Ride through the heart of northern Pakistan and discover the cultural and natural beauty of the Hindukush Mountains. From the wild Deosai Plains to lush Swat Valley, traditional Kalash culture, forested Kumrat Valley, high mountain passes, and riverside roads — this 13-day motorcycle journey blends adventure with rich local traditions.
Overview
This 13-day itinerary takes riders on a spectacular journey from the vast high plains of Deosai National Park through the green valleys and cultural landscapes of northern Pakistan’s Hindukush region. You’ll experience everything from cold alpine deserts and mountain rivers to lush forests, traditional tribal valleys, and remote high passes. The tour is perfect for adventurous riders who want to combine breathtaking scenery with encounters of local culture and traditions.
Highlights
- Deosai National Park — high alpine plateau
- Swat Valley — green hills and rivers
- Usho Forest, Mahodand Lake and Matiltan Lake
- Kumrat Valley via Badgoi Pass
- Kalash Valley — unique tribal culture
- Ayun Valley & Chitral Town
- Shandur Pass — world’s highest polo ground
- Phander Lake and Khalti Lake
- Gupis Valley panoramas
- Astak Nala and Shangrila Lake views
- Indus River scenic roads
Itinerary
Warm welcome at Skardu Airport and transfer to the hotel (about a 30-minute drive). Enjoy lunch at the hotel. Pick up the motorcycles and take a short test ride to get comfortable. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Skardu.
Starting Point: Skardu | Driving Distance: 10 km | Driving Time: 30 minutes | End Point: Skardu
After breakfast, ride toward Deosai National Park, the world’s second highest alpine plateau. Stop at Sadpara Lake for photos and views. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and visit Kala Pani, Bara Pani, and Sheosar Lake. Dinner and overnight stay in Astore.
Starting Point: Skardu | Driving Distance: 150 km | Driving Time: 6 hours | End Point: Astore
Breakfast at the hotel and begin the ride towards Besham via Raikot, Chilas, and Dasu. Enjoy mountain roads and scenic river views along the Karakoram Highway. Lunch at a local restaurant before reaching Besham. Dinner and overnight stay in Besham.
Starting Point: Astore | Driving Distance: 315 km | Driving Time: 10 hours | End Point: Besham
Breakfast and ride from Besham toward Swat Valley. Stop for lunch and visit Besham City, Shangla Top, and Bahrain. Continue scenic roads through mountains and valleys. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalam.
Starting Point: Besham | Driving Distance: 140 km | Driving Time: 6 hours | End Point: Kalam
After breakfast, ride from Kalam through Usho Forest toward Matiltan Lake, Saifullah Lake, and Mahodand Lake. Enjoy views of Falak Sar Mountain and local settlements. Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight in Kalam.
Starting Point: Kalam | Driving Distance: 90 km | Driving Time: 3–4 hours | End Point: Kalam
Breakfast at the hotel. Ride toward Kumrat Valley via Badgoi Pass and Thal, enjoying panoramic mountain roads along the way. Lunch at a local restaurant. Explore Utror, Badgoi Pass, Thal Village, and Kumrat Valley. Dinner and overnight in Kumrat.
Starting Point: Swat (Kalam) | Driving Distance: 180 km | Driving Time: 7–8 hours | End Point: Kumrat
After breakfast, start the ride from Kumrat toward Kalash Valley. Stop for lunch en route, then visit Upper Dir and Lowari Pass before arriving in Kalash Valley. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalash.
Starting Point: Kumrat | Driving Distance: 190 km | Driving Time: 7–8 hours | End Point: Kalash Valley
Breakfast and full day exploring Kalasha culture. Meet friendly local people, learn traditions, and visit the Kalash Museum and Madawjaw Dur (traditional graveyard). Lunch at a local restaurant. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalash Valley.
Starting Point: Kalash | End Point: Kalash
After breakfast, ride to Booni through Ayun Valley and Chitral. Enjoy river views and vistas of Hindukush peaks including Tirich Mir. Lunch at a local restaurant and visit Ayun Valley and Chitral Town before reaching Booni. Dinner and overnight stay in Booni.
Starting Point: Kalash Valley | Driving Distance: 110 km | Driving Time: 5–6 hours | End Point: Booni
Breakfast and ride toward Shandur Pass (3,700 m) through Hindukush mountain roads. Enjoy views of Buni Zom (6,542 m), rivers, and small mountain villages. Lunch at a local restaurant and visit Qaqlasht Meadows, Shandur Lake, and the famous Shandur Polo Ground — the world’s highest. Dinner and overnight stay in Phander.
Starting Point: Booni | Driving Distance: 100 km | Driving Time: 7 hours | End Point: Phander
After breakfast, ride toward Gilgit through Gupis Valley, following river roads and landscapes. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Phander Lake, Khalti Lake, and enjoy the beauty of Gupis Valley before reaching Gilgit. Dinner and overnight stay in Gilgit.
Starting Point: Phander | Driving Distance: 170 km | Driving Time: 10 hours | End Point: Gilgit
Breakfast at the hotel and ride toward Skardu through mountainous roads. Enjoy views of the Indus River, Haramosh Mountains, and surrounding Himalayan valleys. Lunch at a local restaurant and visit Astak Nala, Indus River Viewpoint, and Shangrila Lake. Dinner and overnight stay in Skardu.
