Bike Tour 4,000 KMS - Karachi - Naran - Astor (Gilgit Balistan) and Back to Karachi

[Sulaiman75]

sir jee ek bat kehna chahon ga if u dont mind.esey tours diffinately dil gurday ka hi kam ha but ap js age me hen or js tra ap ne solo trip kia ha from karachi to naran on bike.its unbelievable.its so much inspirational for those who feel themselves old in that age.but u have proved that"DIL HONA CHAIDA AE JAWAN TE UMARAN CH KEE RAKHYA"ap ne ek nai rooh phonk di ha tmam logon me or unko b phr se jawan kar dia ha.realy salute u and hats off to you sir.u should b awarded to be called as "SIR" on pakwheels like gari sobers or dawn bradman called in cricket

Hahaha .... maza a gya yaar, wonderful response. Actually, I was always like this. Men te hamesha ehoi keeta eh. I would look for an opportunity to travel whenever I could my entire life. In fact, I only flew in Pakistan three times because I enjoy road trips a lot more than flying.

And if you like this thread then I think you will enjoy two of my other trips, which in a way were adventurous in their own merit.

As for having Gurday to do something like this, well I have swam in the deep Atlantic as well as the Pacific Ocean only I have no pics to show for it.

Abhi agay kahani a rahi he, I think you will enjoy as well. Keep reading.

And for the khitaab "Sir". Well, I am already a Sir because I Specialize in IELTS Teaching in Karachi and online throughout Pakistan, so I am already called a Sir by all my Students. LOL

But thanks for the offer.

[Sulaiman75]

After I came down the mountain and got back on the Naran Road heading towards Chillas I was about to go through Lulu Sar Lake.

In the pics below I am still in the Naran township on the main road now heading towards Chillas but the scene of the Mountain to the right and the view ahead was so breathtaking I stopped for these pics. Unfortunately though, I had to wait for this local man on the right to finish doing his deed but he was taking so darn long I just couldn't wait and took the pic anyways.

The pic didn't really capture the mountains ahead which were part of the scenic beauty. On my left was the PTDC Hotel Naran but I didn't capture any pics of that and just drove on.

[hsumbal1]

As soon as get anywhere close to my computer I straight away log into Pakwheels and check for updates....

Enjoying every bit of it...

[Sulaiman75]

As I began driving I came to a river that came closer and closer to the side of the winding road. The whether was beautiful and the scenery was mind blowing and to be driving a bike in this area was blissful to say the least.

I took a few snaps and then came a small cut where two cars had been parked. I saw a great spot for for a pic so I parked the bike and asked one of the 7 or 8 men there to take my pic since they were already having fun taking pics of their own.

[Sulaiman75]

As soon as get anywhere close to my computer I straight away log into Pakwheels and check for updates....

Enjoying every bit of it...

Hahaha, not sure if you are enjoying reading it more or I am enjoying writing about it. But keep enjoying, there's plenty more to come.

[hsumbal1]

Hahaha, not sure if you are enjoying reading it more or I am enjoying writing about it. But keep enjoying, there's plenty more to come.

Looking forward

[mountainier]

Sir excellant narration and beautiful trip bravo and great going....

my favorite part was learning to drive a bike and than taking a bike for the road trip......amazing and awesome.......(H)

[Sulaiman75]

Don't ask me, these are the names given to the two rivers which meet at this location to join into the main river already flowing from Naran.

So when I asked one of the guys to take my picture, he asked where I was from and where I was headed. After a brief introduction the others began walking up with their camera and decided to take a few pics of me along with them, I requested they do the same.

They told me they drove all the way from Gujravala in two cars. Two of the men were sitting on a sheet cutting onions I think. The group offered me Nashta and requested I stay a while and share my experience while breakfast was being prepared. I thanked them for the offer and said I had a ways to go so I needed to save every minute. They kept insisting but all I could think of was whether would consider the offer of giving me a Champi instead of Nashta ... LOL. That was what I really needed at the time. :-!

