Pakistan & China Overland Tour (Silk Road)
The Pakistan & China Overland Tour is a 21-day Silk Road journey from Islamabad along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza, over the Khunjerab Pass (approx. 4,693 m) into China, and on to Tashkurgan, Karakul Lake and the old Silk Road city of Kashgar.
- Duration21 Days
- CountriesPakistan & China
- BorderKhunjerab Pass
- Best SeasonMay – October
- StatusRunning (seasonal)
The Silk Road Across the Roof of the World
The Karakoram Highway is the modern successor to one of the great Silk Road routes between South Asia and Central Asia. Crossing the Khunjerab Pass from Pakistan into China is one of the most spectacular border crossings on earth, and one of the few open overland routes out of Pakistan today.
The Pakistan China Overland tour starts with Islamabad, Taxila and the Karakoram Highway, spends time in Hunza and Passu, crosses the Khunjerab Pass to Tashkurgan, and continues past Karakul Lake below Muztagh Ata to Kashgar, with its old town and famous Sunday market.
Trip Highlights
- The full Karakoram Highway from Islamabad to the Chinese border
- Cross the Khunjerab Pass at about 4,693 m
- Hunza Valley, Attabad Lake and the Passu Cones
- Tashkurgan and its stone fort
- Karakul Lake below Muztagh Ata
- Kashgar old town and the Sunday market
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Islamabad and Taxila
Faisal Mosque and the ancient Buddhist city of Taxila.
Overnight: HotelDay 3–4Karakoram Highway to Chilas
Drive along the Indus via Besham to Chilas, with rock carvings.
Overnight: HotelDay 5Chilas to Hunza
Past the Nanga Parbat viewpoint to Karimabad.
Overnight: HotelDay 6–8Hunza Valley
Baltit and Altit forts, Ganish, the Nagar Valley and the Eagle's Nest.
Overnight: HotelDay 9–10Attabad Lake and Passu
Boat on Attabad Lake, the Passu Cones and Gulmit.
Overnight: HotelDay 11Sost and border formalities
Drive to Sost and complete exit formalities.
Overnight: HotelDay 12Khunjerab Pass to Tashkurgan
Cross the Khunjerab Pass into China and meet your Chinese guide. Drive to Tashkurgan.
Overnight: HotelDay 13Tashkurgan
Stone Fort, grasslands and Tajik villages.
Overnight: HotelDay 14Karakul Lake
Drive to Karakul Lake below Muztagh Ata (7,546 m).
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 15Karakul to Kashgar
Continue along the Karakoram Highway to Kashgar.
Overnight: HotelDay 16–19Kashgar
Old town, Id Kah Mosque, Abakh Khoja tomb, the Sunday market and livestock bazaar.
Overnight: HotelDay 20Free day in Kashgar
Rest and shopping, or an optional excursion.
Overnight: HotelDay 21Depart Kashgar
Transfer to Kashgar airport for your onward flight.
Overnight: —Overland routes depend on border status, visas and security advice. If a border is closed, we adjust the route or connect by flight. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off at the start and end
- Hotels and guesthouses in Pakistan and China
- Domestic flight or road transport in Pakistan
- Licensed Chinese guide and vehicle in China (required)
- Khunjerab National Park fee
- Private vehicle with experienced drivers in Pakistan, and partner vehicles abroad
- English-speaking guides in each country
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Entry fees to sites in the itinerary
- Visa support letters (LOI) for Pakistan and help with the second country
Not Included
- International flights to the start and from the end of the tour
- Visa fees for all countries
- Travel insurance valid in all countries visited
- Lunches and drinks
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Pakistan China Overland Tour?
The Pakistan China Overland tour follows one of the great journeys of Asia, and the Khunjerab crossing is currently one of the few overland borders open to foreign travellers from Pakistan.
For a Pakistan-only version, see our Karakoram Highway Silk Road Tour, or travel the same road by motorbike on the Karakoram Highway Motorbike Tour.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance, or browse all our overland tours from Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Border Status
The Khunjerab crossing is open seasonally, roughly May to October, on weekdays only. On the Chinese side, foreign travellers must travel with a licensed guide, which we arrange with our partner.
Visas
You need a Pakistan visa and a Chinese visa arranged in advance (Chinese visas are not issued at the border). We help with letters and planning.
Partners Abroad
In Pakistan our own team runs your trip. In the second country we work with trusted local partners, so you have guides, drivers and hotels arranged on both sides of the border.
When to Go
May to October is the season, when the Khunjerab Pass is 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 check border dates and send you full details and a quote.
