The 6 finest highway journeys in Pakistan

With its unimaginable vary of spectacular surroundings, Pakistan affords some really epic highway journeys. With a rented automotive and driver – or your individual wheels – you possibly can drive the world’s most dramatic mountain freeway, observe historic invasion and commerce routes, drift between Sufi shrines and desert forts, or observe the mighty Indus River from the excessive mountains to the Arabian Sea. 

En route, you possibly can cease at roadside dhabas (truckstop eating places) for tea and kebabs, chat with the drivers of Pakistan’s psychedelic freight vans, and pause in a single day in distant mountain valleys past the attain of scheduled transportation. The scope for journey is nearly limitless.

Nonetheless, the times of driving an previous van via Iran and Afghanistan to Pakistan are lengthy gone. Not many international vacationers drive their very own automobiles via Pakistan nowadays, however there are different choices. Hardcore cyclists can pedal the Karakoram Freeway via a few of Asia’s finest roadside surroundings, and motorbike rent can also be an choice for skilled riders. 

This stated, given the unpredictable visitors and changeable safety scenario in some elements of the nation, hiring a automotive and driver remains to be the commonest, and most secure, strategy to get round underneath your individual steam. To get you impressed, listed below are our favourite highway journey routes via Pakistan. 

1. The Karakoram Freeway

Greatest highway journey for world-class mountain surroundings

Gilgit–Sost; 180km (112 miles); enable 4 days

Pakistan’s most spectacular highway journey is doubtless the gorgeous Karakoram Highway – typically abbreviated to KKH. This rugged route via the far north of the nation may simply be essentially the most scenic highway in Asia, if not the world – it truly is that good! The complete route runs from simply north of Islamabad to Kashgar in China’s politically troubled Xinjiang area, through the 4690m-high Khunjerab Cross, however most vacationers concentrate on the scenic, politically steady and logistically easy part between Gilgit and the Chinese language border.

From Gilgit, the route follows the Hunza River round hulking Rakaposhi peak (7788m), revealing superb views of the higher slopes at Nagar and Minapin. From right here, it’s a brief drive into the fabled Hunza Valley, Pakistan’s reply to Shangri-La. Break the journey right here at Karimabad, with its unimaginable valley views and medieval fort, and finances a while for mountain climbing or the detour up a facet valley for views of the epic Hopar Glacier.

Heading north from Hunza, you’ll quickly hit the surreal, turquoise waters of Attabad Lake, which shaped in 2010 after a large landslide blocked the valley. The freeway threads its manner via a sequence of lakeshore tunnels earlier than reaching extra dramatic surroundings round Gulmit and Passu. On this part of highway, the spectacular witch-hat peaks of the Karakoram Vary dominate the skyline, and the large Passu and Batura glaciers move inside a stone’s throw of the highway. 

The area’s rickety suspension bridges present the backdrop for some irresistible selfies, and adventurers can discover the wild facet valleys of Shimshal and Chapursan. Most individuals finish their journey on the Pakistani border publish in Sost, however it’s doable to drive all the best way as much as the Khunjerab Cross, with some help from a neighborhood journey company. It’s an unimaginable journey to what may very well be described because the crow’s nest of Asia, and a becoming ending to a merely unimaginable highway journey.

Planning tip: Most vacationers begin the KKH journey with a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit, to keep away from the 19-hour bus journey via the culturally conservative and generally politically unstable Kohistan area. To discover the remainder of the freeway, rent a 4WD automobile and driver on arrival in Gilgit.

2. A Brief Drive within the Hindu Kush

Greatest drive for visiting distant valleys

Gilgit–Chitral; 400km (250 miles); enable 3–4 days

This excellent 4WD journey takes you thru the attractive and distant mountain valleys of the Hindu Raj and Hindu Kush mountain ranges to achieve the gorgeous area of Chitral, bordering Afghanistan. Fly from Islamabad and rent a automobile and driver in Gilgit for this wild journey.

