Northern Pakistan/Karakorum
 

Travelling by LR through Stan countries then through China(Kashgar) and into Pakistan via Karakorum and then into India.
Has anyone out there any up to date experience about this part of the world, is one likely to get helped by the Army convoys or similar
Any news would be good

I expect that you have your Chinese paperwork sorted, so you will have a guide in your car in China.

Not sure what you expect from the Pak army. Generally, the soldiers are friendly enough, but convoys could be a pain. Actually, I haven't met any big convoys, only in India, and that's horrendous.

Ciao,
Peter.

Passed through the region in '03....

Roads are so-so if you will just be using the China border-İslamabad...

Army or civilians... veryone in Pakistan were most friendly and helpfull... I dont think you will have any problems of any kind.... BUT as i said ..this was in '03.

Cheers,

When are you going?
 

We are going to be doing this route on bikes very shortly. Our guides for China are booked for the 25th July then we travel to Kashkar and head down the KKM from the Kgunereb pass into Pakistan, if it is any use we call post a thread in about 2-3 weeks.

Cheers

N Pakistan/KKH
 

In reply to message from Dotcab,this would be really helpful if you could keep in touch.
We are travelling by LR and hope to crossinto China at Torugart Pass out of Krygzstan on 27th September and then into Pakistan on KKH early Oct.
Our e-mail is deljml@hotmail.com
Thanks

You don't need to travel in conveys/ with escorts in Northren areas of Pakistan. They are very safe. Best precaution would be to reach your destination before dark, not because of bandits, but because KKH is very difficult to drive in the dark.
The views are absolutely splendid.

Cheers.

Zia

I was there last year and the Chinese were getting ready to put a new road in from Kasghar to the Persian Gulf, over top of the Karakorum. Loads of surveying being done at that time. The KKH was in aweful shape due to a number of landslides on July 5 or so last year. You need to look into whether the place is not totally broken up. Great views. In Karimabad, stay at Tourist Park Hotel, cheap (250 Rupees, hot water and bathroom) and they have a secure locked garage for your bike. Pics here: www.nohorizons.net

Kkh
 

Hi,

we just came down the KKH - Kashgar to Islamabad.
We had to stay 5 nights - 2 in Dassu and 3 in Pattan - because the road was washed away in a landslide in one place. 30 mtrs of it just gone. They had to blast into the mountain to make a new path.
There were also 30-40 minor landslides. Some we could get over, others we had to wait for them to be cleared.

20kms south of Besham, the police organised an escort for us - unrequested - due to the problems in Islamabad at the Red Mosque. 4 jeeps and 3 125cc motorcycles did a relay escort for us.

We could have done with it a bit sooner. I got wiped out by a pickup-truck taxi on the KKH. I was overtaking him whem he decided to overtake the vehicle in front of him. Colided at about 80kph and just stopped rolling before the 500mtr drop into the Indus river. Only torn a muscle in the groin/upper leg but it hurts like a bitch.

Happy trails:)

John

BikerBytes.com

BIKING THRU KKH( or Pakistan)
 

Lucky you John !!! Think you got the taste how they drive here. Here are some practical tips to all those planning a trip thru pakistan:

** install the loudest, most abnoxious horns on your bikes( ones that have the ability to wake the dead) and use them freely.

**If you intend to overtake someone, blow the horn once and wait three seconds to judge his response. If there is no response, horn like crazy and flash lights untill you complete the overtake, then raise your hand in apology. No hard feelings.

** Pakistan is a free country, as such, Pakistanis feel free to invent their own traffic laws. example.

Use of Indicators: If right tail indicator is blinking it may mean (1) Other driver is turning right (2) The other driver is acknowledging you to overtake (3) He is turning left but feels he should use the right indicator (4) He turned right half hour ago but forgot to switch it back.

Right of Way: Might is right. Be brave. Just go. Don't expect others to be considerate of your rights.

Safe distance: What's that??? Nobody knows.
Dual Carriageways(one way): Don't be a fool by expecting that everyone will be going in the same direction.

Other Road Users. Apart from cars/ trucks/ buses/ rickshaw or bikes you will find other road users in abundance, such as farm tractors with overloaded trolleys, horse/ donkey/camel/bull/buffalow drawn carriages, Ching- chee( the new curse from China).
Especially, watch for children playing cricket, elderly and women in general because they always look in the wrong direction( vehicles that have already passed). And especially women in burqa.

Despite all that I mentioned above, a trip thru Pakistan is always fascinating, something you will always miss back on your westren motorways.

Cheers

Zia

I'm with you there Zai. THe best horn is the one the Kazahkstan police use... Hard to describe it. Something like cross between a ducks quack and a fart but LOUD.
You have to hear it to beleive it,

I have a new, louder horn now:)

John