Hi,
I am planning for a road trip for mid DEC and need some guidance.
Guda
Itenrary;
Karachi > LHE (Stay at LHE 2xDays. My home town)
LHE > ISB (Stay at ISB 1xDays)
ISB > MURREE & Beyond (Stay at-least 5days)
Leave Karachi early, stay a night in Bhawalpur, If you travel within Speed limits (70~100) with few stopovers for food/tea you can easily reach in 12 hours.
CAR;
Suzuki Alto VXR CNG 2010 (OEM Condition)
I have seen FX, Mehran and 30 years old cars traveling on Highway, Alto is just fine.
Passengers;
Three, Including driver + Infant
It will be winters, cover your rear seat with a blanket, it will keep the infant warm.
My Questions;
1) Car is in original OEM condition, Do I need a change of tires? or anything else?
Check the treads, if they are Ok, no need to change them.
2) What accessories to carry in case of car break down? I am thinking of the following;
.Puncture kit
.Manual/Electric tire air pump
.Engine coolant/anti freeze
.A dozen fuses
.A couple of head/rear bulbs
.Sunnyplast, Detol, Cotton, Scisors, insect repellent etc?
.Torch
.Small Icebox
.What else do you recommend?
I will recommend that you dont take any on the above, just keep a torch and a first Aid box.
2) Drive time from KHI > LHE is 12-16hours, is there any good place to visit in between KHI > LHE ?
Khi ~ Lhr time is NOT 12-16hours , if you go non stop it will take you atleast 18 ~ 20 hours. As i said earlier stay in Bwlp.
3) Drive time from LHE > ISB is 4-5hours? where is Khanpur lake/resort? ... what will be good a day trip,visit to Khanpur lake OR afternoon at Damne-Koh and dinner at Pir Sohawa... or both can be achived in 1day (or will need 2days & 1night) trip?
Keep one day for Khanpur dam and one for Damne-koh and surrounding areas.
4) Now the big question, Where/What to go/do after reaching MURREE for 5days? Nathia gali, Bhurban, Ayubia, Pindi point, Kashmir point, where else?
Stay 2 nights in NathiaGali and you can see all the areas you have mentioned above.
5) CNG, Is it available KHI all the way to MURREE and back? although going up ill be on petrol.
CNG is available on Moon also :)
6) Average lodging fare for 5days in the hills? (Moderate hotels)
In NathiaGali an average hotel will cost you about 2000 ~2500 per day and food for 2 person about 1000 to 1200 per day.
7) Is it safe in DEC? Will I see snowfall? (lol)
Yes it is safe but on Alto.. if it snows you are stuck..