Karakoram Highway Road Trip: Islamabad to the Khunjerab Pass

The Karakoram Highway, or KKH, is the road from the plains of northern Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass on the China border. It follows the Indus and Hunza rivers through the Karakoram range and is one of the highest paved roads in the world. In Pakistan it is the N-35, starting at Hasan Abdal near Islamabad; across the border it continues to Kashgar in Xinjiang, about 1,300 km in all.

Quick answer: allow two days from Islamabad to Gilgit or Hunza, overnighting in Besham or Chilas, and another half day from Hunza to the Khunjerab Pass and back. Drive between May and October for open passes and the best weather.

Key facts about the Karakoram Highway

• Start: Hasan Abdal, about an hour from Islamabad.
• End in Pakistan: the Khunjerab Pass, 4,693 m, on the China border.
• Built: between 1959 and 1979 by Pakistan and China; opened to the public in the 1980s.
• Rivers: the road follows the Indus to Jaglot, then the Gilgit and Hunza rivers.
• Driving time: about 14 to 18 hours from Islamabad to Gilgit, longer in bad weather.
• Alternative: the Babusar Pass road via Naran, open from about June to October, is shorter to Chilas.

The route, stage by stage

Islamabad to Besham or Chilas

The first day climbs from the Potohar plateau through Abbottabad and Mansehra into the Indus gorge. Besham is the usual first stop; Chilas, further on, makes the second day shorter. In summer many drivers take the Babusar Pass route instead: Islamabad to Naran, then over the pass (4,173 m) to Chilas.

Chilas to Gilgit

Past Chilas the valley opens to views of Nanga Parbat. Stop at the Raikot Bridge, the turn-off for Fairy Meadows, and at the viewpoint where three great ranges meet: the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush. The road reaches Gilgit, the regional capital, in about 4 to 5 hours from Chilas.

Gilgit to Hunza

From Gilgit the road enters the Hunza valley. Watch for the Rakaposhi viewpoint near Ghulmet, where the 7,788 m peak rises almost straight from the road. Karimabad, below Baltit Fort, is about 2 to 3 hours from Gilgit and the best base for Hunza.

Hunza to the Khunjerab Pass

North of Karimabad the road passes Attabad Lake, formed by a landslide in 2010, then Gulmit, the Passu Cones and Sost, the last town before the border. From Sost it climbs through Khunjerab National Park to the pass. The round trip from Karimabad takes most of a day. See our Khunjerab guide.

Best time to drive the KKH

• May to October: the best window. All passes are open and the weather is settled.
• July and August: monsoon rain in the lower Indus valley can trigger landslides. Most are cleared within hours, but keep a spare day.
• Winter: the KKH to Hunza stays open, but the Babusar Pass closes and the Khunjerab Pass may be closed to travellers or open only for trade. Check the current status before planning a winter visit.

Driving tips

• Hire a local driver who knows the road; a private car with driver is safer and less tiring than self-driving. See our car rental with driver.
• Drive in daylight only and avoid the stretch below Chilas after dark.
• Carry cash: fuel stations and ATMs thin out beyond Gilgit and Karimabad.
• At the Khunjerab Pass the altitude is high. Walk slowly and do not stay long if you feel a headache.
• Foreign visitors should carry their passport; there are police check posts along the road.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the drive from Islamabad to Hunza?

About 16 to 21 hours of driving on the Karakoram Highway, normally split over two days with a night in Besham or Chilas. Flying to Gilgit and driving on takes about 4 hours in total.

Is the Karakoram Highway dangerous?

The road is paved and busy, and thousands of tourists drive it every summer. The main hazards are landslides in the monsoon and long, winding stretches; an experienced local driver and daylight driving keep the risk low.

Can tourists go to the Khunjerab Pass?

Yes. Visitors can drive to the Pakistani side of the pass at 4,693 m, usually from about May to November, and see the border gate. Crossing into China needs a Chinese visa and an open crossing.

What is the best stop between Islamabad and Gilgit?

Chilas is the most practical overnight stop because it splits the drive into two similar days; Besham is an alternative on the KKH route, and Naran on the Babusar route in summer.

Drive it with us

Our Gilgit-Baltistan tours by road include a private car, an experienced driver and hand-picked hotels along the KKH. Ask us for a custom road trip.