NEED GUIDANCE: Karachi to khunjerab pass on Honda City

[pwuser15329490228]

Dear PW members,

My name is Asad and I have recently joined the Pakwheels community. I am planning for a road trip from Karachi to Khunjerab pass in mid September with my family comprising of 4 adults (2 males, 2 females) and 2 children (2 year old and 11 months old) on my Honda City 1.3 Prosmatic 2017.

I have read many threads on Pakwheels' forums and based on that I have been able to devise a draft itenary (thanks to respected members and travel freaks in this community). The itenary is given below:

Day 1. Karachi to Bahwalpur (Honda City)
Day 2: Bahawalpur to Islamabad (Honda City)
Day 3: Stay in Islamabad
Day 4: Islamabad to Naran (Honda City)
Day 5: Stay in Naran
Day 6: Naran to Hunza via Babusar Top/Bypass and Chilas (Honda City)
Day 7: Stay in Hunza
Day 8: Hunza to Khunjerab pass (visit Attabad Lake, passu, sost). Return to Hunza if possible else stay at Passu/nearby. (Honda City)
Day 9: Stay in Hunza for mid day and reach Gilgit before sunset. (Honda City)
Day 10: Leave for Skardu via Astore (Jeep)
Day 11 & 12: Visit surroundings (Jeep)
Day 13: Return to Gilgit (Jeep)
Day 14: Return to Naran from Gilgit via Chilas and Babusar Top/Bypass (Honda City)
Day 15: Return to Islamabad from Naran (Honda City)
Day 16: Return to Bahawalpur from Islamabad (Honda City)
Day 17: Return to Karachi from Bahawalpur (Honda City)

I will be accompanied with 2 small kids and 2 females and that's the reason why I have spread the itenary over 17 days.

My question/concern is regarding the Naran to Chilas Route via Babusar bypass. I have read many threads however I am still confused that whether my Honda City will be able to make it to Chilas via Babusar due to its low ground clearance or not. Few of the threads I have gone through suggest that Honda City is a big NO on Babusar and Chilas roads and the other few suggest that it can make it EASILY. I would like to know the latest situation from all of you experts in this group.

Talking about my car, its a 1300 Automatic Transmission with 185/65 Dunlop sports LM703 tyres without any additional lifts/spacers installed. Talking about myself, I consider myself as an above average driver who likes doing long trips but at the same time doesn't rush into pot holes and very bumby roads. I have driven cars between cities in the past but it will be my first experience driving in these areas. Also to mention that the other male besides me also possesses above average driving capability.

Thanks in advance, looking forward for your valuable input.

Regards
Asad

[rajaahmed96]

City prosmatic can be under powered in these hilly areas.

[drtokir]

Plus the altitude and thin air will weaken the combustion further. Dont know how much of it can be compensated by using higher octane fuel. If you are just driving on tarmac and clearance/underpower not an issue then should be ok. Make sure you have newer tires since driving with kids. Also since you are during endurance driving, ensure there are no cooling issues and radiator, water pump in top notch shape.

[nagar1]

Bhai I have seen too many 600 CC cars on this route so don't worry about your car not being able to do it. Utrai pa brakes km se km use krne ki koshish kren other than that no issues at all. Han clearance ki wjase problems hoti hain city ko kunke jagha jagha lgti ha neeche

[t-link]

Big Big Yes.
Honda City definately Easily Manage all these Routes...

[pwuser153301981438]

I usually get high octane filled in my car or a mix of high octane and petrol. Not sure if I can get high octane in those areas easily. Like I mentioned I have installed dunlop lm703 tyres in my car which gives very nice grip even on wet roads and are relatively newer (21k driven till date)

[pwuser153301981438]

Thanks for the feedback. Even I think it can make it despite the combustion issue. Bas yeh confirm hojaye k lower ground clearance ki waja se koi major damage to nahi hojata. Honda city to karachi main bhi neche lagti hai coz of bad roads. Bas sensibly chalani parti hai.

