INDUS SHYOK ADVENTURE
Motorcycle Tours 2025
Ride the KARAKORAM HIGHWAY,
HUNZA and SKARDU
Gilgit Baltistan
This ride is a blend of our Pure Pakistan and Classic Karakoram tours.
The ride is a combination of both the Hunza and Skardu areas similar to the Pure Pakistan but is a shorter version that we can do outside of the peak season. While still riding through scenery of the highest mountain ranges in the world, Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush and the Kararkoam Highway, we do not cross the high altitude Deosai Plains.
This is an amazing route ensuring the ultimate motorcycling adventure.
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Tour Dates 2025
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18th - 31st May - BOOK NOW
12th - 26th October - BOOK NOW
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2025 Price - $5070 AUD (Details Below)
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The Route we ride... ​
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DAY 01: ISLAMABAD
Arrival to Islamabad, meet and greet with airport pickup. Welcome dinner.
DAY 02: ISLAMABAD to SKARDU / SHIGAR
We take a morning flight from Islamabad to Skardu, hopefully with a clear day we will have a close view of Nanga Parbat as the flight circles the mountains. After a lunch in lovely flowered gardens we visit Karpochu fort ruins overlooking Skardu town, Then begin our ride via Katpana desert to Shigar, experiencing the otherworldliness of this vast arid landscape. The route takes us through cold deserts to Shigar, across long suspension bridges and to the old Shigar Fort. Spending a night in the quiet overlooking Shigar village.
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DAY 03: SHIGAR to KHAPLU
Following the Indus further upstream we take a side valley ride to Manthoka Waterfall before venturing along the Syok River. We ride for 4 hours deeper into the giant mountains, heading further east to Khaplu. This is a humbling ride surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world. Explore forts, ride side by side with the Shyok River and immerse ourselves in local culture.
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DAY 04: KHAPLU SURROUNDS and MACHLU
After a relaxing morning at the hotel and a walk up to see the view from Masjid Sofia overlookign the Shyok River valley we take a visit to Khaplu fort. Followed by lunch and riding to the village of Machlu with views towards Masherbrum. Back at Saling in time for sunset across the rocky SHYOK river flats where golden light touches the mountain spires around Haldi cones.
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DAY 05: KHAPLU to KACHURA / SOQ VALLEY
Today we ride back towards Skardu and spend the night at Kachura about an hour past Skardu city. In the afternoon we visit Upper Kahura lake and the beautiful Soq Valley riding through the villages following the pretty river.
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DAY 06: SOQ to GILGIT
With an early morning start we begin the ride back to Gilgit. The road is at times narrow and rugged. The view as we ride along the carved out cliffs with a roaring Indus River below is truly wonderful. We pass through small oasis like villages in rich pockets of green. We follow the Indus all the way until our return to the Karakoram Highway. From there it's an easy ride on the excellent paved Karakoram Highway back to Gilgit.
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DAY 07: GILGIT to KARIMABAD
Today we head out on the Karakoram Highway for a spectacular ride to the old hillside town of Karimabad. The fantastic road and easy ride are a good introduction and give us a chance to become familiar with the bikes. Stopping at Rakaposhi view and the old silk route along the way. We have the option to meander through villages, across fascinating bridges and ride sections of the southern spur of the old silk route that connected from Kashgar to Taxila. In the afternoon we visit Altit Fort and experience sunset at Duikar/Eagles nest.
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DAY 08: KARIMABAD
After a delicious local breakfast we explore the market as we walk up to Baltit Fort, perched high upon the hill overlooking the valley and town. Delving into the ancient history of the silk route and the Mogul empire as well as the strong cultural and ethnic relations with Ladakh and Tibet. This region is steeped in rich cutural heritage with a diverse ethnicity over the entire Kashmiri Hunza Kingdom. Burusho, Xik, Tajik, Hunzakuts and Wakhi people all call this area home. You will likely pick up mutliple languages being spoken aside from the common Urdu. Our Hunza team speak Burushaski when conversing with each other and others who help and support our trips also speak Wakhi and Shina. We explore Baltit Fort gaining a greater understanding of the area and its historical place as a centre point of the region.
We also have an option for an afternoon ride to Hopar Valley, rural villages and massive glaciers, the glaciers are the life source of this arid landscape, crucial to the surival of the people.
