Islamabad - Karakorum on Sep 2012 - security?

[Garrett]

Hi!

We are four italians guys that started a trip by car from Italy through russia - mongolia - china - tibet - nepal - India - Pakistan - China - Kirghizistan etc...

We will be at Indian/Pakistan border about on 5 Sep, then we'll move to Islamabad - KKH - China

Anyone of you has been here in last months? How about the security in this area for european travellers? I've done search on this forum but I've found only very old thread, nothing recent...


Thank you!

Andrea

[Omie]

Many groups of our members travelled on the KKH lately as did European and Australian bikers. It is safe although the asphalt isnt in a very good shape.
At certain places the police makes convoys to escort them.

Cheers
Omar

Originally Posted by Garrett

Hi!

We are four italians guys that started a trip by car from Italy through russia - mongolia - china - tibet - nepal - India - Pakistan - China - Kirghizistan etc...

We will be at Indian/Pakistan border about on 5 Sep, then we'll move to Islamabad - KKH - China

Anyone of you has been here in last months? How about the security in this area for european travellers? I've done search on this forum but I've found only very old thread, nothing recent...


Thank you!

Andrea

[Al Goodridge]

We travelled the KKH in August 2012, entering Pakistan at Wagah through to China. We experienced nothing but warmth, kindness and generosity from the local people. The police are generally friendly and helpful to tourists and will give you an escort if they feel it is required anywhere.

[Fern]

I am currently in Gilgit. Speaking to local officals, cops and tour guides, the consensus isL

Apparently the convoys have ended and potential for violence has subsided, but the biggest risk is to buses. There are still lots of people stranded waiting to fly, but this is Shias, who were targetted on that bus attack, who are too scared to come back to Islamabad by bus.

Gilgit is swarming with checkpoints, at most junctions but feels fairly safe

Obviously this is a fluid situation.

Might see you going the opposite direction!

Ciao

Fern

[Hemuli]

I am currently in Skardu. Magnificient road from Kilgit (book a whole day for this road)!
Few checkpoints here and there, in some places you need to write down your passport and visa numbers. People are really friendly everywhere over here.

You will see guns, but people are great!

-Hemuli

[Fern]

today feels different.

Met two couples in Chilas who had tried the Babosar pass but told its now closed to foreigners due to 7 robberies in one day. One solo biker got through though.

South of Chilas I was plagued with police escorts. Some were boy soldiers on 125cc, some in pick up but had to kick up a fuss to not be lumped with the buses. Some let me ride ahead and realised I was quick and stopped.

Lost count of checkpoints. Got spat on by road workers in Dasu and now in Besham where The police are going nuts because I have no NOC letter. I was sure it wasn't needed for the KKH. Im stopping here now and I'm under curfew. Can't go into town without police escort. The ptdc want 4000 rupees per room so I'm camping in the garden for 500.

[Omie]

Originally Posted by Fern

today feels different.

Met two couples in Chilas who had tried the Babosar pass but told its now closed to foreigners due to 7 robberies in one day. One solo biker got through though.

South of Chilas I was plagued with police escorts. Some were boy soldiers on 125cc, some in pick up but had to kick up a fuss to not be lumped with the buses. Some let me ride ahead and realised I was quick and stopped.

Lost count of checkpoints. Got spat on by road workers in Dasu and now in Besham where The police are going nuts because I have no NOC letter. I was sure it wasn't needed for the KKH. Im stopping here now and I'm under curfew. Can't go into town without police escort. The ptdc want 4000 rupees per room so I'm camping in the garden for 500.

I presume you are in Besham PTDC. Unfortunately the balsphemy issue is too thorny and sensitive currently, particularly for people with US passports. Wrong time to do the Thakot-Chillas section.

Please follow the police instructions, they are doing it for your safety.
I hope it gets resolved soon.
Cheers

[niello8]

We just arrived in Islamabad last night, 2 Americans, 2germans, 2 poles, & 2 spaniards. Most of the way from chilas was with heavily armed police escort. It was slow with that & all of the checkpoints so it took 2 days (including our attempt at the babusar pass - police turned us back, see fern's info) but everyone was friendly including the police & military. That crap film is causing a lot of unrest, we rode by a massive protest in Haripur past abbottabad. Getting into Islamabad was tough with a roadblock & bad traffic but we managed. We were advised to follow the advice of the police & for the most part this serves us well.

Also with the sectarian incidents, gilgit is pretty locked down. We had to go there for ATM (via a bouncing footbridge!) I wouldn't stay there, or go in unless you have to. Too time consuming & much nicer places in the countryside

Enjoy the KKH, it's amaaaaazing! Kyrgyzstan too, wow.

[fraserbyrne]

How you guys and girls getting on? What terrible timing for that naff film eh.

[Fern]

no bother really at all. I went and stayed in Murree for 4 nights, and avoided the protests there. Nothing major.

Normal life has resumed.

Rode into the diplomatic compound today to pick up my Indian visa. No security checks whatsoever.

[JoeSheffer]

Such a shame this is happening on the kkh. Used to be such a trouble free, pleasurable place to spend time.

[niello8]

Lahore was fine a couple days ago. & we had a fantastic visit with the guys from the Pakistan Bikers Club!

[dubsvibes]

Hi all,

Very interesting thread.

I have a question: I read that more than one year ago the possibility of getting Pakistanese visas on arrival at Sost was stopped.

Do you know what is the situation now?

That would save some hassles while coming from China.

Thanks!

Sebastien.