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.

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