Starting Point: Gilgit | Driving Distance: About 200 km | Driving Time: Around 5–6 hours | End Point: Skardu
Breakfast at the hotel, free time to relax or explore local attractions such as Kharpocho Fort and Sarfaranga Cold Desert. Transfer to Skardu Airport for departure.
Starting Point: Skardu | End Point: Skardu Airport
Includes/Excludes
What’s Included
- • Pakistan visa assistance
- • Airport pick-up and drop-off
- • Motorcycles for the tour
- • Basic spare parts and backup transport
- • Mechanic for motorcycle repair
- • Professional and experienced team leader
- • Hotel accommodation on twin-sharing basis (standard)
- • All three meals (varied food menu)
- • Crew food and accommodation
- • Bonfire, music night, and BBQ
- • National park fees
- • Optional transport for pillion passengers
What’s Not Included
- • Anything not mentioned above
- • Sightseeing tickets and entrance fees
- • Motorcycle petrol / fuel
- • Tips for driver and guide
- • Personal expenses
- • Extra costs due to roadblocks or natural events
- • River rafting, boating, or horse riding
- • Personal activity costs
- • Personal insurance and laundry
Need to know
➔ The road journey between Gilgit and Besham is quite lengthy and the road
condition is not optimal.
➔ In the event that Babusar Top is open and the route through Naran-Kaghan valley
is taken, the road condition is improved.
➔ There are three hours set aside in the evening (6:00 pm-9:00 pm) and three hours
in the morning (7:00 am-10:00 am) for your convenience.
➔ In the North, many hotels do not have heaters, but you can request double
blankets if needed. Some hotels may also provide heating mattresses.
➔ There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into Pakistan. However, if you are
taking medication for conditions like diabetes or heart problems, it is recommended
that you carry the necessary medicines in your carry-on luggage to ensure that you
have them with you in case your main luggage is delayed.
➔ During the spring and autumn seasons, the average daytime temperature in
Northern Pakistan is around 15-20 Celsius, while the average nighttime temperature
is around 10-15 Celsius. In the summer, the average daytime temperature in
Northern Pakistan is around 20-30 Celsius, while the average nighttime temperature
is around 15-25 Celsius. In Islamabad, the average daytime temperature during
spring and autumn can be 25-30 Celsius, while the nighttime temperature is around
15-25 Celsius.
➔ Islamabad accepts credit cards such as Visa and Master Card, but it’s advisable
to carry cash in Pakistani Rupee while traveling outside the capital. The official
currency in Pakistan is Pakistani Rupees (PKR), and carrying a small amount of
cash can come in handy while buying snacks, fruits, drinks, or souvenirs on the way.
If you need to convert foreign currency, you can do so in Pakistan. However, it’s
important to note that any US dollars issued earlier than 1996-2009 will be
considered 15% less than their actual value. Also, torn, dirty, or stamped notes can
decrease their value by at least 10%. Therefore, it’s recommended to bring US
dollars issued after 2009 to avoid any inconvenience.
➔ When it comes to tipping, it is customary to give 4-5 USD per day to your local
guide and driver in Pakistan. However, you are free to give more based on the
quality of their service. Keep in mind that this amount may seem small to you, but it
is highly valued by the locals. As for tipping hotel and restaurant staff, it is
recommended to give at least 100 PKR directly to them if they have provided you
with any additional services that have made your stay more enjoyable. Other tipping
is at your discretion.
➔ Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to savor the diverse and delicious
food that the region has to offer. We provide breakfast and dinner during the tour,
and the food menu is mostly similar to Indian cuisine. We offer a rotation of chicken,
beef, mutton, vegetables, rice, and soups every day. We also provide local and
Western breakfast options, along with tea. However, if you have a preference for
certain foods or get tired of the same menu every day, we recommend bringing your
comfort food such as sambal, canned food, or instant noodles.
➔ In the region, the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C (2
round pin) and type D (3 round pin) plugs are commonly used for electronic devices.
It is recommended to bring appropriate adapters for your devices if they are not
compatible with these plug types.
➔ You can find laundry facilities in many hotels and towns during the trip. However,
it’s recommended to plan ahead and choose a two-night stop to ensure you have
enough time to get your laundry done and returned to you in time.
➔ The guided tour will take you to the highest altitude of approximately 4793 meters
at the Khunjerab Pass – the border between Pakistan and China. The visit to this
place will be limited to a maximum of one hour for photography. The average
elevation in Northern Pakistan during the tour will be between 1000-2000 meters.
The highest altitude during a Trekking Tour, on the other hand, will depend on the
itinerary decided for the tour.
➔ We suggest bringing a small or medium-sized suitcase with wheels. For weight
restrictions, if you are flying with Thai Airways for your international flight, you are
allowed one checked bag of up to 25 kg and a carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg. For
domestic flights with PIA Pakistan Airlines, you are allowed one checked bag
weighing up to 20 kg and a carry-on bag weighing up to 7 kg.
➔ It’s important to wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes with good support,
particularly if you’re planning to explore the Northern regions of Pakistan. If you’re
traveling during the spring, it’s advisable to bring along a windproof jacket, sweater,
jeans, rain jacket, scarf, cotton socks, and comfortable walking shoes. It’s also
recommended to pack some T-shirts with both long and short sleeves to protect
yourself from the strong UV rays, as well as lightweight cotton trousers.