General
Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour (2024-25) – 15 Days
Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour is an exciting adventure in the Karakorams of Pakistan. Two and a half million domestic tourists visited this region in the year 2018 and it still continues to be the top destination among foreign and domestic tourists. Our biking adventure to Gilgit, Hunza and Ghizer is normally referred to as Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour.
Our events (fixed departures) for Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour are given in the table below.
| Holiday | Price (USD) | Price (PKR) |
| Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour (Winter) | US$2,090 | PKR 323,900 |
| Karakoram Highway Motorcycle Tour (Autumn) | US$2,090 | PKR 323,900 |
| Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour (Summer) | US$2,090 | PKR 323,900 |
| Karakoram Highway Motorcycle Tour (Spring) | US$2,090 | PKR 323,900 |
| Motorbike Tour to Kalash Valley – 15 Days | US$1,990 | PKR 308,400 |
Dates & Cost – Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour (15 Days)
All seasons are considered good for sightseeing in the northern areas of Pakistan. Considering the flow of tourists and demand for Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour, we carefully choose our dates for this tour. The start and end dates in the table below are your dates of arrival and departure from Pakistan. We have at least 4 guaranteed departures every year in Winter seasons. Our dates and costs for Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour (Winter) are given below.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Price (PKR) | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21-Nov-2020 | 05-Dec-2020 | US$ 2,090 | PKR 323,900 | US$ 490 | |
| 12-Dec-2020 | 26-Dec-2020 | US$ 2,090 | PKR 323,900 | US$ 490 | |
| 16-Jan-2021 | 30-Jan-2021 | US$ 2,090 | PKR 323,900 | US$ 490 | |
| 06-Feb-2021 | 20-Feb-2021 | US$ 2,090 | PKR 323,900 | US$ 490 |
The remaining balance (to be paid in Islamabad) will be decided depending on the number of people joining this trip, according to the table below.
| Solo Rider | 2 Persons | 3 Persons | 4 Persons | 5 Persons | 6-8 Persons | 9-10 Persons |
| $2090 (Per person) | $1890 (Per person) | $1790 (Per person) | $1690 (Per person) | $1590 (Per person) | $1490(Per person) | $1390 (Per person) |
Holiday Information
- 125cc Motorcycle for the tour (can be upgraded in registration form)
- Domestic flights (if included in itinerary)
- All airport transfers (if included in itinerary)
- Road transfers (according to itinerary)
- All accommodation in Pakistan according to itinerary (twin sharing)
- Invitation letters and other documents for Visa application
- Set of "Naming list" (required at Police check-points)
- Tour Map
- Emergency contact numbers
- Tour guide during Islamabad sightseeing (if included in itinerary)
- International airfare
- Personal travel insurance or trip cancellation insurance (recommendations only)
- Insurance of motorcycle
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and beverages/water during meals
- Support staff (guide, cook, assistant(s), mechanic etc)
- Personal equipment (e.g. helmet, knee-pad, bag etc)
- First aid medicine kit
- Satellite phone for emergencies (available for rent: USD 20 per day)
- Local SIM card for personal communication
- Entry fees to museums, parks, malls or any other establishment
- Toll/road taxes (estimated total of maximum USD 15)
- Extra night stays
- Miscellaneous (tips/gratuities, minibar, bottled water, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
- Charges incurred due to delays beyond the control of Apricot Tours (Force majeure)
Why should you register now?
1. Price changes: The given prices for the holidays are early bird discount offers and are subject to change. There will be an increase in prices every month after January. Service providers including (but not limited) to hotels increase prices in peak-season. Early reservations cost less than peak-season. Our motorcycle holiday prices will not change once you have paid the deposit so the price when you book is the price you will pay. Register yourselves early to avoid increase in holiday prices.
2. Peak Season: If your itinerary includes domestic flights, we might not be able to get you on the domestic flights if you do not pay your deposit on time. Domestic flight seats are sold very fast way ahead of time because there are only a few flights to the mountains during peak season. This is a very serious concern. Among other things, the deposit is used to book domestic flights for you in advance.
3. Pay less deposit: Given below is our deposit schedule for 2020 departures.
- April to September 2019 (deposit: USD 390)
- October to December 2019 (deposit: USD 490)
- January to April 2020 (deposit: USD 590)
Note: The same months above apply to 2021 departures.
Price discrimination
We strongly believe that international guests should not pay more than locals. The reason for what may seem to be price discrimination is purely because of the additional and necessary services included as you will find under holiday information.
