Grand Northern Pakistan Motorbike Tour
The Grand Northern Pakistan Motorbike Tour is an 18-day epic ride through the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya: Swat, Chitral, the Shandur Pass, Hunza and the Khunjerab Pass, Skardu and the Deosai Plains.
- Duration18 Days
- PaceHard
- RouteChitral – Hunza – Skardu – Deosai
- Best SeasonJuly – September
- Bike150–250cc
Three Mountain Ranges on Two Wheels
The Northern Pakistan Motorbike Tour is our longest and most complete ride, linking the three great mountain ranges of Pakistan. It combines the Shandur Pass between Chitral and Gilgit, the Karakoram Highway to the Chinese border, and the Deosai Plains between Skardu and Astore.
Along the way we visit the Kalash valleys, Hunza and its forts, Attabad Lake and Passu, and Skardu, with rest days to recover and explore. A support vehicle with a mechanic, fuel and spares follows the group the whole way.
Trip Highlights
- Shandur Pass, Khunjerab Pass and the Deosai Plains in one ride
- Kalash valleys, Hunza forts and Attabad Lake
- Skardu, Shigar and the Kachura lakes
- Rest days in Chitral, Hunza and Skardu
- Support vehicle, mechanic and spare parts all the way
- Our most complete motorbike tour of Pakistan
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport. Afternoon bike handover and test ride.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Islamabad to Swat
Ride into the Swat Valley.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Swat to Chitral
Via the Lowari Tunnel to Chitral.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Kalash valleys
Ride to Bumburet and explore the Kalash villages.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 5Chitral to Mastuj
Ride up the Chitral valley to Mastuj.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 6Shandur Pass to Phander
Over the Shandur Pass to the Ghizer Valley.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 7Phander to Gilgit
Down the Ghizer Valley to Gilgit.
Overnight: HotelDay 8Gilgit to Hunza
A short ride to Karimabad.
Overnight: HotelDay 9Rest day in Hunza
Forts, villages and viewpoints.
Overnight: HotelDay 10Hunza to Passu
Past Attabad Lake to Passu.
Overnight: HotelDay 11Khunjerab Pass
Ride to the Khunjerab Pass and back.
Overnight: HotelDay 12Passu to Skardu
Back down the Karakoram Highway and along the Indus to Skardu.
Overnight: HotelDay 13Rest day in Skardu
Shigar Fort and the Kachura lakes.
Overnight: HotelDay 14Skardu to Deosai
Climb onto the Deosai Plains and camp.
Overnight: CampDay 15Deosai to Astore
Cross Deosai past Sheosar Lake to Astore.
Overnight: HotelDay 16Astore to Chilas
Down to the Karakoram Highway and Chilas.
Overnight: HotelDay 17Chilas to Islamabad
Over the Babusar Pass and down to Islamabad.
Overnight: HotelDay 18Depart
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Overnight: —Road conditions in the mountains change often; routes may be adjusted for landslides, weather and safety. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Islamabad
- Hotels and guesthouses along the route, camping in Deosai
- National park entry fees
- Motorbike hire (Honda CG125 or similar 150–250cc bikes, depending on availability), fuel and maintenance
- Support vehicle with mechanic, spare parts and luggage transfer
- Experienced English-speaking ride leader
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance covering motorbike riding
- Riding gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots) – can be arranged on request
- Lunches and drinks
- Damage to the motorbike caused by the rider
- Tips for crew
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Grand Northern Pakistan Motorbike Tour?
The Northern Pakistan Motorbike Tour is the ride of a lifetime for experienced adventure riders. In under three weeks you cross the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya, and see almost every highlight of northern Pakistan.
It is long and demanding, with gravel roads and high passes. For shorter rides, choose the Shandur Pass Motorbike Tour or the Deosai Motorbike Tour.
Before you ride, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance, or browse all our motorbike tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Riding Experience
You should be an experienced adventure rider, comfortable with long days, gravel tracks, river crossings and altitude.
Licence & Insurance
You need a valid motorcycle licence and an International Driving Permit, plus travel insurance that covers riding motorbikes at altitude.
Permits & Checkpoints
Foreigners register at police checkpoints along the route, which our ride leader handles. Keep your passport and visa with you at all times.
When to Go
July to September is the only window when the Shandur Pass, Khunjerab Pass and Deosai are all open. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for your grand ride.
