Pure Pedal Expedition: The Ultimate Karakoram & Deosai Pure Cycling Loop
100% Pure Saddle Time β Islamabad β Hunza β Skardu β Khaplu β Deosai β Astore β Islamabad
This expedition is designed for extreme endurance cyclists who wish to complete the entire ~2,100 km loop strictly on two wheels, starting and ending in without any vehicle transfers. Every kilometerβfrom the lower plains of Hazara through the Karakoram Highway (KKH), across the Indus Gorge into Baltistan, up onto the wild Deosai Plains (4,114m), and back down through Astore and Babusar Passβis pedaled continuously.
Supported by a dedicated 4×4 sweep vehicle carrying camping gear, spare parts, and mobile refreshment stations, this 22-day itinerary represents the ultimate alpine bikepacking test in Pakistan.
Key Expedition Specs
| Attribute | Details |
| Total Cycling Distance | ~2,100 km (100% Pedaled) |
| Max Elevation | 4,200m (Deosai Pass / Plateau) |
| Total Elevation Gain | ~28,500m+ |
| Terrain | 75% Paved Asphalt / 25% Unpaved Alpine Dirt & Gravel |
| Expedition Duration | 22 Days |
| Bike Recommended | Gravel Bike (42mmβ47mm tubeless tires) or Hardtail Mountain Bike |
| Support Level | Full Mobile Support Van, Luggage Transfer, Bike Mechanic & Escort |
| Best Season | Mid-July to Mid-September (When Deosai & Babusar Passes are fully open) |
β° 1,250m | π΄ 120 km | β +1,100m
Pedal out from Islamabad , riding north past Hasan Abdal and Haripur,ascending the foothills into Abbottabad.
π Hotel in Abbottabad
β° 610m | π΄ 140 km | β +950m / β -1,580m
Cycle through Mansehra and Thakot, rejoining the formal Karakoram Highway (KKH) along the Indus River to Besham.
π Hotel in Besham
Follow the winding canyon roads cut into the granite walls above the Indus River to Chilas.
π Hotel in Chilas
β° 1,500m | π΄ 130 km | β +800m
Pass the confluence of the Indus and Gilgit rivers, riding past the Junction Point of the 3 Great Mountain Ranges into Gilgit.
π Hotel in Gilgit
Cycle along the KKH past the Rakaposhi Viewpoint in Ghulmet up to historic Karimabad in the heart of Hunza.
π Hotel in Karimabad, Hunza
β° 2,500m | π΄ 90 km (Round Trip) | β +750m
Pedal alongside Attabad Lake and through illuminated KKH tunnels beneath the razor-sharp Passu Cones before returning to Karimabad.
π Hotel in Karimabad, Hunza
Phase 2: Traverse to Baltistan β Skardu & Khaplu
β° 1,350m | π΄ 135 km | β -1,150m
Enjoy a fast, scenic descent back along the Karakoram Highway down to the Jaglot turnoff.
π Hotel / Lodge in Jaglot
β° 1,950m | π΄ 80 km | β +850m
Turn onto the Jaglot-Skardu Highway, pedaling along the sheer canyon gorge of the Indus River to Astak Nala.
π Hotel / Lodge in Astak
β° 2,230m | π΄ 75 km | β +650m
Cycle as the Indus gorge widens into the sandy basin of Skardu city.
π Hotel in Skardu
β° 2,600m | π΄ 100 km | β +500m
Ride east along the Shyok River past apricot orchards and poplar groves to Serena Khaplu Palace.
π Hotel in Khaplu
β° 2,230m | π΄ 100 km | β -500m
Pedal back down the Shyok Valley to Skardu to prepare bikes for off-road dirt conditions on Deosai.
π Hotel in Skardu
β° 4,000m | π΄ 45 km | β +1,800m
Switch to gravel mode. Begin the steep off-road climb out of Skardu past Satpara Lake up the switchbacks of Ali Malik Pass into Deosai National Park.
π Camp at Bara Pani
β° 4,114m | π΄ 40 km | β +350m
Pedal across the high-altitude plateau over dirt tracks and clear streams, cycling past Sheosar Lake with views of Nanga Parbat.
π Camp at Sheosar Lake / Chilam Choki
β° 2,600m | π΄ 60 km | β -1,500m
Descend from the plateau edge into the pine forest valleys of Astore.
π Hotel in Astore
β° 1,265m | π΄ 90 km | β -1,350m
Cycle out of the Astore Valley down to its confluence with the Indus River and continue along the highway to Chilas.
π Hotel in Chilas
β° 2,400m | π΄ 110 km | β +2,900m
Tackle the monumental climb up the switchbacks of Babusar Pass (4,173m) into the Kaghan Valley, descending to Naran.
π Hotel in Naran
β° 1,080m | π΄ 120 km | β -1,320m / β +400m
Pedal south along the smooth asphalt winding parallel to the turquoise Kunhar River. Ride through Kaghan, Mahandri, and Paras, bypassing the Balakot turnoff to stay on the main N-15 highway corridor. Complete the final rolling hills of the day into Mansehra.
π Hotel in Mansehra
β° 520m | π΄ 75 km | β -650m / β +350m
Cycle through the Hazara region, ascending gently past the pine ridge of Abbottabad before descending through Havelian and riding along the fertile plains toward Haripur.
π Hotel in Haripur
β° 540m | π΄ 65 km | β +450m / β +430m
Mount your bike for the final leg of the expedition. Ride past the historic ruins of Taxila and Khanpur, pedaling through the Margalla foothills directly into Islamabad. Celebrate the completion of the entire 2,000+ km self-pedaled loop around Gilgit-Baltistan and the Karakoram.
π Hotel in Islamabad
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