Trip to Gilgit (then Karimabad) from Islamabad in middle of July 2018

[pwuser152883331466]

AOA Friends,
I am planning a trip to Gilgit (and then Karimabad)with family in mid of July this year IA. I 'd like to go by car to enjoy the natural beauty we have in our country IA.
So far, I have found out that there are two routes:

1) Islamabad --> Mansehra --> Besham --> Chilas --> Gilgit --> Karimabad
2) Islamabd --> Abbotabad --> Kagan/Naran --> Babusar Pass --> Chilas --> Gilgit --> Karimabad

I'd like to understand, please, if some of you have done one or the other route please? Have a few questions:

1) Based on the current road conditions and experience, how long are these routes (1-way) please?
2) Along the route (1st or second), what are the places to stop please?

JZK for all your help.
regards
-Asim

[farrukhzeeshan]

I travelled on both the routes, route 2 i.e via Naran>Babusar is short, better road, more scenic...Its almost 600 km from islamabad, but please keep in mind, in those areas distance doesn't matter, its the travel time which counts. As you may have to drive at 20kmh at some places.

I recommend to skip Gilgit and go directly to Hunza, gilgit will be too hot and nothing much to see.

Regarding the travel time and what are the best places to stop, it depends on following:
How many days you have?
How many drivers/how long you can drive continousely?
If you have kids with you?
How many places you have seen already along the route?

There are too many threads on this same trip and route, I suggest you to go through them, make some notes, plan the the days and stopovers and then share here, so members can review and give their suggestions.

[haroonmcs26]

جولائی 2017 اور گلگت بلتستان

السلام علیکم۔ ہارون الرشید آپ کی خدمت میں ایک اور روئیداد سفر کے ساتھ حاضر خدمت۔ گزشتہ سال 2016 میں جب کچھ وجوہات کی بناء پر میں اپنا گلگت بلتستان کا ٹور نامکمل چھوڑ کا واپس آ گیا تو دل بہت اداس تھا بلکہ بہت زیادہ افسوس بھی تھا کہ اتنی لمبی منصوبہ بندی کے بعد بھی ٹور مکمل نہ ہو سکا تو واپس آ کر دل میں ارادہ کر لیا تھا کہ جب جولائی 2017 میں دفتر سے چھٹیاں ملیں گی تو ضرور اس سفر کو مکمل کروں گا۔ پورا سال وہاں کے حسین مناظر آنکھوں میں گھومتے رہتے تھے۔ رفیق زندگی کو بھی اس بات کی شکایت رہتی تھی کہ آ…

[pwuser152883331466]

Thanks Farrukh. I will stroll through the other topics.
you read my mind on skipping gilgit. I will proceed to Hunza directly IA.
PLanning on spending 2.5 days/2 nights each way to Hunza valley and spending 3-4 days in Hunza.

would you be kind enough to share drive times and stops (when you made the trip) on the Babusar route please?

Thanks
-Asim

[pwuser152883331466]

Thanks Haroon. I will go through your post as well IA>

[Chaudhry2]

[Chaudhry2]

Mr Asim, it's a clear Map with travel distance, hope it will help u planning ur tour..

[pwuser152883331466]

JZK Chaudhry Sahab. Very kind of you and that's exactly what I needed. You read my mind, my friend.

A couple of quick questions:
1) How recent are these times? That is, were these times put in 2 moths back, 6 months back, 1 year back etc
2) I see some of the places as highlighted. What is the significance of the places that are highlighted? Are these destinations you recommend people to stop?
Thanks
-Asim

[pwuser152883331466]

@Chaudhry2 AOA, if you would be kind enough to reply, I'd appreciate it.
JZK.
-Asim