Deposit amount for Pakistani nationals
The deposit amount for Pakistani nationals is PKR 50,000 or 30% of total price, whichever is greater. The deposit amount is non-refundable and non-transferrable to other departures.
Refund policy
Deposit: Once paid, the deposit is non-refundable as it will be spent on making in-country arrangements. In case of visa rejection, a refund/partial-refund (if costs incurred) will be considered. In such cases, a valid proof of visa rejection must be submitted to our office within 72 hours of rejection. The deposit in non-refundable for Pakistani nationals in all cases.
Balance: Pay the balance amount on arrival in Pakistan on the first day.
Currency
All international travelers can pay in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent in Euros (EUR) or Pound Sterling (GBP). Pakistani travelers are charged in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).
Single Supplement
Separate accommodation (single supplement) will cost according to the number of days given below:
- 08 Days: USD 410
- 09 Days: USD 465
- 10 Days: USD 520
- 11 Days: USD 580
- 13 Days: USD 670
- 15 Days: USD 775
Highlights – Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour
Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour has a lot to offer. Given below are main highlights of Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour.
Itinerary – Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour
The itinerary for Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour is given below.
On this day
Your flights will normally arrive in Islamabad in the afternoon. Our guide(s) will receive you from the airport. Soon the participants will be transferred to hotels. This day the participants can relax and recover from the journey.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Chateau Royale (see pictures), Prestige Residence (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Islamabad. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
Our journey towards Gilgit begins on this day.The participants will travel by road from Islamabad following Karakoram Highway along the Indus river. To avoid heavy traffic of Abbottabad and Manshera our participants will travel in a Hiace.
If Babusar Pass is open for tourist, the participants will continue their journey towards the mesmerizing landscape of Naran but in case if the Babusar Pass is not accessible the participants will continue their journey towards Besham from Mansehra.
Naran
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Parhena Cottages (see pictures), Hotel deManchi (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Naran. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
Besham
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing tent/cottage at Besham Hilton Hotel (see pictures), PTDC Motel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Besham. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
We will start travelling by road further towards the mountains and continue on Karakoram Highway. In Spring and Autumn Babusar Pass is closed due to the heavy snowfall and leaving travelers with no other option than to proceed on the mighty Karakoram Highway. Passing through Dasu and Chilas we will reach Gilgit and after resting for a while our participants will visit their bikes. Night will be spent in Gilgit.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Riveria Hotel Gilgit (see pictures), MarcoPolo Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Gilgit. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
This day will be the first day of an amazing journey of the bike ride full of thrill and excitement. The riders will commence their ride from Gilgit to the beautiful valley of Hunza. While travelling towards Hunza we will stop at Rakaposhi view point and the old silk route along the way. Our riders will go to Altit Fort and then Duikar/Eagle’s Nest to watch the sun setting over the Hunza Valley. Participants will stay in Karimabad, Hunza.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Hilltop Hotel Hunza (see pictures), World Roof Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Hunza. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
On this day our riders will visit Baltit Fort and Hopar Valley. Baltit Fort is a historical place which was built 700 years ago. This is one of the main attraction points in Hunza. Hunza is home for Burusho/Hunzokuts and Wakhi people. The languages spoken in this area are Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina.
After exploring Baltit Fort and local market of Hunza, our participants will move towards Hoper valley to enjoy a tour of massive Hoper Glacier.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Hilltop Hotel Hunza (see pictures), World Roof Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Hunza. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
On this day we will ride towards Passu Village which is approximately 1 hour away from Karimabad, Hunza. Passu is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful landscape and Passu Cones. On our way to Passu, participants will get a chance to visit Attabad Lake and Hussaini Bridge. Attabad Lake was formed in 2010 due to a massive landslide in the Attabad village, a tragedy turned into a tourist attraction point while Hussaini bridge is a suspension bridge, over the Hunza River which connects Zarabad hamlet to Hussaini village. We will spend the night in Passu.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Sarai Silk Route (see pictures), Passu Ambassador Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Passu. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
On this day the guests will depart to the international paved road border “Khunjerab Pass. We will pass through Ganish Bridge & ancient rock carvings. We will be travelling along famous Attabad Lake and Newly constructed Pak-China friendship tunnels. Participants will cross through Wildlife Conservation Area in Khyber before entering Khunjerab National Park in Deh. We will each Pak-China border and get stunned by the natural environment and may even witness snow in summers on a lucky day.
