Pakistan guru needed :)
 

Hi from Spain,

I'm planning a 2-year RTW bike tour. I'll be crossing Pakistan this august. I was told by a guy in the embassy to prepare an itinerary in order to get my visa. He was specific about the fact that the tour should avoid taliban territories, but he was imprecise about which are those. I was wondering if someone can be so kind of listing here a few peaceful cities I should mention on my visa on the route Khujerab - Lahore, or even heading more to the south to India. I'm guessing I can be in Pakistan around a week or so. It could be very helpful if those cities have something interesting to see-live-taste.

I really thank you for this favor.

I am guessing that your entering from China via sost in that case you can get the visa at the border costs 30usd takes 10 minutes...just bring a picture and smile...

Also it will take you more than one week to do kunjerab-Lahore , whats the rush ...? that part of pakistan is the best part and you could easily spend a month riding around and chilling in the mountain villages, like HUnza valley and Astor, Skardu etc...

good luck

Thanks for your prompt reply,

Unfortunately, I was told by the guy in the embassy I needed to provide that list with my itinerary (and a bank letter, and a form, and the motorbike's carnet, annnnd...) . In Spain is not that easy to get the visa and the travel permit for the bike.
Yes, I'm crossing from China. And yes, I suppose I could tour Pak for a while, but I have a 2-year schedule I must follow. I can't stay 1 month in every country (I wiiiiish I could!...)

Ok, just clarify you dont need to get a visa ,you can get it at the border as long as you have the Carnet ..

Well here are a list of places you will be passing on the way down to LAhore, you will not be in any prohibited areas as they are in Swat , the KKH just barelly touch this area but nothing to serious.

North to south

Sost-Passu-Karimabad-Aliabad-Gilgit (from her if you have time you can go to Skardu Its about 180km east to Baltistan , good paved roads and beautiful then loop back via Desaoi and Astor , takes you about two-three days back to KKH) and Chilas.

From here you have two options either continue down the KKH via Becham (this place is said to a be a bit of a "dangerous" town as its about 120km from Mingora (Swat Capital) but I did not encounter anything ,the people were very nice and welcoming ... or Take the Barbussa pass down to Naran and then continue to Muree ,islamabad and finally Lahore.

I took the KKH all the way down to islamabad via Muree and Nathiagali (hill stations very nice mountian roads) then took the grand trunk road to Lahore (bikes not aloud on the express way the made me turn back )

hope this helps good luck

pakistan
 

to kebabtomten; do you confirm that apply for pak visa at the kkh border it is doable? when did you get there?
i'm in touch with a bunch of riders planning to do that route (saliadarunavuelta is one of this), and, like him i'm in trouble here in italy to apply for pak visa. they require the same stuff as saliadarunavuelta says on his post. things could turn bad 'cause all the paperworks will send to islamabad to be processed; expected time months, employeed said...

www.lungastrada.it

The map
 

Hi everyone,

Jus in case someone needs this in the future, here you have the map I'm sending with my application visa.

Pakistan transit - Google Maps

Good luck and than you all.

Do NOT send that. The ONLY road crossing point for foreigners into India is at WAHGA on the road to Amritsar


John

Mostly the map is accurate but a few points may be helpful,
1. Redboots rightly mentioned that the only border crossing available to tourists is Wagah/ Attari. The border of Gandasinghwala that you highlighted is closed. Both are only 60 kms apart.
2. You should not take the Kotli, Bagh route from Islamabad to Lahore. It is much longer and runs close to the sensitive Line of Control between the Pakistani and Indian Kashmir. Take the direct road to Jhelum instead which is only 100 kms.
3. I would agree with Kababtomten that you should take the Deosai route from Skardu and stay at Astore before joining the KKH.
4. The Babusar route from Chillas to Mansehra is 125 kms shorter, prettier and cooler but you will have to drive 50kms on muddy road with streams crossing. If open, I always prefer it.

Great Info
 

Cheers guys:thumbup1:

Thanks!!!
 

Hello and thank you all so much!

I've uploaded a new version, I hope this one is more realistic :)

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mur ee+Rd,+Islamabad,+Islamabad+Capital+Territory,+Pak ist%C3%A1n&msa=0&msid=118234229347796611788.00047e d9f51355a0caeb0&ll=34.252676,74.959717&spn=6.90794 2,10.305176&z=7

Thanks again for your time.

The new map looks perfect. I am sure you realise high altitude roads are weather dependant like the incomparabale Deosai plains usually open in June/July.
Have fun and enjoy Pakistan, the worlds best kept secret.
Omar

Hi,

I'll be there end August. I suppose weather conditions will be reasonable then.

Thanks!

Fantastic. Deosai plains bloom for a short period in August. This is the best time for the mountains.:welcome:

Omar

I am sure you are following the landslide situation which blocked the Hunza river North of Gilgit and formed a big lake at Attabad. The road (KKH) is under 200 ft of water in this area. Until about 10 days ago there were boats being used to ferry people and goods across but due to the water having reached a dangerous level near the top of the land slide the boat traffick has stopped. There was a fellow biker from Australia on his way to China and then Central Asia who was stuck in Aliabad for two days, but he managed to hitch a ride on a helicopter with his bike and gear and has yesterday crossed into China.
When you are in Pakistan do get in touch.

Visa at border
 

We travelled from China into Pakistan in September last year and a friend picked up his visa at the border in sost. no problems, really friendly border guards and I it would seem to be a normal thing to do. The guards even stayed late whilst they waited for the Vespa to arrive!!

See our Pakistan story here

Jenny and Ollie's Big Trip