Paweł Małaszko, a 46-year-old cyclist from Poland, completed his ambitious “Bike Expedition K2” — a 47-day journey that began at the shores of the Arabian Sea in Karachi, passed through the Khunjerab Pass, the world’s highest paved border crossing, and ended at the base camp of K2, a private TV channel reported on Sunday.
Małaszko began his expedition on April 4 and reached the K2 Base Camp on May 20, covering a total distance of 3,376 kilometers. Of that, he cycled 3,322 kilometers and trekked the remaining 54 kilometers, carrying his bike on his back through some of the most challenging terrain.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, he described the expedition as a turning point. “This expedition has been unique from the start. It’s the first project I’ve undertaken with a real focus on results. I expected it to be smooth and calm, but as usual, reality had many twists and turns,” he reflected in a social media post shared earlier.
Małaszko described the journey as not only a beautiful adventure but also an experience that broadened his awareness and strengthened his character.
He recalled the first stage, just after leaving Karachi, as particularly memorable for two reasons: scorching temperatures reaching 46°C and the constant presence of police. “I adapted by cycling at night when temperatures dropped to just over 30°C, and I also had to be assertive with the police,” he added.
The second stage, from Islamabad to Skardu, was a complete plot twist, filled with bold and critical decisions. “Riding the Karakoram Highway was hellishly difficult. I had to fight bureaucratic battles in the tourism department and court to secure permission to continue my expedition,” he explained.
Initially, he was denied a permit to reach the K2 base camp due to a stay order issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court over a legal dispute between tour operators and the G-B tourism department regarding increased permit fees. However, Małaszko obtained his permit through the court and resumed his journey. The permit fee dispute has been resolved now as the G-B tourism department has reduced the permit fee.
“I acted as a neutral mediator between the government and over 200 licensed mountain tour agencies,” he said.
During this delay, the Polish cyclist seized the opportunity to fulfill an additional goal: reaching the Khunjerab Pass (4,718 m), the highest border crossing between Pakistan and China.
“I had tentatively planned this, but didn’t share it beforehand to avoid extra pressure. This made me the first person to cycle from sea level to the world’s highest border crossing—an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” he added.
