We’ve designed this journey for cyclists who want to experience Pakistan’s extraordinary mountain landscapes without compromising on comfort. By combining spectacular riding through the Karakoram, Deosai and Hunza with carefully selected premium accommodation, expert local support and meaningful cultural experiences—including visits to projects that directly benefit local communities—we believe this is one of the world’s most rewarding luxury cycling adventures. It’s a route we’ve created to showcase the very best of northern Pakistan in true redspokes style: adventurous, authentic and responsibly run.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Key Places
- Essential Info
- Accommodation
- Testimonials
- Gallery
- Book Now
Karakoram Luxury
14 Day Tour
From: £2675
Luxury Cycling at the Top of the World
This exclusive luxury cycling tour journeys deep into Pakistan’s spectacular Karakoram Mountains, exploring the remote landscapes of Gilgit–Baltistan. Beginning with a breathtaking flight from Islamabad to Skardu, the route traverses high plateaus, alpine valleys and dramatic river gorges, including the Deosai Plains and the historic Shigar Valley. Towering 7,000m peaks form a constant backdrop to this extraordinary adventure.
Cycling sections of the legendary Karakoram Highway, the journey visits traditional Balti and Hunza communities while staying in premium mountain lodges and boutique heritage hotels. From Sadpara Lake to the lush orchards of the Hunza Valley, the tour blends challenging riding with exceptional comfort, cultural insight and seamless support — delivering a truly unique high-altitude luxury experience.
Key Places – Karakoram Luxury
Shigar Valley
The beautiful Shigar Valley provides a spectacular introduction to the Karakoram. Surrounded by towering mountains, traditional Balti villages, apricot orchards, and dramatic rock formations, the valley has long served as a gateway for expeditions heading towards some of the world’s highest peaks.
A highlight of the stay is the magnificent Shigar Fort, a beautifully restored 17th-century palace that combines Balti heritage with modern comfort. The valley offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and mountain scenery.
Deosai National Park
Known as the “Land of Giants,” Deosai National Park is one of the highest plateaus on Earth, sitting at over 4,100 metres above sea level. Vast grasslands, glacial streams, wildflowers, and endless horizons create a landscape unlike anywhere else in Pakistan.
The plateau is also home to unique wildlife including Himalayan marmots, golden eagles, and the rare Himalayan brown bear. Crossing Deosai is one of the most unforgettable experiences of the journey and showcases the immense scale of the Karakoram region.
Bagrot Valley & Women’s Sewing Centre
The peaceful Bagrot Valley offers an authentic glimpse into life in the mountains of northern Pakistan. Surrounded by glaciers, orchards, and traditional villages, the valley remains largely untouched by mass tourism and retains a strong sense of local culture and community.
Visitors also have the opportunity to visit the women’s sewing centre supported by redspokes through its LVCF charity. The project provides vocational training and income opportunities for local women, offering travellers a meaningful insight into how responsible tourism can contribute directly to remote mountain communities.
Hunza Valley
The legendary Hunza Valley is one of the most celebrated mountain destinations in Asia. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and fertile terraced fields, it has captivated travellers, explorers, and mountaineers for generations.
The valley’s cultural heart is Karimabad, home to the historic Baltit and Altit Forts, traditional markets, and spectacular views of peaks such as Ultar Sar and Ladyfinger Peak. The combination of stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage makes Hunza one of the highlights of any visit to Pakistan.
Rakaposhi
Standing at 7,788 metres, Rakaposhi is one of the most beautiful mountains in the Karakoram. Its immense ice-covered pyramid rises dramatically above the Hunza Valley, creating one of the most iconic mountain views in Pakistan.
Throughout the tour, cyclists enjoy changing perspectives of Rakaposhi from valleys, villages, and mountain roads. Sunrise and sunset often bathe the mountain in golden light, providing unforgettable photographic opportunities and a fitting symbol of the grandeur of the Karakoram.
Itinerary – Karakoram Luxury
Day 1: Islamabad
On arrival at Islamabad International Airport, you will be greeted by your local team and privately transferred to your luxury hotel. Islamabad offers a serene introduction to Pakistan: elegant boulevards, refined neighbourhoods, and a calm, leafy atmosphere at the foothills of the Margalla Mountains.
