Karakorum – conditions of participation

BaltiCCycle (BC) is not a commercial tour, all organizers are volunteers, and the registration fee collected goes only for covering organizational expenses. Each route is different; therefore, it is impossible to work out all details in advance. Joining BC, you become a part of the team, and we expect from you a good will and a right understanding of our principles and rules. Your assistance in organizing daily program and solving all difficulties is highly appreciated.

The BaltiCCycle 2025 “Karakorum Highway – at the Top of the World” will happen on the conditions we offer here if not less than 10 participants register for the whole route. We must know it in advance (for booking sleeping places, support car, visas, etc.); therefore, the deadline of registration is fixed on 28th of April, 2025 – 3 months before the ride start. If we do not collect enough participants, the current ride conditions can be changed or the ride will be cancelled. After registering, you will be regularly informed by email about the registration progress.
The expedition is designed for participants with experience in long-distance travel, harsh cycling and camping conditions, and traversing remote, uninhabited terrain with long stretches without access to food, water, or shelter. Cyclists will also face steep ascents and descents at high altitudes, which can lead to fatigue and altitude sickness. The road surface along the KKH varies greatly, ranging from well-paved sections to areas with loose gravel, potholes, and dirt. In some regions, the road may be damaged by landslides or flooding. Weather can be unpredictable, with harsh winds, cold temperatures, and sudden rainfall. While the KKH is a vital trade route between Pakistan and China, traffic is generally light; however, large trucks, buses, and vehicles may still travel along the narrow, winding roads, posing potential hazards. Cycling the entire route is a challenge. Be prepared for adventure, extreme weather conditions, and unexpected obstacles along the way. The ride is open to all, but before signing up, you should carefully consider your mental and physical ability to complete it. BC participants gather for the ride from different countries and continents. We recommend bringing on your bike a national flag or other symbol that local people could see us as an international friendly cycling community.

Note. The section from the Pakistan-China border to Tashkurgan is officially not open to cycling and must be completed by bus. Nevertheless, we are attempting to arrange permits, and the success will depend on our luck.

Organizational rules. We try to keep our organizational principles similar to the previous BC tours.

Membership fee. The membership fee is fixed to 35 € per diem. You have to indicate the number of days you plan to travel in the table of the Registration Form, and your membership fee will be counted automatically. To organize the whole event with fewer troubles we ask everybody who has intention to take part in the expedition to register as soon as possible.
If the registration and half of the membership fee is not received until April 28, 2025 (3 months before the start of the ride) available discounts are cancelled, and the whole fee increases by 10 %.

The membership fee includes:

Discounts. The discounts are applicable only if the Registration Form and at least the half of membership fee is received before April 28, 2025. Discounts do not accumulate.

Additional paid service (optional):

booked by registration:

booked during the ride:

Arrival/Departure. Costs of the arrival/departure are not included in the participation fee. You can join and finish the ride at any point of the route, and you have to plan yourself how to do it. We can pick you up for the additional fee (5 € per 10 km) in the radius of 50 km (100 km both ways). You should contact the ride organizers at least two days before. Though the ride schedule is fixed but the real dates in some parts of the route can be slightly shifted (plus/minus 2 days) because of unexpected obstacles. Have it in your mind when planning arrival or departure. Click here to find the rough recommendations how to reach us on the route.

Visas. You have to check if you need visas to enter Pakistan and China at your country’s consulates. It is recommended to obtain all necessary visas individually, no group visas available, but if you need assistance, please contact the organisers. Your passport should be valid at least a half of the year ahead from the start of ride. The Pakistan visa is available on-line.

Weather conditions. Theweather in mountain area is unpredictable and you should come well prepared for all conditions.While August is part of the monsoon season, much of the KKH lies in a rain shadow, so heavy rainfall is less common, except in lower areas. Weather conditions vary significantly depending on the altitude and location:

Hiking. We plan to visit most impressive sights accessible only by hiking trails. You should own good shoes, clothes, rucksack, and trekking poles advisable.

Catering. It depends on you, but it is highly recommended to bring along a gas stove for preparing meal in the campsites. There will be long wild parts of the route without bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, supermarkets. Entering unpopulated areas, it will be a possibility to carry some reserve of products as well as drinkable water for necessary number of days in our van. If no drinkable water at the campsite, the driver is responsible for providing it.

Vaccination. You have to bring with you the International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow booklet) with certifications of vaccination. The vaccination/medicine to be active must be taken a few weeks before your start. Consult with your local vaccination centre. No obligatory vaccinations are required in these parts of Pakistan and China we enter, but it is recommended to vaccinate against: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, poliovirus, diphtheria/tetanus (DT).

Necessary equipment and documents:

Children until 18. Children can take part in the ride only together with parents (one or both) or another adult who is authorized by notary to take care and is fully responsible for the juvenile.

Luggage transport. We strongly recommend carrying all necessary personal stuff in the panniers on your bike. Neither organizers nor drivers are responsible for safety of your luggage. You should insure your luggage against theft personally. The service of luggage transportation by the support car is limited to 25 kg, you can pack it into a few begs or in one; it is included in the registration fee. You should be ready to carry all your stuff a few days on the bike in case of emergency (car break or some other unexpected circumstances). If you plan to transport any additional bag (not more than 15 kg) in the support car you have to indicate when registering and pay in advance (2 € per diem).

Resignation rules. The date of resignation is fixed up when the resignation letter is received by organizers (before the ride by email sigitas@bicycle.lt or bc2025@bicycle.pl, during the ride it should be delivered to the leaders of expedition and confirmed by them). The date is important, because it determines the amount of refund which is returned in the following manner:

Organizers: