Dear readers,
I made another trip to GB from 26th Aug to 4th Sep 2018 with my wife. Itinerary was as follows;
26th Aug: Sialkot to Muzaffarabad
27th Aug: Muzaffarabad to Naran (Visited Lalazar Meadows)
28th Aug: Naran to Gilgit
29th Aug: Gilgit to Skardu
30th Aug: Skardu to Kharmang + Ghanche
30th Aug: In Kharmang, visited Khamosh waterfall, Manthoka Waterfall
30th Aug: In Ghanche, visited Khaplu Fort, Fish farm, Hushe Valley to see Masherbrum Peak
31st Aug: Ghance to Skardu
1st Sep: Skardu to Deosai to Astore to Gilgit
2nd Sep: Gilgit to Naran
3rd Sep: Naran to Islamabad
4th Sep: Islamabad to Sialkot
Information about Roads conditions
Murree to Kohala bridge = Road is in worst condition, cannot go higher than 20-30 km/h
Muzzaffarabad to Balakot = Road is good with some small bad patches near Balakot
Balakot to Naran = Road is quite good but surely not for over-speeding, careful driving at turns
Naran to Batakundi = Road is manageable but badly ruined at some places
Batakundi to Babusar top = Road is very good after the bridge
Babusar top to Chilas = Road is very good but very steep descent so must drive with great care in 1st or 2nd gear
Chilas to Raikot Bridge = Road is manageable with bad patches ranging from few hundred meters to a mile and so
Raikot Bridge to Gilgit = Road is excellent but surely not for over-speeding, turns should be driven with care, no rough over taking
Gilgit to Skardu = Road is narrow and bumpy and renovation is started for this road so expect blockages from few minutes to hours, road is still manageable with careful driving
Skardu to Kharmang = Road is OK
Kharmang to Ghanche = Road is OK
Skardu to Deosai = Road is bad but manageable in 4x4
Deosai to Astore = Road is OK with bad patches
Astore to KKH = Road is OK with bad patches (Astore to KKH road is highly prone to landsliding) and as per locals, should be avoided to travel in rainy season / days.
Hotel Rates
Hotel in Muzaffarabad (can't remember its name bcoz it newly built) = 8000.00 per night
Maisonette Hotel Naran = 10000.00 per night including breakfast
PTDC Gilgit = 7000.00 per night (deluxe room with AC)
TIBET Motel Skardu = 5000.00 per night
PTDC Khaplu = 4500.00 per night
Concordia Hotel Skardu = 7000.00 per night
Serena Gilgit = 14000.00 per night
DeManchi Naran = 5000.00 per night
Gofas Lodges Islamabad = 6600.00 per night
Fuel expenses = Private vehicle = 14,500.00
Fuel expenses = Rented vehicle for Skardu / Kharmang / Ghanche = 17,200.00
Rented Prado from Gilgit for Skardu / Kharmang / Ghanche = 5500.00 per day
