Oct 15, 2008 - Gilgit

Weather is variable...heavy rain overnite...we decide to press on to Gilgit. I went out at 8 to see about transport and streets were empty. We asked the owner and he said bus would leave in about an hour so we ordered breakfast...15 min later the driver came and said he was ready, we stuffed our faces and left w/o tea! Arr in Gilgit at 10:30(I found out later that Gilgit was on 'old time' ie not daylite savings, so it was really 7 when I went out, ha), a trip of just over an hour to Madina Guesthouse. Ralph was here and later Andy & Tracy...

Oct 14, 2007 - Gilgit

My necks been better and it really is time that I started moving again, so I took a minicab for the 2 hour ride to Gilgit (20 people inside, 4 hanging off the back, at least 6 on the roof plus luggage, the current record). I booked myself into the Madina Hotel becuase everyone seems to, and met Wes again who's been hanging around with a Scottish guy called Andrew and a very highly strung Aussie guy called Brice. We get talking and decide that we want to head on to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, so it looks like thats tomorrow decided.

Oct 28, 2005 - Nagar Valley

The Nagar valley is the next stop south of the Hunza Valley. It has a very different look. Not as green and lush as the Hunza. We stayed at a beautiful guesthouse in Minapin at the base of Mount Rakiposhi. We hiked to the base camp, saw snow, and immeidately ran back down the mountain. Just don't want to see that white stuff! Our plan is to get a bus in two days and go to Gilgit. There have been many problems in this town. and we have heard all the stories. For the last 2 weeks of travelling, the town has been closed to travellers, and...

Sep 11, 2005 - Karimabad instead of Gilgit

A great drive up the Karakoram highway. The only small problem was that we could not see the summits as there was too much cloud around. The lower scenery was pretty spectacular so we were not too disappointed. We were not allowed to go to Gilgit as planned as they have been firing rockets at each other lately there. Instead we continued up to Karimabad - The Lonely Planet refers to it as a touristy place. In fact, there are hardly any tourists here since 9/11 so it was very pleasant. The Hunza valley is the prettiest part of Pakistan that...

Jun 30, 2005 - Fairy Meadows

With the Chitral trip off, I needed to think of something else to do. The biggest mountain around here (and the 8th or 9th highest in the world depending on whom you talk to) is Nanga Parbat. It's almost proudly nicknamed "killer mountain" for all the mountaineers who have fallen off it. It's amazing how close you can get to such a big lump of rock. Fairy Meadows is the name of a grassy, pine forested area at the foot of the mountain. From here, at 3306m, the mountain goes almost straight up to its peak at 8125m.But first you have to get...

Jun 25, 2005 - Gilgit to Chitral

So, the idea was to take my time over a spectacular journey west from Gilgit to Chitral and the beautiful Kalash Valleys. What actually happened was this... There is public transport on this route, but it's as overcrowded as always and doesn't stop at scenic spots. Most of the backpackers here could represent their countries at penny-pinching, and others are cycling, so I expected to be hiring a jeep to myself. But at the last minute I found an American, Leif, who was interested in splitting the costs of a 3 day jeep journey. I found a...

Jun 18, 2005 - Gilgit

Minapin to Gilgit was my first taste of public transport on this visit to Pakistan. And they really cram you into the buses here, the general rule being that the bus company employs a vehicle at least two categories smaller than the requirements of the travelling public. At any time there are also two or three students hanging off the back. Luggage is strapped to the roof and if you're lucky is still their when you prise yourself out at your destination. There are no sights in Gilgit (top of the list is a foreigners cemetery where some...

Aug 31, 2004 - Hunza Valley, Northern Pakistan

Hello from the Hunza Valley, in Northern Pakistan. Until 1976, this area was an automous "kingdom" ruled by a heriditary Mir. Actually, we're now in Gilgit, which is just on the edge of the Hunza Valley, and it is a more multi-cultural and busy place. After spending the last 8 days on very quiet stretches of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), and in mountain villages (also quiet), this place is bustling. Little suzuki vans carved open and made into mini transports dart around town, honking as they go. Big decorated transport trucks also jingle...

Jul 10, 2004 - Cycle from Astor to Gilgit and Gilgit

had a little difficulty understanding the hotel owner's directions to the Gilgit road, but managed to find it alright. It started with a steep descent down a rough jeep road, leading onto a metalled road, which continued along the Astor valley. Things were good again: the sun was out, the road was metalled and the cycling was downhill. I was not entirely certain how far it was to Gilgit, I was hoping about 90km, hopefully a distance I could manage in the day. I did not see the first sign to Gilgit until I had already cycled about 30km, it...