DAY 09: KARIMABAD to PASSU
Today we leave Karimabad and begin riding further north through the rugged peaks towards the spires of Passu Cones. Break points on our route are Attobad Lake, and Hussaini Bridge. We have the chance to test our fear of heights on the wobbly wooden planks of Hussaini suspension bridge and be mesmerised by the fast flowing waters below. Attabad Lake is deep and vast with vivid azure/turquoise waters. It was formed via a massive landslide, where many lives were lost. Some say there is an eerie sadness lingering in the air. But the towering mountains stand like sentinels around the lakes shores, watching over in Peace.
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DAY 10: PASSU
Today is a choice of a rest day around Passu or for those not wanting to have a break there is the option of off road riding exploration to Shimshal or Charpursan valleys or trekking around Passu suspension bridge and the surrounding villages.
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DAY 11: PASSU to KHUNJERAB return to PASSU
We ride to Khunjerab Pass, the China/Pakistan border and the highest border crossing in the world, surrounded by majestic peaks and glaciers around every turn! The silence and aura of this place is in a whole other world... we may be lucky to hear the roar of a Snow Leopard across the valley. After visiting the border we return to Passu.
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DAY 12: PASSU to GILGIT
Ride directly back to Gilgit.
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DAY 13: FLY to ISLAMABAD or reach NARAN
Return to Islamabad via flight or if flight is cancelled we go by road in car/van.
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DAY 14: EXPLORE ISLAMABAD or reach ISLAMABAD
This is a buffer day, essential to allow for flight cancellations or road landslides.
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2025 Price guide
Price = $5070 Aussie Dollars AUD
Single room Supplement ~ add $740 = $5810 AUD
all rooms are twin share unless single supplement is selected.
Pillion/buddy rider (for your friend or partner riding with you) or support car seat ~ less $250 = $4820 AUD
To confirm your spot on this tour we require a deposit payment of $530AUD
18th - 31st May 2025 - BOOK NOW
12th - 26th October - BOOK NOW
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​WHAT'S INCLUDED
- accommodation twin share unless single supplement is requested.
- daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- motorbike and mechanics including fuel.
- entry to forts, Khunerjab National Park.
- skilled motorcycle English/Urdu speaking, first aid accredited guide.
- support vehicle, carrying first aid and mineral water.
- internal flight Islamabad to Skardu and Gilgit to Islamabad return or van/car transfer.​
- letter of invitation to visit Pakistan. (needed to obtain entry tourism visa)
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- international flights and internal transport outside of trip dates.
- Travel Insurance, you must have your own travel insurance with adventure travel component. Legally an international drivers licence is required to ride in Pakistan. While on the ground no one cares and police won't check and most locals don't have any licence at all... the insurance company will no doubt not cover you if you do not have a valid interantioanal licence. For your own insurane purposes we recommend that you have a motorcycle licence and can legally ride a bike of 150cc. If you choose to ride without an international licence it is your own responsibltity.
- visa, you will need to arrange this via the instructions from Pakistan embassy or high commission within your own country. We will provide support during your applicaton process.
- extra snacks, drinks and unlimited Chai.
THE FINE PRINT
This is an adventure ride, it is expected you have experience on a motorcycle in a variety of conditions including dusty, rough roads and are able to cope with creek crossings.
Travel in Pakistan is unpredictable, that's part of what makes it so exciting. We have to be open minded and flexible. Conditions in the mountains vary from season to season and at times we may need to alter routes or other tour details. That's why you travel with us so that if anything arises we take care of it and the journey continues stress free.
When booking a spot on our tours or bike freedom hire you will need to sign a waiver releasing Karakoram Bikers pty ltd Australia and Karakoram Bikers Pakistan from any liability related to any aspect of our tours and bike hire.
You must have your own travel insurance to come on our tours. Insurance companies do cover the areas around Skardu and Hunza. Please select the adventure insurance options that cover motorcycles and altitude.
Contact us to discuss this trip and any other questions you may have about our adventure travel. We love to help you :)
Market near Baltit Fort
Hussaini Suspension Bridge While riding north through the rugged peaks and jagged spires of Passu Cones we take a break and we have the chance to test our fear of heights on the wobbly wooden planks of the Hussaini Bridge while being mesmerised by the fast flowing waters below.
One of the many bridges that line the meandering alternate route along the Karakoram Highway and mark the access points to the old silk route.
The wide arching curves of the Karakoram Highway make for fantastic riding experience near Passu.
Attabad Lake, Hunza The Lake is a deep and vast lake with vivid azure/turquoise waters and it was formed via a massive landslide, where many lives were lost. Some say there is an eerie sadness lingering in the air. But the towering mountains stand like sentinels around the lakes shores, watching over in Peace.