Depending on arrival time, you may wish to enjoy your hotel’s facilities, explore a stylish café, or simply relax after your international flight. This evening, you will meet your guides and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing.
Accommodation: Hotel, Islamabad
Day 2: Islamabad – Skardu – Shigar FortItinarary
This morning begins with an unforgettable experience – the early flight from Islamabad to Skardu, often described as one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world. The route sweeps between towering Karakoram and Himalayan peaks, revealing the extraordinary scale and beauty of the mountains before you’ve even touched down.
The domestic flight is not included in the tour price. Approximately two months before departure, we will send you the exact flight details so that you can book the correct flight before travelling to Pakistan.
On arrival in Skardu, a short private transfer brings you to your hotel to assemble your bikes. You then begin your warm-up ride into the enchanting Shigar Valley, passing apricot orchards, traditional Balti houses and dramatic desert-like rock formations.
Tonight you stay at the exquisite Shigar Fort, a beautifully restored 17th-century palace. This boutique heritage hotel offers an intimate blend of cultural authenticity, refined comfort and a peaceful atmosphere beneath high mountain walls.
Cycling Distance: 21.9 km / 13.6 mi
Cycling Climb: 380m (1,247ft)
Accommodation: Shigar Fort Heritage Hotel (B,L)
Day 3: Shigar – Tisar – Skardu (Himmel Skardu by Luxus)
Today you cycle deeper into the Shigar Valley, once the gateway for early explorers heading into the heart of the Karakoram. Traditional villages, stone houses, and sculpted dunes line your route, with immense granite spires dominating the skyline.
As you near Skardu, the views widen to reveal dramatic ridges and glaciated summits. You then arrive at Himmel Skardu by Luxus, a refined 5-star property offering contemporary elegance and extraordinary panoramic views.
This is one of the most sophisticated hotels in the region—an oasis of modern luxury set against one of the world’s most rugged and remote landscapes.
Cycling Distance: 69.6 km / 43.2 mi
Cycling Climb: 720m (2,362ft)
Accommodation: Himmel Skardu by Luxus, 5★ (B,L)
Day 4: Skardu – Hussainabad – Broq Resort
This morning’s ride climbs gradually toward Hussainabad Nala, an area known for its stone-built houses, glacial streams, and terraced fields cultivated for generations. The sense of isolation and stillness here is remarkable.
On reaching Hussainabad, a private 15-minute transfer escorts you to Broq Resort, a stylish 5-star mountain retreat offering elevated views and refined comfort.
Optional Challenge:
If you prefer a tougher finish, you may cycle the final 6 km, gaining 530m at altitude, rather than taking the vehicle. The ascent is steep but tremendously rewarding.
Cycling Distance: 32.0 km / 19.9 mi
Cycling Climb: 490m (1,608ft)
Accommodation: Broq Resort, 5★ (B,L)
Day 5: Broq Rest Day
Your rest day in Broq offers the perfect balance of tranquillity, comfort, and exploration.
You may choose to:
- Hike to Marsur Rock, with inspirational views over the valley
- Wander to the nearby traditional village cluster
- Unwind at the resort, enjoying serenity and crisp mountain air
This relaxing pause prepares you beautifully for the days ahead.
Accommodation: Broq Resort, 5★ (B)
Day 6: Broq – Sadpara Lake
Today you cycle steadily upward through rocky highlands to reach the shimmering turquoise waters of Sadpara Lake. The landscapes become increasingly wild, with granite peaks and wide-open high-altitude basins defining the ride.
Your stay tonight is at a traditional lakeside lodge—simple, authentic, and ideally located for a true sense of mountain quiet.
Cycling Distance: 25.1 km / 15.6 mi
Cycling Climb: 540m (1,772ft)
Accommodation: Traditional Lodge near Sadpara Lake (B,L)
Day 7: Sadpara Lake – Deosai Plains – Makiyal
After breakfast, a short transfer lifts you onto the magnificent Deosai Plains, one of the world’s highest plateaus at over 4,100m. Known as the “Land of Giants,” Deosai’s vast grasslands, glacial streams, and endless horizons feel otherworldly.
From here you enjoy an exhilarating long descent from the high plateau into the greener valleys below—a striking transition from alpine tundra to cultivated landscapes.
