Rooftop of the World Highway — Kashgar to Khunjerab Pass via the Karakoram Highway
Silk Road to the sky. Two countries, one pass.
Built on the back of the ancient Silk Road, the Karakoram Highway from Kashgar to the Khunjerab Pass (4,693m / 15,397ft) is one of the great overland drives on the planet. The road climbs out of the Tarim Basin through Ghez Canyon — a jaw-dropping slot of red rock and glacial meltwater — before pushing past Karakul Lake, a high-altitude salt lake sitting cold and blue beneath the permanent glaciers of Muztagh Ata (7,546m). The final push to Khunjerab is a wide, mostly paved grind through tundra that feels like the edge of the world, because it basically is.
The KKH is not a technical 4×4 route — a capable SUV or high-clearance vehicle handles it — but altitude sickness, rockfall, flash floods, and permit bureaucracy make it demanding in a different way. Foreigners require specific permits for Xinjiang travel; crossing into Pakistan requires a valid Pakistan visa obtained in advance. Best window is May through October before winter closes the pass. Fuel in Tashkurgan, the last Chinese town, then nothing until Sost on the Pakistan side. Carry a sat communicator. Cell service vanishes after Karakul. What you get out of it is unmatched: three civilizations, two countries, and a landscape that redefines scale.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 168 mi / 270 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15397 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance AWD or 4WD |
| Nearest town | Kashgar, Xinjiang |
| Land manager | Xinjiang Transportation Department / China Customs |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock high-clearance SUV handle the Karakoram Highway from Kashgar to Khunjerab, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance AWD or 4WD handles the paved and gravel sections fine under normal conditions. Where it gets real is the seasonal washouts and water crossings mid-route — low-range capability is a serious asset, not a luxury, especially if you hit any storm damage between Tashkurgan and the pass.
What months is this route actually open, and when does snow close Khunjerab Pass?
The pass is generally open May through October. Snow can shut it down hard by late October and the Chinese side often gates the road before the Pakistani side does — confirm current status with locals in Kashgar before you roll out.
What permits do foreigners need to drive the KKH through Xinjiang to Khunjerab?
Foreign nationals need a valid Chinese visa plus a special Xinjiang travel permit; some restricted zones near the Pakistan border require an additional PSB (Public Security Bureau) permit obtained in Kashgar. Rules shift with political climate in Xinjiang — check current entry requirements within 30 days of your trip, not six months out.
What's the hardest section of this route and what makes it sketchy?
The stretch from Tashkurgan northward toward the pass sits above 13,000 feet and combines thin air, sheer drop-offs, and zero guardrails on crumbling gravel edges. Altitude hits drivers harder than the terrain — headaches, slow reaction time, and bad judgment are real hazards; don't rush through this section and don't drive it at night.
Where do I fuel up between Kashgar and Khunjerab Pass — is there gas along the route?
Fill completely in Kashgar before leaving; there's a fuel stop in Tashkurgan roughly 130 miles in, which is your last reliable option before the pass. Carry a jerry can regardless — stations in remote Xinjiang can be closed, dry, or CCP-restricted to foreign travelers without notice.
Trail track
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