More than 70 local and international cyclists are taking part in the Tour de Khunjerab cycling race — one of the world's highest altitude cycling competitions — that started on Thursday and will end on June 30.
The event has been organised by the Gilgit-Baltistan government in collaboration with Pakistan Cycling Federation to promote tourism in the region. The first phase of the event came to an end on Thursday in which 138 contestants paddled 67 kilometres from Gilgit to the Rakaposhi base camp.
The cyclists are expected to arrive on Sunday at the highest placed international border between Pakistan and China at an altitude of 16,000 feet, covering a distance of 27 kilometres in four stages.
The first stage was from Gilgit city to Rakaposhi base camp of Nagar district. The second stage is from Rakaposhi base camp to Karimabad in Hunza, third at Sust and the race will end at Khunjerab pass.
In this picture taken on June 27, Pakistani and international cyclists take part in Tour de Khunjrab cycling race on Karakoram Highway near Gilgit city. — AFP
The cycle race starts at 4,800 hundred feet above sea level and ends at 1,600 feet. — AFP
A Pakistani cyclist takes part in Tour de Khunjrab cycling race in Duikar Altit, Hunza Pakistan's northern region on June 28. — AFP
Athletes race along the Karakoram Highway in the Gilgit-Baltistan region that is located near the Chinese border. — AFP
Tour de Khunjerab is one of the world's highest altitude cycling competitions. — AFP
In this picture taken on June 27, Pakistani and international cyclists take part in Tour de Khunjrab cycling race on Karakoram Highway near Gilgit city. — AFP
Pakistani cyclist takes part in Tour de Khunjrab cycling race in Duikar Altit, Hunza on June 28. — AFP
In this picture taken on June 27, Pakistani and international cyclists take part in Tour de Khunjrab cycling race on Karakoram Highway near Gilgit city. — AFP
138 cyclists from 13 foreign and national teams participated in the first phase of the competition. — AFP
The first phase was from Gilgit city to Rakaposhi base camp of Nagar district. — AFP
The race will end at Khunjerab Pass. — AFP
The event has been organised by the Gilgit-Baltistan government in collaboration with Pakistan Cycling Federation to promote tourism in the region. — AFP
Header image: A cyclist takes part in Tour de Khunjrab cycling race in Duikar Altit, Hunza on June 28, in the second phase of the Tour de Khunjerab 2019 cycling race. — AFP
