Planning GB trip, need advise about Ashura Days

[an_asif]

Dear ones,

I am planning a trip to GB with my wife leaving home on 8th Muharram. Plan is to reach GB on 10th Muharram evening. Is it safe to travel this whole long distance on 9th and 10th Muharram with family? Especially crossing Babusar, Chilas and all the way up to Gilgit?

Looking forward to your kind guidance, guys.

Best regards,

Asif

[ahmedstudio]

There will be lots of checkpoints and they'll waste your time, that's the only thing to be concerned about.

[an_asif]

I see, then I better delay my trip for at least 2 days.

Thanks for the guidance bro.

[ahmedstudio]

Yes. Correct decision.

[Aqeel1982]

It depends which part of GB you going. I was in Hunza on 9th and 10th Moharram because we didn't know the religious demographics of the area. Anyway on 9th of Moharram we were going from Gilgit to Khunjrab and infront of us there were Ashura processions were going on and the good thing is that when people saw there are 5-10 tourists cars were lined up behind them, so the organizers asked everybody to be on one side and let us pass through, I was really impressed by this gesture because we don't see this kind of response in our areas. The main Ashura Jaloos areas are Minapin and Ganish, rest of the area was not problem at all. if you still plan the trip to go, i think you will be ok.

[an_asif]

It depends which part of GB you going. I was in Hunza on 9th and 10th Moharram because we didn't know the religious demographics of the area. Anyway on 9th of Moharram we were going from Gilgit to Khunjrab and infront of us there were Ashura processions were going on and the good thing is that when people saw there are 5-10 tourists cars were lined up behind them, so the organizers asked everybody to be on one side and let us pass through, I was really impressed by this gesture because we don't see this kind of response in our areas. The main Ashura Jaloos areas are Minapin and Ganish, rest of the area was not problem at all. if you still plan the trip to go, i think you will be ok.

So there will be no problem on main N5 / KKH road from Naran to Gilgit because mostly processions occur in the main city areas and not on highways. Is that so?

[andaparatha]

highways will not be a problem
just ask beforehand (reaching your destination) where the processions in the city are taking place.. they dont go on all day... they close the bazaar for a couple of hours.. after zuhr (maybe asar namaz) the bazar and jaloos routes are open!
all the best

[an_asif]

I have talked to 2 guys from GB and they tell that they block the entry to Gilgit city for visitors till at least 11 pm on 10th Moharram so its better to arrive in Gilgit on 11th

[hnawaz]

Assalam-u-Alykum,

Its good and wise decision you postponed your travel, as per my knowledge and as told by your guys from GB, it will be closed and you will face blockages time to time, better travel in normal days.

Takecare

[andaparatha]

so glad you asked locals
better to postpone trip

and i hope other travellers going in that area see this before they leave