The Top 6 Road Trips in Pakistan

With its stunning variety of landscapes, Pakistan presents some of the most incredible road trips imaginable. Whether you rent a car with a driver or take your own, you can traverse the world's most dramatic mountain highway, follow ancient invasion and trade routes, visit Sufi shrines and desert forts, or trace the Indus River from towering mountains to the Arabian Sea.

Along the way, stop at roadside dhabas (truckstop eateries) for tea and kebabs, converse with the drivers of Pakistan's vividly decorated freight trucks, and spend nights in secluded mountain valleys away from public transport. The potential for adventure is nearly limitless.

However, the era of traveling by old vans through Iran and Afghanistan to reach Pakistan is long past. Nowadays, few foreign tourists drive their own vehicles in Pakistan, but other options exist. Adventurous cyclists can tackle the Karakoram Highway, known for its breathtaking roadside vistas, and motorcycle rentals are available for seasoned riders.

That said, considering the unpredictable traffic and varying security conditions in certain regions, hiring a car and driver remains the most common and safest way to explore independently. To spark your wanderlust, here are our top road trip routes across Pakistan.

1. The Karakoram Highway

Ultimate road trip for breathtaking mountain views

Gilgit–Sost; 180km (112 miles); plan for 4 days

Without a doubt, the Karakoram Highway is Pakistan’s most stunning road trip. This rugged route in the northern part of the country may be the most picturesque road in Asia, if not the world—it truly is that remarkable! The complete journey stretches from just north of Islamabad to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang region, crossing the 4690m-high Khunjerab Pass. However, most travelers concentrate on the scenic, politically stable, and logistically manageable segment between Gilgit and the Chinese border.

Starting from Gilgit, the road winds along the Hunza River, circling the massive Rakaposhi peak (7788m) and offering stunning views of the upper slopes of Nagar and Minapin. This leads you into the legendary Hunza Valley, often described as Pakistan’s own Shangri-La. Take a break in Karimabad, where you can enjoy spectacular valley views and visit a medieval fort, and allow some time for hiking or a side trip for breathtaking views of the majestic Hopar Glacier.

As you travel north from Hunza, you'll soon encounter the stunning turquoise waters of Attabad Lake, formed in 2010 when a massive landslide blocked the valley. The highway weaves through a series of lakeside tunnels before revealing even more dramatic landscapes around Gulmit and Passu. In this stretch, the striking witch-hat peaks of the Karakoram Range command the horizon, and the colossal Passu and Batura glaciers lie just a stone's throw from the road.

The region's swaying suspension bridges create perfect photo opportunities, while adventurers can delve into the untamed side valleys of Shimshal and Chapursan. While most travelers conclude their journey at the Pakistani border post in Sost, you can continue all the way to Khunjerab Pass with assistance from a local travel agency. It's a breathtaking trek to what could be termed the crow's nest of Asia, providing a fitting finale to an extraordinary road trip.

Planning tip: Most travelers kick off their KKH adventure with a flight from Islamabad to Gilgit, sidestepping the 19-hour bus journey through the culturally conservative and occasionally politically unstable Kohistan region. To explore the remainder of the highway, arrange for a 4WD vehicle and driver upon your arrival in Gilgit.

2. A Scenic Drive in the Hindu Kush

Best route for exploring secluded valleys

Gilgit–Chitral; 400km (250 miles); allow 3–4 days

This remarkable 4WD journey leads you through the stunning and isolated mountain valleys of the Hindu Raj and Hindu Kush ranges, ultimately reaching the breathtaking Chitral region, which borders Afghanistan. Fly from Islamabad and hire a vehicle and driver in Gilgit for this adventurous expedition.

On the first day, you'll travel along the Gilgit River, passing enticing side valleys and the historic independent kingdoms of Punial, Yasin, and Ishkoman. Spend the night in Gupis or Phander, both known for excellent trout fishing, before ascending the picturesque Langar Valley to conquer the Shandur Pass at 3810m. If you visit in July, don’t miss the lively three-day polo festival that draws equestrian enthusiasts to this stunning mountain pass.

A lengthy descent leads you around the majestic Buni Zom peak and through the Mastuj valley, entering the Chitral region, where you'll catch glimpses of the towering Tirich Mir (7708m), the highest point in the Hindu Kush. Take some time to explore Chitral and its renowned fort, before concluding your journey with a drive to the three Kalash Valleys: Rumbur, Bumboret, and Birir, home to the unique, non-Muslim Kalasha people.

Side Trip: Just a short 5km jaunt west of Gilgit is the remarkable 7th-century standing Buddha carved into a cliff face at Kargah Nala—a testament to Pakistan's pre-Islamic heritage.

3. Journey Along the Grand Trunk Road

Best road trip for enthusiasts of history

Lahore–Peshawar; 520km (323 miles); allow 3 days

To explore some of central Pakistan’s most captivating sights, embark on a road trip along the Grand Trunk Road, one of the Subcontinent’s oldest routes, established in the 3rd century BCE. This iconic road stretches across the country from the Indian border to Afghanistan. Given the bustling traffic on the modern highway, it’s wise to hire a car and driver for this journey.

Begin your adventure with a few days in the Mughal city of Lahore, where you can explore the historic fort, the breathtaking 17th-century Badshahi Mosque, and the Lahore Museum, which was once curated by Rudyard Kipling’s father. As you leave town, stop by the tomb of Mughal Emperor Jehangir for an extra touch of Mughal charm.

The first leg of your journey along the Grand Trunk Road takes you across the Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, three of Punjab's renowned Panj Ab (Five Rivers). Take a moment to stop by the Jhelum's banks to visit the impressive Rohtas Fort, and further west, check out the ancient remains of the Buddhist stupa at Mankiala, which dates back 2000 years.

