cross Pakistan - a few basic questions
 

Hello everybody,

We plan to travel from China trough Pakistan this year in July.
We start from Shanghai and then cross China to Kashgar to take the Karakorum Highway to enter Pakistan -then we want cross Pakistan and go on to Iran.

I read a lot in the Forum but I still have some Questions.

What is the best time to travel through Pakistan - how is the situation in summer at the Karakorum Highway...?

Which areas can you drive independently and where do you have to go with an escort when you cross Pakistan?

How is the security situation right now in Pakistan?

For the Visa we need an LOI. Any idea how to get it and from whom?

I know these questions might have been answered in some other posts already but a collection would be quite helpful.

thx a lot

I can only answer some of your questions, you never really mentioned what form of travel your doing, motorbike, car, pedal cycle or public transport?

The best time to travel through Pakistan regarding weather is from September to May. From May to August you can travel but it will be really hot and humid and depending on where you are in the country there will be ablot of monsoon rain. Its not that it cant be done but its maybe a little more effort Is required.

You can drive independently after leaving Boulichistan region but levies/police sometime escort you all the way to Sukkur, it all depends the on the situation In the region and if the levies/police have the resources. Usually up until Quetta you get an armed escort and once you leave the quetta region your pretty much on your own or vice versa up until Quetta your okay and then you need armed escort up until the border to Iran.

The security situation in Pakistani is constantly up and down, one minute its all peaceful and the next massive expolisions, the region you will be passing to get to Iran border suffers from terroisim mainly because there are allot of Shia Muslims living there which are constant target by the Taliban so you could be at the wrong place at the wrong time. If your a westner then easy option is keep a low profile and you should be ok. Just travel during day light hours and with an escort and you should be ok.

What is a LOI?

I got my LOI from Snowland Treks and Tours. I emailed a bunch of companies and most wanted me to book a tour with them before issuing an LOI and others wanted as much as $150usd!! Snowland charged £25 (paid via western union) and I got the LOI about 2hrs after I sent the money. They were super easy to deal with and fast. I'd recommend them.

I'll be in Pakistan July/Aug on my way to UK from NZ, maybe we'll cross paths.

Have a good ride!