The Karakoram Range Map – Mountains, Passes and Highway

The Karakoram Range majority part is located in Pakistan’s extreme north in the Gilgit Baltistan region. The range extend from Pakistan to Afgahanistan and Tajikistan. It stretches across bordering areas of Pakistan- China and India.  

Karakoram Range is 500 km (311 miles) long and it’s highest point is K2 (8611m, 28,251 ft) making Karakoram the second highest mountain range. Karakoram are generally considered separate from Himalayas which has parallel mountain ranges among which the great Himalaya is central and highest range the highest point is Mount Everst in Nepal. 

Karakoram Range Highest Peaks

Karakoram Range has 18 summits over 7,500 m (24,600ft) and four exceed 8000m ( 26,000ft). 

K2 and Neighbouring Peaks ©Caingram

The highest mountains lie in sub range known as Baltoro-Muztagh. This sub range is home to K2 (8611m, 28,251 ft),  Gasherbrum I (8080m/ 26510 ft)Broad Peak (8047 m/ 26401),  and Gasherbrum II (8034m/ 26358ft). All 8000 meteres are located very close to each other along with several 7000 meters peaks.  Thus Karakoram range has the highest number of 8000m and 7000m peaks located closely. 

K2 8611m Baltoro MuztaghRrange by Rizwan Saddique

Karakoram Range Glaciers 

Karakoram has more percentage covered with snow and 4 of the longest glaciers are in this region namely

1. Siachen Glacier 76 km/ 47 miles (In Jammu Kashmir)
2. Biafo Glacier 67 km/ 42 miles (In Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan)
3. Baltoro Glacier 63 km/ 39 miles (In Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan)
4. Hispar Glacier 49 km/ 30 miles (In Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan)
5. Batura Glacier 57 km/ 35 miles (In Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan)
6. Insukati Valley 41.5 km (In China’s territory)

Corridor of Ice by Xi Jin Baltoro Glacier

The Karakoram Highway

The Karakoram Highway is one of the highest paved road in the world. It is often reffered to as the 8th wonder of the world. It is 1,300 km (810 mi) long National Highway that connects Pakistan to China. It reaches maximum elevation at 4,714 m (15,466 ft). The highway goes through Khunjerab Pass which is the highest Border crossing in the wolrd. It is popular tourist attraction. 

Karakroam Highway and the Passu Cathedrals

The Famous Passes in the Karakoram Range

The Karakoram has many passes which were used to cross into different regions. Most of these passes are difficult to access and only Khunjerab Pass has paved road. It is also the wolrd’s highest border crossing. 

1. Khunjerab Pass (the highest paved international border crossing at 4,693 m (15,397 ft))
2. Kilik Pass
3. Mintaka Pass
4. Shimshal Pass
5. Muztagh Pass
6. Karakoram Pass
7. Naltar Pass or Pakora Pass
8. Gandogoro Pass 
9. Lukpe La (See Map for More)

Plan your trip to the Karakorams of Pakistan.