round since December 2024 but is normally closed on weekends; reconfirm the exact day, hours, nationality eligibility, convoy or escort rules, and road status immediately before departure. Review current Pakistan security advice, avoid night driving, and carry spare fuel, water, food, cash, warm layers and altitude medication agreed with a clinician. Floods, landslides, snow and checkpoints can add a full day.

What scenic tier is the Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar?

The Karakoram Highway: Gilgit to Kashgar is a legendary drive — The world's most extraordinary drives — once-in-a-lifetime road trips with cinematic scenery, legendary roads, and unmatched cultural depth.