Need help for trip to Gilgit Skardu with my family

[aarish]

@fraz87: Loved your signature I'm sure you read it behind a passenger coach.

[awais-idrees]

aoa
I would also like to add a couple of cents, as I went to Naran on my 2002 vitz list week. the road is really good throughout the way, except a couple of bad patches due to landsliding or springs. but they are also not too bad and you can make it with a bit of care. I mean, your car will touch the rocks at some places, but it won't be any worse than an average speed hump in Lahore.

you can easily reach Naran in 11 to 12 hours from Lahore. We left from Lahore at round 5:45 and reached Naran before sunset. and consumed a little more than one full tank of fuel. I was travelling with 4 adults and my three years old daughter.

Thats a great piece of information i must say. I think i should stick to Naraan, kaghan and side ways this time and spare Gilgit etc for next time where the car can make some issue, right bro?

[awais-idrees]

I don't have any idea about the plane fare. There are several bus operators between Gilgit and Rawalindi like Natco, K-2 Tours etc., but unfortunately I don't know about their fares either. If you're flying to Gilgit and going only to Naltar and Hunza, these destinations are within a couple of hours of drive from Gilgit. If going to Skardu, it is around 6 to
7 hrs drive from Gilgit.

@aarish: thats too long for one week trip. I am thinking to stick to Naraan, Kaghan this time and spare Gilgit for next time. I think this would be good, right?

[awais-idrees]

PIA one way fare is Rs 7008 / head for Gilgit

@fraz87, if its really Rs 7008 including tax than i think its not a big issue to go by plane rather than getting tired for a whole day and night on bus. what do you say?

[gorkan]

Thats a great piece of information i must say. I think i should stick to Naraan, kaghan and side ways this time and spare Gilgit etc for next time where the car can make some issue, right bro?

I am not sure about Gilgit side, haven't been there for several years. But from comments of experienced members it looks like it won't be a good idea to take your car there.

but the drive to Naran it self is a very enjoyable experience, with the amazing sceneries throughout the way and the kunhar river flowing along with the road.

btw, make sure you make good use of 2 and L settings of your vitz while going down the slopes and use brakes as less as possible. Relying only on brakes will overheat them and make them less effective when you need them most. I am sure you are aware of this.

[aarish]

@aarish: thats too long for one week trip. I am thinking to stick to Naraan, Kaghan this time and spare Gilgit for next time. I think this would be good, right?

A trip to Naran will give you a lot more liberty in terms of planning and organizing as it is far less hectic. You'll be able to take your car there with a relative ease and would have a lot more time there to enjoy with many attractive destinations at short jeep-drives. So I'm all for it. Do make advance reservations in some good hotel there. I don't have any numbers though.

[awais-idrees]

I am not sure about Gilgit side, haven't been there for several years. But from comments of experienced members it looks like it won't be a good idea to take your car there.

but the drive to Naran it self is a very enjoyable experience, with the amazing sceneries throughout the way and the kunhar river flowing along with the road.

btw, make sure you make good use of 2 and L settings of your vitz while going down the slopes and use brakes as less as possible. Relying only on brakes will overheat them and make them less effective when you need them most. I am sure you are aware of this.

@gorkan, thanks a lot man. Really appreciate your help. I am definitely going on my car now and till Kaghan, Naraan only because further to that location is not safe on own vehicle in terms of both safety and security. Aside from this, what do you suggest that how many days should I spend there and to which place we visit first and which one last and also how are the hotels and fares of rooms plus jeeps there? Do you think 50k-60k would be enough for one week?

[awais-idrees]

A trip to Naran will give you a lot more liberty in terms of planning and organizing as it is far less hectic. You'll be able to take your car there with a relative ease and would have a lot more time there to enjoy with many attractive destinations at short jeep-drives. So I'm all for it. Do make advance reservations in some good hotel there. I don't have any numbers though.

@aarish. Thanks bro. What would be the fare of one double bed room in a good family hotel and what would the jeeps charge for different locations as all of us know that this is the peak season and the fares will be on its peak. Please give me an idea of fares of rooms and jeeps. An name some good hotels as well.

