Northern Pakistan

Anyone planning or have recently been to Karimabad, Skardu areas?
Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions from the traveler(s) involved.

And which international airline? and from which country/city.
Thanks.

George

I was in Karimabad, Gilgit and Swat valley in August 2001. Is that recent
enough for you?
what do you want to know?


"George Fahrenkopf" <gfahren@att.net> a écrit dans le message de
news:3FDFBDC2.74DE2E45@att.net...
> Anyone planning or have recently been to Karimabad, Skardu areas?
> Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions from the traveler(s) involved.
>
> And which international airline? and from which country/city.
> Thanks.
>
> George
>

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I was scheduled to return to the Northern area for a 19-day jeep safari on
September 22, 2001 but canceled because of 9-11. I imagine that conditions
have changed since and wanted to get a sense of what to expect in regards to
safe and friendly travel. Also British Airways does not fly into Islamabad
and I wondered what would be an alternate airline from USA. PIA seems to be
the obvious carrier but again I would like someone's opinion.

I contacted my original Pakistani outfitter who assured me I would be
welcomed by the locals with open arms. However I would like an outsider's
opinion hence my posting here.

George.

Dziadzia wrote:

> I was in Karimabad, Gilgit and Swat valley in August 2001. Is that recent
> enough for you?
> what do you want to know?
>
> "George Fahrenkopf" <gfahren@att.net> a écrit dans le message de
> news:3FDFBDC2.74DE2E45@att.net...
> > Anyone planning or have recently been to Karimabad, Skardu areas?
> > Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions from the traveler(s) involved.
> >
> > And which international airline? and from which country/city.
> > Thanks.
> >
> > George
> >

Thanks Alfred and Johannes,

I'm aware of the warnings but hoped to get a view from a recent traveler. I
agree with staying away from the borders especially the North West Frontier
Province that borders Afghanistan.

For the past few years I've trekked in Central Asia's Commomwealth of
Independent States, the Andes and western Mongolia earlier this year. My
alternative to Pakistan is a solo, guided trek in the Taklamakan Desert and I
already have an itinerary and costs for this adventure. Well, I've got some
thinking to do. Thanks again.

George in USA

Johannes Beck wrote:

> But anyway, I wouldn't go there right now. There are other nice and safer
> countries that you haven't traveled yet, I assume. So, as long as you don't
> need that special thrill, let it.
>
> Johannes!

as much as I love Pakistan, I have learned one thing in 33 years ofr travel
around S. Asia. There's always trouble somewhere, and there's always some
breathtakingly cool spot that's very safe that I have yet to visit. Need I
say more?
"George Fahrenkopf" <gfahren@att.net> wrote in message
news:3FE107D9.4399F985@att.net...
> Thanks Alfred and Johannes,
>
> I'm aware of the warnings but hoped to get a view from a recent traveler.
I
> agree with staying away from the borders especially the North West
Frontier
> Province that borders Afghanistan.
>
> For the past few years I've trekked in Central Asia's Commomwealth of
> Independent States, the Andes and western Mongolia earlier this year. My
> alternative to Pakistan is a solo, guided trek in the Taklamakan Desert
and I
> already have an itinerary and costs for this adventure. Well, I've got
some
> thinking to do. Thanks again.
>
> George in USA
>
> Johannes Beck wrote:
>
> > But anyway, I wouldn't go there right now. There are other nice and
safer
> > countries that you haven't traveled yet, I assume. So, as long as you
don't
> > need that special thrill, let it.
> >
> > Johannes!
>

I went to Pakistan this year (Jan-May.) I visited Murree in April,
cold, snow was disappearing. I had some hassles from the hotel touts
other than that, pleasant stay.

Then went to Swat valley in Late April/May for 10 days (it was off
season, quite cold, hotels/motels were very cheap 500 ruppes per night
four sharing, do bargain), stayed in Miandan, Kalam. Very nice people,
superb scenary, wonderful place to visit.

Rgds

George Fahrenkopf <gfahren@att.net> wrote in message news:<3FE3B69F.90278C34@att.net>...
> > I agree. I have been up there with a tribal guide. Even the Brits could not
>
> control them during their 100-plus years of "occupation."
>
> George
>
> >
> >
> > Well, the area known as NWFP is vast, the Pashtu speaking parts are probably
> > unsafe, and extremely so, but Chitral, north of Dir might be completely OK.
> > Nice people, totally different from the Pathans.
> >
> >
>
> --

John,

Thanks for the reply. I am scheduled to tour Northern area April-May 2004. Sounds like some
cold weather can be expected during my stay.

George

John wrote:

> I went to Pakistan this year (Jan-May.) I visited Murree in April,
> cold, snow was disappearing. I had some hassles from the hotel touts
> other than that, pleasant stay.
>
> Then went to Swat valley in Late April/May for 10 days (it was off
> season, quite cold, hotels/motels were very cheap 500 ruppes per night
> four sharing, do bargain), stayed in Miandan, Kalam. Very nice people,
> superb scenary, wonderful place to visit.
>
> Rgds

A short untimely note from me :
I was in Northern Pakistan 20 years ago,

Skardu was challenging as to the accsessability, Hunza was relaxing.
At that time there was also warning about safety of travel, which seems to be
on going in the Kashmere border areas for nearly 50 years ....!!!???

Happy New Year and travels !
Frank