You overnight in Makiyal, where a welcoming guesthouse offers warm hospitality in a quiet mountain setting.
Cycling Distance: 48.3 km / 30.0 mi
Cycling Climb: 120m (394ft)
Accommodation: Local Guesthouse, Makiyal (B,L)
Day 8: Makiyal – Astore
Today’s ride follows the valley toward Astore, a charming alpine town known for its wooden homes, orchards, and relaxed pace of life. This region offers some of the most pastoral and picturesque scenery in Gilgit–Baltistan.
Lunch awaits on arrival, followed by a leisurely afternoon to explore the area or unwind at your boutique accommodation.
Cycling Distance: 29.0 km / 18.0 mi
Cycling Climb: 450m (1,476ft)
Accommodation: Traditional Hotel, Astore (B,L)
Day 9: Astore – Gilgit
This morning you enjoy a spectacular descent toward the legendary Karakoram Highway (KKH). Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest mountain roads, the KKH offers dramatic views of sheer rock towers, deep river canyons, and ancient Silk Road landscapes.
A short transfer carries you into Gilgit, where you check into Serena Hotel Gilgit—a premium boutique hotel known for its elegant local architecture, manicured gardens, and high standard of regional hospitality.
Cycling Distance: 47.5 km / 29.5 mi
Cycling Climb: 425m (1,394ft)
Accommodation: Serena Hotel Gilgit – Premium Hotel (B,L)
Day 10: Gilgit – Bagrot Valley – Gilgit
A morning transfer brings you into the peaceful Bagrot Valley, framed by the great ridges of Rakaposhi. Here you will visit the redspokes-supported women’s sewing centre, an important and inspiring community initiative.
You then cycle back toward Gilgit, passing orchards, irrigation channels, and small villages—a culturally rich and scenic final loop through the valley.
Cycling Distance: 47.5 km / 29.5 mi
Cycling Climb: 1,530m (5,020ft)
Accommodation: Serena Hotel Gilgit – Premium Hotel (B,L)
Day 11: Gilgit – Jafar Abad
Today you cycle northwards to Jafar Abad, riding alongside the glittering Hunza River with mountain peaks rising above you. Terraced fields, poplar groves and cliffside villages line the route.
Your boutique hotel in Jafar Abad enjoys superb views of Rakaposhi (7,788m)—a towering pyramid of ice and rock that glows spectacularly at sunrise and sunset.
Cycling Distance: 57.7 km / 35.9 mi
Cycling Climb: 925m (3,035ft)
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel (B,L)
Day 12: Jafar Abad – Karimabad (Hunza Valley)
This morning’s ride leads into the legendary Hunza Valley, a region of extraordinary beauty and living cultural heritage. The climb toward Karimabad is steady and picturesque, with enormous snowy peaks dominating the skyline.
You stay at Hunza Serena Inn, a premium traditional inn known for its exceptional location, beautifully kept gardens, and refined regional hospitality—not a 5-star property, but one of the finest accommodations in the entire valley.
Cycling Distance: 41.7 km / 25.9 mi
Cycling Climb: 1,140m (3,740ft)
Accommodation: Hunza Serena Inn – Premium Hotel (B)
Day 13: Karimabad Rest Day
Your final full day in the mountains is yours to enjoy at leisure. Karimabad offers boutique cafés, artisan craft shops, and breathtaking views at every turn.
You may also take optional short walks to Baltit Fort or Altit Fort, two of the region’s most historic architectural treasures.
This is also your bike packing day, giving you time to prepare for tomorrow’s early departure.
Accommodation: Hunza Serena Inn – Premium Hotel (B)
Karimabad – Gilgit Airport – Islamabad
Your journey through the Karakoram draws to a close today. An early private transfer takes you from Karimabad to Gilgit Airport, where you board the morning flight to Islamabad, enjoying one last aerial view of the dramatic Karakoram landscape below.
The domestic flight is not included in the tour price. Approximately two months before departure, we will send you the exact flight details so that you can book the correct flight before travelling to Pakistan.
Flights from Gilgit are weather dependent. Although cancellation is unlikely at the time of year we operate this tour, it is still possible. If the flight is cancelled, we will arrange an overland transfer to Islamabad at an additional cost of approximately £50 per person.
