Travel gurus

[ihsan]

Salaam,
I need help regarding our trip in June, From Hyderabad to khunjerab Pass Via a Van.
Some Questions, Can we make it till Khunjerab in a Van, will it be Safe?
Any Info About Road Condition?

[aesiege]

I want to visit Hunza & onwards till Khunjrab... Is April end right time as i have leaves available a that time ?

Even if u are not able to reach Khunjrab still try to attempt the route. Spring will be at full blossom in Hunza and Nagar ... it is a trip in itself Try to explore Sumayyar Valley ... not many people go there

From Passu and Sost onwards, the snow covered views will be unique and awesome. And if u are able to reach Khunjrab then it will be mega bonus. They normally declare to open KKH on 1 April but it depends on weather. Chinese are heavily concentrating on completion of KKH and its tunnels, bridges etc. so i expect them to clear the road as early as possible.

[aesiege]

AOA,
I am planning a trip with my wife for Swat valley. First I need to know about road situation and then any good hotels and restaurants that are family safe. Also Please suggest an itinerary for 1 week to 10 days. I don't know any POIs in Swat valley or on its way. Please suggest what you feel suitable.

Will like to include Ushu valley, Utror valley and Mahodand lake.

Additional Information:
Dates: April 25-May 5, 2014
Transport: Spectra or Cultus
Persons: 2
Days 7-10

Wiaitng for expert opinion

WA !!

First of all, Swat is totally safe for family trips as thousands of people are visiting now.

Day 1: White Palace Marghzar. Is is a short drive away from Mingora
Day 2: Malam Jabba, famous ski spot
Day 3: Miandam, peaceful hill station for which u need to take diversion on main Kalam road
Day 4: Kalam
Day 5: Try to explore Ushu forest and way ahead but i think u will not be able to reach Mahudand on vehicles due to glaciers
Day 6: Explore Utror Valley
Day 7: Mingora, Spend time on river side in Fizagat
Day 8: Return

Road is in pathetic condition after Madyan on Kalam road and takes lots of time to reach Kalam. Keep estimate of 5-6 hrs from Mingora to Kalam. It will be off season and u can easily find good hotels in Kalam as there are quite a few.

[aesiege]

Salaam,
I need help regarding our trip in June, From Hyderabad to khunjerab Pass Via a Van.
Some Questions, Can we make it till Khunjerab in a Van, will it be Safe?
Any Info About Road Condition?

Yes, u can do it in van and reach till Khunjrab Pass. Few points to keep in mind:

• Its all good road till Thakot bridge.
• Road between Thakot and Raikot bridge ahead of Chilas is patchy and at some places quite bad actually.
• Road ahead of Raikot bridge is brand new and recently carpeted till Atabad Lake.
• You need to take your vehicle across Atabad Lake on boats
• Continue journey to Khunjrab on new road

[ihsan]

So we can take van through Babusar Top?

[generallee]

WA !!

First of all, Swat is totally safe for family trips as thousands of people are visiting now.

Day 1: White Palace Marghzar. Is is a short drive away from Mingora
Day 2: Malam Jabba, famous ski spot
Day 3: Miandam, peaceful hill station for which u need to take diversion on main Kalam road
Day 4: Kalam
Day 5: Try to explore Ushu forest and way ahead but i think u will not be able to reach Mahudand on vehicles due to glaciers
Day 6: Explore Utror Valley
Day 7: Mingora, Spend time on river side in Fizagat
Day 8: Return

Road is in pathetic condition after Madyan on Kalam road and takes lots of time to reach Kalam. Keep estimate of 5-6 hrs from Mingora to Kalam. It will be off season and u can easily find good hotels in Kalam as there are quite a few.

Thank you for the detailed information. Really appreciated.

About the road condition, can cars go? Time is no problem as long as I can take my own car. I have heard only jeeps can reach Kalam

[emmaar]

Thank you for the detailed information. Really appreciated.

About the road condition, can cars go? Time is no problem as long as I can take my own car. I have heard only jeeps can reach Kalam

As mentioned by @aesiege that road condition is pathetic after Madyan, so it is advised to leave the car before Madyan/Bahren. Even after reaching the kalam, one have to take jeep for next destinations(utror, ushu) so, then why not leave the car before kalam.

[generallee]

As mentioned by @aesiege that road condition is pathetic after Madyan, so it is advised to leave the car before Madyan/Bahren. Even after reaching the kalam, one have to take jeep for next destinations(utror, ushu) so, then why not leave the car before kalam.

Oh OK. In that case I can take Daewoo bus till Mingora. From there go to Malam Jabba one day and on Day 2 go to White Palace and then head to Kalam on Jeep. In Kalam everything will be done on jeep so no point leaving the car unsafe in Mingora or Bahrain.

