Plains to Peaks: a Pakistan 4x4 adventure tour

On our first day, we’ll leave our starting point of Islamabad and strike out into the foothills of the Himalayas, following the Kunar River to Naran, a scenic tourist town tucked high up in green, forested mountains at 2,400 meters (7,900 feet).

After crossing the scenic and soaring Babusar Pass (4,173 m/13,691 ft), we’ll connect with the famed Karakoram Highway to continue up north. Our evening finds us at an organic guesthouse in Minapin village, surrounded by fruit trees at the foot of mighty Rakaposhi (7,778m).

Let’s get a little sightseeing in, shall we? This day finds us in the pearl of Gilgit-Baltistan, Hunza Valley. We’ll explore a royal fortress with a view to get an introduction to the region’s culture and history, then whet our appetites with a meal at a women-owned cafe.

Time for a proper adventure road! Our route takes us along one of Pakistan’s most adrenaline-filled drives: the jeep track to Shimshal Valley. We’ll hug the sides of cliffs, cross nail-biting suspension bridges, and cross a water body or two before posting up for the night in one of the highest settlements in Pakistan (3,000 m/9,850 ft).

We’ll head back to Passu, the scenic village close to the start of the Shimshal track. After getting settled at the foot of the iconic Passu Cones, we’ll to short hikes to a brilliantly white glacier and one of Pakistan’s most sketchy suspension bridges. The adrenaline rush isn’t over yet!

Time to say goodbye to the Karakoram Highway and strike out west. We’ll follow along the brilliant blues of the Gilgit River toward Ishkoman Valley, a serene region off the beaten tourist track… and my favorite place in all of Pakistan.

No long drives today – today is a rest day! But if you’re feeling up for a little local adventure along the dividing line between the Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains, there are plenty of options: visiting a female shaman who speaks with fairies, trout fishing, and trekking with sheep to a viewpoint or two. It’s all up to you!

Who’s up for another (short) adventure ride? We’ll drive up the side of a mountain to Hayol Meadows, following the paths that local shepherds take to move their flocks to the high alpine pastures every year.

Buckle up: it’s time for the most epic drive of the trip! (… and that’s saying something.) On this day, we’re crossing the Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo ground at 3,800 m (12,500 ft). Think wide open pastures surrounded by snow-capped mountains, dirt tracks leading past grazing herds of yaks, and chai in a hut on the side of a mountain. We’ll rest our weary heads in comfortable cabins in the quiet village of Laspur.

Carrying along the dirt road down from Shandur, we’ll eventually reach Booni, a laid-back town with some of Pakistan’s most peaceful people. The afternoon is dedicated to frolicking in Qaqlasht Meadows—a rolling 4×4 playground and pasture above Booni, with snowy Hindu Kush peaks as a picture perfect backdrop.

After a relaxing morning under the trees in Booni, we’ll carry on south to one of the most remote destinations on the trip: the Kalash Valleys, a trio of valleys just by the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

No long drive today—we’re diving headfirst into the world of Kalash. It’s one of the most unique cultures you’ll find in Pakistan: Kalasha people follow their own pagan religion, speak their own language, and women wear colorful headdresses unlike any you’ve ever seen. We have full day of exploration in the valley to learn all about it!

We’ve officially descended from the peaks to the plains once we reach Peshawar, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. This is Pakistan’s wild west, culturally more similar to Afghanistan than anywhere else. It’s a long drive to get there, but trust me, it’s worth the trip.

Today is all about diving into the depths of Peshawar: intricately restored historical houses, immaculate Mughal-era mosques, and foodie haunts sizzling with some of the most succulent meat your tastebuds will ever encounter, guaranteed. (If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry – Peshawar is also home to some of the most fantastical fruit shakes in the whole country. You won’t be disappointed.)

And so the loop is closed! We’ll head back to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The city’s unusually calm vibes are often welcome after a long adventure! We’ll spend the day doing some basic sightseeing, getting any last minute souvenir shopping done (carpets, anyone?), and reuniting with little, forgotten luxuries like coffee and functional WiFi. Then, after our farewell dinner, it’s off to the airport… unless you’d like to stay a little longer?