For this reason, it may be worth booking an additional night in Islamabad and arranging your international flight home for after 12:00 noon the following day. This provides a comfortable buffer in the unlikely event that we need to return to Islamabad overland.
Additional accommodation in Islamabad and airport transfers can be arranged through redspokes at extra cost.
Essential Info – Karakoram Luxury
Tour Status & Booking Conditions
Each tour requires a minimum number of participants to run.
Tour status updates automatically as bookings are received.
Please do not book international flights until the tour status is marked Guaranteed.
Tour Status Definitions
Guaranteed – Tour is confirmed and open for booking
Guaranteed – Limited – Confirmed, with limited spaces remaining
Available – 2 More to Guarantee – Needs two more bookings to confirm
Available – Open for booking but not yet confirmed
Contact – Please get in touch to discuss availability
Fully Booked – No places remaining
Booking & Payments
A £350 deposit confirms your place on the tour.
Deposits are refundable until the tour becomes Guaranteed.
The final balance is due 56 days before the tour start date.
By booking, you agree to our booking conditions, which should be read in full before booking.
What’s Included
- Fully supported cycling holiday
- Accommodation throughout the tour, based on twin-share rooms unless otherwise stated
- Meals as detailed in the itinerary
- Snacks and mineral water on cycling days
- Airport transfers on the first and final days of the tour
- English-speaking local guide and support team
- Support vehicle for luggage transport and rider assistance
- Mechanical assistance for minor bike repairs
- Sightseeing and activities specifically included in the itinerary
Meal Key
B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner
For example, B, L means breakfast and lunch are included that day.
Special dietary requirements can usually be catered for with advance notice. Please advise us at the time of booking.
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Domestic flights between Islamabad and Skardu, and Gilgit and Islamabad – approximately £130 / US$180 in total
- Travel insurance – mandatory
- Visa fees, if applicable
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and support staff
- Extra nights before or after the tour
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
Getting There & Away
Tour Start
Start location: Islamabad
Your first hotel night in Islamabad is included in the tour.
Airport transfers are included on the official tour start date, regardless of your arrival time.
The following morning, the group takes a domestic flight from Islamabad to Skardu, where our journey into the Karakoram begins.
We recommend arriving in Islamabad in good time on Day 1 so that you are ready for the domestic flight the following morning.
If you would prefer to arrive a day or two before the tour begins, additional hotel nights and airport transfers can normally be arranged at extra cost.
Tour End
End location: Islamabad
On the final day of the tour, the group takes a morning domestic flight from Gilgit to Islamabad.
Accommodation in Islamabad that night is not included in the tour price.
Although cancellation of the Gilgit–Islamabad flight is unlikely at the time of year we operate the tour, it is weather dependent. For this reason, it may be worth adding an additional night in Islamabad and flying home the following day.
Please see the Domestic Flights section below for further information.
Additional hotel nights and airport transfers can be arranged through redspokes at extra cost.
Domestic Flights
There are two domestic flights required for this tour:
- Islamabad → Skardu at the beginning of the tour
- Gilgit → Islamabad on the final day of the tour
These flights are not included in the redspokes tour price and must be booked and paid for directly by you before departure.
The combined cost of the two flights is normally around £130 / US$180, although fares can vary.
When Should I Book the Domestic Flights?
Please do not book your domestic flights until we advise you which flights to purchase.
Approximately two months before departure, we will send you the exact flight details for both the Islamabad–Skardu and Gilgit–Islamabad journeys.
You should then book both flights yourself before travelling to Pakistan. This ensures that everyone in the group is booked onto the correct flights and that they fit with the tour itinerary.
Islamabad to Skardu
The flight from Islamabad to Skardu takes place on the morning after your arrival in Islamabad.
We will send you the exact flight details approximately two months before departure, at which point you should book the flight directly.
Flying into Skardu is a spectacular introduction to Northern Pakistan, with superb mountain views when conditions are clear.
Gilgit to Islamabad
On the final day of the tour, we take a morning flight from Gilgit to Islamabad.
During the time of year we operate this tour, flight cancellations are unlikely, although flights from Gilgit are weather dependent and a cancellation is still possible.
