Kashgar to Hunza via Khunjerab Pass
Travel along the Karakoram Highway from Kashgar, cross the Pamirs and Khunjerab Pass, traverse Hunza, and fly out from Gilgit
The most classic cross-border route on the Karakoram Highway: acclimatize to the altitude in Kashgar and Tashkurgan first, take the border shuttle bus over the pass to Sost, and then head south through Passu, Karimabad, and Gilgit. The border is only open on weekdays, and shuttle bus schedules can vary, so make sure to allow plenty of buffer time. Suitable for experienced independent travelers; does not include self-driving across the border.
Plan your border crossing between Monday and Friday; the border is closed on holidays, and heavy winter snow makes travel difficult.
Day by day
Day 1 · Kashgar Old Town Day Trip
Kashgar（Kashgar Old City、Id Kah Mosque、Ostangboyi Handicraft Street、Han Bazaar Food Street & Night Market）
Explore the Old Town area on foot, and take short taxi rides between sights (approx. 10 mins one way).
Arrange your Pakistani visa and the border permit required for Tashkurgan in advance.
Stay: Around Kashgar Old City
Day 2 · Ghez Gorge to Tashkurgan
Karakul Lake & Muztagh Ata（Gez Canyon、Baisha Lake (Bulunkul)、Karakul Lake & Muztagh Ata） → Tashkurgan
Charter a car south along National Highway 314 for about 290 km, taking about 7 to 8 hours to reach Tashkurgan including stops.
There are checkpoints along the way to inspect permits. The ascent is rapid, so watch out for altitude sickness.
Stay: Tashkurgan County Town
Day 3 · Acclimatization in Tashkurgan
Tashkurgan（Tashkurgan Stone City & Golden Grassland、Jirzankal Cemetery、Tagarma Wetland、Tashkurgan Town & Tajik Culture）
Charter a car or take a taxi around the county seat (under 1 hour one way), and confirm your border crossing tickets in the afternoon.
Verify the next day's shuttle bus and border opening schedule with the station or port authority.
Stay: Tashkurgan County Town
Day 4 · Cross Khunjerab Pass to Passu
Tashkurgan → Hunza Valley（Khunjerab Pass、Sost）
Complete Chinese departure customs in the morning, take the shuttle bus to Sost for Pakistani entry (approx. 6 hours), then charter a car to Passu (approx. 1 hour).
There are no supplies along the way, so bring your own dry food. Pakistani entry customs are processed at Sost.
Stay: Passu
Day 5 · Passu Glacier & Suspension Bridge
Hunza Valley（Passu Glacier、Passu Cones (Tupopdan)、Hussaini Suspension Bridge、Borith Lake）
Walk and take short chartered car rides around Passu, taking about 1 to 2 hours round trip to Borith Lake and the suspension bridge.
Stay: Passu
Day 6 · Attabad Lake to Hunza
Hunza Valley（Gulmit、Attabad Lake、Eagle's Nest Viewpoint (Duikar)）
Charter a car south via Gulmit and the tunnels to Karimabad (approx. 1.5 hours), and head up to Eagle's Nest in the evening.
Stay: Karimabad
Day 7 · Karimabad Forts & Villages
Hunza Valley（Baltit Fort、Altit Fort、Ganish Village、Karimabad Bazaar）
Spend the day walking or taking short taxi rides around Karimabad, Altit, and Ganish.
Stay: Karimabad
Day 8 · South Along the Highway to Gilgit
Hunza Valley（Rakaposhi View Point (Ghulmet)） → Gilgit（Chinese Memorial Cemetery (Danyor)、Gilgit Bazaar）
Charter a car along the Karakoram Highway for about 100 km, taking about 3 hours to Gilgit including sightseeing stops.
Stay: Gilgit Bazaar Area
Day 9 · Fly to Islamabad
Take an early flight to Islamabad (approx. 1 hour). If the weather is poor, reschedule or switch to the overland route.
Ensure your onward international flight is scheduled at least one day later.