[generallee]

Is it worth it to go up till Bahrain on car and then park the car in some hotel and rent a jeep to go to Kalam, spend 3 days there are come back to Bahrain and pick up the car to back to Islamabad?

Or going to Mingora by Daewoo is a better option? I can then stay at Mingora or Fizagat for one day and leave for Kalam the next day.

Please share any good Driver information for going from Mingora to Kalam, then to Atror, Mahudand and Ushu and finally heading back to Mingora.

Traveling with wife.

Travel Gurus

[aesiege]

Is it worth it to go up till Bahrain on car and then park the car in some hotel and rent a jeep to go to Kalam, spend 3 days there are come back to Bahrain and pick up the car to back to Islamabad?

Or going to Mingora by Daewoo is a better option? I can then stay at Mingora or Fizagat for one day and leave for Kalam the next day.

Please share any good Driver information for going from Mingora to Kalam, then to Atror, Mahudand and Ushu and finally heading back to Mingora.

Traveling with wife.

Travel Gurus

Many people do that. You can drive till Bahrain and hire a jeep or car for Kalam. This will be easier journey for u as u r travelling with family.

[generallee]

Many people do that. You can drive till Bahrain and hire a jeep or car for Kalam. This will be easier journey for u as u r travelling with family.

ok. So people can leave cars on the road unattended? Is it safe?
Also can I hire a driver for entire trip from Mingora to Malam Jabba then Bahrain, Kalam, Atror, Mahudand and Ushu and finally back to Mingora?

What will be the costs if it is possible?

[asifcae]

Is it worth it to go up till Bahrain on car and then park the car in some hotel and rent a jeep to go to Kalam, spend 3 days there are come back to Bahrain and pick up the car to back to Islamabad?

Or going to Mingora by Daewoo is a better option? I can then stay at Mingora or Fizagat for one day and leave for Kalam the next day.

Please share any good Driver information for going from Mingora to Kalam, then to Atror, Mahudand and Ushu and finally heading back to Mingora.

Traveling with wife.

Travel Gurus

first option is better ... leave car at behrain and travel ahead.... 3 dayz r enuf for kalam region

[generallee]

first option is better ... leave car at behrain and travel ahead.... 3 dayz r enuf for kalam region

Great! So can I book jeep or any other car from Behrain to Kalam (Ushu Mahodand - Atror - Garbal) and then back to Behrain?

This way, I can follow the following plan:

Day 1: Islamabad to Mingora on car and (Stay in Mingora)

Day 2: Go to Malam Jabba and then to Maragzar on car and in the evening leave for Behrain (Stay in Behrain)

Day 3: Leave Car in Behrain. Travel to Kalam on Jeep (Stay at Kalam)

Day 4: Visit Ushu - Mahodand and Atror (possibly Garbal)

Day 5: Take rest in Kalam and Leave for Behrain

Day 6: Leave for Islamabad

Da

[aesiege]

ok. So people can leave cars on the road unattended? Is it safe?
Also can I hire a driver for entire trip from Mingora to Malam Jabba then Bahrain, Kalam, Atror, Mahudand and Ushu and finally back to Mingora?

What will be the costs if it is possible?

No, don't leave it unattended. Ask the driver for some hotel to park your car in their garage/parking area. They will charge some parking fees for no. of days.

Margzar + Malam Jabba + Bahrain in one day may be a little tough. Better stay in Margzar on first day then visit Malam Jabba and continue ahead on next day.

[asifcae]

similarly day 4 is next to iompossible in one day as well...... i think u shud vsit mahudand and ushu in one day and then utror side the next day. no use of rest day in kalam .......

[generallee]

similarly day 4 is next to iompossible in one day as well...... i think u shud vsit mahudand and ushu in one day and then utror side the next day. no use of rest day in kalam .......

Yes you are right..
Thanks

[madCYRUS]

Gurus, when does Babusar Pass opens for 4x4s??? Any guess?

[mansoor_qadir]

We parked two cars @ a hotel at behrain for Rs 50/car/day....

ok. So people can leave cars on the road unattended? Is it safe?
Also can I hire a driver for entire trip from Mingora to Malam Jabba then Bahrain, Kalam, Atror, Mahudand and Ushu and finally back to Mingora?

What will be the costs if it is possible?

[Shahbazzain]

Gurus, when does Babusar Pass opens for 4x4s??? Any guess?

around June end (depends on amount of snowfall)

[ihsan]

We are planning to visit gilgit,via astore,shangrila route from june 03 , need info about:
1. Will babusar top be open?
2. Security concerns?
3. Jeep, Hotel rents/ expenses?
4. which mobile network operate there?
5. Is EVO wireless working?
6. Which Points to Visit from Babusar Pass, Astore, Skardu, Chilas, Gilgit till Karimabad?