If our flight is cancelled, we will arrange an overland transfer from Gilgit to Islamabad at an additional cost of approximately £50 per person.
Depending on the route available and road conditions, the journey normally takes around 12–16 hours.
Planning Your International Flight Home
Although cancellation of the Gilgit–Islamabad flight is unlikely, we recommend allowing some extra time at the end of your trip just in case the flight cannot operate.
For peace of mind, it may be worth booking an additional night in Islamabad and arranging your international flight home for after 12:00 noon the following day.
This provides a comfortable buffer should we need to return to Islamabad overland.
Additional accommodation in Islamabad can be arranged through redspokes at extra cost.
Accommodation
Accommodation is an important part of our Luxury Karakoram tour.
We use some of the best accommodation available along the route, including a number of high-quality and characterful properties in spectacular locations.
One of the highlights is our stay at Shigar Fort, a beautifully restored historic fort surrounded by the mountains of Baltistan.
As we travel deeper into the Karakoram, some of the areas we visit are extremely remote. Accommodation can therefore be simpler than in Islamabad or the main tourist centres, but we select the best options available wherever possible, with an emphasis on comfort, character, location and service.
Prices are based on sharing a twin room.
Single rooms are normally available for an additional supplement. Please see the Dates & Prices section for details.
Eating & Drinking (Special Diets)
Breakfasts, lunches and many dinners are included in your tour price. Please check the itinerary for full details of which meals are included each day.
Pakistani food is varied and full of flavour, with dishes including curries, grilled meats, rice, vegetables, breads and locally produced fruit.
In the more remote mountain areas, food can be simpler than in Islamabad and the larger towns, but meals are generally fresh and plentiful.
Special Diets
Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
If you have allergies, intolerances or other dietary requirements, please let us know at the time of booking so that our local team has plenty of time to prepare.
Cycling Support
This is a fully supported cycling tour.
A support vehicle accompanies the group and transports your main luggage between overnight stops.
The vehicle is also available if you would like a break from cycling, or if altitude, weather or road conditions make continuing uncomfortable.
Our local team carries tools and equipment for minor running repairs.
You therefore only need to carry the things you require during the day’s ride, such as water, an extra layer, camera and personal items.
Bringing Your Own Bike
Bike hire is not available on this tour, so you will need to bring your own bike.
For this route, we recommend a good-quality mountain bike or gravel/adventure bike. The tour includes a mixture of paved roads and rougher surfaces, so your bike should be robust, comfortable and suitable for consecutive days of riding.
Tyres
We recommend wide, durable tyres with sufficient tread for the rougher sections of the route.
For a gravel bike, we would recommend tyres of at least 40mm, with wider tyres preferable if your frame allows. Mountain bike tyres are also well suited to the varied surfaces encountered on this tour.
Puncture-resistant tyres are strongly recommended.
Gearing
Make sure your bike has sufficiently low gearing for the longer climbs and higher-altitude sections of the tour.
The effects of altitude can make climbing feel considerably harder than the gradient alone might suggest, so having a good range of low gears is important.
Pre-Trip Bike Servicing
Your bike should be fully serviced before travelling to Pakistan.
We strongly recommend having it checked by a good bike shop before departure, paying particular attention to:
- Brakes and brake pads
- Tyres and inner tubes or tubeless set-up
- Wheels and spoke tension
- Chain and drivetrain
- Gears and cables
- Bearings
- All bolts and fittings
Any worn components should be replaced before travelling rather than waiting until the tour.
Spares
Our local team can assist with minor running repairs, but specialist bike parts can be difficult to obtain in the remote areas we visit.
You should therefore bring:
- Spare inner tubes, even if using tubeless tyres
- Puncture repair kit
- Tyre levers
- Spare brake pads suitable for your bike
- Quick links suitable for your chain
- Any specialist tools or spare parts specific to your bike
Your bike should be in good mechanical condition and ready for consecutive days of cycling before you leave home.
Money, Currency & Tipping
The official currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani Rupee (PKR).
Cash remains important, particularly in smaller towns and remote mountain areas where cards may not always be accepted.
We recommend bringing a Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card for ATM withdrawals, together with some GBP, EUR or USD as backup.
ATMs and currency exchange facilities are readily available in Islamabad but become considerably more limited as we travel into the mountains.
