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KARAKURAM
BIKE TOUR:
We
will travel on the old Silk Road, which was
also used by Marco Polo. The Karakuram Highway
leads to China via Khunjerab Pass 4733 m, opened
in 1982. It is the worlds highest paved
boarder crossing. This program gives you a
unique experience by sightseeing of ancient
towns with different tribes and wonderful
nature where the Himalayas, the Karakuram
and the Hindu-Kush Ranges meet to-gather!
In
this bike program, there are opportunities
for off-road challenges for those who wating
to extend themselves further, for example,
from Gilgit to Bagort Valley, Karimabad
to Hopar and Dukair and Borit Lake from
Karakuram Highway.
Max.
Altitude:
4733m
Suitable period: May to end of October
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Day-01 |
Arrive
to Islamabad, modern capital of Pakistan.
After welcome at the airport you will
transfer to the hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
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Day-02 |
You
start your bike-ride from Islamabad
515m to Abbottabad 1222m (72 Km). En-route
you may visit to Taxila Museum, housing
some of the best collection of Gandharan
Buddhist art in Pakistan and the world.
The town’s historical heart is the cantonment,
with its orderly streets, European architecture
and grand parade ground. Overnight at
hotel.
|
Day-03 |
Proceed
mountain bike adventure on the amazing
Karakuram Highway (KKH), which never
gives feeling of a repeated travel experience.
The landscape changes almost every kilometer
as also road goes up and down. Until
we reach the Indus River. The highway
is modern wonder of the world, 900 kilometer
in length, with its end tail into China,
the Highway along these granite mountains
was an incredible feat of engineering,
also known as a friendship Highway between
China and Pakistan. Overnight at hotel
in Besham (148 km) with very nice terraces
on the bench of Indus River.
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Day-04 |
Karakuram Highway follows the great
“Silk Route” further to Dassu-Barseen
(115Km) at 884m. This is the state of
Kohistan (Land of mountains) referring
to the sub-6000 meter peaks. Another
name for the region was Yaghistan (Land
of the Ungoverned) for outlaws could
hide here without fear of capture. Stone
watchtowers and fertile houses can still
be seen in the older villages. The road
is sometimes broken at places. The mountainside
is like stone wall but this is probably
the most dramatic of all Pakistan’s
mountain roads, and especially in the
early morning its side-canyons and corduroy
hillsides are magnificent.
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Day-05 |
Bikes
further along the Indus River. In places
a small shelf cut into the steep mountainside
hundreds of meters above Indus River.
Most splendid scenery is as the road
winds round the foot of Nanga Parbat
(8125m), worlds 9th highest peak
and last in the Himalayan Range. View
the meeting of three of worlds
greatest mountain ranges, the Himalayas,
the Karakuram and the Hindu-Kush. After
124 km arrive to Chilas 1222m, overnight
at hotel.
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Day-06 |
Proceed to Gilgit through an arid and
surrealistic landscape, we defeat the
bumpy track to arrive in Gilgit (1454m)
after 130 km.
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Day-07 |
From
Gilgit to Hunza (Karimabad 2500m), we
pass Gilgit, the only market town for
hundred of kilometers and is busy center
for Pakistans north and trade
with China. For all that it is still
has slow, relaxed pace. The seventh
century Kargah Buddha, a rock carving
about 3-meters high, Gilgit claim to
be the originating home of polo. Unlike
the internationally known game, the
local version knows vitally no rules.
On our way to upper Hunza (99 km) we
gradually climb the road and approximately
every 10-km difference of 100m. We enjoy
a spectacular view of Rakaposhi Peak
(7788m) known as Mother Mountain for
having so many habitants and villages
around its foothills, with its snowy
crown changing color with light. The
route is abundant with terraced fields,
particularly apricot, apple and walnut
trees, at their most spectacular either
in blossom or during autumn.
