Karakoram Highway — Sost to Khunjerab Pass via Shimshal Valley Junction and the Pakistan–China Summit (Northbound Full Run)
4,693 meters. The roof of the road world.
From Sost — the last Pakistani town, home to customs and the last fuel — the KKH winds up through increasingly barren terrain toward Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 meters (15,397 feet). This is not a technical 4×4 road; it’s paved, maintained by Pakistan’s National Highway Authority, and driven by trucks hauling goods between Kashgar and Rawalpindi. But the elevation, the altitude sickness risk, the total remoteness, and the sheer exposure of the road above the Khunjerab River make it a genuine overland challenge. The pass itself sits in Khunjerab National Park — the world’s highest international park — and you routinely share the road with yaks, Marco Polo sheep, and the occasional snow leopard track in the mud above the snowline.
Any reliable vehicle can drive this road mechanically, but the altitude is the true difficulty. Acclimatize in Hunza for two to three days before pushing the summit or you will feel it hard. Pakistan requires foreigners to register at the Sost dry port checkpoint; China-side requires separate documentation and a tour guide — crossing is only possible at official times. Best season is May through October; the pass closes under snow most winters. Carry extra fuel for the full Hunza-to-Kashgar crossing since the Chinese side is sparse. What this drive delivers is almost impossible to overstate: raw Karakoram scale, altitude that makes every breath a reminder of where you are, and a border crossing that earns its reputation as one of the great road milestones on the planet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 87 mi / 140 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15397 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any reliable vehicle — altitude is the challenge |
| Nearest town | Sost, Gilgit-Baltistan |
| Land manager | National Highway Authority Pakistan / Khunjerab National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | National Highway Authority Pakistan Khunjerab National Park info |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a high-clearance 4x4 or can a standard sedan handle Sost to Khunjerab Pass?
A standard sedan or SUV can technically make the run — the KKH is a paved and graded highway for most of this stretch. The real killer is altitude at 4,693m, not the road surface. Your vehicle needs to be mechanically reliable; a breakdown this remote is a serious problem.
When is Khunjerab Pass actually open and what closes it?
The pass is typically open May through October. Snow closes it hard in winter — the Pakistani and Chinese border authorities gate it at both ends. Exact opening dates shift year to year; check with NATCO or local guesthouses in Sost for current status before you drive up.
What permits do I need to drive to the Khunjerab Pass summit?
Foreign nationals need a valid Pakistan visa and must register with local authorities in Sost before heading north. Entry into Khunjerab National Park requires a park entry fee paid at the checkpoint. Crossing into China requires a Chinese visa and is only permitted at official border hours — the crossing is not open to independent foreign tourists on the Chinese side; most overlanders turn around at the Pakistani summit marker.
What's the hardest part of this run and what should I actually be prepared for?
The road itself is manageable, but acute mountain sickness at sustained elevations above 4,500m is the real hazard — headaches, nausea, and poor judgment hit fast if you've come up quickly from low elevation. Don't rush the ascent, carry altitude sickness medication (acetazolamide), and know the symptoms that require immediate descent.
Is there fuel and water available between Sost and the pass, or do I need to carry everything?
Fuel up fully in Sost — it's the last reliable petrol stop before the pass. There are no fuel stations on this 87-mile corridor. Water sources exist but are glacial runoff; carry your own treated water for the drive. Dispersed camping is possible along the route but there are no facilities, so pack everything in and out.
Trail track
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