With the news that remaining stretch of road leading to Babusar pass and tunnel/bridge on Attabad lake may be completed by this September, I decided to enjoy the sweet and sour Karakorum highway by driving from Lahore to its extreme end at Khunjerab Pass at 4,500m. I had traveled first time on KKH with my friend via NATCO in 1996, and this month after 20 years I set off on a long journey on my trusted Corolla considering that may be nobody will drive in the harsh Kohistan area after Babusar pass will become a highway. Once Attabad lake is bypassed by a tunnel, no one will dare a bit of adventure transporting his car on boat.
For the first time, I have also explored Ghizer district's Phunder and Yasin valleys. Got a bit inside Shandur area and returned back after about 15km as rightly advised by friends at Pakwheels that there is no acceptable track for a car. I also drove close to Wakhan corridor.
Ghizer district is the place where hundreds of soldiers are sleeping under flags of Pakistan.....the men who lost their lives protecting us, our kids and their future. Standing on top of the list is Lalik Jan "Nishan e Hyder".
For the benefit of Pakwheels gypsy community, I will share unbiased day by day report of my 2,980km trip..... just in case somebody may wish to try my experience. I will also focus on latest KKH road condition and security concerns in Kohistan while comparing with my KKH trips of 2012 and 2014. Public transport is still strictly crossing Kohistan area in day light, and a couple of months ago private vehicles were not allowed to cross Jaglot after 11 in the morning....this happened to my friend. This restriction has now been lifted.
As always, none of my photos will be edited!
Stay tuned!