We’ve been exploring Pakistan since 2017
To secure your spot, we require a deposit of $750 for our Pakistan Expedition. The deposit is non-refundable once paid. However, if cancelling 120 or more days before departure, the deposit may be transferred as credit to another trip within 24 months of the original departure date.
The remaining balance is then paid in two instalments: 50% of the remaining balance is due 150 days before departure, the final balance is due 90 days before departure.
You can find our full terms and conditions here.
Elsewheria co-founder Will Hatton has been exploring Pakistan since 2017, and was one of the first operators to start bringing tour groups into these mountains. That’s over a decade of experience in a country we’re passionate about and it means we’re uniquely connected and positioned to share some genuinely hidden gems with our guests.
Most Pakistan tours look the same. Incredibly long driving days, uncomfortable transport, more time in a minibus than actually in the mountains. Almost all of them go to exactly the same places, with no real depth of knowledge of either the landscape or the people. Guests often come away thinking: “I could have done that on my own.”
That is not what this is.
We ride, we trek, we spend a full week living in a Hunza village. We take you to corners of these mountains we won’t name online, to remote valleys and hidden spots that 99% of tourists simply never see, staying with families we’ve known for over a decade. Private transport carries your luggage, your support crew, and any non-riders. No head smacking against the minibus glass. Just 18 days to actually feel the place rather than tick it off.
We have a deep love for Pakistan, and we’re committed to making sure our tourist dollars go to the right places. That’s why we work exclusively with Hunza-owned local businesses and homestays on every expedition we run.
You don’t need to be a hardcore biker. Ride as much or as little as you want; the trip works either way. This is the final frontier of adventure travel, where the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush collide. On two wheels or not, the mountains don’t care how you get there. But they will change you either way.
The trip is led by either Will or Max. Between them, your potential hosts bring former British Army leadership, a decade-plus of deep connections in Pakistan, and the kind of local knowledge that only comes from growing up in these mountains. Whichever of our two guides leads your departure, you’re in exceptionally good hands. Our expeditions are well planned and well supported, as well as either Will or Max, we’ll have our local guide Fareed, our excellent mechanic and our trusted drivers for the support vehicles. We also work with local porters and cooks during the hiking sections.
Will Hatton: Elsewheria Co-Founder and Chief Adventure Architect
Will fell for Pakistan back in 2017 and has been finding ways back ever since: crossing glaciers, swaying across rickety suspension bridges, and sharing chai with the same Hunza family he’s known for over a decade. He’s hitchhiked across Iran, driven a rickshaw across India, and built a life out of chasing the kind of adventure most people only read about, so when he says a route is worth the detour, it’s worth the detour. Elsewheria exists because Will believes growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone, and Pakistan, by motorbike, is Will’s all-time favourite adventure…
Max Clark: Former British Army Major and Motorbike Legend
With 14 years of army service, including Commando and Parachute qualifications, Max has spent the past two years riding a Triumph Scrambler 1200 around the world. Since departing Europe in 2024, he has covered more than 80,000 km across 30+ countries spanning Europe, Central Asia, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, North America, and Mexico. Highlights include crossing the Pamir Highway, travelling through Afghanistan and Pakistan, climbing Lobuche East (6,119m), and navigating some of the most remote regions of the world by motorcycle. Pakistan is one of Max’s favourite countries. Alongside adventure travel, Max works in security risk management, expedition leadership, and wilderness travel, combining operational planning experience with a passion for exploration and storytelling.
Fareed Sultan: Hunza Local and Absolute Legend
Fareed grew up in Hunza, with family roots reaching into the Patundas region, and has spent years guiding trekkers and riders through the valleys, glaciers, and high passes of Gilgit Baltistan. He’s lived and worked in these mountains for most of his life, and there’s barely a village, shepherd’s trail, or back route he hasn’t walked or driven. He is passionate about looking after guests, whether that’s finding the best route around a washed-out road or simply making sure everyone’s fed, warm, and laughing by the fire. Fareed and Will first met in 2020 and have been amigos ever since.
Today is the day our adventure officially kicks off! After taking a mind-bogglingly beautiful flight that soars past Nanga Parbat, the 9th-highest mountain on the planet, you'll be met at Skardu airport and transferred to our comfortable hotel where your guides will be waiting for you. If you want to head up to Skardu a few days in advance, you're more than welcome to do so and we'll probably be knocking around up there doing last-minute checks on equipment and personnel. The Baltistan region is massive, so feel free to explore.
Both AirBlue and Pakistan International Airlines fly the Islamabad-Skardu route. You'll arrive in Skardu by noon, where you'll be met at the airport.
