Can you drive the Karakoram Highway?

It’s an affordable — and totally unforgettable — way to experience the stark landscape and untouched culture. After as many as 20 hours of driving through treacherous mountain passes and isolated villages, your journey along the Karakoram Highway will end in Kashgar, a city in China’s region of Xinjiang.

Is Karakoram Pass open?

It is the highest pass on the ancient caravan route between Leh in Ladakh and Yarkand in the Tarim Basin. ‘Karakoram’ literally means ‘Black Gravel’ in Mongolic. Consequently, the pass was open throughout most of the year. There is no motorable road across the pass, and the pass currently remains closed to all traffic.

How long does it take to drive the Karakoram Highway?

You should budget at least three days if you want to thoroughly see everything along the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway. Anything over five days may be over stretching your trip unless you plan on trekking around Muztaghata Mountain (which requires a special permit in Kashgar) or cycling up the highway.

Is Hunza Valley Safe?

Is Hunza Valley Safe? Hunza Valley in northern Pakistan might be the most peaceful place in the world, despite what Western media has tried to tell us. Ninety-nine percent of the country is just as safe as Europe, and Hunza Valley is even more peaceful than central Europe these days.

Is Karakoram Highway safe?

Stay safe. The Karakoram Highway lies in one of the safer parts of Pakistan, but expect inhospitable terrain. The more you go north, the safer it becomes, especially between Gilgit and the border pass.

Is the Karakoram Highway safe to visit?

While I can’t claim that all of Pakistan is safe, the provinces of Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan (where the Karakoram Highway travels through) are extremely safe. The Karakoram Highway doesn’t go anywhere near the dangerous areas of Pakistan – you don’t need to worry.

Is it safe to travel to Gilgit?

Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the safest parts of Pakistan to visit. Standard precautions are usually enough.

Is Hunza open for tourists?

1. Re: Is Hunza open for tourists? Greetings from Islamabad, Unofficially it’s open, so as hotels.

Is Gilgit safe for tourists?

Security-wise, Gilgit-Baltistan is considered to be one of the safest regions under Pakistani control, but some parts of it are off limits to tourists, especially the buffer zone along the “Line of Control” that divides the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir.

Can you see k2 from the Karakoram Highway?

Due to its remote location in the northern part of Pakistan and surrounded by other 8,000 and 7,000 metres high peaks of the Karakoram Range, it is almost impossible to see it from anywhere else except for its base camp, and a few kilometres before it. …

How to reach Gilgit-Baltistan from Islamabad?

The Karakoram Highway (Aka: KKH or N-35) connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China to the north and to Islamabad in the south. For those coming from Islamabad/Rawalpindi by bus, the journey to Gilgit will take roughly 19 hours and costs between 1,600 and 2,300 PKR.

Is the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan dangerous?

The Karakoram Highway doesn’t go anywhere near the dangerous areas of Pakistan – you don’t need to worry. On the other end of the Karakoram Highway, we have China’s Xinjiang province. I’m sure you’ve already heard a bit about what is going on there.

How much does it cost to travel the Karakoram Highway?

Travelling the Karakoram Highway is very cheap. On a backpacker’s budget, costs should average out to around $30 per day. In Pakistan, you can get by with $20 per day, and China will cost you around $40 a day. This is if you’re using public transportation or hitchhiking. Hiring a private driver will cost substantially more.

What is the highest point on the Karakoram road?

The highest point on the Karakoram Road is 4,800m at Khunjerab Pas s and, throughout, a significant part of it is above 3,500m. Since the ascent is quite gradual, most travelers don’t show any symptoms of altitude sickness. However, try to drink loads of liquids and, just in case, bring Diamox with you.