[sbaluch]

Dear Awais, I was in Naran last week, with wife & 4 children, but in our Pajero. As earlier mentioned by another colleague, Naran is accessible via car but have to be careful at atleast 4 places where your Vitz will hit the floor owing to sliding & gushing waters of the melting snow. But its true that once you will sight Kunhar River besides the road, you will forget all your travel exhaustion! Beyond Naran going towards Jalkhad is again tough for cars at atleast 2 places & it used to bleed my heart the way your Lahori colleagues used to drive over rocks! Naran hotels & food outlets have a black marketing policy varying week by week, e.g., STC Hotel (which accommodates families only) charges less than Rs2000/night before 5 June & doubles its rate every 10 days until just before Ramazan, it would be charging 10,000/night. This policy is followed by almost all hotels & food outlets. Hence more you will delay, more expensive it will be. Availability of rooms is another issue. They have rooms but exploit your inability to return & wont reduce rate. They know you have come from Lahore & cant return so fleece them! In order to avoid this attitude I went early by advance booking. I paid 2000/night for a room which was really worth 2000 only. I booked in advance by depositing in the hotel's account from Islamabad. Going & coming down from Lake Saif Ul Muluk is a ride out of this world! Its so much fun that its indescribable & I believe its one of the most unique jeep rides in the world. Leave as early as possible (7-8 am) to avoid the rush of hundreds of jeeps going up & down. With regards to its fair, exploitation is again popular with them. Early season its 1500, mid season its 2000 & later even 2500-3000 per full jeep. Since you are two, you could pair with another couple to cut down on cost or you could even book full jeep. You should demand for atleast 2 hrs stay at Lake in your price. As the drivers make 2 trips / day of the Lake, hence they are always in a hurry to bring you back. There is loads of stuff about Naran but with you newly married & having a week in hand, I would recommend Kaghan Valley rather than Baltistan. If you have any particular questions with regards to hotels contacts, food, fueling, stopovers, I would be glad to answer them further but first firm your plan.

[gorkan]

@aarish. Thanks bro. What would be the fare of one double bed room in a good family hotel and what would the jeeps charge for different locations as all of us know that this is the peak season and the fares will be on its peak. Please give me an idea of fares of rooms and jeeps. An name some good hotels as well.

the rates differ from hotel to hotel and more so depending upon the demand and time of the season. we spent one night in hotel lenox and paid 3500/night for a double bed room. and we spent second night at the the lake, there is one hotel there as well, but it's not that good, and it's rent was 2000.

I have a friend there who runs an adventure club by the name paramount adventure club. he helped me a lot in arranging the room and transport. I will pm you their facebook page.

[aarish]

@aarish. Thanks bro. What would be the fare of one double bed room in a good family hotel and what would the jeeps charge for different locations as all of us know that this is the peak season and the fares will be on its peak. Please give me an idea of fares of rooms and jeeps. An name some good hotels as well.

I think your questions about accommodation have been well-addressed by @sbaluch and @gorkan. As far as jeep fares are concerned, I plead ignorance once again, because I was driving a 4x4 (Alhamdolillah) when I went there the last time.

[awais-idrees]