Day one takes you up the Gilgit River previous the attractive facet valleys (and former impartial kingdoms) of Punial, Yasin and Ishkoman. In a single day in Gupis or Phander, each famed for trout fishing, earlier than heading up the attractive Langar Valley to crest the Shandur Cross at 3810m. Make the journey in July and you’ll attend the wild, three-day polo pageant that pulls lots of of equestrian followers to this lovely, extensive mountain move.

An extended descent takes you round towering Buni Zom peak and thru the Mastuj valley into the Chitral area, previous views of huge Tirich Mir (7708m), the best peak within the Hindu Kush. Take a break in Chitral and go to its well-known fort, earlier than making a closing drive out to the three Kalash Valleys of Rumbur, Bumboret and Birir, residence to the culturally distinctive, non-Muslim Kalasha individuals.

Detour: Simply west of Gilgit, it’s price making the 5km journey out to the massive, Seventh-century standing Buddha carved on a cliff face at Kargah Nala – a relic of pre-Islamic civilizations in Pakistan.

3. Alongside the Grand Trunk Highway

Greatest highway journey for historical past lovers

Lahore–Peshawar; 520km (323 miles); enable 3 days

For a style of central Pakistan’s most attention-grabbing sights, take a highway journey alongside one of many Subcontinent’s most historic roads – the Grand Trunk Highway, based within the third century BCE. This well-known route spans the width of the nation, from the Indian border to Afghanistan. The trendy freeway thunders with heavy visitors, so it’s not a foul concept to rent a automotive and driver for this journey.

Begin with a few days within the Mughal metropolis of Lahore, visiting its historic fort, the gorgeous Seventeenth-century Badshahi Mosque, and the Lahore Museum, the place Rudyard Kipling’s father was as soon as curator. Go to the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir as you drive out of city for bonus Mughal magic.

The primary stage of this journey alongside the Grand Trunk Highway crosses the Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers, three of Punjab’s eponymous Panj Ab (5 Rivers). It’s price pausing on the banks of the Jhelum to discover the colossal Rohtas Fort, after which, additional west, the 2000-year-old stays of the mighty Buddhist stupa at Mankiala.

In a single day in energetic Rawalpindi or its extra orderly twin-city, Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, residence to the most important mosque within the nation. End the day with a wonderful sundown dinner at Monal within the Margalla Hills overlooking the capital.

An hour’s drive northwest from Rawalpindi is Taxila, the middle of the Kushan-era kingdom of Gandhara, the place the Indian Emperor Ashoka constructed a Buddhist college and the place a few of the most acquainted motifs in Buddhist iconography have been created. There are many monastery and stupa ruins to lift the heart beat of newbie archaeologists, each right here and additional west alongside the Grand Trunk on the Gandharan web site of Takht-i-Bahi close to Mardan.

Passing extra Mughal ruins within the metropolis of Hasan Abdal, the Grand Trunk Highway lastly crosses the mighty Indus River at historic Attock Fort to enter Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the place you finish the journey on the atmospheric frontier metropolis of Peshawar, well-known for its Central Asian-style bazaars, teahouses and mosques. Test the safety scenario earlier than driving to Peshawar, as there have been points right here up to now.  

Detour: Kick off your journey from Lahore with a 25km detour east to the Pakistan/India border at Attari-Wagah to observe burly Pakistani troopers attempt to out-stomp, out-scowl and out-salute their Indian counterparts on the fascinating closing-of-the-border ceremony.

4. Alongside the Indus via Sind & Punjab

Greatest highway journey for cultural immersion 

Karachi–Lahore; 1500km (930 miles); enable 8 days

Few foreigners take the time to discover rural Sind or the southern portion of Punjab, however there are some exceptional off-the-beaten monitor Sufi shrines right here, in addition to fabulous archaeological websites and spectacular Islamic structure. Safety stays a difficulty in locations, so that is one journey the place you’ll profit from an skilled information that will help you discover lodging and navigate your manner via the various police checkposts. A police escort could also be required in locations corresponding to Multan and Lakarna. Be sure you journey in winter (November to February) to keep away from the brutal summer heat.

