Khunjerab Pass to Gilgit — Karakoram Highway Pakistan High Corridor via Passu and Hunza Valley
World's highest paved border, straight down.
The Karakoram Highway earned its reputation in blood — over 800 Pakistani and Chinese workers died building it through the 1970s, and the mountains haven’t stopped trying to reclaim it since. The descent from Khunjerab Pass (4,693m, the highest paved border crossing in the world) to Gilgit takes you past Passu’s cathedral spires, the snout of Batura Glacier pushing right to the road’s edge, and the turquoise Hunza River carving through gorges so tight the sun disappears for hours. Attabad Lake — formed in 2010 when a landslide dammed the Hunza River — is now a ferry crossing that adds a surreal aquamarine detour to the journey.
The road itself is paved but riddled with rockfall debris, frost heaves, and sections where landslides have narrowed it to single-lane dirt. A standard car can technically make this drive in dry season, but a high-clearance vehicle gives you options when (not if) a fresh slide blocks the lane. Best window is May through October — outside that, Khunjerab closes and the gorge roads ice over dangerously. Carry Pakistani rupees cash; ATMs beyond Gilgit are unreliable. No permit needed for the highway itself, but Gilgit-Baltistan requires a tourist registration. The views of Rakaposhi and Ultar Sar above Karimabad alone are worth every bumpy kilometer.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 155 mi / 250 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15397 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance vehicle recommended |
| Nearest town | Karimabad, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Land manager | National Highway Authority of Pakistan (NHA) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | NHA Karakoram Highway page |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Hilux handle the KKH from Khunjerab to Gilgit, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Land Cruiser or Hilux is more than capable on this route — most of the KKH is paved or compacted gravel. Lift and lockers aren't required, but good tires and a mechanically sound vehicle matter a lot at altitude and in remote sections near Passu.
When does Khunjerab Pass actually open and close each year?
The pass officially opens around May 1st and closes in late November, though the exact dates shift based on snowpack and are controlled by Pakistani and Chinese border authorities. Don't count on it being open before May or after October — storms can shut it down without much warning even mid-season.
Do I need special permits to drive through Khunjerab and into Gilgit-Baltistan?
Foreign nationals need a valid Pakistani visa, and Khunjerab Pass is a restricted border zone requiring a separate permit to enter — typically arranged through your entry paperwork at the Sost border checkpoint. Gilgit-Baltistan itself doesn't require an additional NOC for most foreign travelers on the KKH, but check current regulations before you go since rules shift.
What's the hardest section of this corridor and what actually makes it serious?
The stretch between Passu and Gulmit carries the highest risk of rockfall and landslide debris, especially after rain — sections of the KKH here have been washed out or buried multiple times. The challenge isn't technical driving; it's the exposure, the unpredictability of the road condition, and managing a breakdown or delay at altitude with no services for long stretches.
How far apart are fuel stops on this route, and is there reliable gas between Sost and Gilgit?
Sost has fuel, and there are small stations in Gulmit, Karimabad (Hunza), and Gilgit — but supply is inconsistent in the smaller villages. Carry a full tank out of Sost and top up whenever you see fuel available; don't assume the station shown on a map is operational.
Trail track
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