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Overview

Pakistani Kashmir & Karakoram Highway Into China 2025
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Jun 8 - 17, 2025
John Ward image
John Ward
$3,799
Deposit: $300

About your trip

Our most epic adventure and the trip of a lifetime awaits you as you travel across beautiful Pakistan, exploring untouched nature, meeting some of the friendliest people on Earth, and learning about traditional life along the borders. Starting with one of our signature giveback projects is outside Islamabad, we'll fly high into Kashmir to breathtaking scenes. 


Then, we'll travel overland through the Karakoram Highway, deep into the Himalayas, through the Khunjerab Pass, the highest border crossing in the world, and on to adventure in Kashgar and discover the fascinating city of Urumqi, China. 


This time, Mudita Adventures' project is partnering with a local NGO near Islamabad to help install water pumps and toilets so that villagers can live in hygienic conditions. You’re seriously not going to want to miss this one!

What's included

All Accommodation

All transport

International Guide

me!

Local guide

A local guide in Pakistan, Kashmir, and in China

Project Donation

Domestic Flights

China night train

Karakoram Silk Road trip

All Breakfasts

All entrance fees

All breakfasts

What's not included

International airfare

Airport transfers

Associated Visa fees

and border fees

Travel Insurance

DAY 1

DAY 1 image

Meet in Islamabad

Our group will meet in Islamabad. We’ll have an evening dinner and briefing about the trip, then we’ll relax in our nice hotel in Pakistan. We have to take the opportunity for comfort when we have it!

DAY 2

DAY 2 image

PROJECT DAY

Long day today folks. Early brekkie then a 2.5 hour drive tour project partner. Thanks to you coming on the trip, you’ll have funded this entire project. Right now, as i mentioned earlier, we will fund a pop-up clinic for a remote mountain community who has no current access to health care. This pop-up clinic will bring doctors and nurses into the community and treat all the ailments they can, for free, to the community.


After witnessing the amazing work these guys do, we’ll have a local Pakistani lunch with the community and make our way back to Islamabad for the evening.

DAY 3

DAY 3 image

Fly to Kashmir

Get ready folks. Kashmir is calling. We’ve got our tickets ready and we’re flying from Islamabad right into Gilgit-Baltistan’s main airport, Skardu. And so it begins. The roadtrip of all roadtrips. 


We start on the ancient silk road route, following the Karakoram Highway all the way to China. And it all starts here. We land in Skardu and wind through the mountains to Gilgit, where we overnight.

DAY 4

DAY 4 image

Road trip on the old Silk Route

Today’s route sees up slowly make our way from Gilgit to Skardu. Each day on our road-trip, we’ll stop at the small community mountain villages, eat local Pakistani fare and soak it up. The views just don’t get better than this place.


Wind through the majestic Karakoram Range, witness turquoise lakes, and marvel at ancient Buddhist relics. Discover the rich culture of Gilgit-Baltistan while taking in awe-inspiring vistas. This journey promises unforgettable memories.

DAY 5

DAY 5  image

Karakoram Highway

Hunza Valley is next up. Today see’s us push on through epic hikes at the lake, then travel-insurance type suspension bridges, then on to Sost.


Experience the ultimate adventure on a road trip from Gilgit to Hunza! Immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of Gilgit-Baltistan, from rugged mountains to serene valleys. Explore ancient forts, savor local cuisine, and witness the beauty of Hunza Valley. This journey is a tapestry of natural wonders and cultural treasures.

DAY 6

DAY 6 image

Highest border crossing in the world!

The most epic border crossing the world. And the highest.


We’ll cross the border into China through the famous Khunjerab Pass. Now, we’re venturing into the remote Chinese Uyghur autonomous region of Xinjiang, home to China’s large Muslim population. 


Upon arriving in the Chinese border town of Tashkurgan, we’ll take a leisurely evening stroll after the stress of border guards and paper work, then maybe a few celebatories chinese beers! We’ll rest up for the night in Tashkurgan

DAY 7

DAY 7 image

Deep in Xinjiang, China

Deep into China we go.


Tashorgan road trip to Kashgar, it’s about a 5 hour drive. But we make an epic day of it with stops at Karakul Lake, the White sand mountains and gorgeous Oytagh Red Mountain. Overnight Kashgar.

DAY 8

DAY 8 image

Chinese night train

We’ll explore Kashgar today. Abakh Hoja Tomb & Id Kah Mosques are the highlight, then a trip to the supermarket to fuel our 16 hour night train through Northern China. Some local China Baiju may be the perfect fuel to help us get some sleep on the train.

DAY 9

DAY 9 image

Urumqi, China

Back to civilization. We pull into Urumqi, a city of 4 million people. We’ll check into our hotel, grab a shower and then take a half day tour in the city, including the incredible Xinjiang Bazaar. Then it’s an evening of local Chinese-Muslim food. 


This city is fascinating with the cultural blend of Central Asian and Chinese aspect.

DAY 10

DAY 10 image

That's all folks!

That’s all folks! We are done, what an epic ride. Pakistan, Kashmir, and a part of China few people ever see. As promised, a trip of a lifetime.

Location

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1. Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan

About your organizer

JW
John Ward
Irish blogger @ onestep4ward.com. Every country in the world, 7 summits, North and South Pole. Now helping some crazy friends go to places they probably shouldn't.

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