We'll have a chill afternoon where you'll have time to unpack and refresh before we head out and kick things off with a sunset at the Karpuacho Fort, one of the highest cold deserts in the world! After this, we'll head for a hearty dinner at one of our favourite restaurants and have a trip briefing where we'll run you through the adventure to come!
The next day we’ll explore local sights around Skardu.
We'll leave Skardu early (in 4x4s, no bikes yet) to make sure there's plenty of daylight to reach the our secret meadow! The views here are simply stunning and, unlike the famous Fairy Meadows, it won't be slammed with visitors.
It takes about 3 hours driving from Skardu, where we'll leave our lovely drivers and hop in an old-school jeep to travel up a crazy road…
You’ve probably seen photos or videos of the Fairy Meadows jeep track - trust us, this is just as awesome, and very few people come here, so we’ll likely be alone once we complete our hike.
The drive takes about 2 hours, and then the hike is about 3-4 hours. It's going to be a long day, but we'll have plenty of time to relax when we arrive.
We will be camping here for two nights - we have top quality gear and will feast under the stars thanks to our local cook! We'll have a campfire and maybe even a cheeky hot chocolate 😉
There's some wonderful hiking options to explore.
If you would prefer to just relax in the meadows, that's also an option.
It's a little bit quicker going down, and we can expect to be back at the jeeps in about 2 hours. Then we'll take another 2-hour spin on the crazy road, before meeting our bikes and heading to the most amazing place in Gilgit Baltistan: Hunza Valley.
After about 5 total hours of biking (if you are knackered and don't want to ride at all, you can chill in the support vehicles) to a comfortable homestay we have been visiting for ten years. Here we can enjoy a gorgeous sunset from the roof before feasting on local cuisine!
We will spend 5 nights based out of the comfortable and magical homestay we have been visiting for over ten years. From here, we have access to amazing hikes and we'll be tackling one of the most rewarding!
The village we stay in is stunning and remains untouched - get ready for lush greenery, farm animals, and gorgeous scenery, plus tea with some friends we know.
After 2 nights in the village and surrounding areas, we will spend 2 nights on a challenging hike to Patundas, where we will be camping - it’s tough, but glorious. Expect insane views, the crossing of a glacier, and hot-chocolate vibes. The trek is optional though and if you wanted to stay behind in the village, you can.
We'll have a final night in the village after the hike and there will be time to drive further up the KKH on day-adventures to find hanging suspension bridges, hidden lakes, and epic photos - we know some great spots 😉
Get ready for the most epic motorcycle ride of your life, friends! This is one of the most stunning and fun roads in the world.. In about 3.5 hours of pure off-roading, we'll make it to one of the most remote valleys in all of Pakistan (which we're not naming right now). Very few people make it to this part of the country; it's really special.
We'll then have lunch in a traditional Wakhi home and have the rest of the day to meander about the beautiful village. In the evening, we shall pick out a couple of goats from the herd to join us for dinner.
This ride is for intermediate riders or above only - it’s challenging yet utterly awesome.
We’ll spend a day exploring the valley before heading back out the way we came, so two chances to drive this truly unique section.
We'll power through the crazy off-road yet again on the bikes and make our way back to the lovely pavement of the Karakoram Highway and, more specifically, the incredible village of Passu. Famous for its unreal cathedral-shaped mountains, you've probably seen these somewhere online before.
We'll have some free time to recover from the bumpy ride, where you can chill out in the garden (which has some SICK views) before convening for dinner later on.
The famous Passu Bridge is nearby and well worth checking out.
In Karimabad, we stay in the Serena, which has a pool with insane mountain views, a decent gym, and a world-class restaurant.
Karimabad is the premier mountain town of the region, with gorgeous views and two impressive forts overlooking the ancient Silk Road hugging the river below. Here you'll also be able to find some epic gemstones and other Hunza-made souvenirs if that fits your fancy.
On day 15, there’s a final motorcycle adventure as we explore a nearby village that literally hangs above a glacier - we're gonna saddle up and ride on over, yeehaw!
On the last night, we’ll reconvene as a group and wind things up with a sunset viewpoint and some local eats you won't find anywhere else in the world.
After breakfast and saying so long to our trusty motorbikes, 4x4s will take us back to Skardu. The drive from Passu to Skardu takes about 7 hours, so make sure you book your domestic flight for the next day.
We will stay at a hotel in Skardu for one final night together before we depart in the morning.
The flights from Skardu to Islamabad can be unreliable at times. If you want a guaranteed ride, you can opt to take a car down to Islamabad to fly out of Pakistan. You would depart from Gilgit on day 17; this can be arranged for an extra cost.
A seat from Gilgit costs around $35 USD, and the car can be shared with others. This will take anywhere from 12 to 20 hours. This isn't a bad option if you want to guarantee you make your flight, but it is uncomfortable.
