Hi,
we are two couples looking to take a trip around the first week of November along the KKH. We thought it might be a good idea to travel North all the way from Kashgar to Gilgit and sightseeing more highlights of the region. We would like to get some ideas of where to stop and what to see along the way. Any suggestions/guide /recommended operator (a bit concerned about safety) thoughts would be very much appreciated.

we just went there and it was great. No safety issues. You get stopped every so many k's for a checkpoint where they register you.

I would advise from Islamabad, go to Murree, and then to Naran over Babusar top, you end up in Chilas, from Chilas the road to Gilgit. From Gilgit to Khunjerab pass, the road is in excellent condition (it's a dream !). You have to cross lake atabat by a little ferry which makes the journey sort of interesting

You can also go from Islamabad to Abattobad to Besham and then Gilgit, but that road is pretty crap. The road from Islamabad to Abattobad was the worst traffic situation for us in the whole of Pakistan

Places we stayed where Madina Guesthouse in Gilgit, recommened (close to the river), and we stayed in a GH little bit ouf of Passu. There is nice accomodation in Karimabad, called Eagles Nest, we went there for lunch but wanted to stay for the night, its a beautifull place.

You can get all the way to the Chinese border, I got sick riding that road (altitude) but it was totally worth it.

I'm sure one of the pakistani members will respond on this topic and tell you more details about valleys to explore...

Have fun, take your camera!

waarjijnunietbent - Kathmandu - Amsterdam

Sorry it is called Medina Hotel
N 35 55 249
E74 19 745

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www.waarjijnunietbent.nl

KKH is pretty but the adjacent valleys are far prettier. A few that I might recommend are,
Deosai plains.
Shimshal
Minapin
Ghizer


As fall is setting in some of these might not be accessible.


Cheers