Hello pakwheelers,
Its that time of the year again where i'm planning a trip towards north and need some feedback and advice from experience trekkers. Tentative plan is to go to Gilgit and nearby places worth going which i've no idea about
Last year i went to Fairy Meadows via NATCO and it took us about 31hrs in total from Lahore till Raikot bridge. Reason being the constant stop overs and moving only in escorted convoys. We were stopped in Mansehra (1.5hr), Thakot (1hr), Besham (3hr), Dassu (1hr), Chillas (3hr).
I'm guessing it would take even longer, maybe 33 to 35hours, to reach Gilgit via NATCO (Lahore - ISL - Gilgit). To save 3+ days on the roads and to avoid the unnecessary khuaari, we'll be going to Gilgit via PIA (InshAllah, hoping the weather stays clear).
It will be 7 days trip. Tentative plan:
Day1: Reach gilgit in the morning at 11am. Roam around in the city, have an early lunch and then leave for Hunza. Visit the altit baltit fort and stay over night there.
Q: Is this doable? How to travel between Gilgit and Hunza. Local buses are available?
Day2: Travel to attabad lake and onwards to Khunjerab pass. Come back and stay over night in hunza
Q: What are the travel times between Hunza - Attabad Lake - Khunjerab Pass. And what would be a suitable place for night stay? We are open to camping. So if there's any good place to camp, please suggest. How to travel from Hunza onwards, any local transport?
Day3 + 4: Visit Naltar valley
Q: What are the travel times to these places? Suggest some other places worth going to. Also, what would be a suitable place for night stay. What would be a good place to camp? Again, how to travel to these places?
Day4 + 5: Visit Astore valley, Rama lake
Q: What are the travel times to these places? Suggest some other places worth going to. Also, what would be a suitable place for night stay. What would be a good place to camp? Again, how to travel to these places?
Since i'm still a noob when it comes to trekking. Please name some of the other places nearby which are worth visiting. I've heard about minapin, hopar, sost etc. please advise how can i fit those in the itinerary.
Since i mentioned in the beginning, we'll be going to Gilgit via air, so for all the subsequent trips and travel times, please keep in mind that they will either be on local transport or rented car/jeep.
@aesiege @asifcae and others with knowledge of the area, heeellpp!
Awaiting feedback.
cheers,
Asad