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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...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
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  #16  
Old 26 Jun 2013
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Escorts on the KKH
We're currently riding our motorcycles down the KKH and were near Aliabad when the attack happened. We've been escorted on and off by the police between Aliabad, Gilgit and Besham so far, and probably all the way to Mansehra. We even get an escort to go the shop the last few days!

-Olaf
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  #17  
Old 26 Jun 2013
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A 30 member and another 45 member groups of MAPPERS are in the area. One group was in Chillas when this tragedy happened. No one came back.
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  #18  
Old 28 Jun 2013
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Hey there,

Specially Omie, as I remembered you gave us great informations in 2012 about Hunza lake... we are soon on the way to the KKH again. Will reach Pakistan in the end of July from Iran and exit through China.

What is your opinion about the influences of traveling by car... any latest news of government reactions of the killings. Any idea whether we can pass up north or will the police not allow us?

Thanks for any informations... still can't wait to be back in my favorite travel country.

See yaaa
Roman
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  #19  
Old 29 Jun 2013
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Advice KKH
Hello,

I am just about to cross the border from India to Pakistan. The plan was to travel the KKH-Region and some sidevalleys in the first half of July. After the attack I have to question my plans.
Will the officials still allow individual traveling in the area, it is blocked or just possible unter armed escorts?
And if it is possible will I feel save at all?
Are there still save regions I can go north of Islamabad or should I take the direct way to Iran?

Any suggetions? Anybody in the same situation?

Greetings from Amristar
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  #20  
Old 2 Jul 2013
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Hi Beemer,

yes we are in almost the same situation, we wanted to cross from Iran to Pakistan and the head north to the KKH. We decided not to go and are now working on another plan. Unfortunatly we dont have all the visa to do the Pamir and the way back home, but maybe we can arrange it in Teheran where we went back to now. Its a shame, the KKH should be one of the highlights of our trip.

Anyone else in Iran with the same problem?

Bernie
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  #21  
Old 7 Jul 2013
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Hey guys

We will start driving towards KKH soon... will update u as soon we crossed Pakistan. Hope the roads are open...

See yaa
Roman
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  #22  
Old 7 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nicolumbus View Post
Hey there,

Specially Omie, as I remembered you gave us great informations in 2012 about Hunza lake... we are soon on the way to the KKH again. Will reach Pakistan in the end of July from Iran and exit through China.

What is your opinion about the influences of traveling by car... any latest news of government reactions of the killings. Any idea whether we can pass up north or will the police not allow us?

Thanks for any informations... still can't wait to be back in my favorite travel country.

See yaaa
Roman

Hey Roman,
Just met the big group returning from Khanjerab, Shimshal and Minapin etc. They were in Chillas when the tragedy happened.
They noticed nothing strange or different but then, all of them were Pakistanis on motorcycles. Foreigners were escorted by police.

Situation in Pakistan is a bit fluid and can change. As of today every road is open life goes on normally (apparently). Atabad lake has now shrunk to 8kms and opens in Gulmit because the spillway has been made deeper. Cars and jeeps are being routinely transported across the lake.

I will be going to different valleys along the KKH in mid August after Eid either on my XT200 or VX 800. It would include substantial trekking, as much as this 54 years old frame can take.

Once in Pakistan give me a call on 0321-4450343. Would be nice to have a chat over a cup of tea.

Cheers
Omar
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  #23  
Old 10 Jul 2013
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Hello,

Right now I am travelling with my motorbike on the Karakorum Highway.

I have started Islamabad and gone all the way to the chineese border and back to Gilgit now.

There are no special restrictions for travelling on the KKH. From Batgran to Chilas there were several police-escorts, but not all the way and not verry serious. So not a big hassle.

After Chilas I had no escorts, only the usual checkpoints with verry friendly policemen. Free choice for hotels and no police protection when walking around. No Permits were requierd.

Things seems to be very "normal", just a lack of other tourists.

Greetings Heiko
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  #24  
Old 11 Jul 2013
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Babusar route
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemer76 View Post
Hello,

Right now I am travelling with my motorbike on the Karakorum Highway.

I have started Islamabad and gone all the way to the chineese border and back to Gilgit now.

There are no special restrictions for travelling on the KKH. From Batgran to Chilas there were several police-escorts, but not all the way and not verry serious. So not a big hassle.

After Chilas I had no escorts, only the usual checkpoints with verry friendly policemen. Free choice for hotels and no police protection when walking around. No Permits were requierd.

Things seems to be very "normal", just a lack of other tourists.

Greetings Heiko
Hey Heiko,
Had you taken the Babusar route you would have avoided the Battgram-Chillas section. This way you could have bypassed the escorts, heat and 100kms while passing through a beautiful valley.

You still can take it on your way back (If declared open and safe by the local police)
Cheers
Omar
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  #25  
Old 14 Jul 2013
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Kkh info 2
Resumption

On the way back from Gilgit to Islamabad there where only one police escort from Besham to Thakot. In Besham the police forced us to stay in the Continental Hotel and we get an armed officer to go for dinner and shopping.
The sideroad from Chilas over Babusar La to Naran was closed for tourists for security reasons, and the police did not allow us to drive it.

Greetings Heiko
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  #26  
Old 15 Jul 2013
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Hello Heike,

I think we met in Lahore last week, glad to hear you did the kkh trip without too much hassle! We left Aliabad the day after the attacks (June 24th) and got escorts almost the whole way from Aliabad to Abottabad. Appearantly things are easing up a little again.

The Babusar pass has been closed since the attacks on June 23th.

Have a safe trip,
Olaf
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  #27  
Old 16 Jul 2013
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@ Olaf

Yes we meet in Lahore, have fun in Ladak

Greetings Heiko
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  #28  
Old 23 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bernie13 View Post
Hi Beemer,

yes we are in almost the same situation, we wanted to cross from Iran to Pakistan and the head north to the KKH. We decided not to go and are now working on another plan. Unfortunatly we dont have all the visa to do the Pamir and the way back home, but maybe we can arrange it in Teheran where we went back to now. Its a shame, the KKH should be one of the highlights of our trip.

Anyone else in Iran with the same problem?

Bernie
I'm headed in the same direction. Do you need other specific visas other than normal Pakistan visa for these regions?

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  #29  
Old 29 Jul 2013
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@12, Pirate, if I may make a suggestion and assuming you have a couple of days spare, don't take the KKH out of ISLBD, it's just another busy; dirty, noisy highway up to Abbottabad. What I did last time, was take the Murree road and then head off through the hills to Nathie Galle, a lovely unspoilt little hill station, with great scenery and decent almost deserted roads which will bring you back around and onto the KKH at Abbottabad, but in a much more pleasant, natural, scenic and stress free route !
Good luck, UB.
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  #30  
Old 10 Aug 2013
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Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC)
Dear friend, the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has notified that the Karakoram Highway shall remain closed from 7th to 13th August for all types of vehicles between Shatial-Chilas-Gilgit section. Travellers are advised to take flights (Islamabad-Gilgit or Islamabad-Skardu) or postpone their visit till 14th August.
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