4,693 metres. The highest paved international border crossing on earth. Marco Polo sheep, permanent snow, and views that justify the entire drive.
Khunjerab Pass (4,693m) is the highest paved international border crossing in the world. It sits at the edge of Khunjerab National Park on the Pakistan–China border, 240km north of Karimabad and 120km from the last town of Sost.
The landscape at this altitude is bare, windswept, and extraordinary. Snow is present year-round. Marco Polo sheep graze near the road on the Pakistan side; wild yaks are sometimes seen near the Chinese side. From the top, the view south into the deep valleys of GB is one of the great road-trip moments in Asia.
| Distance from Karimabad | 240km, approximately 3–3.5h drive on paved KKH. |
| Entry fee | Rs.500 per person for Khunjerab National Park. Pay at the checkpoint before Sost. |
| Border crossing | Pakistan–China crossing requires Chinese visa. Open May–October, daylight hours. Sost (Pakistan) to Tashkurgan (China). Not required just to visit the pass without crossing. |
| Wildlife | Marco Polo sheep common near the pass in early morning and evening. Tibetan wolf occasionally spotted. No feeding animals. |
| Altitude effects | 4,693m. Acclimatise in Hunza (2,438m) for 2+ days before driving up. Avoid exertion at the top. Some visitors experience headache or shortness of breath. |
| Fuel | Available in Karimabad, Aliabad, and Sost. Fill up before Sost — no fuel at the pass. |
The pass itself is the destination, but the road from Hunza to the top is half the experience. From Karimabad the KKH runs north past Attabad Lake, Passu and its Cones, then on to Sost, the last real town before the border. Beyond Sost the highway climbs steadily into Khunjerab National Park, and the landscape strips back to bare rock, snowfields, and high alpine pasture.
This is one of the highest stretches of paved road anywhere, and the change in altitude is felt physically — the air thins noticeably as you approach 4,693m. The reward at the top is the marker stone at the Pakistan–China border, the gate itself, and an enormous open view back down into the valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is a genuine bucket-list moment for a lot of travellers, and the kind of place that feels remote even by Karakoram standards.
Most people visit the pass as a long day trip from Hunza, leaving early and returning the same evening. Going up and coming straight back down also helps limit time spent at extreme altitude.
At 4,693m, altitude is the single most important thing to take seriously. The best preparation is to spend a couple of days in Hunza (around 2,438m) before driving up, so your body has time to adjust. On the day, avoid heavy exertion at the top, keep moving slowly, and drink plenty of water. Mild headache or breathlessness is common; anything more serious means heading back down to lower elevation without delay.
Dress for cold even in summer — snow lies year-round near the pass and the wind is sharp. Fill up on fuel before Sost, since there is none beyond it, and carry some food and water. Remember the pass is only open to visitors during the warmer months and is closed through the deep-winter snow season, so check current road conditions before committing to the drive.
Khunjerab Pass sits at 4,693m and is the highest paved international border crossing in the world, on the Pakistan–China border at the edge of Khunjerab National Park.
The pass is open to visitors from May 1 to October 31. It is closed to tourists from November through April because of heavy snowfall.
Yes. Khunjerab National Park charges Rs.500 per person, paid at the checkpoint before Sost. No permit is required for Pakistani nationals; foreign nationals need a standard tourist visa.
No — you can visit the pass from the Pakistan side without crossing the border. A Chinese visa is only needed if you intend to actually cross into China at the border.
It is about 240km from Karimabad, roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive on the paved KKH. Most travellers visit as a long day trip from Hunza.
Acclimatise in Hunza for two or more days first, avoid exertion at the top, stay hydrated, and dress warmly. If you develop more than a mild headache or breathlessness, descend to lower elevation.