Tool
Karakoram Highway Route Planner
Plan your KKH road trip — distances, drive time, fuel in PKR, recommended overnight stops.
Islamabad → Karimabad (Hunza)
Recommended stops along the way
- Abbottabad · 120 km · 1256m
Lunch stop. Last large city before mountains.
- Besham · 280 km · 580m
Common overnight if leaving late.
- Chilas · 480 km · 1265m
Hot, dusty. Refuel — long stretch ahead.
- Raikot Bridge · 540 km · 1300m
Turnoff for Fairy Meadows jeep track.
- Gilgit · 620 km · 1500m
Major hub. ATMs, hospitals, refuel mandatory.
KKH FAQ
How long does the Karakoram Highway take from Islamabad to Hunza?
Islamabad to Karimabad (Hunza) is ~720 km along the KKH. Non-stop drive: 14–16 hours. Realistic with breaks: 2 days, overnighting in Besham or Chilas. Most travellers split it 2 days up, 2 days down.
Is the KKH safe to drive?
The lower KKH (Islamabad–Gilgit) is paved and generally safe. The upper KKH (Gilgit–Khunjerab) is paved but narrow with landslide risk after rain July–September. Drive only in daylight. Hire a local driver if unfamiliar with mountain roads.
When is Khunjerab Pass open?
Khunjerab Pass (4,693m) is officially open 1 April – 30 November for tourist traffic. Snowfall can close it earlier. The China border gate is currently open seasonally with restrictions — always check the latest with Pakistan Customs at Sost.
Fuel availability on KKH?
Reliable PSO / Shell stations: Islamabad, Abbottabad, Besham, Chilas, Gilgit, Aliabad (Hunza), Sost. Between Chilas and Gilgit there are small pumps but quality varies — fill up at Chilas before continuing.
Distances are road kilometres along the KKH centre-line. Fuel prices indicative for 2026 — verify locally.