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Day-08 |
In Karimabad, we may visit to Baltit
Fort, is the former palace of Mirs (Rulers)
of Hunza until 1960. Karimabad (2500m),
the capital of Hunza is the only town
in the world, where you may view five
peaks above 7000m in all four directions.
The monolith peaks of Mt. Rakaposhi
(7788m), Diran Peak (7273m), Golden
Peak / Spantik (7027m), Ultar I (7388m),
Ultar II (7310m), and Princess Babulimuting
reaches high as Hunza skyline. In Karimabad
we explore the Hunza-valley and neighboring
and see every day life of the hard-work
people. We visit to Altit, in the next
village, which has an old small fort
perched on a large rocky outcrop high
above the Hunza River. The Firsts
balcony overlooks a village of mud houses
flat rooftops.
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Day-09 |
Biking
Karimabad to Sust (110 km), Behind the
Karimabad we find the carvings on the
Dondyas (Ganesh) rock with early inscriptions
and drawings, including hunting scenes
of ibex from early traders on the Silk
Route. After only 25 km from Karimabad
we will arrive to Gulmit 2500m where
we enjoy our lunch. We biking further
passing Passu Village and glacier and
arrive in Sust 2700m, overnight at hotel.
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Day-10 |
The
ultimate mountain-bike-challenge furthers
to the Pakistan-China border (82-km).
The Khunjerab National Park is home
to the snow leopard, Marco Polo Sheep,
Yaks and several rare birds and deer.
We drive the amazing friendship Highway
between Pakistan and China up to the
highest paved border in the world, the
Khunjerab Pass (4733m). For overnight
we bike back to Sust.
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Day-11 |
From
Sust we have a long decent back via
Passu and Gulmit back to Karimabad.
Within distance of 82 km, you have an
altitude difference of 2200m. Overnight
in hotel at Karimabad.
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Day-12 |
On
our way to Gilgit (125 km down), we
are again amazing by the tunnel connected
with a long suspense-bridge hanging
several meters above the muddy river.
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Day-13 |
Fly
or drive to Islamabad |
Day-14 |
Rest-day
in Islamabad |
Day-15 |
Transfer
to airport (departure from Islamabad
to homeland) |
SILK
ROUTE BIKE ADVENTURE
(Along
Indus River, Hunza Valley-Khunjerab Pass
to Kashgar)
This
special adventure program allows you to
discover the region in different dimension.
The Silk Route starts from Taxila to Kashgar
(1300km), once the greatest trading route
in Asia, the ancient Silk Route was the
earlist channel of trade and culture exchange
between North, South and West. This intensive
and interesting program gives once a splendid
opportunity to feel the joy of life in close
contact with past. Bike adventure program
takes you through Karakuram Highway, the
8th wonder of the world, along Indus River,
meeting point of the great Mountains, spectacular
view point of Nanga Parbat (8125m), Rakaposhi
7788m, Hunza Valley, Khunjerab Pass (4733m),
Tashkurgan (3600m), Karakul Lake (3800m)
and Sunday Market Kashgar.
This
is a truly spectacular route, where enormous
glaciers tumble right down to the roadside
and picturesque villages, surrounded by
their carefully terraced and irrigated farmland,
cling precariously to the steep valley sides.
Hunza presents rewarding and varied biking
terrain, and we take numerous excursions
of the main road, often on wild jeep routes
and superb single trek. For example, the
descent from the Hoper Village to Ganesh
and Duikar to Karimabad must rank as one
of the best days mountain biking on
earth.
Max
altitude: |
4733m |
Duration: |
20-day |
Period: |
May
to October |
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Day-01 |
Arrival
at Islamabad airport and transfer to
the hotel, sightseeing of Islamabad
and Rawalpindi. Overnight in the hotel |
Day-02 |
Drive
to Chilas 11-12 hrs, via Taxila on the
Karakuram Highway the 8th wonder of
the world, along the Indus River, lush
green valley of Khoistan and mountains
area of Northern Areas.