On the final morning, our drivers will take you to the airport for your flight (unless you decide to extend your stay in Skardu), we will say our goodbyes, and the trip will officially be wrapped up.
Your nights on this trip are as varied as the landscape: comfortable hotels, cosy guesthouses, a proper canvas-tent camp under the stars (with our AMAZING REI camping gear), and a full week settled into a real Hunza homestay. It’s a mix that’s deliberate: enough comfort to recover properly, enough homestay and camping to actually feel like Pakistan.
From late May through early November, the high passes of Gilgit-Baltistan open up, and the Karakoram Highway becomes rideable in full. We run our departures around the two windows that consistently deliver the best conditions.
Late May to early June: The last winter snow has cleared, so the highway is freshly open. Valleys are lush and green, blossoms still linger at higher elevations, and days are warm without being hot, all before the summer crowds arrive.
October: Peak autumn, and arguably the best stretch of the year. Poplars and orchards turn gold against the snow-capped peaks, skies are clear, and temperatures are ideal for riding and hiking. By early November, the first real cold arrives, closing out the season.
Why these two windows: Both bring clear roads and comfortable weather, just with opposite scenery: spring green versus autumn gold. These shoulder seasons are when Hunza looks its best and feels least crowded, which is why we skip the busier midsummer months.
This off-the-beaten path adventure in Pakistan is ideal for:
FAR-FLUNG TRIPS
Venture off the beaten path into wild beauty, real connection, and unforgettable adventures.
LOCAL GUIDES
We work with local guides to help get an immersive experience unlike any other.
Built by travelers
We’ve designed our trips for the kind of people who crave real adventure, not cookie-cutter tours.
SMALL GROUPS
Join a small group of like-minded legends ready to connect, laugh and explore a far flung corner of the world.
EXPERIENCED LEADERS
Our tour leaders know their country like the back of their hand giving you full confidence you’re in safe hands.
push your comfort zone
You don’t grow in your comfort zone and we believe travel is the ultimate tool for personal growth.
This epic Pakistan motorbike expedition is for those craving a raw adventure deep in the mountains with like-minded travellers. If immersive experiences that allow you to dive deep into a unique culture, remote trails, and epic roads sound like you, you're in the right place! You should be able to go with the flow and understand the value of sometimes sacrificing Western comforts for once in a life time experiences. It doesn't matter if you're a solo traveler, or coming with friends or a partner, this adventure is for those who want to experience the very best of Pakistan and take to the open road upon a steel stallion! Never mind genuine connections with some of the most hospitable people on the planet, we are confident this trip will leave you hungry for more. However, if you NEED reliable WiFi or other modern cons for your entire trip - this is NOT for you. We hike (porters available) and we camp so you need to be reasonably fit.
No. This trip is a hybrid adventure, riding, trekking, homestay life and culture, not a hardcore biker trip, so you don't need any motorcycle experience to join.
If you've never ridden before, you're welcome to skip the riding altogether and travel in our support vehicle, 'the beast', which carries up to two bikes and has space for you any time you'd rather not be on two wheels. You can also join as a pillion passenger with another rider.
If you do have riding experience, you'll get the chance to tackle real stretches of the Karakoram Highway and some genuinely fun off-road sections. Either way, ride as much or as little as you want; you'll still get the full trip.
These days, getting a Pakistani visa is FREE and easier than ever, and should be done a bit before your trip via this link: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-prior-to-arrival-tourist/
You'll have 90 days to enter the country once it's granted (usually in a few minutes), and then when you arrive, you'll be stamped in for 90 days from your date of entry.
It's important to note that you should choose the country of your passport in the section that asks where you'd like to be interviewed. Ironically, people are only actually interviewed when they choose their physical location (unless you have PR documents to prove you live there).
You need to make your way to Skardu International Airport (unfortunately it's not really international) located in Gilgit Baltistan. Skardu is a gorgeous and walkable small mountain "city" and we do recommend arriving a day in advance if you have the time!
For your arrival in Skardu - yes, they are indeed, we'll pick you up from Skardu International Airport. Note that you will need to arrange your own transport to Skardu, which we can advise you on and is covered in our pre-departure info packet.
In a nutshell, yes. We've been coming here since 2015, and we can assure you that not only is the country safe generally, but we'll be going to the safest parts IN Pakistan. The Hunza region (where we'll be spending most of our time) is primarily Ismaili, which is Islam's most liberal sect, has a 99% literacy rate, and there is very little crime. We do require guests to have fully comprehensive travel insurance, which should include flight cancellations and delays.
Absolutely, and this adventure is definitely the easiest and safest way to see Pakistan if you're on your own. Most of the people who join our tours are solo travellers. We'll pair you with another solo guest in twin-share accommodation.
