Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime overland journey from the heart of Central Asia to the vibrant coast of the Arabian Sea. The Kashgar to Karachi Tour is a captivating odyssey across two ancient civilizations โ Western China and Pakistan โ united by a deep-rooted friendship and the mighty Karakoram Highway.
Beginning in the culturally rich Uygur city of Kashgar, this expedition takes you along one of the worldโs highest paved roads through awe-inspiring mountain landscapes, emerald lakes, and timeless villages nestled in the Hunza Valley. Cross the legendary Khunjerab Pass, descend into the lush plains of Gilgit-Baltistan, and explore Pakistanโs heartland โ from the Mughal grandeur of Lahore, the Sufi soul of Multan, and the mystic ruins of Mohenjo-Daro, all the way to the cosmopolitan energy of Karachi.
Along the way, youโll discover ancient forts, sacred shrines, Silk Road relics, bustling bazaars, and the unmatched hospitality of Pakistanโs diverse cultures. This tour is a spectacular fusion of history, heritage, nature, and culture, ideal for curious minds and adventurous souls.
Tour Name: Kashgar to Karachi
Tour Code: ATP-SRT-02
Tour Duration: 21 days / 20 nights (China-3 nights, Pakistan-17 nights)
Route: Kashgar โ Tashkurgan โ Khunjerab Pass โ Sost โ Karimabad โ Gilgit โ Islamabad โ Taxila โ Lahore โ Multan โ Bahawalpur โ Mohenjo Daro โ Sehwan Sharif โ Hyderabad โ Karachi
Best time: October
Tour Grade: Easy
Visa Category: Tourist Visit Visa
๐๏ธ Drive along the legendary Karakoram Highway
๐ Discover Islamabad, Lahore, and KarachiโPakistanโs iconic cities
๐ฏ Explore ancient forts: Baltit, Altit, Derawar, and Ranikot
๐งญ Cross the mighty Khunjerab Pass (4,693m)
โต Sail on the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake
๐ Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Taxila, Mohenjo Daro, Makli
๐ Witness spiritual heritage at shrines and temples
๐๏ธ Walk through the ruins of Harappa and Uch Sharif
๐ญ Enjoy cultural immersion in bazaars, markets, and local life
๐ Attend the Wagah Border flag ceremony
Arrival in Islamabad. After short rest, full day tour of Islamabad (depending upon the arrival time).
Key Attractions
๐ Shah Faisal Mosque - the largest mosque in Pakistan
๐๏ธ Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage) Museum
๐ฟ Pakistan National Monument
๐ Daman-e-Koh (Islamabad View Point)
๐ Golra Sharif Rail Museum or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum
๐๏ธ External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Islamabad-Taxila: 35 kms/45 minutesโ drive
TaxilaโRaja Bazar: 35 kms/1 hour drive
Raja Bazar-Islamabad: 20 kms/45 minutesโ drive
Full day tour of the archaeological sites in Taxila. After lunch visit truck painting workshop and Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi.
Key Attractions
๐บ Taxila Museum - showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
๐ฏ Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
๐ Dharmarajika complex and stupa
๐จ Taxila Truck Painting Workshop
๐ Gurdwara Panja Sahib (subject to prior permission)
๐๏ธ Old Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi (twin city of Islamabad)
๐ Dinner at Margalla Hills
Flight from Islamabad to Skardu. Half day tour Skardu and surrounding attractions.
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Upper Kachura Lake
๐๏ธ Soq valley
๐๏ธ Katpana Desert
Full day to explore attractions around Skardu.
Key Attractions
๐ฟ Manthal Buddha Rock
๐ฏ Kharpocho Fort
๐ฌ๏ธ Sarfaranga Cold Desert
๐ฐ Shigir Fort
๐ Amburiq Mosque Shigir
Day excursion to Deosai National Park or Khaplu. Drive back to Skardu for overnight stay.
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Option 1. Day Excursion to Khaplu: Drive along the beautiful villages. Stop at the meeting point of River Indus and Shyok River. Visit Khaplu Fort and Chaqchan Mosque.
