Which way to drive around the Karakorum HWY ???
 

Hi folks,

my fiance and me are planning a trip in a 4x4 from germany to australia via central and south asia. In the past it was the easiest way to take the Karakorum HWY down to india. Since we know that the road is blocked we are looking for another option to drive around.

Do you have an ideas?


If you are able to provide us prices for the following trips we would be very grateful as well:

Kyrgyzstan - Laos
Kyrgyzstan - China, Tibet, Nepal
Kyrgyzstan - China, Tibet, Nepal -> Laos

Mongolia - China -> Laos


Thank you very much.
Cheers
Thomas

If you are referring to the lake, it is possible to cross it. There are many boats for hire, look up lake Attabad.

I am travelliung in a Landcruiser and like to avoid the boats at lake Attabad. Any suggestions?

The alternative is to pay for the long route through China which will be expensive or air freight to Bishkek? The lake is definitely nerve wracking but they do take big trucks on it.

Boats are regularly crossing the lake with loaded trucks although the private boats are very basic. The government operated big crafts are a bit expensive plying at fixed times but certainly more reliable.

This year I might be crossing with my 500SEL.

Cheers
Omar

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...72378781_n.jpg
This boat we 'chartered' had 10 bikes on it...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...59730726_n.jpg
4x4 on a boat... loading would be daunting as there is no proper wharf or jetty, just loose soil to drive over onto the planks..

or this option...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...26316688_n.jpg

but beware..
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...77110236_n.jpg


where we loaded the bikes..
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...51378385_n.jpg

unloading..
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...54849238_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...62984828_n.jpg

Lol you got us canoodling. We must've been amusing the locals!

I'd be interested to see what the place looks like now. Have the intrepid boat guys graded the loading areas better? Has the water receded at all?

Such a beautiful place.

Loading a bike on a ferry like shown on your incredible pics seems to be quite hard and I guess a car can be even harder. I was wondering if there have been any reports about sinking ships and lost cars?
How long was the boat trip?
How much is it?
Is that the military ferry with trucks on it?
Does a Landcruiser HZJ75 fit on the little boats, didn´t find any reports?

Cheers
Thomas

Loading a bike on a ferry like shown on your incredible pics seems to be quite hard and I guess a car can be even harder. I was wondering if there have been any reports about sinking ships and lost cars?

---------------------- don't know what the situation is now... the lake is shrinking.. perhaps they have made better provision like a jetty? I doubt it.. I think it is pot luck of trying to get the best place to load/unload. You could ask 20 people there and get 20 different answers. I have read of boats and trucks going down..see pic 4

How long was the boat trip?

------------------- 2 hours

How much is it?

------------------- I think it cost us $20 per person+bike... you turn up and barter... depends on all sorts of factors.. whether they like you, how many boats are free... what the weather is doing.... how many people it will take to help load the vehicle... the risk to their boat... etc

Is that the military ferry with trucks on it?

-------------------dunno, hope someone else could answer that one..

Does a Landcruiser HZJ75 fit on the little boats, didn´t find any reports?

------------------- There were three full overlanding bikes parked horizontally to the lay of the boat. If your wheelbase is the same as that width, then probably, yes- see second picture...

A few answers,
Yes last month a truck drowned when the inadequately anchored boat moved while the truck was disembarking. Drivers had to jump in the freezing waters. Truck and the cargo were lost but people saved. Video is available.
The big ferry is government owned and much safer and sophisticated, though a bit expensive. I would recommend that.
The lake has shrunk by around 10 kms due to blasting of spillway and now Gulmit is its other end.

I can give contacts of credible locals if anyone needs the latest situation.
This summer I will be there with my teenaged children who are insisting to go to KKH again.

Cheers
Omar