Your trip will include just about everything after you arrive: accommodation, most meals, experienced local guides, private transport, snacks and mineral water, and more. Here are a few additional costs to keep in mind:
Any optional activities or souvenirs
Flights to Pakistan
Transport to Skardu
Travel insurance (required)
Tips for your guides and driver
100% yes! While Pakistan is a very meat and bread-heavy country, don't let that scare you! We can arrange vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy free or even vegan options everywhere. Just let us know about any preferences or allergies in advance and we'll make sure you get an inclusive experience of local cuisine.
To join this journey, simply click here. You’ll fill out a short form and pay your deposit to secure your spot. From there, we’ll be in touch with all your next steps, including pre-trip prep and travel logistics. Spots are limited, so we recommend booking early.
Once you’re confirmed, you’ll receive a detailed packing list, but here’s a quick overview of the essentials:
-Any much-loved moto gear - we highly recommend bringing your own helmet and gloves
-Layers for all the types of weather the mountains can throw at us, think between 5 C at night at Fairy Meadows and Rakaposhi to 25 C in lower altitude hamlets
-A powerbank, electricity access can be an issue throughout Gilgit Baltistan
-Hiking shoes
-Altitude and car sickness meds if you’re prone to them
-Hat and sunglasses
-Reusable water bottle
-Immodium/other stomach meds, just in case
It is a legal requirement to have an international license for riding in Pakistan; however, you are unlikely to be asked to provide this. We strongly recommend, though, that all guests have a license and experience riding if you want to ride.
Yes however we recommend you bring your own gear if you have it.
We'll be exploring on Suzuki GS 150s. That might SOUND tiny, but trust and believe these can take on any terrain in Pakistan and is the local standard that can be fixed anywhere. Larger bikes are rare and difficult to manage in remote areas.
Yup! We'll have a mechanic riding along with us in a pick-up truck support vehicle that can hold the bikes.
Pakistan is not a well-connected country, but you’ve still got several options for arrival. The cheapest flights head into Karachi, which is extremely far from both Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad and not a great place overall. Therefore, we highly recommend you fly into Islamabad International Airport, or at furthest, Allama Iqbal in Lahore, as you can then get a comfortable 5-hour-long bus to the capital. Honestly, though, arriving in Islamabad is the most comfortable option.
Airlines to look into:
Thai Airways (direct flights from Bangkok)
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Pakistan International Airlines (direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Dubai)
Turkish Airways (if coming from Europe or the US)
Qatar Airways (again, good options from Europe or the US)
British Airways (direct flights from London)
Border crossings:
These are all the border crossings available to tourists:
Khunjerab Border from Tashkurgan, China
Wagah Border from India (closed indefinitely as of May 2025)
Torkham Border from Afghanistan (chaotic but doable)
Rimdan Border from Iran (leads to Karachi, not recommended)
Taftan Border from Iran (horrible border with extreme amounts of police escorts, very far, not recommended)
Bus companies:
These are the two best companies if you need to get a bus to Islamabad:
Faisal Movers
Daewoo
Q Connect (to/from Lahore only)
This is a real adventure in one of the last wild places on the planet. In exchange for incredible views and cultures, you’ll have to accept that the following won’t be possible everywhere, but it really is part of the experience:
Wifi
Phone signal (we have a satellite device for safety)
24/7 electricity (many places have backups, but not all)
Hot showers
Western toilets
Bed frames
No, international or domestic flights are not included. As mentioned, you'll need to fly into Skardu International Airport (sadly, the name is a misnomer) or take the Karakoram Highway/Babusar Pass. If you need help organising transport, just let us know and we'll help you out.
You'll find the pace to be pretty high but there is solid rest time built in. Activities include lots of motorbiking, high-altitude trekking, and more. The Patundas trek is challenging - and we recommend getting fit before you come.
Travel insurance isn't required to enter Pakistan, but it is required to come on an Elsewheria adventure.
All shared rooms on our trips have 2 people per room, each with their own bed. We will partner you with an adventure buddy of the same gender - an amazing way to make new friends! If you're booking as a pair, just let us know, and we'll make sure you're roomed together. If you have any questions about sleeping arrangements, feel free to get in touch.
If you'd prefer your own room, this is possible in most locations for an extra charge - let us know ahead of time.
Yes. If you're travelling with someone and only want one bike between you, one of you rides and the other travels as pillion or hops in our support vehicle whenever they prefer. You each book your own place individually as normal, then use code SHAREDBIKE at checkout for a total of $300 off.
To qualify, both bookings need to be confirmed as sharing a bike. Applies to twin share bookings only.
Simply complete the enquiry form below and we’ll reach out to you directly.
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