Pakistan, Safe?

highvelocity · Jun 7th, 2005, 04:16

Hi everyone hope you are well, i am going to India on the 20th of August for 4 months, i am thinking of popping into Pakistan for 1 or 2 weeks but am a little unsure of the situation, has anyone been recently who could give me some advice, 3 main points i would like to see is the Kyber Pass, K2 and i Saif Ul Malook!! If anyone could help me out i would very greatful, thanks, happy travelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

crvlvr · Jun 7th, 2005, 06:42

K2 seems like quite an adventure.

The Pakistani side

Unlike many of the other 8,000-meter peaks, K2 is so remote that it is not visible from any inhabited place. The nearest village on the south (Pakistan) side of the mountain is Askole, approximately 6-8 days from Base Camp. The nearest town with medical supplies and a phone is another 8-10 hours (via jeeps which must be prescheduled), so it is advisable to consider bringing a satellite telephone.

The Pakistan side of the mountain is the more frequently visited side, but you can still expect a limited number of climbers – in a "low" season there will be as few as 20, and a "peak" season will see only approximately 40-50. This is due primarily to the difficulty of the mountain.

The trek to BC takes around 8 days and there are no tea houses on the way. You camp out in tents and own cooking is required. The gear is carried by porters, those - as opposite to Everest sherpas - preferring drums to North Face bags or other soft packs. The porters allow 55 lbs each, charging USD 8/day or USD 64/load coming in and out (plus tips 10-20%).

The Chinese side

Approaching K2 from the Chinese side is a huge logistical challenge. From Kashgar, in the "wild west" Xinjiang province of China, there is a 2 day bus ride, followed by a 2 day off-road jeep

ride through the Tashkurgan Desert (which, literally translated, means "If you go in, you will not come back") to an oasis called "Ilik" where you rendezvous with the camels who will transport your gear to Base Camp. The 8-day trek with the camels takes you through the prehistoric canyons of the Shaksgam Valley, across rivers which are frequently so deep that you have to ride the camels, to the base of the Qogori (K2) Glacier.

At the base of the glacier, the camels can go no further, but you are still 2,000 feet below and 10 miles away from the base of the mountain...

You'll find some info here http://www.k2climb.net/expguide/transportation.htm

highvelocity · Jun 7th, 2005, 19:49

Thanks very much for the information, it is very much appreciated. Do you also know if Pakistan is as safe to travel in as India?? Also can you get a Visa on the border crossing in Attari, or do i even need a visa for 1-2 weeks travel, Thanks again!!!

mercedes10 · Jun 7th, 2005, 19:59

Hi! I'm hoping to travel to Pakistan in Autumn too. I would suggest that you visit the Pakistan Travel Forum at ezboard.com - it was set up by Olga (a user of this site too) who has spent time in Pakistan. It might be a more appropriate place to find answers to your questions. Go to http://www.ezboard.com and type pakistan travel forum into the search.

highvelocity · Jun 7th, 2005, 20:11

You're a star, thanks very much!!!! Happy travelling!!

volga_volga · Jun 7th, 2005, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by highvelocity

Thanks very much for the information, it is very much appreciated. Do you also know if Pakistan is as safe to travel in as India?? Also can you get a Visa on the border crossing in Attari, or do i even need a visa for 1-2 weeks travel, Thanks again!!!

1. the areas frequented by travellers to Pakistan are generally safe.
2. no you cannot get visa done on the border, you'll need to apply at Pak consulate in Delhi.

re the Pak Travel Forum, unfortunately ezboard site has been down for a few days (restoring contect after an attack) but i very much hope the future restored content of the forum will answer all your questions.

if you can be more specific in your Qs I can try to answer them here in the meantime.

cheers

volga_volga · Jun 7th, 2005, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by highvelocity

3 main points i would like to see is the Kyber Pass, K2 and i Saif Ul Malook!! If anyone could help me out i would very greatful, thanks, happy travelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

yep you'll have to do a long trek to get to see K2; however, you can approach Nanga Parbat (#8 in the world) quite close and not far from KKH - eg go to Fairy Meadows.

Khyber Pass- no prob, a usual half day trip from Peshawar (accompanied by an armed guard and No Objection Certificate from the Peshawar Political Agent, both easily arranged via local guides).

what is Saif Ul Malook?

highvelocity · Jun 7th, 2005, 22:55

Hi all, thanks for your help, Saif Ul Malook is a lake in the North of Pakistan, i think, my friend was telling me about it, saying it was pretty spectacular and if i went to Pakistan i should go and see it!! Hope he's not winding me up!! Thanks all!!!!!

volga_volga · Jun 8th, 2005, 00:22

there is a great guidebook on Northern Pakistan by Footprint, if you are serious about going this is the ultimate source.

there are lots of spectacular lakes in the Northern Pakistan, because of mountaineous landscape...

