Motorcycle tour
Naltar valley
Naltar Valley Ride
- Duration
- 3 days
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Season
- Jun–Sept
Price to be confirmed
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Motorcycle tour · Ghizer
Gilgit to Ghizer and Phander
West from Gilgit along the Gilgit–Shandur road through the Ghizer valleys to Phander and its lake, a quieter ride away from the Karakoram Highway.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Season
- May–October
- Price
- Price to be confirmed
Photo: Akbar Khan Niazi · CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Gilgit–Shandur road (N-140) follows the Gilgit and Ghizer rivers west from Gilgit through Gahkuch and Gupis to Phander, a valley of four lakes about 170–184 km from Gilgit. It sees far less traffic than the Karakoram Highway and the villages get smaller and greener as the valley rises.
Accounts describe the lower road as largely asphalt, with rougher sections nearer the top; parts of the road have been under reconstruction. This concept rides to Phander, spends a full day there and returns the same way. Timing varies with road and weather conditions.
- Phander Lake, the largest of the valley's four lakes
- The Ghizer river valley and its quiet villages
- A road far less travelled than the Karakoram Highway
Itinerary
Day 1
Gilgit
Arrival and briefing.
Overnight: Gilgit
Day 2
Gilgit to Gupis area
West along the river through Gahkuch. Timing varies with road and weather conditions.
Overnight: Gupis area
Day 3
To Phander
Continue up the valley to Phander.
Overnight: Phander
Day 4
Phander to Gilgit direction
Morning at the lake, then begin the return down the valley.
Overnight: Gahkuch or Gupis area
Day 5
Return to Gilgit
Ride back to Gilgit; trip ends.
Overnight: —
Practical information
- Format
- Guided
- Rider requirements
- Provisional: confident on broken tarmac, gravel and dusty construction sections
- Provisional: comfortable with long days in the saddle
- Suitable for
- Motorcyclists, Explorers, Photographers
What’s included
Included
- Sample concept: guided riding with a local road captain (team and arrangements to be confirmed)
- Sample concept: support vehicle carrying luggage, water and spares
- Sample concept: guesthouse accommodation
- Sample concept: breakfasts and dinners
- Sample concept: packed lunches on long riding days
Not included
- Motorcycle hire (fleet and terms not confirmed)
- Riding gear
- Fuel (availability along the route to be confirmed)
- Travel and motorcycle insurance
- Personal expenses
What to bring
Essential
- Important riding gear: adventure helmet with a good dust seal, or goggles
- Armoured adventure jacket and trousers
- Adventure or off-road boots
- Dust mask or buff for construction sections
Optional and useful
- Spare visor or lens cleaning kit
- Warm fleece for cool evenings by the lake
- Hydration pack
Good to know
Important notes and restrictions
- Reconstruction of parts of the Gilgit–Shandur road was reported from 2022; expect dust, diversions and delays until completion is confirmed.
- Accommodation in upper Ghizer is limited and simple; overnight stops are provisional.
- Licence, insurance and document requirements to be confirmed before publication.
Photos
Route and region
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- Difficulty
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- Season
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Start shaping your journeyGilgit to Ghizer and PhanderPrice to be confirmed
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