Choosing a private driver for your journey is a great way to save money and have flexibility. You can decide how long you’d like to spend on the trip and where you want to stop. Alternatively, you can hire a travel agency to handle the logistics for you. Both ways will provide you with excellent service and a memorable trip.
Oytagh Canyon
A trip through the Oytagh Canyon on the Karakoram Highway offers visitors a view of this dramatic landscape, which stretches across Pakistan’s western highlands. The canyon is easily accessible by road, and it passes the Khunjerab Pass, which crosses the border with China. The road begins in Kashgar and travels southwest for about 80 kilometers. After this, it turns west and enters the Gez canyon, which lies between the Kongur Tagh mountain range and Chakragil mountain range on the south.
At the Karakul Pass, there is a security checkpoint, where you must present your passport before passing. After that, you will come across a massive structure that looks like a monument, and behind it, a path leads to a glacier. From there, you can drive on a special off-road vehicle to see the glacier up close. The Taheman Grasslands, which lies behind the pass, are a calmer area where you can admire the scenery.
If you are planning to take a trip through the Karakoram, it is best to hire a private driver to help you make the trip. This way, you can be more flexible with your travel plans. You can set the duration of your trip and choose when to take breaks.
The Chinese government’s newly constructed highway has improved road conditions and the Chinese government responds quickly to road conditions. They deploy construction personnel and hazard markers to ensure the safety of travelers. It’s important to talk with your travel companions about safety, especially if there is a chance of bad weather.
Another highlight of the Karakoram Highway is the view of rivers gliding through a valley filled with green grasslands. From the dirt path on the north and east sides, the road follows these oases of nature. The road also leads through the town of Tashkurgan, which is home to a Stone Fortress, which once protected caravans traveling the Silk Road 2,000 years ago.
Taheman Grasslands
One of the most scenic spots on the Karakoram Highway is the Taheman Grasslands. This vast expanse of grasslands has a small parking area and a lookout point, providing a great view of the surrounding landscape. It is also a great place to stop and stretch your legs. You may also spot horses. The trip from Taheman to Tashkurgan is less than a full day, and you should be in Tashkurgan by late afternoon. The town itself is small but has a great local atmosphere.
A day trip to Taheman Grasslands can also include a stop at Lake Karakol. The lake lies about 100 metres from the highway and is navigable. There are paths along the lake banks that allow you to get away from the road. The mountains around Lake Karakol are breathtaking, and the mountains in the area are among the highest in the world.
The Tashkurgan river runs through the grassland, dividing it into numerous streams. It looks fantastic when viewed from above, and a good portion of the grassland is set up for tourists. There is a huge tourist area near the village of Tashkorgan, located at 3600 meters above sea level.
Some people choose to travel the whole length of the Karakoram Highway, and spend over a month to see the best sights. But the vast majority of travelers don’t have this luxury. In fact, many people only take a 2-day tour. One day in Tashkurgan and a day in Kashgar is plenty. There are also numerous day tours that run down to the Karakul Lake, but these miss out on some of the most scenic views.
From the Chinese town of Kashgar, the road follows the Sarykol valley, west of the Tarim Basin. The road then turns west and enters the Gez canyon, which is located between the Chakragil mountain range and the Kongur Tagh mountain range.
Sost
The 1,300 km Karakoram Highway is a national highway that stretches from Hasan Abdal in the Punjab province of Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, where it crosses into China. At the Khunjerab Pass, the highway turns into China National Highway 314.
Located on the Karakoram Highway, Sost is the last town in Pakistan before the Chinese border. The town has one main street lined with shops, money changers, and hostels. The Karakoram highway connects Sost to Aliabad and Gulmit, as well as to Kashgar and Gilgit.
During the winter, the Khunjerab Pass is closed because of heavy snowfall. In the monsoon season, landslides can block the road for hours. In summer, the temperature can reach 45degC in the desert areas on the Chinese side. To avoid these extreme conditions, the KKH is best traveled in the spring or early fall.
It is possible to get to Gilgit by overnight bus. It departs from Islamabad at 9 PM. The bus will pass through seven checkpoints on the way to Gilgit. It is the best way to travel the Karakoram Highway. There are many travelers and friendly locals on the road.
The Karakoram Highway is a national highway that stretches 1,300 km from Hasan Abdal in Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan. The highway passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and part of Xinjiang province in China. It was opened to the public in 1986. However, during the construction of the highway, hundreds of Chinese and Pakistani workers died in accidents, falls, and landslides.
The Pakistan Karakoram Highway ends at the frontier town of Sost. From there, you can hitchhike or get a car or jeep to Khunjerab Pass, where the highest ATM is located.
Pamir
If you have decided to drive the Pamir, Karakoram highway, you will need to factor in the cost of lodging, guide, and meals. However, this route is well maintained and generally clear throughout the year. While the winter months are typically the most snowy, the spring months are the most pleasant for trekking in the lower altitudes. During this time, you will have fewer chances of experiencing avalanches or encountering any other roadside hazards, and you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Pamir Mountains.
The Pamir Mountains are located in central Asia. They are part of the Hindu Kush, Tian Shan, and Himalayan mountain ranges. They are often referred to as the Techo of the World. It was opened in 1986 and is part of the Pamir, Karakoram, and Zhongba Gonglu highway system, connecting China and Pakistan.
The Chinese section of the Pamir, Karakoram highway follows the Sarykol valley, which is located west of the Tarim Basin. It then turns westward for 80 kilometers, before entering the Gez canyon between the Chakragil and Kongur Tagh mountains. This route offers sweeping scenery and a chance to see part of Afghanistan.
This scenic road across the Pamirs is mostly a two-line highway with several layers of surface. Some segments are well paved, while others are mud or graveled. The road is 1250 km (775 miles) long, and crosses the 4655-meter-high Ak Baital Pass. While the road is mostly at 2500 meters, some segments are gravel-covered and have potholes.
The Pamir, Karakoram highway is a must-see for anyone who wants to travel to the remote parts of Central Asia. It links Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afganistan, and Pakistan. While the roads are paved, they are in poor condition. Therefore, it is important to have a reliable 4WD car with all the necessary equipment for the journey.
Hindukush mountains
The Hindukush mountains are a massive mountain system that runs the length of Central Asia. They reach more than two thousand feet in elevation and stretch for nearly 500 miles across the region. They also border Iran. The Hindukush range is divided into two sub-regions. The eastern portion is flat and has low mountains, while the western portion is steep and rugged. It has about two dozen mountain summits over 23,000 feet.
The Hindukush system is the western extension of the Pamir and Karakorum mountains and is located on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. It contains 38 peaks over 7000 metres and is an important watershed between the Indus and Oxus Basins. It also has a number of 6000-7000m peaks that have not yet been climbed.
The Hindukush massif is the fourth highest mountain in the world and is characterized by ice and granite faces. It has six main summits and is accessible by a three-day trek from Zang Lasht in Turiko. The main peak of Saraghrar was first climbed by an Italian expedition in 1959.
The Hindu Kush resembles the Karakoram Range. Its formation can be traced back to the collision of Indian and Eurasian continents. The Hindu Kush and Pamirs also make up the world’s most active intermediate-depth seismic zone. These earthquakes originate between 100 and 140 miles beneath the surface. They are also home to several mineral reserves. The famous lapis lazuli deposits have been mined since prehistoric times.
The Hindu Kush peaks have glaciers located on their northern slopes. In the eastern part of the range, the glaciers are less common and can be seen as ice fields. Some glaciers are retreating, while others are advancing.