Your guide can advise you about trusted ATMs and currency exchange facilities during the tour.
Spending Money
The amount required will depend on your personal spending, particularly drinks, souvenirs and meals that are not included.
We recommend carrying some smaller denomination notes when travelling through the mountain regions.
Staff Tipping
Tipping is appreciated and customary as a way of thanking your guides, drivers and support crew for their work.
As a general guideline, we recommend approximately £60–£80 / US$80–$100 per person for the tour.
Tips are normally collected towards the end of the tour and distributed amongst the local team.
redspokes ensures that our local teams are paid properly – tips are an additional gesture of personal thanks for good service.
Solo Travellers
Solo travellers are very welcome on this tour, and you don’t need to be travelling with someone else to join the group.
Due to the high standard of accommodation used throughout the Luxury Karakoram tour, we are unable to offer a room-sharing option for solo travellers. Anyone booking individually will therefore need to book a single room and pay the applicable single supplement.
The single supplement covers your own room throughout the tour.
Passport, Visa & Entry Requirements
You must hold a valid passport to travel to Pakistan.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of your return.
Visa and entry requirements can and do change, so we strongly recommend checking the official government travel advice for the country in which your passport was issued.
For UK nationals, please check the latest Pakistan entry requirements on the UK Government foreign travel advice website.
Pakistan Visa
Most international visitors require a visa or travel authorisation before travelling to Pakistan.
Pakistan operates an online visa system for many nationalities.
Please ensure that you travel using the same passport that you used for your visa application and carry a printed or offline copy of your approved visa documentation.
Insurance
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory for all participants.
Your policy should cover:
- Medical expenses
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Cycling and adventure activities
- The maximum altitude reached during the tour
- Trip cancellation or curtailment
- Loss or damage to luggage and personal equipment
We recommend arranging appropriate insurance as soon as you book.
Altitude & Acclimatisation
This tour travels through some of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes and reaches significant altitude.
The itinerary has been designed so that we gain elevation progressively, rather than travelling immediately from low altitude to the highest parts of the route.
The highest section of the tour is around the Deosai Plateau, where we travel at approximately 4,000m.
At these elevations you may notice the effects of the thinner air, particularly during physical activity.
We encourage everyone to take things steadily, drink regularly and tell the guide if they feel unwell.
The support vehicle is available throughout the cycling sections, so there is no pressure to complete every kilometre.
People react differently to altitude regardless of age or fitness. If you have any concerns about travelling or exercising at altitude, please discuss them with your doctor before booking.
Altitude & Acclimatisation
This tour travels through some of the world’s most spectacular mountain landscapes and reaches significant altitude.
The itinerary has been designed so that we gain elevation progressively, rather than travelling immediately from low altitude to the highest parts of the route.
The highest section of the tour is around the Deosai Plateau, where we travel at approximately 4,000m.
At these elevations you may notice the effects of the thinner air, particularly during physical activity.
We encourage everyone to take things steadily, drink regularly and tell the guide if they feel unwell.
The support vehicle is available throughout the cycling sections, so there is no pressure to complete every kilometre.
People react differently to altitude regardless of age or fitness. If you have any concerns about travelling or exercising at altitude, please discuss them with your doctor before booking.
Climate & Weather
Northern Pakistan has considerable variations in climate because of the enormous differences in altitude.
Conditions in Islamabad, Skardu, the Hunza Valley and Deosai can be very different on the same day, so temperatures in Islamabad should not be taken as an indication of what you will experience in the mountains.
Our Karakoram Luxury departures are timed to take advantage of some of the best conditions for travelling and cycling in the region.
August – Mid October – is an excellent time to travel through the Karakoram.
Conditions are generally settled, visibility can be excellent and the mountains are often beautifully clear.
Lower valleys can be pleasantly warm during the day, while temperatures at higher elevations can be considerably colder.
You should be prepared for:
- Warm sunshine in the valleys
- Cool mornings and evenings
- Cold conditions at higher elevations
- Strong sunshine and high UV levels
- Wind and significant wind chill on exposed sections
- Occasional rain or unsettled mountain weather
- Temperatures close to freezing at the highest elevations, particularly overnight
Weather in high mountain areas can change quickly, so good layering and waterproof/windproof clothing are essential.
