Travel to Pakistan with current news

The Black Flag Cafe is the place travelers come to share stories and advice. Moderated by Robert Young Pelton the author of The World's Most Dangerous Places.

Moderator: coldharvest

Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby worldtraveler90 » Mon May 02, 2011 6:34 pm

I was planning on travelling to Pakistan this summer, entering at Wagah from India, going up through Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, up the Karakorum highway (or possibly taking the more western road to Chitral -- N45 or 35, is it?) and then to Chitral, Gilgit, Skardu, Sust, and south-western China.

With the news of bin Laden's death, how do you think the security situation will be in July for an American male travelling alone? I'd be interested to hear what the fallout is likely to be and how that would affect me. Will Pakistan still be issuing visas? I'm considering just getting a visa and seeing how things are once, I get there, but if it's a waste of money and time, I'd rather not bother.

Any advice would be appreciated, especially from people who have an intimate knowledge of the country, the current situation, the nature of terrorist responses historically, or are living there now.

Thanks.
Last edited by worldtraveler90 on Mon May 02, 2011 7:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
worldtraveler90
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby rickshaw92 » Mon May 02, 2011 6:51 pm

Dnoncha just hate it when some guy comes round askin bout travel to dangerous places n shit and its only his first post? Callin himself 'Worldtraveller' and all that too. My goodness.

Step 1. Do a search. We aint gonna say shit twice.

Step 2. Post some pics that YOU have taken bein the world traveller that you are so we know you aint some gimp postin from his moms basement or trailer.
Im reallly fuclimg pissed but fespite that I can still hit a tarfet at 1000m plus. mayVRVe bnot tonight but it qint beyond the wit if man. Nowhammy.
User avatar
rickshaw92
Pikey Bastard
 
Posts: 9165
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:28 am
Location: Airport Inn trailer park

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby worldtraveler90 » Mon May 02, 2011 7:15 pm

I'm not sure how the search function is applicable in this instance. I'm pretty sure this news broke a few hours ago. I've read the posts on here regarding bin Laden's death, but nothing pertaining to the safety of traveling in the region post-death. I would've thought this was a good place for somebody who wouldn't otherwise have access to this kind of information beyond just what's on the news, to get information on this matter, but obviously I need to go through some sort of vetting process first and prove myself -- maybe they should make that part of signing up on the forum -- they could require pictures, passport and visa copies before you could post. Strangely enough, they don't. I'm sure those beyond just myself are interested in the situation on the ground now and the implication this will have for future travel. If you aren't prepared to help, I'm not quite sure why you decided to post.
worldtraveler90
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby rickshaw92 » Mon May 02, 2011 7:40 pm

Tell the thorn tree we all said hi.
Im reallly fuclimg pissed but fespite that I can still hit a tarfet at 1000m plus. mayVRVe bnot tonight but it qint beyond the wit if man. Nowhammy.
User avatar
rickshaw92
Pikey Bastard
 
Posts: 9165
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:28 am
Location: Airport Inn trailer park

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby Michael » Mon May 02, 2011 11:09 pm

worldtraveler90 wrote:If you aren't prepared to help, I'm not quite sure why you decided to post.

Gotta watch yourself around here. People tend to fall into three categories...the real deal (RYP, Ultra Swain, rickshaw and many others too numerous to mention), admitted candy-asses who are merely tolerated (myself and one or two others), and posers. Until you prove yourself, be prepared for the skepticism.
Michael
BFCus Regularus
 
Posts: 752
Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2004 7:04 am
Location: Nevada

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby vagabond » Tue May 03, 2011 4:00 pm

With the news of bin Laden's death, how do you think the security situation will be in July for an American male travelling alone? I'd be interested to hear what the fallout is likely to be and how that would affect me. Will Pakistan still be issuing visas?


I don't think anyone can really help answer that as no one here (as far as I know) can predict the future. It will be a game of wait-and-see.

I'm considering just getting a visa and seeing how things are once, I get there, but if it's a waste of money and time, I'd rather not bother.


This is probably your best option. Go ahead and get visas to countries you can easily escape to from there if you find the situation problematic (flight to India, etc).

I was seriously thinking of popping over the border for a week two at the beginning of June but this recent situation has put a certain hitch in the plans due to the unpredictable nature of what will happen diplomatically or with any type of retaliation.