After a few pics of the area I drove on but could not resist the temptation of pulling over to the side to take a pic or two of the surroundings.

What I enjoyed was the peace and isolation without worrying about oncoming traffic or any loud car or truck noise. It was very tempting to just pitch a tent and stay there, only I had no tent and quite frankly no time so I kept on driving.

I should mention that the winding roads and scenic views were so majestic I thought this could be like a dream and in no way can I describe to wonders of this area in the pics or my narrative, one has to see it with their own eyes and smell the freshness in the air. Well, the air is fresh most of the time until you pass a herd of 50 to 60 sheep walk past you. :o

[Sulaiman75]

I finally reached a small puddle of water running across the road, or so I thought.

It didn't look all that deep, yeah right !!!

I first stopped to take a pic and also to evaluate just how deep it might be, looked pretty shallow. Well, when I eventually went through it I raised my feet in the air ahead of me on either side of the front tire in order to avoid getting my pants wet, the boots were waterproof.

When I reached the center of the water flow the muffler / silencer / exhaust pipe (whatever you call it) was submerged in the water and I could hear bubbles from behind and the water splashed and partially wet my legs to the knees.

I eventually reached a Water Fall not too far ahead which is called Sohni Water Falls. I stopped there to take some pics. It was really nice to see a multilevel waterfall. No idea just how far back it goes since the top was not visible but from what I could see it was a spectacular view.

[Sulaiman75]

As I drove further ahead, I began to drive up a mountain and as I glanced back it was becoming more and more beautiful so I stopped to take a few pics of the surroundings.

What I noticed was from time to time there were small fields near local residents' homes where they had cultivated small plants giving a flower. I mean it was a flower plant that wasn't all that appealing to look at. I thought perhaps its a special flower that is desirable in these areas for some local purpose, actually I had no idea but it was everywhere.

[Sulaiman75]

I soon arrived at a town which I could see down in the valley ahead of me. It looked like I had to cross a river but I had to go down the winding road, cross the river and then again go up the winding hill on the other side.

It was an interesting view. Once I reached the bottom at the bridge crossing it was made of a Metal frame but the floor was made of wooden plaques put together which for the look of it, seemed as they had done repairs to it over and over again.

In fact, when I crossed the bridge I could hear each plaque of wood as my tire went over it. I parked my bike on the bridge and walked to the edge to take some photos.

[Sulaiman75]

On the other side of that valley when I climbed the steep hill on the winding road I soon came across another valley I had to go down.

What was interesting was that although it was a long road down that was not at all that steep, the other side of the hill was quite a climb.

At the bottom of this valley was a road that I had cross over which a small river was flowing. It was quite a scene so I waited for some traffic to pass over it while I took some pics. And then followed through myself.

On the other side when I went up the mountain the view behind was spectacular. I tried capturing in a photo, not sure how much of it is visible now but you might be able to see the road below with water gushing over the road and into the valley.

[Sulaiman75]

As I drove around the mountain I came across a splendid view of the valley below where I wanted to take a picture or two. It was my luck that a local boy was walking his heard of sheep whom I asked to take a pic of me.

I eventually came down another valley and had to cross a gushing river. No traffic again and I had the entire valley to myself to enjoy.

[Sulaiman75]

If a picture is worth a Thousand Words, then this one sums it all up.

I came across a bend in the mountain where I saw the view below of a river winding through the valley. The colours were brilliant. But just the way it wound around the small patch of land forming an island was so beautiful.

The trouble was, there was this kid taking a leak right in front of me which I could not include in the pic so I waited for him to finish so that I could take a pic. But what is it with these people, they have a picnic when urinating.

I must have stood there for a few minutes while this boy did his deed and finally I just could not wait any longer and was forced to take the two pics I had to take. He then looked over at me as to what I was doing and I couldn't stay any longer and just drove on.

[zeeshangodil]

Sir, Wow..
Great courage and effort. I can't even think of it really.

