Pakistan

On the Road to Lahore

The Naran-Mansehra Highway was already a long drive, but there were still about 200km to Islamabad to go for. A few KM on the road on the northern approach and suddenly I was stopped by a check point - the road would cross now some of the Kashmir areas and as such I wasn’t allowed to continue and had to return to take the road via Abbottabad.

Already in the dark this is getting awful. No road-lights, most of the Pakistani driver keep the brights on and so it was even more stressing. A few km before Abbotbad was a traffic block caused by a broken down bus and lorry. Once cleared it was a hit and run drive at nighttime fighting with all the lorries.. after about 14 hours staring from Gilgit I reached Islamabad, found the guesthouse .

Next day the drive down to Lahore and the Crossing. Again awful traffic. For about 330km 7 hrs and as a result I was to late at the border - it closes allured at 3pm nowadays. So I had to stay in Lahore for a night.Crap!

This was Pakistan. A country which wasn’t really on my map apart from the Karakoram highway. Meet lovely, friendly and welcoming people all the way and the scenery was amazing, especially the Hunza and the Astore Valley. A complete opposite from what your would normally hear and see in the news!!! Biggest surprise on the journey so far.

_1040415_1040426_1040428_1040431_1040435_1040453_1040454

Naran Mansehra Highway

This is basically a shot cut from the Karakoram Highway to get down to Islamabad and the surrounding cities. The road in itself is comparable in very good condition. At Besham is the main mountain pass at about 4250m . The road leading up to the top passes by some really nice villages. Compared to the Karakoram the change is obvious in form of landscape, color scheme and constructions. Once you're going down from the pass the landscape changes even more and by the end of the highway its more like you are in south Asia. Humility is there, it is warm, its damp and the landscape is like on TV.

_1040313_1040311_1040332_1040346_1040363_1040372_1040390_1040381_1040404_1040405

Khalti Lake

This is a day trip from Gilgit. Following the main Shandur-Gilgit road you will reach the beautiful lake. A classic and a short trip not to miss from the Karakoram Highway.

L8726902_1040036DJI_0030DJI_0031DJI_0032L8726916

Astore Valley

From Gilgit it’s about a one and a half hr drive to the start of the Astore Minimarg Road leading up to the valley. The valley has about 150 villages and is long - takes about 5-7hrs to reach the main lake at the end. The beginning is rocky, bumpy and you are climbing alongside the rock face. Half way up is the main Astore village and this is an amazing place. Once you’re there the atmosphere will soak you up. It looks like its a place form an Indianer Jones movie. Old buildings, trading and busy people everywhere, all those lovely old land cruisers and on and on. Best village so far in Pakistan!!!!

Just above the village, is the Rama valley with its Polo ground and the landscape from Astore up to the end lake is something different - with all its trees and color and hill his it looks very familiar, a bit like the southern Alps (south Switzerland, north Italy; Oberalp Pass, Tessin, Simplon, Livigno...)

_1040052_1040159_1040179_1040200_1040232_1040211_1040215_1040227_1040246_1040065_1040145DJI_0057DJI_0039L8726934

Karakorum Highway Pakistan II

A few more on the road - the Karakoram Highway and its is still such a beauty. Loving it!

IMG_5130_1030713_1030686_1030738_1030742_1040274L8726886_1040275_1040277_1040289_1040299

Old Silkroad

This was a surprise. Alongside the highway was suddenly a sign pointing up to the other side of the valley stating that there is an old section of the real silk road. Wasn’t aware that there is realy something of the silk road still available nowadays. According to the sign this was the old horse track which has been build up in the 1950/60 to a single lane jeep track.

So I took the opportunity and drove a few meter on this cold section with my Landy!

_1030780_1030769_1030776_1030816_1030825_1030798_1030808

Hoper and Nagar Valley

A day trip from Altit is the Hoper Glacier and the road leading up passing by the Nagar villages. The Glacier is nice, but the road is a beauty. Really feels like your are on an adventure and the villages you pass by are as they were from a the past, early 1900 or so. And best this is still within the Hunza area valley.

In the main Nagar village while I had a short walk I was invited by a local teacher for a tea and as he figured out that I have a civil engineering background I was asked some questions about foundations and frame work construction, because they are just starting to built a new school for the village. So, in about 2-3 hrs I explained some basics so they don’t do that much wrong while building.

L8726757_1030505_1030530_1030500_1030544_1030555_1030570L8726869_1030576DJI_0025_1030488

Hunza Valley

Now I stayed for about 3 days in the huzza valley. Visit eh Alit and Baltic Fort and their surrounding villages. This is such an amazing valley. The views are great, the people great as well and the atmosphere is so relaxing. You could spend here two weeks easily just to relax, soak up the atmosphere and go for a few hicks and day trips. Really, this is worth a trip alone!