Other folks here have more recent on-the-ground experience and can give you more detailed advice (such as thewalrus, though not sure they check this forum)

Good luck,

V
"If you were born near someplace called "The Erg of ____" you lost the lottery." - Kurt the Wise

"If you're stupid, the whole world is a dangerous place." - friendlyskies
User avatar
vagabond
BFCus Regularus
 
Posts: 5342
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:20 pm
Location: LA

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby worldtraveler90 » Tue May 03, 2011 4:23 pm

I really appreciate that informative response. I'll start dealing with the visa and see how things develop.
worldtraveler90
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby rickshaw92 » Tue May 03, 2011 4:27 pm

Lahore is only an hour from the border and is worth the time and visa cost. Security should not be much of an issue as the folks there have better things to do than blow shit up. And the food is bitchin!
Im reallly fuclimg pissed but fespite that I can still hit a tarfet at 1000m plus. mayVRVe bnot tonight but it qint beyond the wit if man. Nowhammy.
User avatar
rickshaw92
Pikey Bastard
 
Posts: 9165
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:28 am
Location: Airport Inn trailer park

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby vagabond » Tue May 03, 2011 8:27 pm

rickshaw92 wrote:Lahore is only an hour from the border and is worth the time and visa cost. Security should not be much of an issue as the folks there have better things to do than blow shit up. And the food is bitchin!


You mentioned the food on my post about Lahore as well -- what do they have there that is so incredible? Curious as to what dishes you'd recommend. I tend to just grab anything off the street that looks delicious but am also happy hunting down any worthwhile specialties. One of my fav restaurants in Kuala Lumpur was run by Punjabis.
"If you were born near someplace called "The Erg of ____" you lost the lottery." - Kurt the Wise

"If you're stupid, the whole world is a dangerous place." - friendlyskies
User avatar
vagabond
BFCus Regularus
 
Posts: 5342
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:20 pm
Location: LA

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby rickshaw92 » Tue May 03, 2011 8:40 pm

Good food in general. Never had an ass explosion in Lahore.
Im reallly fuclimg pissed but fespite that I can still hit a tarfet at 1000m plus. mayVRVe bnot tonight but it qint beyond the wit if man. Nowhammy.
User avatar
rickshaw92
Pikey Bastard
 
Posts: 9165
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:28 am
Location: Airport Inn trailer park

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby vagabond » Tue May 03, 2011 9:54 pm

rickshaw92 wrote:Good food in general. Never had an ass explosion in Lahore.


Ah ok, cool. Good to know.
"If you were born near someplace called "The Erg of ____" you lost the lottery." - Kurt the Wise

"If you're stupid, the whole world is a dangerous place." - friendlyskies
User avatar
vagabond
BFCus Regularus
 
Posts: 5342
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 1:20 pm
Location: LA

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby Tonne » Wed May 04, 2011 11:12 pm

Dude. There is still a bunch of foreigners travelling in and out of the country for business and vacation. Just try to get in. Step one: Call the embassy and send your passport in. Two: Check routes with thorn tree. Three: book a flight.
Some countries are wild places at times, but it doesn't mean you can't get in. The hardest country to get into is the US anyway.
Tonne
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2006 8:51 pm

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby marie-angelique » Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:51 pm

What's your travel mode? Are you going to take buses, ride a bicycle, what? You are going to have better luck with the western road to Chitral. They don't want travelers on the KKH south of Gilgit.

What country are you from?

worldtraveler90 wrote:I was planning on travelling to Pakistan this summer, entering at Wagah from India, going up through Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, up the Karakorum highway (or possibly taking the more western road to Chitral -- N45 or 35, is it?) and then to Chitral, Gilgit, Skardu, Sust, and south-western China.

With the news of bin Laden's death, how do you think the security situation will be in July for an American male travelling alone? I'd be interested to hear what the fallout is likely to be and how that would affect me. Will Pakistan still be issuing visas? I'm considering just getting a visa and seeing how things are once, I get there, but if it's a waste of money and time, I'd rather not bother.

Any advice would be appreciated, especially from people who have an intimate knowledge of the country, the current situation, the nature of terrorist responses historically, or are living there now.

Thanks.
"Give me control of your TV and I could have you sticking bullets in the backs of peoples heads within a month." nowonmai

"anything you say sounds dirty to me."
User avatar
marie-angelique
Coonass
 
Posts: 5986
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:24 am
Location: over the rainbow

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby worldtraveler90 » Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:58 pm

I am from the US. I am taking the bus. So it is safer to go through Peshawar and up those western roads through the Northwest Frontier to Chitral then up the KKH and then west to Chitral? It seems like it would be the other way round. Is it still possible to travel up to Gilgit on the KKH or will I be stopped?
worldtraveler90
 
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon May 02, 2011 6:29 pm

Re: Travel to Pakistan with current news

Postby marie-angelique » Mon Jun 20, 2011 6:42 pm

i was there in 2007, at that time most people flew from Gilgit to Islamabad. i rode a bicycle - but not on the KKH - there was a rumor that one woman rode it - they insisted on giving her a police escort the whole way, and they got shot at on various points along the route.

I seem to recall there were buses that went between Gilgit and Islamabad, but didn't meet anyone who took it. If you have enough time and money you could just go and find out. But I imagine things are changing quickly.

When are you going?

What is your goal in the trip?
"Give me control of your TV and I could have you sticking bullets in the backs of peoples heads within a month." nowonmai

"anything you say sounds dirty to me."
User avatar
marie-angelique
Coonass
 
Posts: 5986
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:24 am
Location: over the rainbow

Next

Return to Black Flag Cafe

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 9 guests