Equipment & Packing
Because this tour travels from relatively warm valleys to elevations of around 4,000m, layering is the key to packing successfully.
You should be able to add or remove clothing easily as temperatures change throughout the day.
Essential Cycling Gear
- Cycle helmet – mandatory
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles or hydration system
- Padded cycling shorts
- Fingerless cycling gloves
- Full-finger cycling gloves
- Waterproof and windproof cycling jacket
- Buff or neck gaiter
- Cycling shoes or comfortable trekking/cycling shoes
- High-factor sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
Layering Essentials
We strongly recommend bringing:
- Lightweight base-layer tops
- Long-sleeved thermal base layer
- Warm fleece or mid-layer
- Lightweight insulated or down jacket
- Lightweight cycling socks
- Warm socks
- Warm fleece or wool hat
- Warm full-finger gloves
A lightweight insulated jacket is particularly useful for Deosai and cool evenings in the mountains.
Cold & Wet Weather Cycling
For the higher sections of the tour we recommend:
- Waterproof and windproof cycling jacket
- Cycling tights or thermal leg warmers
- Long-sleeved cycling jersey
- Warm full-finger cycling gloves
- Warm cycling socks
- Lightweight waterproof overtrousers
Even if the weather forecast looks good before departure, please bring suitable cold and wet-weather clothing.
General Clothing
For time away from the bike we recommend:
- Lightweight trousers
- Comfortable loose-fitting shorts
- Lightweight, quick-drying T-shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers
- Warm layer for evenings
- Sun hat
Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country and we ask customers to dress respectfully when away from the bike.
Loose-fitting clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is recommended when visiting towns, villages and religious or cultural sites.
Women should also bring a lightweight shawl or scarf that can be used to cover the head and shoulders when appropriate.
Useful Extras
- Small daypack
- Head torch
- Personal first-aid kit
- Rehydration salts/electrolytes
- Personal medication
- Energy bars or favourite cycling snacks
- Camera
- Portable power bank
- Universal travel adapter
- Ear plugs
- Antibacterial hand gel
Electricity Supply – Plug & Socket Types
Pakistan uses a 230V / 50Hz electricity supply.
The most common socket types are Type C and Type D, although UK-style Type G sockets can also be found in some hotels.
We recommend bringing a universal travel adapter.
Electricity is generally reliable in the main hotels, although short interruptions can occur in more remote mountain areas.
A portable power bank is useful for phones, GPS units and other small electronic devices.
About Pakistan
Country Profile
Official name: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
Major languages: Urdu and English, together with a wide range of regional languages
Major religion: Islam
Pakistan is an exceptionally diverse country, ranging from the plains and cities of the south to some of the highest mountains on Earth in the north.
The areas visited on this tour – including Baltistan, Gilgit, Hunza and the Karakoram – have their own distinctive landscapes, cultures and traditions, making the journey about much more than the cycling alone.
Accommodation – Karakoram Luxury
This Pakistan tour offers a premium selection of accommodation, combining high-quality hotels, stylish boutique properties and characterful heritage stays in some of the most spectacular settings in the Karakoram. Properties are chosen for their comfort, character, hospitality and location, providing a relaxing contrast to the adventure and dramatic mountain landscapes experienced during the day.
In some of the more remote valleys, premium accommodation is simply not available and stays may be more traditional or simpler. These properties are carefully selected for the best combination of comfort and location available, while offering the opportunity to experience remote communities and areas of the Karakoram that few visitors reach.
Typical Accommodation
The accommodation shown below is representative of the places we normally use on this tour. We aim to use these properties wherever possible; however, accommodation may occasionally change due to availability, operational requirements or circumstances beyond our control.
Where a change is necessary, we will arrange an alternative of a similar standard and character wherever possible. The photographs below should therefore be viewed as examples of the type and standard of accommodation you can expect, rather than a guarantee of the specific properties shown.
Testimonials – Karakoram Luxury
Here is what our customers have to say about our ‘Karakoram Luxury’ Cycling holiday.
Dermot MacWard, redspokes Director, Inverness, Scotland
Photos – Karakoram Luxury
Here are a selection of photos for our ‘Karakoram Luxury’ Cycling holiday.