Jun 7th, 2005, 04:16	#1
highvelocity Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 16	Pakistan, Safe? Hi everyone hope you are well, i am going to India on the 20th of August for 4 months, i am thinking of popping into Pakistan for 1 or 2 weeks but am a little unsure of the situation, has anyone been recently who could give me some advice, 3 main points i would like to see is the Kyber Pass, K2 and i Saif Ul Malook!! If anyone could help me out i would very greatful, thanks, happy travelling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Jun 7th, 2005, 19:49	#3
highvelocity Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 16	thanks Thanks very much for the information, it is very much appreciated. Do you also know if Pakistan is as safe to travel in as India?? Also can you get a Visa on the border crossing in Attari, or do i even need a visa for 1-2 weeks travel, Thanks again!!!

Jun 7th, 2005, 20:11	#5
highvelocity Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 16	hi You're a star, thanks very much!!!! Happy travelling!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
packsafe or not so safe	ine b.	Packing Tips for India travel	12	Nov 7th, 2005 06:19
is it safe	cobra	Crossing the Border	3	Oct 24th, 2005 11:03
Is Goa safe?	sessy	Goa	2	Dec 30th, 2004 09:40
Is it safe in Varkala?	clairet	Kerala	2	Dec 28th, 2004 16:06
Is it safe or what?	shane and Babs Wiltshire	Mumbai (Bombay)	4	Oct 15th, 2001 17:50

Jun 7th, 2005, 06:42	#2
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,413	K2 seems like quite an adventure. The Pakistani side Unlike many of the other 8,000-meter peaks, K2 is so remote that it is not visible from any inhabited place. The nearest village on the south (Pakistan) side of the mountain is Askole, approximately 6-8 days from Base Camp. The nearest town with medical supplies and a phone is another 8-10 hours (via jeeps which must be prescheduled), so it is advisable to consider bringing a satellite telephone. The Pakistan side of the mountain is the more frequently visited side, but you can still expect a limited number of climbers – in a "low" season there will be as few as 20, and a "peak" season will see only approximately 40-50. This is due primarily to the difficulty of the mountain. The trek to BC takes around 8 days and there are no tea houses on the way. You camp out in tents and own cooking is required. The gear is carried by porters, those - as opposite to Everest sherpas - preferring drums to North Face bags or other soft packs. The porters allow 55 lbs each, charging USD 8/day or USD 64/load coming in and out (plus tips 10-20%). The Chinese side Approaching K2 from the Chinese side is a huge logistical challenge. From Kashgar, in the "wild west" Xinjiang province of China, there is a 2 day bus ride, followed by a 2 day off-road jeep ride through the Tashkurgan Desert (which, literally translated, means "If you go in, you will not come back") to an oasis called "Ilik" where you rendezvous with the camels who will transport your gear to Base Camp. The 8-day trek with the camels takes you through the prehistoric canyons of the Shaksgam Valley, across rivers which are frequently so deep that you have to ride the camels, to the base of the Qogori (K2) Glacier. At the base of the glacier, the camels can go no further, but you are still 2,000 feet below and 10 miles away from the base of the mountain... You'll find some info here http://www.k2climb.net/expguide/transportation.htm

Jun 7th, 2005, 19:59	#4
mercedes10 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 556	Hi! I'm hoping to travel to Pakistan in Autumn too. I would suggest that you visit the Pakistan Travel Forum at ezboard.com - it was set up by Olga (a user of this site too) who has spent time in Pakistan. It might be a more appropriate place to find answers to your questions. Go to http://www.ezboard.com and type pakistan travel forum into the search.

Jun 7th, 2005, 22:55	#8
highvelocity Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 16	hi Hi all, thanks for your help, Saif Ul Malook is a lake in the North of Pakistan, i think, my friend was telling me about it, saying it was pretty spectacular and if i went to Pakistan i should go and see it!! Hope he's not winding me up!! Thanks all!!!!!

Jun 8th, 2005, 00:22	#9
volga_volga Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,460	there is a great guidebook on Northern Pakistan by Footprint, if you are serious about going this is the ultimate source. there are lots of spectacular lakes in the Northern Pakistan, because of mountaineous landscape...

User Name		Remember Me?
Password