Dear Awais, I was in Naran last week, with wife & 4 children, but in our Pajero. As earlier mentioned by another colleague, Naran is accessible via car but have to be careful at atleast 4 places where your Vitz will hit the floor owing to sliding & gushing waters of the melting snow. But its true that once you will sight Kunhar River besides the road, you will forget all your travel exhaustion! Beyond Naran going towards Jalkhad is again tough for cars
at atleast 2 places & it used to bleed my heart the way your Lahori colleagues used to drive over rocks! Naran hotels & food outlets have a black marketing policy varying week by week, e.g., STC Hotel (which accommodates families only) charges less than Rs2000/night before 5 June & doubles its rate every 10 days until just before Ramazan, it would be charging 10,000/night. This policy is followed by almost all hotels & food outlets. Hence more you will delay, more expensive it will be. Availability of rooms is another issue. They have rooms but exploit your inability to return & wont reduce rate. They know you have come from Lahore & cant return so fleece them! In order to avoid this attitude I went early by advance booking. I paid 2000/night for a room which was really worth 2000 only. I booked in advance by depositing in the hotel's account from Islamabad. Going & coming down from Lake Saif Ul Muluk is a ride out of this world! Its so much fun that its indescribable & I believe its one of the most unique jeep rides in the world. Leave as early as possible (7-8 am) to avoid the rush of hundreds of jeeps going up & down. With regards to its fair, exploitation is again popular with them. Early season its 1500, mid season its 2000 & later even 2500-3000 per full jeep. Since you are two, you could pair with another couple to cut down on cost or you could even book full jeep. You should demand for atleast 2 hrs stay at Lake in your price. As the drivers make 2 trips / day of the Lake, hence they are always in a hurry to bring you back. There is loads of stuff about Naran but with you newly married & having a week in hand, I would recommend Kaghan Valley rather than Baltistan. If you have any particular questions with regards to hotels contacts, food, fueling, stopovers, I would be glad to answer them further but first firm your plan.

@sbaluch, so nice of you sir. Your reply is so helpful. I will get back to you after deciding all plan plus the days in hand and dates also. Thanks a lot for the help once again.

[awais-idrees]

the rates differ from hotel to hotel and more so depending upon the demand and time of the season. we spent one night in hotel lenox and paid 3500/night for a double bed room. and we spent second night at the the lake, there is one hotel there as well, but it's not that good, and it's rent was 2000.

I have a friend there who runs an adventure club by the name paramount adventure club. he helped me a lot in arranging the room and transport. I will pm you their facebook page.

@gorkan, please do so and get me some numbers and names of hotels if possible. Thanks

[awais-idrees]

I think your questions about accommodation have been well-addressed by @sbaluch and @gorkan. As far as jeep fares are concerned, I plead ignorance once again, because I was driving a 4x4 (Alhamdolillah) when I went there the last time.

@aarish, no problem dear. I have plenty of information now. Thanks to all Pak wheelers who helped me.

[Fraz87]

@Fraz87, if its really Rs 7008 including tax than i think its not a big issue to go by plane rather than getting tired for a whole day and night on bus. what do you say?

its inclusive of everything brother, but flights are often not operated due to bad weather at gilgit. u may have to wait for days if the weathers not good, as uve got limited time i suggest u stick to Naran area only.

[Fraz87]

@Fraz87: Loved your signature I'm sure you read it behind a passenger coach.

yes boss

[kashif]

On the itinerary: Like @ranasherdil has suggested, you better take a flight to Gilgit OR Skardu and explore the areas. But if you're still adamant on taking a road-trip against all this advice, I would also suggest to you to got to Gilgit and Hunza and leave Skardu for some other day, once again agreeing with @ranasherdil.

Agreeing with @Xoofi, I would suggest that you explore Galliat on your first day, but instead of spending too much time there, you should try to reach at least the PTDC in Chattar Plain for the first night, which would reduce your further travel time to Chilas on Day 2, because you should reach Chilas before dark, and I know that if you would start from Abbottabad in Vitz, you'll be pressed for time in the last leg of your journey to Chilas. Day 3 reach Hunza. Day 4 explore Hunza and Attabad Lake. Day 5 Drive to Gilgit, hire a jeep to Naltar valley and come back to Gilgit for overnight. Day 5 reach PTDC Barseen for the night. Day 6 reach Abbottabad or Islamabad (depending upon your driving speed), Day 7 reach back Lahore.

In my view it is the best advice u must opt if u don't want to go by air

[awais-idrees]

In my view it is the best advice u must opt if u don't want to go by air

@kashif, u r right bro

[s.z.bhatti]

Is there any recent update on this route after 5 years? Road condition, is it worth it to try on 1000CC car now or things are still the same as per your last comment? Any information would be appreciated...

[nagar1]

Till gilgit no issues going in a car. Even till khunjerab border it is easily accessible in a car. for skardu, as the road renovation is in progress , it takes around 10-11 hrs due to frequent stoppages. Road will be made by December 2019.