Spend the night in the vibrant Rawalpindi or its more organized counterpart, Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan and home to the country’s largest mosque. End your day with a delightful sunset dinner at Monal in the Margalla Hills, which offers stunning views of the capital.

Just an hour's drive northwest from Rawalpindi lies Taxila, the heart of the Kushan-era kingdom of Gandhara, where the Indian Emperor Ashoka established a Buddhist university and where some of the most recognized motifs in Buddhist art were developed. Explore numerous monastery and stupa ruins that will excite amateur archaeologists, both in Taxila and further along the Grand Trunk at the Gandharan site of Takht-i-Bahi near Mardan.

Continuing past more Mughal remnants in the town of Hasan Abdal, the Grand Trunk Road eventually spans the impressive Indus River at the historic Attock Fort, leading you into Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Your journey concludes in the vibrant frontier city of Peshawar, renowned for its Central Asian-inspired bazaars, teahouses, and mosques. Be sure to check the security situation before heading to Peshawar, as past issues have been reported here.

Detour: Begin your adventure from Lahore with a 25km detour east to the Pakistan/India border at Attari-Wagah, where you can witness the fascinating closing ceremony at the border, featuring robust Pakistani soldiers striving to out-stomp, out-scowl, and out-salute their Indian counterparts.

4. Journeying Along the Indus through Sind & Punjab

Top road trip for cultural immersion

Karachi–Lahore; 1500km (930 miles); plan for 8 days

While few foreigners venture into rural Sind or southern Punjab, this region boasts incredible hidden Sufi shrines, impressive archaeological sites, and stunning Islamic architecture. Due to security concerns in certain areas, having an experienced guide is essential for finding accommodations and navigating the numerous police checkpoints. In locations like Multan and Lakarna, a police escort may be necessary. Travel during winter (November to February) to escape the extreme summer heat.

There are several potential routes north from Karachi, but most travelers choose to pass by the intricate Chaukhandi tombs just outside the city, the Banbhore archaeological site (the cradle of Islam’s spread in Pakistan), the vast Makli necropolis at Thatta, and the enchanting Ranikot Fort. Don't miss the essential archaeological site of Moenjodaro, located south of Lakarna, a key part of the 5000-year-old Indus Valley civilization. If you're an archaeology enthusiast, also explore the ruins of Harappa further north.

Proceed past Kot Diji Fort and the remarkable 20th-century mosque at Bhong, then enter Punjab to admire the exquisite Sufi shrines of Uch Sharif (notably the mausoleum of Bibi Jawindi). Discover more breathtaking Islamic architecture at the stunning tombs in Multan, before concluding this epic journey in the crown jewel of Punjab, the beautiful city of Lahore.

5. The Stunning Fairy Meadows

Top short road trip for breathtaking mountain views

Raikot Bridge–Fairy Meadows; 17km (11 miles); plan for 3 days (including a day of hiking)

Few road trips deliver such a spectacular experience in such a brief distance as the 17km winding drive from Raikot Bridge, situated on the Karakoram Highway south of Gilgit, to the verdant alpine meadows of Fairy Meadows, which lie at the base of Nanga Parbat, standing at 8126m and the ninth tallest mountain in the world.

Nanga Parbat marks the westernmost point of the Himalayas, where the mountain range converges with the Indus River and the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, creating a breathtakingly beautiful location. The incredible views of the mountain’s northern face alone make a trip to Fairy Meadows worthwhile, but you can also use the accommodations here as a launchpad for day hikes, including a trek to Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Few locations offer such easily accessible, dramatic high mountain vistas.

Travel tip: Local transport providers at Raikot Bridge will insist that you use one of their 4WD vehicles, and police may require you to have an armed escort due to security concerns stemming from the tragic attack at Nanga Parbat Base Camp in 2013. Nevertheless, you can reach Raikot Bridge via public transport.

6. The Baltistan Loop

Ultimate road trip for breathtaking mountain views

Gilgit–Skardu; 170km (105 miles); plan for 5 hours

Northern Pakistan boasts an array of stunning mountain routes. Instead of the Karakoram Highway, consider heading east from Gilgit along the Indus River on winding mountain roads, leading you to the climbing hub of Skardu. Along the way, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Nanga Parbat and Haramosh peaks, tracing the boundary between the Himalayas and the Karakoram range.

As you proceed, you’ll reach the outskirts of Baltistan, filled with traditional mountain villages (Shigar is a recommended stop) and high-altitude deserts. Keep an eye out for trekkers and climbers making their way to the Base Camp of K2 (8849m), the second-highest mountain in the world and known for its formidable climbs.

Adventurous travelers equipped with a well-prepared 4WD can circle back to Gilgit in two days through the 4000m Deosai Plains National Park and the secluded Astore Valley. An experienced local driver is essential to navigate these remote and often challenging mountain roads.

Driving recommendations in Pakistan

In major cities like Islamabad, you can arrange for self-drive car rentals, but they tend to be pricier than hiring a car with a driver. Due to Pakistan's challenging traffic conditions, most travelers prefer to have a driver. Additionally, motorcycle rentals are available in certain cities; check out Karakorum Bikers in Gilgit if you're planning to explore Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Karakoram Highway is well-paved and in excellent shape, making it a fantastic choice for motorbike or cycling adventures. Remember to carry an International Driving Permit for driving in Pakistan. If you decide to drive, be cautious and defensive, keeping an eye out for pedestrians and livestock, and always yield to larger vehicles like speeding buses and heavily loaded trucks.