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Day-03 |
Drive
to Gilgit (1500m) 3-hrs, in the way
you may make several stops at the meeting
point of Mountains Range, viewpoint
of Nanga Parbat (8125m). Arrival to
Gilgit, transfer to the hotel and in
the evening you may visit to Kargha
Buddha, rock carving and visit to the
local Bazaar. Overnight in the hotel
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Day-04 |
Cycling starts from Gilgit to Hunza
(2500m) on Karakuram Highway (105 km).
This journey takes you through the shadow
of Rakaposhi (7788m) along the Hunza
River up to Karimabad.
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Day-05 |
Day
free in Hunza to visit Altit and Baltit
Forts and Bazaar/hotel |
Day-06 |
Drive to Hoper in Nager Valley (2800m)
2-hrs jeep drive. Hoper is the main
viewpoint for the specticular view of
Hoper Glacier, Golden peak, Ulter Peak.
And back to Karimabad, on return cycling
on this off-road to Karimabad (about
15 km).
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Day-07 |
Continue
to Cycling to Sost (80 Km) on Karakuram
Highway, along the Hunza River climb
up through the gorge valley. In the
way you enjoy the surrounding lofty
peaks of Passu Cathederal, Batura Peaks,
Passu Glacier and you may have close
look of village of upper Hunza. You
may also visit to the ruby mines in Doyndas,
Gulmit Museum.
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Day-08 |
Drive to Khunjerab Pass (4733m, 85km)
3-hrs. Khunjerab Pass is the world highest
paved boarder between two countries
(Pakistan and China) in the world. Khunjerab
Natuional Park is home of Snow-Leopard
and Marcopolo sheep. Arrival to Tashkurghan
(3600m), 130 km and 5-6 hrs from Sost,
this adventure takes you through the
high pastures, Meadows along the river
up to Tashkurghan Check post. In the
evening you may visit the Bazaar and
overnight in the hotel
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Day-09 |
Continue
Cycle adventure from Tashkurgan to Karakul
Lake (3800m), 80km and about 4-5 hrs.
This day you may have the spectacular view of surrounding meadows and high
pastures and observe the daily life
of the Wakhi, Tajik and Kirghaz people
in the Pamir region. Arrival to Karakul
Lake (3800m) and transfer in Yurk,
KARAKUL means in Ughur, Black
Lake, is the most beautiful, nestle between the two Pamir gaints Mustagh
Ata (7556m) and Mt. Kongur (7719m), surrounding
are nice green meadows,
hards of yaks, horses, sheep and near
many nomads Kirghaz villages. In the
evening you may walk around the lake
or on the back of Horse. Overnight in
the Yurt
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Day-10 |
Biking
to Ghez 90 km about 5-6 hrs and overnight
in the tents |
Day-11 |
Cycling
from Ghiz to Kashgar (123km) 5-6hrs,
through the meadows along the shadow
of popular trees and lush green field.
Arrival to Kashgar and transfer to the
hotel, sightseeing in the rest of time
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Day-12 |
Visit
to Sunday Market and local Bazaar |
Day-13 |
Drive
back to Tashkurgan 5-6 hrs and overnight
in hotel |
Day-14 |
Drive
to Sost via Khunjerab Pass 4733m 5-6hrs,
then continue to Karimabad. |
Day-15 |
Continue
drive to Besham 8-9 hrs/ hotel |
Day-16 |
Proceed
to Swat 3-4 hrs, sightseeing in Swat
Valley/hotel |
Day-17 |
Departure
for Islamabad 7-8 hrs, via Taket Bahi
and Taxila/hotel |
Day-18 |
Day
free in Islamabad |
Day-19 |
Departure
from Islamabad (drop to the airport),
flying back to homeland |
BIKING
AND HIKING:
This
adventure program offers great opportunity
to discover the region of Northern Areas.
Travel on Karakuram Highway, the 8th wonder
of the world, which start from Taxila to
Khunjerab Pass (855km). This program takes
you through the Indus River, meeting point
of the Three Great Mountaine Range, the
Hindu-Kush, the Himalayan, and the Karakuram.
