Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road
Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Jul 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Truro U.K.
Posts: 3
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
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Jul 2007
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
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.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Jul 2007
usl usl is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Turkey
Posts: 337
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,
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Jul 2007
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 94
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
__________________
UK to Australia 2007
www.planitearth.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 16 Jul 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Truro U.K.
Posts: 3
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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Jul 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Multan, Pakistan
Posts: 8
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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Jul 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC - now at large in the world
Posts: 411
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
__________________
http://www.nohorizons.net
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 17 Jul 2007
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Unhappy 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
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster

Last edited by Redboots; 17 Jul 2007 at 07:52. Reason: spelling...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 17 Jul 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Multan, Pakistan
Posts: 8
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
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 21 Jul 2007
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by selani View Post
** install the loudest, most abnoxious horns on your bikes( ones that have the ability to wake the dead) and use them freely.
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
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ferry to Oran and travel along coast of northern Algeria possible without a guide? monkii North Africa 7 4 Feb 2009 17:48
Northern Mini Meet... davidlomax HU Travellers Meetings - UK 31 16 Mar 2006 17:21
Shipping from Northern EU to Canada/US Zappa Trip Transport 8 28 Feb 2006 17:17
from bolivia to northern chile timwright2 SOUTH AMERICA 6 24 Jan 2006 04:53
shipping bangkok to northern india blackelk Trip Transport 3 16 Oct 2003 15:35

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:16.