China to Hunza Overland Tour (Kashgar to Khunjerab to Hunza)
Overview
The overland dream: cross the Karakoram by road the way Silk Road caravans did, over the highest paved border on Earth. From Kashgar's ancient bazaars and Karakul Lake, through the Chinese customs at Tashkurgan, over Khunjerab into Pakistan's Gojal, then down through Passu, Attabad and Karimabad to Gilgit. We coordinate the Chinese-side operator, the border transfer at Khunjerab and the full Pakistan itinerary as one seamless trip. Popular with overlanders, Silk Road history travellers and cyclists/motorcyclists shipping their own machines.
Plan the journey with our Hunza Valley tour packages, Hunza hotel options, private transport in Hunza, trekking packages and tours for foreign travellers.
Trip Highlights
- The full Kashgar to Hunza Silk Road crossing
- Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m) border transfer handled end-to-end
- Kashgar Old City, Sunday Market & Karakul Lake (China leg)
- Tashkurgan and the Pamir approach
- Complete Hunza circuit: Passu, Attabad, forts, Eagle's Nest
- Runs either direction; bike/motorbike shipping supported
Day by Day Itinerary
12-day planKashgar (China): arrival
Old City, Id Kah, the famous Sunday livestock market. The arrival team checks the flight time before dispatch and confirms the hotel transfer, local contact details and the next departure at the briefing. For Kashgar (China): arrival on day 1, use the remaining time to settle in, exchange essential information with the guide and prepare a small day bag for the next stage; extra visits remain optional rather than promised.
Max altitude 1,290 mKashgar to Karakul Lake to Tashkurgan
Along the China to Pakistan Friendship Highway past Muztagh Ata. Khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification. For Kashgar to Karakul Lake to Tashkurgan on day 2, boating proceeds only when wind, water conditions and the selected operator allow it; the guide keeps enough time for safe photo stops and the onward road journey without rushing the lakeside visit.
Max altitude 3,100 mTashkurgan to Khunjerab to Sost (Pakistan)
Complete Chinese exit and Pakistani entry formalities before transferring to Sost; operation depends on visas, border opening dates and official clearance. For Tashkurgan to Khunjerab to Sost (Pakistan) on day 3, khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification.
Max altitude 2,800 mSost to Gulmit
Ease into Gojal; Passu Cones and Borith. Upper Hunza stops are spaced between Gulmit, Hussaini and Passu so the day does not become a rushed sequence of roadside photographs. For Sost to Gulmit on day 4, boating proceeds only when wind, water conditions and the selected operator allow it; the guide keeps enough time for safe photo stops and the onward road journey without rushing the lakeside visit.
Max altitude 2,500 mPassu & upper Hunza
Glacier viewpoint, Hussaini Bridge, Attabad boating. For Passu & upper Hunza on day 5, upper Hunza stops are spaced between Gulmit, Hussaini and Passu so the day does not become a rushed sequence of roadside photographs.
Max altitude 2,850 mAttabad to Karimabad
Move to central Hunza; bazaar evening. Central Hunza visits are sequenced around fort opening hours, village access and walking time between Karimabad, Altit and Ganish. For Attabad to Karimabad on day 6, boating proceeds only when wind, water conditions and the selected operator allow it; the guide keeps enough time for safe photo stops and the onward road journey without rushing the lakeside visit.
Max altitude 2,438 mHunza heritage day
Baltit and Altit Forts, Ganish, Eagle's Nest. For Hunza heritage day on day 7, khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification.
Max altitude 2,850 mHopper Glacier / Nagar
Explore Nagar Valley’s villages and glacier viewpoints at a comfortable pace. Nagar-side roads and glacier viewpoints are assessed locally; any walk beyond the normal viewpoint requires suitable footwear and a safe turnaround time. For Hopper Glacier / Nagar on day 8, this is a guided mountain stage rather than a fixed-speed hike; the team checks the route, maintains a steady pace and can shorten the walk if weather, altitude or group condition requires it.
Max altitude 2,800 mKarimabad to Gilgit
Junction Point; optional Naltar detour. For Karimabad to Gilgit on day 9, central Hunza visits are sequenced around fort opening hours, village access and walking time between Karimabad, Altit and Ganish. For Karimabad to Gilgit on day 9, driving time can change with road work, landslides, traffic and seasonal pass access; water, medication, identification and a warm layer should remain in the day bag.
Max altitude 1,500 mGilgit to Chilas
Begin the southern leg (or fly from Gilgit, at cost). For Gilgit to Chilas on day 10, khunjerab is a high-altitude excursion with limited services, so the vehicle leaves early and guests carry water, warm layers and identification.
Max altitude 1,265 mChilas to Islamabad
KKH south with Nanga Parbat viewpoint. This is a long mountain-road transfer, so meal and washroom stops are planned around daylight, traffic and the route that is actually open. For Chilas to Islamabad on day 11, driving time can change with road work, landslides, traffic and seasonal pass access; water, medication, identification and a warm layer should remain in the day bag.
Max altitude 540 mIslamabad: depart
Check out and transfer to Islamabad International Airport for the confirmed departure flight. The final transfer keeps a sensible buffer for the agreed train or flight time, while any optional stop depends on the remaining daylight and traffic.
What’s Included
Included
- Hotel accommodation (breakfast included)
- Private vehicle with experienced KKH driver
- All fuel, tolls and parking
- confirmed-guest on-trip WhatsApp support
- All applicable taxes
- China-side ground agent coordination
- Khunjerab border transfer logistics
- English-speaking guide (Pakistan leg)
- e-Visa support (Pakistan)
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Entry tickets to forts and attractions
- Personal expenses and tips
- Travel insurance
- China visa & China-side costs (quoted with partner)
- International flights
- Khunjerab entry fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a China visa?
Yes: the China leg needs a Chinese visa and is operated with our licensed China partner; we coordinate the itinerary but Chinese-side costs and visa are quoted separately.
Can I ship my motorbike or bicycle?
Yes: overland bike and motorbike crossings are a specialty; carnet and customs handling is arranged on both sides with advance notice.
When is the border open?
Khunjerab is generally open to through-traffic roughly May to November; exact dates follow the joint China to Pakistan schedule each year.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes: your own vehicle, your own driver and guide, and departure on any date you choose. No strangers, no fixed seats, and the daily plan flexes to your pace.
Can the trip begin at Gilgit Airport?
Yes: fly Islamabad to Gilgit (tickets booked at cost) and we start the itinerary from the airport, trimming the road days. A road backup is always planned in case mountain weather cancels the flight.
What happens if a domestic flight is cancelled?
Mountain weather cancels a share of Gilgit and Skardu flights, so every fly-based plan carries a costed road backup that activates automatically: you may lose a day, never the trip. Road-based itineraries are unaffected.
Is Khunjerab Pass included?
Yes: the itinerary includes a Khunjerab Pass day (4,693 m, China border), open roughly May to late November. In winter we substitute Naltar Valley snowscapes.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect well-reviewed standard hotels, with deluxe and luxury upgrades available at booking. See our Hotels page for the full 65-hotel partner list and per-night rates.
Is this package suitable for children?
Yes for school-age kids and up who enjoy walking; drive-instead options exist for most active days.
Is the tour suitable for senior travellers?
Yes with reasonable mobility: vehicle access covers nearly every highlight, walking is optional, and we pace days generously. Tell us about any conditions and we’ll adapt the plan.