L8726788_1030656L8726871IMG_5125L8726825L8726784L8726799L8726816L8726796L8726849L8726689L8726665L8726675L8726710L8726734L8726736L8726790IMG_5117

Nazimabad Pyeen Artificl Lake

Just outside of the village Gulmit is the area of a large natural disaster. About 8 years ago there was a massive landslide ca 40km south of the village which caused to block the Hunza river. As a result parts of the village were flooded and many people lost their homes. For about 35km a section of the Karakoram Highway was destroyed. In order to keep the transport up and ruining and to connect the upper villages of the highway with the south the locals started a boat service between both ends of the highway. The boat service was scary as they used large fishing vessels powered by car engines. In order to transport a car the car had to be parked athwart on some large, squared timbers. There a many photos of such trips online or videos on youtube. Sadly, I could not do such a crossing as now the chinese had build a complete new road section with four large tunnels passing by the artificial lake. In course of the new construction the lake has been partly drained revealing affected areas.

_1030383_1030388_1030402_1030430_1030396_1030409_1030447L8726649L8726651_1030469_1030470

Galcier Breece

Gallier Breeze in Pasu. Just west of Pasu is the 5th largest glacier outside the arctic. First, you drive a small track up passing by the borith lake ( nothing special) to a small parking area. From there on you walk on a track build into the slope of the mountain with in some places drops of more then 70m. But in change the views are just stunning. The glacier is always slightly away and you never can go close to or on (apart of course from the very top). Nevertheless, a view which you just have to embrace. Nothing similar in the alps for sure. In the evening I camped just beside the glacier breeze restaurant in the Pasu village.

L8726581L8726578L8726584L8726587L8726590L8726599_1030370IMG_5064

Pakistan People

So, I’m in Pakistan and so far the landscape is awesome. But the people are even better. So friendly, so welcoming. And everywhere I go I have to come in for a tea. Just a few small stories:

Near Janabad on the roadside beside the glacier breeze I meet the Australian couple again (somehow we are so far a the same speed, even if they are on cycles). We were invited for a tea by some local road workers. Everyone happy, smiling faces everywhere and of course some questions about where are your from, what are your doing first time in Pakistan.

Just before however I a weird event - I was standing on the roadside talking to local guides as suddenly a convoy arrived. About three to four Land Cruiser guided by „special forces“ in front and the back. Next, everyone was on the street - forces fully armed with machine guns protecting the road in front and back. In between me and now some tourist form Europe and USA. And then the guide had to introduce me to everyone as he was so suppriced that I was alone traveling by car all the way from Germany. Everyone asking questions and wising all the best for the rest of the journey. 10 minutes later this was over....

Next I’ve been on the „Glacier Breeze“ - the track up to the glacier. The last incline was a bit step so it took me a bit to get on. But on top I was greeted by workers building a water connection for the village sourced by the glacier. Before I could say anything I was invited straight away. They not only offered me tea, no, they gave me a full Pakistan meal (spiced rice with some chicken pieces and vegetables) and then the questions started: Where are your from, what is your profession, are your alone, about my travels. But as they know my civil engineering background they went on talking about their work. And this all at about 3000m with a glories views across the glacier and mountains.

Or when I was in Gulmit on my way up to the fort. First on the way up on of the lokal childs jumped on my rear ladder for lift up to the upper village. When I went on the track to the fort I was greeted by many locals, was offered some fresh apples etc. And on my way back from the fort I was invited for a tea by one of the local workers and his mother. He explained a bit about the community and then of course asked about my travels etc. Of course he had to mention that the Germans have a very good reputation in Pakistan (in general on journey as a whole, but thats a different story). When I was alone with the mother she couldn’t speak any english but tried to communicate, always with a smile on the face. She was complaining about pains she has, especially in joints, limbs and the back - so I left here one of my Kyta ointments.

On my we back I passed a sawmill. But this was a really old-style one. Sawing machines from the 1950s or earlier. So I had to take some photos and as the old owner heard that I’m also a trained carpenter he was smiling all over the face and hugged me. He was the last carpenter of the village and next I was introduced to his family and again I was offered tea and some cake. And of cource everyone wanted to know where I’m from, about my travels and on and on.


So, if this continues I have to say the Pakistan people as the friendliest and welcoming by a country mile!!


IMG_5019IMG_5021IMG_5075IMG_5077IMG_5081

Karakorum Highway Pakistan I

Now I’m in Pakistan. The border crossing was straight forward and everyone was just really friendly and welcoming. Had to pose for a few selfies and the way and so many were just flashing lights or pressing horns or waving. And together with the awesome scenery this feels like be on adventure again. What a change to China.

The first 100km are just a road from a different world. The Chines side of the Highway is allready great but this beats it hands down. Awesome. And once your and e road you know why this is one of the few greats roads to drive in your lifetime.

The customs in Sost were also very easy and for the first time on this journey Ihad to use the Carnet de Passage.

_1020991_1030131_1030137_1030285_1030320_1030321_1030239L8726570IMG_5012_1030255_1030347_1030264_1030268IMG_5017IMG_5016

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted, analyses traffic and to understand where our audience is coming from. For more information please view our GDPR Section.