Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
Karakoram Highway Kashgar to Islamabad Karakoram Highway Kashgar to Islamabad
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Nov 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6
Advice Please Karakoram Highway Kashgar to Islamabad
Hi Everyone

I hope you can help.

A group of us ( 5 ) plan to use the Karakoram Highway to take us from Kyrgyzstan to India in early August 2012.

As we are at the early stages of planning, can someone advise what the cost of a guide (hopefully we would only need one) might be and the length of time we would this guide ?

Also has anyone any recommendations as to a good guide company.

I have read some of the posts on here and I know that the highway is flooded at Karimabad, but boats are available, is the cost of $100 per boat still the going rate?

Thanks
Last edited by Juliet_Papa; 1 Dec 2011 at 17:35.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 113
KG to IN via PAK
Hi Juliet,

I've just ridden from Kyrgyzstan to India along this route. The below two threads should have all the info you need, incl two recommended agents to contact in Kashgar and who actually work together. Re price your best bet is to contact them. Good old inflation. But to give you a rough idea, the cost is equivalent to long haul flight somewhere, though this can be split between your group. You only need one vehicle (guide and driver): 1 afternoon from KG border to Kashgar, 2-3 days rest there, then a day's drive to Tashkurgan and over the border the next day.

The cost of the 1.5hr fishing boat north of Karimabad is only around $10 per bike + person. You can fit two bikes on the front of each boat. They leave as and when, so just turn up early and wait half an hour or so.

Happy planning.

Bob
Delhi

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...crossing-58993

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-info-re-60011
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Dec 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6
Thumbs up Thanks
Bob

Thank you very much for your detailed and informative response.


Top man

Keep safe

John
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Dec 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Hi John,

Please keep posting here if your plans stay unchanged.
I am at the moment planning different options and should know my plans withing next few weeks. One option could be to go same route roughly at the same time, so maybe we can share this cost.
Never know what happens with Iran, so this might be the only way to get to India from central europe.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juliet_Papa View Post
Hi Everyone

I hope you can help.

A group of us ( 5 ) plan to use the Karakoram Highway to take us from Kyrgyzstan to India in early August 2012.

As we are at the early stages of planning, can someone advise what the cost of a guide (hopefully we would only need one) might be and the length of time we would this guide ?

Also has anyone any recommendations as to a good guide company.

I have read some of the posts on here and I know that the highway is flooded at Karimabad, but boats are available, is the cost of $100 per boat still the going rate?

Thanks
Hi Juliet,
They charge US$100 for transporting 4 wheelers accross the lake. For bikes they charge around $ 10 only.
Have a nice trip.
Cheers

Omar
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
Quote:
Originally Posted by luckro View Post
I've just ridden from Kyrgyzstan to India along this route.
Just out of interest: roughly from where to where is the KKH open each year (..at least I have been under the impression, that it is not a year-round route)?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Quote:
Originally Posted by pecha72 View Post
Just out of interest: roughly from where to where is the KKH open each year (..at least I have been under the impression, that it is not a year-round route)?

KKH is open year round but the Khanjerab border closes from 31st December to 1st of May.

I have seen pictures of people driving bikes on the frozen lake in winters.

Cheers
Omar
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 113
Kunjerab Pass
Hi Pechar & Omar,

To be on the safe side, assume the Kunjerab Pass is open from spring through to mid-October. It all depends when the snows come. They have normally arrived by Nov, but this year they stopped me from crossing the Barbusar Pass further south (c4,200m vs Kunjerab c4,600m) around mid-to-late-Oct.

If you're coming through the Stans from Europe, which is a fine balancing act of timing, then you'll probably reach Kunjerab by early Sept, anyway, which is fine (e.g. Turkey April, Iran May, Uzbekistan June including 5-day transit through Turkmenistan, Tajikistan July, Kyrgyzstan August .. . the last two key, since you want mid-Summer to make sure passes are open and river levels low).

Cheers,
Bob
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 7 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Quote:
Originally Posted by luckro View Post
Hi Pechar & Omar,

To be on the safe side, assume the Kunjerab Pass is open from spring through to mid-October. It all depends when the snows come. They have normally arrived by Nov, but this year they stopped me from crossing the Barbusar Pass further south (c4,200m vs Kunjerab c4,600m) around mid-to-late-Oct.

If you're coming through the Stans from Europe, which is a fine balancing act of timing, then you'll probably reach Kunjerab by early Sept, anyway, which is fine (e.g. Turkey April, Iran May, Uzbekistan June including 5-day transit through Turkmenistan, Tajikistan July, Kyrgyzstan August .. . the last two key, since you want mid-Summer to make sure passes are open and river levels low).

Cheers,
Bob


Hi Bob,
Babusar closes down in October but not Khanjerab. This was exactly the reason they built a 125 kms longer route to avoid the Babusar. KKH is on a high altitude plateau which gets very little snowfall.
Actually the big busses also ply on this route till December.
Having said that you are right in suggesting that time of snowfall also matters but it makes a difference of days/weeks and not more.

Cheers
Omar
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Dec 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: California
Posts: 11
Smile Karakoram Highway Kashgar to Islamabad
I was in charge of a trip on KKH and arranged a two week long sightseeing tour with Vertical Explorers Tours. Here is the itinerary, we followed with an addition of a few other places. Vertical Explorers | VE Way China - India Borders's Itinerary; Climbing, Trekking, Cultural Tours Vertical Explorers I contacted them via email (info@vepakistan.com) and arranged everything in advance. It was very easy and their price was extremely fair. Our guide met us at our hotel and adapted a tour which fitted in with our schedule and what we wanted to see. We found our guide" Saif " to be a really excellent guide. He was very informative but kept the tour interesting, helped in transferring our land rover across the Attabad lake and showed a variety of places. He was clearly passionate about what he was doing and delivered a good mix of stories, facts and took time to unexplored places to take photos and explore. He was also very happy to help us with restaurant recommendations. He clearly has a great knowledge of the Pakistan and contacts. His contact detail northernguide@gmail.com cell phone +92(0)341-9445841 You should not miss the following off road places along the KKH. Fairy Meadows, Naran Kaghan, Naltar meadows, Bagrot valley and Nanga Parbat base camp enjoy your trip! (cross posted)
Last edited by webby; 19 Dec 2011 at 17:34. Reason: missing info
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 5 Feb 2014
muchi
Guest
  
Posts: n/a
How safe these days the KKH from the Kohistan section. Do one need escort for it. if so, does anybody know how to obtain it? thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 5 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lahore, Pakistan
Posts: 329
Quote:
Originally Posted by muchi View Post
How safe these days the KKH from the Kohistan section. Do one need escort for it. if so, does anybody know how to obtain it? thanks in advance.
Pakistan and KKH is fine (from its own standards) and traffic is plying regularly. The police makes convoys of 30-40 vehicles and then escorts them through the unstable area. You might have to wait for the convoy to form which shouldn't be more than a couple of hours.

Cheers
Omar
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 2 Dec 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
When Pak China border will close, if any body crossing the border, please share the latest security situation.
thanks in advance
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Karakoram Highway to Kyrgyzstan May / June 2012 nicolumbus West and South Asia 19 18 Mar 2013 19:06
Hungarian Highway Scam ....just a word of warning! gavinbell Europe 4 11 Nov 2011 10:24

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:36.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top