There are a number of doable routes north from Karachi, however most individuals plot a route through the ornate Chaukhandi tombs exterior of Karachi, the Banbhore archaeological web site (from the place Islam unfold out throughout Pakistan), the large Makli necropolis at Thatta, and the fairytale Ranikot Fort. The area’s must-see archaeological web site is Moenjodaro, south of Lakarna, the guts of the 5000-year-old Indus Valley civilization. If archaeology is your factor, you’ll want to additionally go to the ruins of Harappa additional north.

Proceed the journey previous Kot Diji Fort and the extraordinary Twentieth-century mosque at Bhong, then enter Punjab and discover the attractive Sufi shrines of Uch Sharif (the mausoleum of Bibi Jawindi is especially eye-catching). Discover extra chic Islamic structure within the type of the gorgeous tombs at Multan, earlier than ending the epic journey within the jewel of the Punjab, lovely Lahore. 

5. The Fabulous Fairy Meadows

Greatest brief highway journey with mountain views 

Raikot Bridge–Fairy Meadows; 17km (11 miles); enable 3 days (together with a day of mountain climbing)

Few highway journeys pack as a lot scenic punch into corresponding to brief distance because the 17km switchback mountain drive from Raikot Bridge, on the Karakoram Freeway south of Gilgit, as much as the luxurious alpine pastures of the Fairy Meadows, set on the base of 8126m-high Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth highest mountain.

Nanga Parbat anchors the far western finish of the Himalayas, marking the purpose the place the Himalayas meet the Indus River and the Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges, and it’s an extremely scenic spot. The astonishing views of the mountain’s north face are motive sufficient to go to the Fairy Meadows, however you need to use the lodging right here as a base for additional day hikes, together with as much as Nanga Parbat Base Camp. There are few different locations the place such dramatic excessive mountain views are so simply accessible.

Planning tip: Native transport operators at Raikot Bridge will insist that you simply make the journey in one in all their 4WD autos, and the police might demand that you simply take an armed guard (a response to the lethal terrorist assault at Nanga Parbat Base Camp in 2013). Nonetheless, you may get to Raikot Bridge by public transport. 

6. A Baltistan Loop

Greatest highway journey for mountain majesty

Gilgit–Skardu; 170km (105 miles); enable 5 hours

Northern Pakistan has an abundance of spectacular mountain roads. For an alternative choice to the Karakoram Freeway, contemplate driving east from the city of Gilgit, alongside the Indus River on more and more precarious mountain roads till you attain the climbing gateway city of Skardu. En route, you’ll move superb views of the Nanga Parbat and Haramosh peaks, as you hint the dividing line between the Himalayas and the Karakoram vary. 

Ultimately, you’ll enter the fringes of Baltistan, with its conventional mountain villages (we propose heading to Shigar) and high-altitude deserts. Look out for teams of trekkers and mountaineers heading uphill to the Base Camp for K2 (8849m), the world’s second-highest peak and mountaineering’s most difficult ascent.

Adventurers with a completely kitted out 4WD can loop their manner again to Gilgit in two days through the 4000m excessive plateau of Deosai Plains Nationwide Park and the distant Astore Valley. You’ll want an skilled native driver to information you alongside these distant and infrequently precarious mountain roads. 

Driving suggestions in Pakistan

Self-drive automotive rent could be organized in massive cities corresponding to Islamabad, but it surely’s typically dearer than renting a automotive with a driver, so most individuals go for a driver, particularly given the difficult visitors circumstances in Pakistan. Motorbike rental can also be an choice in some cities; strive Karakorum Bikers in Gilgit in case you plan on exploring Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Karakoram Hwy is paved and in wonderful situation, so makes for a very wonderful bike or cycle journey. Observe that you’ll want an Worldwide Driving Allow to drive in Pakistan. If you happen to drive your self, drive cautiously and defensively, looking forward to pedestrians and livestock, and all the time give strategy to bigger autos corresponding to rushing buses and overladen vans.