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Q: Anyone ever traveled out of Kashghar, Xinjiang to Gilgit, Pakistan?
I'm looking at my free August this year, and I want to see Korakoram mountains (Khunjerab pass at the elevation of 4400m).
I plan to get bus ride over the pass to Gilgit, in Pak-land, where I'll probably rest in the shade for a week.
There is also railway/train Kashi (Kashghar) - Islamabad, however Cnvol doesn't hold any info about dep./arr. times/ticket price.
I'm looking for an info of possibility to get Paki's 'tourist visa on arrival', because as I looked at Embassy's stuff, Westerners must have sponsor in Pakistan for tourist (less than 30-days) visit, or travel with the group.
I sent an email to Pak's Embassy in Beijing few days ago, but still 'no reply', so..... 'Anybody has ever been to Pak. or travel that route?'.
I just watched 'Zero-Dark-Dirty', but that's all I know about Paki-land.
8 years 49 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - China
I heard that the best primer for living anywhere else, no matter how shitty, is a two week stay in Pakistan.
Isn't that part of Pakistan controlled by the Taliban?
thefidu881:
Not at all despite there was an attack carried out on Chinese tourists couple of years ago but it wasn't Taliban act. Taliban do not have control over any part of Pakistan except there presence in the North West next to Afghan border but since the school massacre the Army has taken the shit out of them. These days the IDPs(internally displaced persons) are going back to their region after five months of army offensive. That is why the bad news are not coming so often like before. This region mentioned by OP has been the safet so far throughout the crap Pakistan has been facing.
icnif77:
I am ........ 'Close-to-the-ban' here
. I might learn some -stani. 'ban' & '-bad' ending must have some special meaning in Pakistani.
Never mind, I'll ask my Indian lecturer about it. I guess, he'll start 'Pakistanis are -bad!'....
I heard that the best primer for living anywhere else, no matter how shitty, is a two week stay in Pakistan.
That's a damn good idea man... I am planning to get back there in July and going there by road has always been on my wishlist. Fortunately, things with respect to security issues are too positive as per my sources. However that region will be too crowded during July and August for national and international tourists normally pick this time to visit the region.
As far visa or invitation is concerned, I will be glad to extend my help and if possible I will join you throughout the journey. Since there is a festival at the end of July, I must be home to see my family. Anyway, there are guanxi there to be active in your service, not a big deal.
PM me whatever documents you need from there. You are welcome to see something other than ZeroDarkThirty...
icnif77:
'Dirty', meiyou '30'. Pak's Embassy is silent. I filled up online visa application, but failed, because as my sponsor I entered one hotel in Gilgit. I couldn't get valid Paki email of the hotel.
Do you know, is it possible to get tourist visa on arrival? Like I travel there by bus, and on the border crossing, they'll give me visa.
If that's not possible, I need guidance for Pakistan sponsor. I don't plan to stay in Gilgit longer than a week.
thefidu881:
I will need to confirm for what I know you can get a visa on arrival and as far sponsor is concerned, you got me. From letter to hotels, I am here... I have a friend un Gilgit who owns a hotel chain in Gilgit tourist region. You will just need to bring your stuff and let me handle the 'zerolight fifty'. If you want to go further towards Islamabad or North West, I might personally be able to take you there.
icnif77:
Thanks a million. You mean 'zero-flight-fifty'?
I plan to hit Gilgit in the end of August, and I won't travel much around Pakistan. Must return to Henan for new semester. Gilgit and near surroundings. I'm not much of the mountaineer either, so I'll just stay in Gilgit's outdoor market's
shade.
Train route: Kashgar Shule Akto Yengisar Yarkant (Shache) Poskam (Zepu) Karghilik (Yecheng) Pishan (Guma) Karakax (Moyu) Hotan Khunjerab Pass- Gilgit- Chilas- Mansehra- Abottabad- Havelian- Haripur Islamabad
Abotta.....I can't pronounce the name of that stop. Le' me look at the satellite's pics.
thefidu881:
I will try to make it sure from foreign office tonight and get back to you with authentic information. If you need a letter of sponsor, let me know for I can help you with that.
icnif77:
Thanks, I'm all set than.
Need sponsor's name, home, mobile and business ph. no. (3 ph. no's.), and email address.
It looks train route is cargo train. I fancy bus over the train, anyway. They are selling plane tickets as '55 min.' Urumqi - Islamabad, and 20h (14h to Gilgit) by bus.
thefidu881:
I got it but I am uncertain of Pakistan railways despite spending tons they aren't able to deliver. If you are used to delays then it might be good for you since they do have safety measures on board. Those regions are connected very well through highways as well. The train service from China to Pakistan seems to be only for goods transport, honestly speaking I don't have confirmation about that but there is a friendship bus service which runs across the border. lols @Abbotabad...yeah that is a beautiful city chosen by Uncle Abbott as his residence during the Indian occupation and we love him for that...winks.
thefidu881:
No problem, let me confirm from foreign office about visa/entry information then you will have my personal sponsor letter/information.
Garbo:
I have contacts in Gilgit at the Madina Hotel. They are on Facebook.
icnif77:
I think, I wrote 'Madina hotel' on visa application. That's the fanciest hotel in Gilgit. I repeated the same ph. no. 3 times, and then I couldn't get hotel's email address.
I was really testing visa application form/website. I didn't believe, I'll get approved.
I made that trip twice in the 90s and now it's easier with the train going all the way to Kashgar. It's a two day trip to Sust, the border town. You stay overnight in Tashgurgan. The pass is so stunning as with all of northern Pakistan. From the border you can get a bus or share a taxi to Gilgit. But take your time, Passu is beautiful. Hunza Valley is breathtaking. Gilgit is interesting too. Plus the jeep road through Shandur Pass over to Chitral is great too.
I went in the 90's and all the north was very safe and some of the nicest , most honest people I've ever encountered. Plus the hospitality was over the top. Pakistan is well worth a visit. Just hope it's safer now. I went back three summers in a row it was so relaxing and beautiful. The Indian Pakistan border was interesting too.
icnif77:
US Pakistani Embassy has warning for 'mericans on their website: 'not recommended for traveling/visiting' or similar.
Internet says, train started to operate between the countries in 2006. I fancy bus, and you can board the bus in Kashi with once a day departures.
Safe? I LOL 'very safe'.
Garbo:
In the 90s it was so safe. I've taken the train from Islamabad to Lahore before. The train goes to a Kashgar then bus from there. It was a great trip.
I can always write to the owner of the Madina and get the email address.
icnif77:
Thanks! I just Yahoo-gle 'Gilgit hotels', and wanted to trick visa appl. form, but I couldn't retrieve email address, because 'Contact Us' on the hotel's website.
No problem, I should hear from him soon since we are in touch quite often.
