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 — Western China and Pakistan — 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 world’s 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 Pakistan’s heartland — 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, you’ll discover ancient forts, sacred shrines, Silk Road relics, bustling bazaars, and the unmatched hospitality of Pakistan’s 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 ➝ Tashkurgan ➝ Khunjerab Pass ➝ Sost ➝ Karimabad ➝ Gilgit ➝ Islamabad ➝ Taxila ➝ Lahore ➝ Multan ➝ Bahawalpur ➝ Mohenjo Daro ➝ Sehwan Sharif ➝ Hyderabad ➝ Karachi
Best time: October
Tour Grade: Easy
Visa Category: Tourist Visit Visa
🏞️ Drive along the legendary Karakoram Highway
🕌 Discover Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi—Pakistan’s iconic cities
🏯 Explore ancient forts: Baltit, Altit, Derawar, and Ranikot
🧭 Cross the mighty Khunjerab Pass (4,693m)
⛵ Sail on the turquoise waters of Attabad Lake
📜 Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Taxila, Mohenjo Daro, Makli
🕌 Witness spiritual heritage at shrines and temples
🏛️ Walk through the ruins of Harappa and Uch Sharif
🎭 Enjoy cultural immersion in bazaars, markets, and local life
🎉 Attend the Wagah Border flag ceremony
Arrival in Islamabad. After short rest, full day tour of Islamabad (depending upon the arrival time).
Key Attractions
🕌 Shah Faisal Mosque - the largest mosque in Pakistan
🏛️ Lok Virsa (Folk Heritage) Museum
🗿 Pakistan National Monument
🌄 Daman-e-Koh (Islamabad View Point)
🚂 Golra Sharif Rail Museum or Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum
🏛️ External view of Parliament House, President House, Prime Minister House & the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Islamabad-Taxila: 35 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Taxila–Raja Bazar: 35 kms/1 hour drive
Raja Bazar-Islamabad: 20 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Full day tour of the archaeological sites in Taxila. After lunch visit truck painting workshop and Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi.
Key Attractions
🏺 Taxila Museum - showcasing antiques and artifacts of Gandhara civilization
🏯 Julian Buddhist Stupa & Monastery
🛕 Dharmarajika complex and stupa
🎨 Taxila Truck Painting Workshop
🕍 Gurdwara Panja Sahib (subject to prior permission)
🛍️ Old Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi (twin city of Islamabad)
🌃 Dinner at Margalla Hills
Flight from Islamabad to Skardu. Half day tour Skardu and surrounding attractions.
Key Attractions
🏞️ Upper Kachura Lake
🏕️ Soq valley
🏜️ Katpana Desert
Full day to explore attractions around Skardu.
Key Attractions
🗿 Manthal Buddha Rock
🏯 Kharpocho Fort
🌬️ Sarfaranga Cold Desert
🏰 Shigir Fort
🕌 Amburiq Mosque Shigir
Day excursion to Deosai National Park or Khaplu. Drive back to Skardu for overnight stay.
Key Attractions
🏞️ 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.
🌄 Option 2. Day excursion to Deosai Plateau: Deosai plateau, Sadpara Lake, Chota Pani, Bara Pani, Sheosar Lake, flora and fauna photography spot
Skardu – Karimabad Hunza: 290 kms/6.5 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🌊 Drive along the River Indus
🏔️ Nanga Parbat viewpoint
🗻 Visit the place near Juglot where the Karakoram, Himalaya & Hindukush meet
🌄 Rakaposhi View Point Ghulmet
Full day tour of central Hunza
Key Attractions
🏰 Baltit Fort
🛍️ Karimabad Bazaar
🚶 Walk Along Barbar Water Channel
🏯 Altit Fort
🏘️ Altit Cluster/Altit Village
🌅 Sunset from the Eagle’s Nest View Point in Duiker
