Trip Summary
This Northern Areas Jeep Safari was taken in the month of June 2008. Me (Mustafa), Ehsan and Asad went on this trip. This was indeed a memorable trip! (Y)
Day1 – June 21, 2008
Lahore - Naran
Left Lahore @ 1030 hours. Took M2 exit at Burhan. We had some errands to do in Haripur and Abbotabad. Reached Naran @ 2200. Had a crappy dinner and met our driver (Mr. Nazir) and checked our ride for the morning!
Day 2 – June 22, 2008
Naran - Chilas
Had a quick breakfast and moved our stuff to the CJ 7. Left Naran at 1100 hours en route to Chilas, via Babu Sar Pass (13,000 feet). Stopped at Jalkhad, Lulu Sar Lake, and Babu Sar Pass en route to Chilas. Thoroughly enjoyed the off roading!
Day 3 – June 23, 2008
Chilas – Rama
Took the mighty Karakoram Highway (KKH). We turned towards Astore halfway between Raikot Bridge and Bunji. Checked in at PTDC Rama. Played cricket with the locals @ 10,000 ft. – was soon outa breath! Decided to trek to Rama Lake, but got lost and decided to take the jeep in the morning.
Stayed overnight at PTDC Rama.
Day 4 – June 24, 2008
Rama – Astore – Chilum Chowki – Kala Pani (Deosai National Park)
Had a sumptuous breakfast, and took our ride to Rama Lake. Took approximately 45 minutes to reach. Chilled at the lake for a couple of hours.
Left for Deosai National Park (@ 14,000 ft.) from Astore valley. via Chilum Chowki. Passed Astore on our way.
Stopped at Sheosar Lake for an hour. Took snaps. Really missed not having wide angle lens. Overnight camping at Kala Pani
Day 5 – June 25, 2008
Kala Pani (Deosai Plains) – Satpara Lake - Skardu – Khaplu
Woke up at 0500 hours. Had tea and warmed the canned sausages
Walked around Kala Pani to marvel at nature!
Finally it was time to leave for Satpara Lake – close to Deosai’s exit (or beginning if you are coming from Skardu). Rented a boat at PTDC Satpara, and took snaps of the dam under construction. Left for Khaplu via Skardu. Reached Khaplu @ 1800
Day 6 – June 26, 2008
Khaplu – Skardu - Chilas
Had a wonderful breakfast at Karakoram Lodge -Khaplu. Asad stole some cherries – it was worth the effort, lolz. :o Our trip back to Chilas was perhaps one of the most grueling road trips we had ever taken -- this will be remembered for the rest of our lives. The time it takes is the same for a nonstop transatlantic flight from Lhe-JFK or Lhe-YYZ!
Day 7 -- June 27, 2008
Chilas – Babu Sar Pass – Jalkhad – Naran
Was a warm morning! Packed our stuff, and left for Naran. Stopped at Babu Sar Pass and Lulu Sar Lake once again. Had tea at Jalkhad on our way to Naran.
After reaching Naran, moved our stuff and headed towards Lake Saif-ul-Maluk in the same CJ. Spend a couple of hours at the lake, and had delicious chapal kebabs! Drove to our new hotel, which was at the outskirts of Naran.
Day 8 – June 28, 2008
Naran – Haripur - Lahore
Well it was time to leave. Packed our stuff, and left for Haripur. After getting the car serviced, left for Lahore. Had some fun on the motorway ^ ^
Well here are some stealer pictures. We will be uploading pictures over the next few days, so welcome aboard and enjoy you stay!