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The most remarkable bike trip in the world,
KKH Bike Tour, takes one through an area
said to be the inspiration behind James
Hilton's Shangri-La, Hunza. This 14 day bike
trip traverses the complete length of the
increditble valleys of Gilgit, Hunza, Gulmit,
Passu and Sost by way of the Karakoram
Highway. The KKH connects Pakistan with
China and is considered an engineering feat
as it winds through the narrow gorges of
this remote mountain kingdom. Completed in
1974, this famous highway follows the old
Silk Route, entering China at the Khunjerab
Pass (16,000 feet) where our ride begins.
To arrive at our starting point (Khunjerab
Pass) we fly (weather permitting) from
Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to
Gilgit at 4,770 feet. We are then
transported by jeeps to the top of Khujerab
Pass in two days with an overnight hotel
stay at Gulmit or Sost.
From the crest of the pass, our downhill
bicycle journey takes us to Gulmit in three
easy five-hour days. At Gulmit a rest day is
scheduled. This provides time for a day hike
into the depths of this stunning valley.
Karimabad, the capital of Hunza, is our next
destination. Here one can do some rugged
mountain biking in the nearby glacial valley
called Hoper. The last leg of our tour
consists of a two day ride to Gilgit. The
stupendous wall of Rakaposhi (25,550 feet)
rises from the bed of the Hunza River, past
the Karakoram Highway with a 20,000 feet
gain; honouring it as the steepest place on
our planet.With the sight of Rakaposhi rich
on our minds, we roll into Gilgit and either
fly or drive back to Islamabad. |