Karimabad–Hopar: 23 kms/45 minutes’ drive
Hopar–Atta Abad Lake: 36 kms/1.5 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🏘️ Ganish Cluster - the oldest settlement in Hunza
🏞️ Hopar Valley
🗻 Ultar & Lady Finger View Point
🗿 Dong Rock Inscriptions
🌊 Atta Abad Lake
🏡 Gulmit Village
Atta Abad Lake – Gilgit: 115 kms/2.5 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🌁 Hussaini Bridge
⛰️ Passu Cones/Passu Cathedrals viewpoint
🧊 Batura Glacier viewpoint
🏞️ Borith Lake
🌉 Danyor suspension bridge
Gilgit-Gupis: 109 kms/6 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🌊 Drive along Ghizer river and villages
Gupis–Mastuj: 150 kms/7 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🏕️ Phander Valley
🏞️ Phander Lake
🐎 Shandur Pass - the highest polo ground in the world
Mastuj- Chitral: 120 kms/4 hours’ drive
Rest of the day at leisure
🎨 Day 13. Chitral–KalashChitral–Bumburet Kalash: 22 kms/1 hour’s drive
Key Attractions
🛍️ Chitral Bazaar
🕌 Shahi Mosque
🌄 Tirich Mir View Point
🏞️ Rambur Valley Kailash
Key Attractions
🏛️ Kalash Museum
🏡 Visit a traditional house
🙏 Sacred places
246 kms/7 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🏺 Swat Museum - Gandhara Art
184 kms/4 hours’ drive
Key Attractions
🏞️ Barikot archaeological site
🏯 Buddhist Monastery in Takht Bhai
🏛️ Peshawar Museum
Key Attractions
🕌 Mahabat Khan Mosque
📖 Qissa Khawani Bazar
🏛️ Saithi House
🏰 Bala Hissar Fort (exterior)
Key Attractions
🛕 Katas Raj Temple
🧂 Khewra Salt Mines
Key Attractions
🏙️ Lahore’s walled city
🏰 Lahore Fort
🕌 Badshahi Masjid
🏛️ Lahore Museum
🛍️ Anarkali Bazar
Key Attractions
⚰️ Mausoleums of Jahangir & Noor Jahan
🕌 Masjid Wazir Khan
♨️ Shahi Hamam
🌺 Shalimar Garden (optional)
🇵🇰 Wagah Flag Ceremony
Key Attractions
🏛️ Harappa Archaeological Site
Key Attractions
🏯 Damdama
⚰️ Mausoleum of Baha-ud-din Zakariya
⚰️ Mausoleum of Shah Shams Sabzwari
⚰️ Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
🚪 Delhi Gate
⛲ Char Minar
🎨 Blue Pottery Workshop
🐫 Camel skin Naqash painting
Key Attractions
🏰 Derawar Fort
🏜️ Cholistan Desert
🏛️ Noor Mahal
Key Attractions
⚰️ Tomb of Bibi Jawindi
🕋 Shrine of Jalaluddin Bukhari
🕌 Shrine of Hazrat Fazaluddin Ladla Bukhari
🕌 Shrine of Pir Sadruddin
Key Attractions
🏯 Kot Diji Fort
🏛️ Mohenjo Daro
🕌 Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
🕺 Dhamal (Sufi Dances)
Key Attractions
🏰 Ranikot Fort
🕌 Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai
🕺 Sufi Dances (if available)
Key Attractions
🕌 Shah Jahan Mosque
🏞️ Makli Necropolis
🏛️ Bhambore Archaeological Site
⚰️ Chaukandi Tombs
Key Attractions
🏛️ National Museum
🏛️ Frere Hall
🏰 Mohatta Palace
🕌 Tuba Mosque (Gol Masjid)
🕰️ Merewether Clock Tower
🕋 Quaid-e-Azam Tomb (if time permits)
Key Attractions
🌊 Mangrove & Dolphin tour in Damb
🛕 Shri Hinglaj Mata Mandir
🏖️ Kund Malir Beach
Key Attractions
👑 Princess of Hope
🗿 Hingol National Park
Key Attractions
🌋 Chandragup Mud Volcanoes
🚢 Gaddani Ship-breaking Yard (if time permits)
Transfer to the airport for home bound flight.
🚐 Private transport throughout the tour
🛏️ Hotel accommodation (twin sharing) with breakfast
🧭 English-speaking guide
🕌 All entry fees to sites and museums
💼 Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
🏔️ Border crossing facilitation at Khunjerab Pass
🚤 Boat ride at Attabad Lake
🎫 Permits and road taxes where applicable
☕ Refreshments during long drives
✈️ International airfare
🍽️ Lunches and dinners
🧳 Personal expenses (laundry, phone, souvenirs)
💵 Tips for guide and driver
🏥 Travel insurance
🛃 Visa fees (China and Pakistan)
🍷 Beverages and minibar charges