Karakoram Highway to Tashkurgan

A road from Kashgar onto the Pamir, past Karakul Lake under 7,546 m Muztagh Ata, to Tajik Tashkurgan.

• Rail and road journeys
• Landscapes

What you do there

• See Muztagh Ata across Karakul Lake beside the highway.
• Stay in Tashkurgan, named for the stone fortress north of town; most residents are Tajiks (Pamiris).

When to go

1. Jan
2. Feb
3. Mar
4. Apr
5. May
6. Jun
7. Jul
8. Aug
9. Sep
10. Oct
11. Nov
12. Dec

May to October, when the high road is usually open. Snow can close the Khunjerab end of the highway.

Getting there and permits

Getting there

Karakul is about 191 km (4 hours' drive) from Kashgar; Tashkurgan about 230 km south of Kashgar, with one daily flight to Kashgar.

Permits

Foreign travellers need a border-area permit for Karakul Lake and Tashkurgan. The operator arranges it, usually about a week ahead.Reported by tour operators; not yet confirmed officially.

Altitude

Karakul Lake about 3,600 m; Tashkurgan 3,090 m; the highway peaks at 4,714 m near Khunjerab.

Page last checked 28 Oct 2026. Rules, roads and ticketing change; the operator confirms everything before you book.