The Karakoram Highway (KKH), often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, stretches approximately 1,300 kilometers from Islamabad to the Khunjerab Pass at the Chinese border. Built through some of the most challenging terrain on the planet, this engineering marvel follows ancient Silk Road trade routes through three mighty mountain ranges: the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush.
The journey typically begins in Islamabad and the first major stop is Besham, approximately 6 to 7 hours into the drive. The road from Islamabad to Besham passes through Haripur, Abbottabad, and Mansehra before entering the dramatic Indus River gorge. Besham serves as a good overnight stop with basic but comfortable accommodations.
From Besham, the KKH follows the Indus River through increasingly dramatic scenery to Chilas (4 to 5 hours). This stretch passes through some of the most rugged landscapes along the highway, with the Indus cutting through deep gorges flanked by barren mountains. Chilas offers the famous Nanga Parbat viewpoint where you can see the ninth highest peak in the world.
The section from Chilas to Gilgit (3 to 4 hours) passes through the confluence of the three mountain ranges. The junction of the Indus and Gilgit rivers is a geographical marvel. Gilgit is a bustling town with good hotels, restaurants, and a vibrant bazaar worth exploring.
From Gilgit to Karimabad in Hunza (2 to 3 hours), the scenery becomes increasingly spectacular. Rakaposhi viewpoint offers one of the most accessible views of a 7,000m plus peak anywhere in the world. Karimabad is the cultural heart of Hunza and the perfect base for exploring the valley.
The stretch from Karimabad to Passu and Khunjerab Pass is the most dramatic section of the entire highway. Attabad Lake, formed by a landslide in 2010, now features boat rides and tunnel roads. Passu Cones and the iconic suspension bridge are must stop attractions. Khunjerab Pass at 4,693m is the highest paved border crossing in the world.
Practical tips for the KKH road trip: fuel stations are available in major towns but can be sparse between them so fill up at every opportunity, carry extra fuel in a jerry can, road conditions vary seasonally with landslides common during monsoon (July to August), carry basic tools and a spare tire, and start driving early each day as mountain roads are best navigated in daylight.
For those who prefer not to drive, Travel N Tours Pakistan offers guided KKH road trips with experienced drivers, comfortable 4x4 vehicles, and pre booked accommodations at the best viewpoint locations along the route.