๐ Option 2. Day excursion to Deosai Plateau: Deosai plateau, Sadpara Lake, Chota Pani, Bara Pani, Sheosar Lake, flora and fauna photography spot
Skardu โ Karimabad Hunza: 290 kms/6.5 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐ Drive along the River Indus
๐๏ธ Nanga Parbat viewpoint
๐ป Visit the place near Juglot where the Karakoram, Himalaya & Hindukush meet
๐ Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet
Full day tour of central Hunza
Key Attractions
๐ฐ Baltit Fort
๐๏ธ Karimabad Bazaar
๐ถ Walk Along Barbar Water Channel
๐ฏ Altit Fort
๐๏ธ Altit Cluster/Altit Village
๐ Sunset from the Eagleโs Nest View Point in Duiker
KarimabadโHopar: 23 kms/45 minutesโ drive
HoparโAtta Abad Lake: 36 kms/1.5 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Ganish Cluster - the oldest settlement in Hunza
๐๏ธ Hopar Valley
๐ป Ultar & Lady Finger View Point
๐ฟ Dong Rock Inscriptions
๐ Atta Abad Lake
๐ก Gulmit Village
Atta Abad Lake โ Gilgit: 115 kms/2.5 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐ Hussaini Bridge
โฐ๏ธ Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals viewpoint
๐ง Batura Glacier viewpoint
๐๏ธ Borith Lake
๐ Danyor suspension bridge
Gilgit-Gupis: 109 kms/6 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐ Drive along Ghizer river and villages
GupisโMastuj: 150 kms/7 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Phander Valley
๐๏ธ Phander Lake
๐ Shandur Pass - the highest polo ground in the world
Mastuj- Chitral: 120 kms/4 hoursโ drive
Rest of the day at leisure
ChitralโBumburet Kalash: 22 kms/1 hourโs drive
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Chitral Bazaar
๐ Shahi Mosque
๐ Tirich Mir View Point
๐๏ธ Rambur Valley Kailash
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Kalash Museum
๐ก Visit a traditional house
๐ Sacred places
246 kms/7 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐บ Swat Museum - Gandhara Art
184 kms/4 hoursโ drive
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Barikot archaeological site
๐ฏ Buddhist Monastery in Takht Bhai
๐๏ธ Peshawar Museum
Key Attractions
๐ Mahabat Khan Mosque
๐ Qissa Khawani Bazar
๐๏ธ Saithi House
๐ฐ Bala Hissar Fort (exterior)
Key Attractions
๐ Katas Raj Temple
๐ง Khewra Salt Mines
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Lahoreโs walled city
๐ฐ Lahore Fort
๐ Badshahi Masjid
๐๏ธ Lahore Museum
๐๏ธ Anarkali Bazar
Key Attractions
โฐ๏ธ Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan
๐ Masjid Wazir Khan
โจ๏ธ Shahi Hamam
๐บ Shalimar Garden (optional)
๐ต๐ฐ Wagah Flag Ceremony
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ Harappa Archaeological Site
Key Attractions
๐ฏ Damdama
โฐ๏ธ Mausoleum of Baha-ud-din Zakariya
โฐ๏ธ Mausoleum of Shah Shams Sabzwari
โฐ๏ธ Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
๐ช Delhi Gate
โฒ Char Minar
๐จ Blue Pottery Workshop
๐ซ Camel skin Naqash painting
Key Attractions
๐ฐ Derawar Fort
๐๏ธ Cholistan Desert
๐๏ธ Noor Mahal
Key Attractions
โฐ๏ธ Tomb of Bibi Jawindi
๐ Shrine of Jalaluddin Bukhari
๐ Shrine of Hazrat Fazaluddin Ladla Bukhari
๐ Shrine of Pir Sadruddin
Key Attractions
๐ฏ Kot Diji Fort
๐๏ธ Mohenjo Daro
๐ Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
๐บ Dhamal (Sufi Dances)
Key Attractions
๐ฐ Ranikot Fort
๐ Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
๐บ Sufi Dances (if available)
Key Attractions
๐ Shah Jahan Mosque
๐๏ธ Makli Necropolis
๐๏ธ Bhambore Archaeological Site
โฐ๏ธ Chaukandi Tombs
Key Attractions
๐๏ธ National Museum
๐๏ธ Frere Hall
๐ฐ Mohatta Palace
๐ Tuba Mosque (Gol Masjid)
๐ฐ๏ธ Merewether Clock Tower
๐ Quaid-e-Azam Tomb (if time permits)
Key Attractions
๐ Mangrove & Dolphin tour in Damb
๐ Shri Hinglaj Mata Mandir
๐๏ธ Kund Malir Beach
Key Attractions
๐ Princess of Hope
๐ฟ Hingol National Park
Key Attractions
๐ Chandragup Mud Volcanoes
๐ข Gaddani Ship-breaking Yard (if time permits)
Transfer to the airport for home bound flight.
๐ Private transport throughout the tour
๐๏ธ Hotel accommodation (twin sharing) with breakfast
๐งญ English-speaking guide
๐ All entry fees to sites and museums
๐ผ Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
๐๏ธ Border crossing facilitation at Khunjerab Pass
๐ค Boat ride at Attabad Lake
๐ซ Permits and road taxes where applicable
โ Refreshments during long drives