But, you need to have a partner from the opposite gender.

[Sulaiman75]

The Pic Speaks for itself !!!

When I saw this road ahead I stopped and just had to take a snap.

It by far had to be the most beautiful road I had seen the way it was winding in the distance through the rolling hills with mountain ranges on both sides.

It was SPECTACULAR and Heavenly to ride through and I did kick in some speed on this road while enjoying the surroundings.

I was so tempted to take my helmet off and enjoy the breeze but I believe more in road safety and decided against it and kept my helmet on. And yes, I raised the visor to take in the air. The temperature was cool and it was clear and sunny.

A Perfect Day on a Perfect Road.

Now my Camera Battery was flashing red so I knew I had only a few minutes left so I tried preserving the battery as best I could knowing that I would drive back through here in a day and what I miss today I can capture tomorrow on the way back.

Oh yes, the plan to go to Gilgit and return the next day back to Naran for the night.

[Sulaiman75]

On my way to Lulusar Lake the views were unique, some lush green while others of unpaved dirt roads, some through villages and bridges while others through long mountain ranges.

[Sulaiman75]

I finally arrived at Lulusar Lake which I could see in a distance across a bridge I had to cross.

When I reached the lake it was a brilliant combination of emerald / turquoise colour. As I drove around it I found the colours reflected a different shade.

I made an attempt to aim the camera in the direction of where I want to take a pic, quickly turn it on and click the shot and shut it off immediately to save the battery.

It had been working for the past 10 or 20 shots I had taken.

But when I drove on the other side of the lake I found a local walking next to the road and decided to ask him to take a quick pic of me and the lake, I could have used the tripod but to set the timer and take the pic would have used up the battery.

So I parked my back and had a chatt with the fellow and instructed him on how to wait till I am ready, then turn it on with such and such a button and then take the pic right away and NOT wait. He seemed to have understood with a smile.

When I was ready I told him to do it now and he turned on the camera, then he just started aiming around the area getting to see it on the screen, I asked him to quickly take my pic but he was having a field day with the camera and just enjoying the scenery on the camera display screen. And then after I told him a third time to please just take the pic he turned it to my direction and I heard him say .... ye to kala ho gya ha, nazar kuch ni a raha.

I knew then that the battery was gone, and I lost my chance of taking a wonderful pic. I could do nothing but curse myself for even asking this guy to take my pic but I didn't say anything and just took the camera from him, thanked him anyways and then went on my way.

So I have no further pics of that day but plenty to write about.

[Sulaiman75]

I drove through some beautiful villages that were in between tall mountains in valleys, and some were inside large trees.

Most of the homes were built from local rocks and some of the homes were unique in that they were stacked one on top of the other but like a staircase against the mountain. They were uniquely designed and were shaded under large trees so they shared the same shade and perhaps the same water flow if they had any coming from the mountain behind.

[Sulaiman75]

I drove through a large valley with ranges of mountains in a distance, and they were HUGE and the valley was vast.

I was told that this was the only place on the Planet where three Mountain Ranges meet;

1) The Hindu Kush
2) The Himalaya
3) The Karakorum

But what a sight it was.

This valley led me to the base of the mountain I had to cross. Its called Babusar and its unfortunately very rough, unpaved, dirt and rock mixture and winding up and around the mountain.

As I drove up the mountain I had to deal with a lot of sharp rocks which I had to be careful to avoid and then there were plenty of bumps and large rocks as well I had to contend with. It was a very large valley of mountains so I could see the road in a distance in some angles around the mountain but not all.

From time to time as I went up I could see a dust cloud in a distance indicating a vehicle was heading down the mountain in my direction. I did see some patches of rough constructed road which was still unpaved but anything better then the unpaved totally rough road I was now traveling on.

I passed a few cars, and the odd trucks coming down as well as a few bikes but only and only Honda 125 is what I saw.

No bike had a single rider, they were all in pairs but had no luggage so assumed they had to be locals.