Thoughts on Karakoram? - Horizons Unlimited

**SpiritualRider** · #1 18 May 2002

I am very well aware that the UK Foreign Office is still advising against travel to the northern areas of Pakistan. (http://www.fco.gov.uk)

However I would be interested if there are any first hand accounts of the general feeling there at the moment?

Regards,
Graham.

**harvey** · #2 25 May 2002

I've heard it's fine but best you get your rear shock fixed first. KTM's, don't you just love 'em.....

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no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

**SpiritualRider** · #3 31 May 2002

Even with a knackered shock absorber it was still spectacular, although I did come across a little tension.

If anyone else is thinking of going, I would advise sticking to the main KKH and do not stop in Chilas. That place is definately not westerner-friendly. Other than that I experienced only the usual Pak hospitality.

The police said that Chilas is known for it and that Hunza, further up the KKH was fine, but unfortunately I missed it, having to limp back to Lahore to pick up my new shock.

I did manage to cut across to the Swat valley on the way back down, via the Shangla pass from Besham. The police advised against travelling further up the Swat valley but the pass was fine and there is a friendly police post at the top. Mingoara was also friendly.

Graham.

**usl** · #4 17 Jan 2003

Hi ;

How is Peshawar-Chitral road ? Did anyone pass there ?

**vincent danna** · #5 19 Jan 2003

hello
i was on the kkh recently, around 10th jan
did it to the kunjerab pass, snow, ice but ok

i did islamabad back in 5 days
too cold to wander around,m it s a bit of a pity

road conditions : ok
fuel : no prob

it s all right, i felt safe, slept in nice gh
no need noc
the police : non prob, they offer you tea
the nb of tourists decreased so much

it s a great ride,
email me directly please for more info
vincent.danna@free.fr

i had a little accident in pak, will be there for 2-3 months

http://vincent.danna.free.fr/

happy trails

**JEP** · #6 23 Jan 2003

Hi!
Did a little KKH last week, Swat valley up to Shanglan-Pass (dont remember the exact name), and from there KKH back to Manshera and Kaghan-Valley up to Naran. Not very far, i know, but i dont like forth-and-back-tours. Road okay, some bad holes but no real problems, no ice, people friendly everywhere (needed to stay in hotel only one of 5 days), easy driving especially the road in Kaghan-valley, it was the best road i found in whole Pakistan (!), brand new, and therefore good for some faster mountain-driving with curves u can trust.Real Fun. But only up to approx. 30km to Naran, from there more and more icy, old road, made it up to 2km to Naran, then i had to give up, when the track is crossing a glacier. Road there is beutiful, but the towns less the further u go, very touristy, mainly hotels and some like ghost-towns in off-season.
Have fun there, I had!
Jens