[babaralinawab]

Brothet done the trip this year
Honda city 2006 civic 2013 both auto and both filled with 5 adults easily managed the trip no issues
All you need to do is watch when crossing potholes other than that no issue so far
The trip is easily manageable on the city

[nagar1]

Major damage koi ni hota bhai zara khuyal krna prta ha k chamber wghera mehfooz rahe

[awais-idrees]

No issues in taking your car. I've been there on my vitz 1999 model with low ground clearance. Just keep an eye on road especially when your are crossing waterfalls (be very careful while crossing waterfalls and glaciers, its better if the other male guides you while crossing them to avoid any damage from underneath as these waterfalls sometimes look easy but are deep in middle). Also keep some fuel (extra liters if you can safely do so, otherwise dont if you cant keep it safe in the car). Also keep good stock of eatery and water as you're accompanied by kids. Your brakes need to be in perfect shape get them serviced before you travel if required and if they are weak change the brake pads.
Below are few things which came in handy and i always keep it while travelling northern areas:

1. A good rope
2. A scissor, a knife and a cutter
3. Car registration book/card as you'll need it while returning from gilgit.
4. Basic medicines and first aid kit.
5. Spare wheel plus Tyre changing tools
6. Sunblock as gilgit and those areas are on height and sun burns are more likely in such situation so use sunblock whenever you're out in sun otherwise your skin will burn
7. Take sims of more than one network. Zong work in most of the areas and SCO network is specifically for that region but you'll only get its sim once you enter that region.
8. Also take warm clothes as night are colder.
9. Its good if you keep a cane of Mobile Oil to be on safer side in case you need to fuel it up.

I hope this helps you in your trip

[farooq05]

i travelled from karachi to khunjrab last year on Honda City and it was a perfect trip.. dont worry about your car as long as it is machnically fit.. your devised itenerary also looks perfect so go for it and come back with lots of pictures

[pwuser15329490228]

Thanks brother

[pwuser15329490228]

Ok great. Looking forward to the trip now.

[pwuser15329490228]

Thanks for the great advice and listing down important stuff. Will definitely take care of the waterfalls and glaciers. Isn't carrying fuel in the car dangerous? Unless you have a petrol storage container (I've heard its available in the market but that occupies space).

I'll get the oil, oil filter, air filter and break pads changed prior to my trip. Break pads are almost due as per honda showroom. If I'm getting all of the above changed do I still need to keep spare oil with me? I think I'm not gonna breach 5000kms.

[pwuser15329490228]

Sir do you have a honda city prosmatic? how was the experience on steep climbs and downhills? Any tips for keeping the car in shape throughout?

[awais-idrees]

Yes carrying petrol is dangerous thats why I said keep it only if you are double sure that its safe. Petrol is available in most of the region but thats from local agencies (agencies means selling petrol in a small shop) which will be costly as well as quality is compromised. Try to get tank refueled everytime you find a proper petrol pump. You will get petrol pump in Mansehra easily, In Naran as well, after chillas also, in Hunza and than mainly in gilgit and SOST. So be prepared accordingly. Keeping Mobile is not mondatory but still on a safe side keep a litre or 2 in a bottle, that might come handy. And again dont keep petrol if its not safe. And yes you're not gonna breach 5000kms.
At last have a safe journey and be safe. Fee Aman Allah

[farooq05]

i have manual model 2014.. going up and down no major or abnormal issues..most steep climb you will find at babusarpass from route chilas to babusarpas and you will need to just patiently drive and no need to to rush.. dont get impressed if anyone is driving faster than you.. when you are driving downhill, keep car in low gears and avoid using brakes too much.. you will find such instructions written on road side as well..

[farrukhzeeshan]

No need to use hi-octane. Just use regular fuel. If you have extra money to burn, better give in charity, will have inner satisfaction and reward on JDay.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Just came back last night from my Hunza/Ghizer tour. Seen hundreds of honda city on the way, probably every third car was honda city.

About ground clearance, city's ground clearance is 160mm+6.5mm (due to changed tyres), compared with 175mm of corolla, difference is only 8.5mm or 0.33 inch or 1/3rd of an inch.

Jaise sensibly aap Karachi me chalate hain, bas waise he wahan chlain to koi issue nahin, or logon ki baaton ma na aain or apna tour enjoy karain.

Drive with patience on potholes and glaciers.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Aala, dil khush howa aapka reply daikh kar,

warna yahan ziada tar log discourage karne wale hain