Karakarum highway

THE PREMIER TRIP OF THE SILK ROAD

A suggested itinerary :

The idea behind this itinerary was to allow the traveler to experience the delights of this spectacular route within two weeks — a typical holiday in the West. It can be extended or altered to fit individual requirements. We will be happy to make arrangements in Kyrgyzstan and can act as liaison with firms in China and Pakistan who can deliver elements in those countires.

It takes you from Bishkek to north east Kyrgyzstan —

• including the Dolon pass, or on the way to the beautiful lake and wildlife sanctuary Son Kul («one of the loveliest spots in central Kyrgyzstan»)
• visiting the ancient Caravanserai of Tash Rabat then carrying on over the 3500 meter Torugart pass to China ( «the most exciting overland route in or out of Central Asia.»)
• to the Uighur city of Kashgar in Western China, («Asia»s most mind-boggling bazaar, a technicolour sea of people…. a photographer«s dream»)
• before continuing down the Karakoram highway passing by lake Karakul in China («one of the most beautiful places in western China… nestled between two Pamir giants..») — and from where, incidentally, you can see approximately 18 glaciers at once. There is the chance to stay at this beautiful site (itself 3000 metres high) and to visit one of the enormous glaciers in the area on the mountain named «father of iceflows».
• After this, and a visit to the ancient «Stone City» at Tashkurgan (Pliny«s «Stone Tower»?) crossing over the 4730 meter Khunjerab pass ( «said to be the highest public highway in the world») before arriving in the grand and spectacular Hunza valley in Pakistan, which some claim to be the original site for «Shangri-La»(«stupendous and lovely»). Hunza is not only magnificently beautiful but also somehow tranquil and restful and its people are warm and welcoming. We have never seen any anti-foreign feeling or fundamentalist reactions here, but on the contrary only warmth, welcome and kindness. Every schoolchild seems to know «hello, what is your name» and is determined to use the phrase! We regard this (along with Lake Karakol) as the highlight of the tour, and on our our tours there will be three full days in Hunza (based at Karimabad) allowing time for walking or simply relaxing and contemplating the panoramic vistas. But this tour is available in a number of options of different lengths from 7 days upwards (- see the separate page).

Some of the possible variations are:

Start in Bishkek or Isalamabad

Extended time in Kyrgyzstan — for example time in Bishkek, visit Lake Issyk Kul, Jety Oguz, Altin Arashan … overnight stops in yurt camps at Son Kul and Tash Rabat

Extended time in China — for example stopover at Lake Karakul or visit Yesingar, Yarkand and the Taklanakan Desert

Extended time in Hunza — for example, trekking around Karimabad

Karakoram Highway (Silk Route) Bishkek-Kashgar-Hunza-Islamabad