Pakistan? We are certain the country conjures prejudices in the minds of many. But if you are willing to look past the noise, an adventure awaits like no other.

What you will experience in collaboration with our local partners is a connection with some of the most sky shattering landscapes on earth and the kindest, most beautiful people, human civilisation can offer.

7,000 metre, glaciated peaks reach for the sky in all directions. Endless, winding, well-paved roads snake us through the Hunza Valley and the  Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges. The otherworldly 1,000 year old Altit and Baltit fortresses sit commandingly on their mountain perches conjuring images of their earlier roles as defenders of the ancient Silk Road.

The highway connects the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as Gilgit-Baltistan with China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Karakoram, or KKH, is a spectacular 1,300 km international road that connects Hasan Abdal in Pakistan to the ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region. Coined the "Eighth Wonder of the World," it is the highest paved international road globally, crossing the Khunjerab Pass at an elevation of 4,714 meters (15,466 feet).

There is no place on earth like the Baltistan and the Karakoram Highway and, while an adventure to Pakistan may not be on the life list of everyone, for those willing to dispel prejudices with facts, you will be rewarded 100 times over.

Pakistan? Yes, Pakistan.

Your Pakistani adventure starts and ends in the capital city of Islamabad, a relatively new creation as a sister city to Rawalpindi and a replacement of the ancient capital of Karachi. The planned layout of the city is relaxing, easy to navigate and adorned by the backdrop of the nearby Margalla Hills. Day one will be an opportunity to unwind in the quiet sanctuary of the Marriott hotel in the city’s diplomatic enclave. As you’d expect, your car will be waiting for you at the arrivals hall to whisk you on a quick 30 minute journey to the hotel.

On day 2, you will be introduced to the sights of the capital including the magnificent Faisal Mosque, the Pakistan Monument and the local people of Saidpur Village. Of course, you will have your initiation into the unique, flavourful cuisine of the region

Today we rise early for the flight to the mountains! The quick 60 minute flight will deposit us at an elevation of 2,230 metres / 7,310 feet. The cool weather and crisp air will snap you into excitement mode as you are introduced to the two-wheeled steeds that will convey you on your adventure. We’ll have time for an intro ride to bring the CFMoto 450s from the garage back to the hotel. A lavish dinner at our lovely inn will get us fuelled for our first riding day.

It’s ride day! It’s sidestands up as we head northwest out of Skardu and make our way along the valley past the soaring 7,000m + peaks of Haramosh 1 and Bilchar Dobani. The valley is like an oasis in the mountain desert with endless swaths of green juxtaposed against the light grey earth. Below, a raging river slices through a canyon with 200 metre walls. The roads are perfect as we make our way through the slight chaos of Gilgit town. Our hotel for the night in Nomal, Das-e-Basi Resort, is at one with the surroundings, a serene architecture in the groves of apricots and cherries.

Winding along the Hunza River with views of waterfalls spilling their flows from a height of 500 metres, we stop to gawk in awe at a stretch of the original Silk Road etched along a cliffside while in the distance, mountains like 7000m plus Rakaposhi loom majestically. Here, we will visit the 900 year old Altit Fort, the oldest monument in the region. The final approach up to KKH to our beautiful hotel for 2 nights, Zen By the Lake, is breathtaking. Dragon’s teeth of stone pierce the sky on all sides as we trace along the Hunza River.

Today, we make our way to the top of the world! The narrow road cuts through canyons with 500m cliffs as we navigate due north. Gravel from rockslides coat patches of the road and the turquoise waters of the Hunza River guide our path. The tentacles of glaciers cut through valleys to reach to the road. As we pass through Karakoram National Park, the towering poplar trees so prominent in the area gradually wane as we climb in elevation.

After 150 kilometres of landscape that reminds you at every turn this is one of the most beautiful places on earth, we are deposited at the Chinese border at a freezing 4,700 metres / 15,500 ft. (Bring the winter gloves!) Here, we pose for some celebratory pics having reached the highest border crossing on earth and make our way back to lower (and warmer!) climes.

Our day starts with a casual 0930 stands up and a short ride up to a school in Gulmit where your hosts, Jimmy and Moin, have a long relationship. The ride up to this mountaintop facility is absolutely beautiful! The single track, rocky switchback up the mountain finally levels off as enter the school courtyard lined with dozens of schoolchildren singing and waving ‘hello.’ Our hourlong stay will be filled with songs, selfies and snacks. What a highlight!

Afterward, we’ll relax in a wonderful cafe set among apricot trees end enjoy a home-cooked vegetarian meal created by a lovely local lady. Finally, we’ll spend an hour in an old, dark, single room wooden house where local ladies weave beautiful carpets. Buy these beautiful masterpieces, if you like!

During our non-riding day, we’ll also visit Baltit Fort,  Altit Fort and Karimabad Bazaar. And of course, there will be food, glorious food.

Our accommodations here are of the sublime variety! The 2 Magpies, owned by Arif and his wife is the ultimate tranquil setting comprising 12 individual cabins and A frames under the shade of fruit trees and a life-changing, unobstructed view of the 7,000 metre Rakaposhi. Enjoy your evening from the terrace as the glaciated mountain changes its colours with setting sun.

Today we backtrack through Nomal Valley then climb to 10,000 ft into the pine forest. Crunchy switchbacks in abundance! We’ll spend the night in cozy A-frame  cabins spread under the pine trees. Before dinner, a refreshing walk to the local village will build our appetites.

Our last ride day! It’s a long one as we wind back down through the pine forest, back to the Karakoram Highway and along the Indus River Canyon. We’ll glide again past the glaciated peaks en route to Skardu and our mountain home base.

For our final day in the mountains, we make a run up to Khaplu Palace, an old fort and palace located in Khaplu, a city in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The architectural heritage site was built in the mid-19th century to replace an earlier-dated fort located nearby. It served as a royal residence for the Raja of Khaplu.

A final evening and meal at our digs in Skardu gives us time to reflect on the awesome time we’ve had in the mountains!

An hour after departing Skardu, we land back in heat of Islamabad. We’ll check into the hotel for a bit of a refresh before heading to a final group dinner with your new best friends for life.

Today we check out of our final night at the Marriott for our flights home. The team will see you packed into your hotel cars for the short ride back to the airport. You’ll make your way through the terminal with mud on your books, dust on your jacket a a solid grin planted on your face!