Specticular viewpoints of Nanga Parbat (8125m),
Astor Valley, Rama Lake (3482m), Gilgit
town, Bagrot Valley, Rakaposhi (788m), the
beauty queen of Hunza Valley and Khunjerab
Pass (4733m).
Max
altitude: |
4733m |
Suitable
Period: |
June
to September |
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Day-01 |
Arrival
to Islamabad airport and transfer to
the hotel. Sightseeing of
Islamabad/Rawalpindi
and overnight in the hotel
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Day-02 |
Drive
to Chilas on Karakuram Highway 11-12
hrs, via lush green, pine-forestry area
of Mansehra and Khoistan Valley
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Day-03 |
Drive
to Astor Valley Tarashing (2911m) 4-5
hrs. Drive to Jag lot 1.30 hrs on Karakuram
Highway and proceed to Astor Valley
on un-matteled road through the narrow
valley of Astor, along the Astor River
up to the alpine village of Trashing.
Overnight in the tent
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Day-04 |
Day free for hiking, overnight at camp |
Day-05 |
Start
Biking to Rama Lake (3482m) 3-4 hrs.
The very ideal track for Cycle adventure
lovers, on the Jeep road to the Rama
Lake. Rama Lake is extreamly natural
beauty, surroundings are flower-filled
meadows, birch forestry, the spectacular
view of Chonga Peak and little shoulder
of Nanga Parbat (8125m). Camp and overnight
in the tent
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Day-06 |
Day free for hiking around the Lake |
Day-07 |
Continue
Biking to Jaglot and drive to Gilgit
(1500m) 6-7 hrs. Gilgit is the capital
of Northern Areas situated in the heart
of Karakuram range surroundings is lofty
peaks. Overnight in the hotel
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Day-08 |
Drive to Bagrot Valley 25km 2-hrs up
to the road ahead. Journey through the
beautiful Valley of Bagrot on un-mattled
Jeep road, fertile land of crops fruit.
After short break continues to back
on Bikes descend to Denyour then to
Gilgit. In the evening time you may
visit to Kargha Buddha rock carving
and visit to Gilgit Bazaar.
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Day-09 |
On
the Cycle to Hunza-Karimabad (2400m)
5-6 hrs. In the way you may make stops
at the view point Rakaposhi (7788m)
and other interesting viewpoints. |
Day-10 |
Day
free in Karimabad to visit the Altit
and Baltit Forts, Bazaar, local exploration
of Hunza tradition, simple way of life
and hard working.
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Day-11 |
Trek
to Ulter Meadow and back for overnight
at hotel |
Day-12 |
Proceed
Bike adventure to Sust 5-6 hrs. Riding
on Karakuram Highway and continue through
the gorge valley with specticular view
of surrounding lofty peaks and glaciers
and the numbers of Wakhi villages up
to the Sust.
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Day-13 |
Drive
to Khunjerab Pass (4733m) 3- hrs. Drive
through the narrow gorge valley, along
the Hunza River steep up the Pass. Khunjerab
Pass is the world highest paved boarder
between Pakistan and China. Khunjerab National
Park is the home of Snow leopard and
Marcopolo sheep, Ibex and other wild
life. After exploration back on Cycles
to Sust by the same route but extremely
descend to the Kuksal and proceed on
the normal route to the Sust. Drive
continue to Passu 5-hrs and overnight
in the hotel
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Day-14 |
Drive
to Gilgit 4-5 hrs. In the evening you
may visit bazaar and other places. |
Day-15 |
Drive
to Besham 6-7 hrs. In the way you may
make several stops in the Nanga Parbat
viewpoint and the meeting point of the
Great Mountains range the Karakuram,
the Himalayan and the Hindu-Kush.
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Day-16 |
Drive
to Islamabad 6-7 hrs. |
Day-17 |
Day
free in Islamabad |
Day-18 |
Fly
homeland |
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