The Karakoram Highway is a bucket-list road: it climbs from the Kashgar oasis to the roof of the world along the old Silk Route.
This 5-day loop covers Kashgar to Tashkurgan and the upper Pamir, return, about 700 km in total. The sweet spot is June to September.
Why drive this route
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Five days lets you savour the Pamir rather than treating it as a transit corridor. If you are shaping the bigger trip, our China Pakistan friendship highway guide covers the wider picture.
The route day by day
Day 1: Kashgar to Kashgar (20 km, ~1 h)
Day 1 leaves Kashgar and reaches Kashgar, roughly 20 km and about 1 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Kashgar. On the way: permit and prep. Sort papers.
Day 2: Kashgar to Gulupo / up the Pamir (200 km, ~4 h)
Day 2 leaves Kashgar and reaches Gulupo / up the Pamir, roughly 200 km and about 4 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Pamir guesthouse. On the way: Karakoram climb; villages. High driving.
Day 3: Pamir to Tashkurgan (150 km, ~3 h)
Day 3 leaves Pamir and reaches Tashkurgan, roughly 150 km and about 3 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Tashkurgan. On the way: Karakul Lake; Muztagh Ata. Iconic views.
Day 4: Tashkurgan to upper Pamir (120 km, ~3 h)
Day 4 leaves Tashkurgan and reaches upper Pamir, roughly 120 km and about 3 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in Tashkurgan. On the way: borderlands; glaciers. Easy.
Day 5: Tashkurgan to Kashgar (300 km, ~5 h)
Day 5 leaves Tashkurgan and reaches Kashgar, roughly 300 km and about 5 hours behind the wheel. You will sleep in . On the way: return. Back.
Where to sleep
- Kashgar (1)
- Pamir (1)
- Tashkurgan (2)
Best time to drive
June to September is the reliable window. The upper Pamir is high and cold year-round, so even summer nights are near freezing.
Most mountain roads, the Duku, the Ili branch routes and Pamir access, close from late October to early June under snow. Plan around the warm window. For the detail you will actually need on the ground, see our Tashkurgan town guide.
Practical tips
- Permit is mandatory; start the application in Kashgar.
- There is almost no fuel on the upper Pamir, fill in Kashgar.
- Acclimatise; passes exceed 4,000 m.
- Never let the tank drop below half on remote roads. Fuel stations thin out sharply once you leave the main G30 corridor, and a few only take cash or UnionPay.
- Carry your passport or Chinese ID at all times. Police checkpoints are routine on regional roads and you will be asked to scan or show documents several times a day. Before you commit, read our cross-border self-drive Xinjiang guide so nothing catches you out.
FAQ
Is the Karakoram Highway open to tourists? The Chinese side to Tashkurgan is open with a border permit; the international crossing has its own rules.
How high does it go? Several passes exceed 4,000 m, so altitude matters.
Do I need a special permit? A border defense permit for Tashkurgan, arranged in Kashgar.
Best season? June to September.
Final word
Xinjiang rewards drivers who plan, then stay flexible. Build a loose route, book the key overnight towns, and leave room for the unplanned stop that turns out to be the best part of the trip.
Written by Karl Huang, a Xinjiang-based travel writer. Permit and crossing rules for the Pamir change, so confirm the current process with the local PSB before you travel.