Khunjerab National Park is wildlife habitats for ibex, snow leopards, marmots etc. Guests might get a chance to meet Chinese people (soldiers/border police/Chinese tourists from the other side). Participants will eat packed/picnic lunch on Pak-China Border (4733m). Guest will get shopping time on return in Sost (Immigration/Customs point) for Chinese goods (electronics, watches etc). We will return to Passu Village for stay.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Sarai Silk Route (see pictures), Passu Ambassador Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Passu. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
Today our participants will have a rest day. They can either stay and enjoy the atmosphere with a view of Passu cones or if our participants want to explore more, then they can go for a hike up the side valleys.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Sarai Silk Route (see pictures), Passu Ambassador Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Passu. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
Riders will ride back to Gilgit on this day. In the evening, they will visit Kargah Buddha which is an archaeological site in Gilgit. It is a carved image of a large standing Buddha, some 50 feet high, in the cliff-face in Karghah Nala.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Riveria Hotel Gilgit (see pictures), MarcoPolo Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Gilgit. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
Today we drive towards the lesser visited but truly mesmerizing areas of Yasin Valley which is situated in Ghizer district. This quiet area with lush green meadows and streams bursting with trout provides a stunning backdrop through which to ride. We have the opportunity to try your luck with fishing in the afternoon. We will drive towards Gupis for the night stay.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at PTDC Motel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Gupis. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
On this day we will ride towards Phander valley. We will stop at Khalti Lake and do some photography. The Phander valley is famous for its trout fish and Phander lake. After visiting Phander lake and spending some quality time there, we move back to Gupis for night stay.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at PTDC Motel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Gupis. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
Our participants will ride back from Gupis to Gilgit. This will be the last night in Gilgit.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Riveria Hotel Gilgit (see pictures), MarcoPolo Hotel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Gilgit. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
On this day the participants will take a flight from the airport in Gilgit to Islamabad airport. You will have a good time to relax at the hotel in Islamabad.
The domestic flights sometimes get cancelled due to weather conditions. In case of flight cancellation, you will be travelling back to Islamabad in a Hiace/Van and will drive via Babusar Pass or Karakoram Highway(depending on weather and other variables).
Islamabad
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Chateau Royale (see pictures), Prestige Residence (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Islamabad. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
Besham
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing tent/cottage at Besham Hilton Hotel (see pictures), PTDC Motel (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Besham. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
Naran
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Parhena Cottages (see pictures), Hotel deManchi (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Naran. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
This day is allocated for any potential delays in case the domestic flight does not operate the previous day. Our guests will depart early morning from Besham/Naran to Islamabad which can take up to eight or nine hours. However, it will be a free day in case the participants make it to Islamabad on the domestic flight. This time can be utilized for sightseeing in Islamabad.
| Accommodation | Twin-sharing room at Chateau Royale (see pictures), Prestige Residence (see pictures) or equivalent standard partner hotel (depends on occupancy) in Islamabad. |
| Meals | Breakfast, lunch and dinner + tea/coffee and snacks |
On this Day
Meals included: Breakfast
Our staff will transfer all our guests to the airport on their respective departure timings. The checkout time of all our partner hotels is 12pm.
As Featured In:
| Apricot Tours' Social Responsibility |
| 1 foreign participant = 5 trees |
| Apricot Tours will plant five trees for every foreign tourist who visits Pakistan for a tour to Hunza Valley. The trees will be planted in the northern areas of Pakistan starting from 2019 as part of our CSR initiative. We aim to contribute to "Goal 13: Climate Action" of UN's Sustainable Development Goals by taking part in the massive government campaign to plant 10 billion trees during the next five years to tackle climate change. Pakistan's adverse climate impacts are very much visible through changing temperatures, prolonged droughts, increased floods and extreme weather conditions especially in Pakistan's mountain regions. Pakistan stands 7th on the list of countries that are mostly likely to be affected by global warming and has one of the highest deforestation rates in Asia. Decades of tree felling have reduced the country's forests to less than 3 percent of its total land area. How planting trees will make a difference? Planting trees will help save energy and money, cool our cities, reduce carbon emissions, reduce soil erosion, provide habitat for species of many kinds, provide clean water and add to the beauty of Pakistan's mountain region by simply being there. Our participants can also donate separately. Details on this initiative can be requested. |
