Cycling in Pakistan

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Night Cycling in Lahore.

Cross country cyclists

 

[ghazi52]

Sunday cycling in Lahore

 

[Lagay Raho]

A healthy activity,this should be promoted

 

[Arsalan]

Got a friend who is crazy about cycling really. Will send him a link to this thread.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Cross country cyclists

 

[ghazi52]

Cycling on the Roof of Pakistan (Introduction)

• Awais Jibran
  

I'm just a traveler on a bike. I'm not a cyclist & I don't want to become one either. Curiosity envelopes one’s ego and self esteem riding on bike to navigate and explore our beloved Pakistan by land. The series of blogs would take you to our journey on the rigid yet beautiful Karakorum Highway on bikes, Throughout our journey we rough it out, by living the ultimate dream of any adventure lover.



Our country, Pakistan has huge potential of tourism; friendly people of our country makes the area more beautiful and memorable. I just could feel the unqualified thrill and robust enthusiasm permeating from my inner soul that for every stopover I make I have to unfold many hidden natural geographical beauty of our land. The main advantage of ridding on a bicycle is one could get ample time to peruse and document ordinary as well as extraordinary landscape. The unceasing inner will to deliver and share the beauty of our beloved Pakistan is worth the reckoning in tourism assets.

Cycling along the countryside provides unlimited opportunities and familiarity with the local people and regional culture, tradition, history and diversified cuisine practices. Interacting with the local populace make one no stranger to their culture. There local folks provide voluntary kind acts of assistance which make countryside cycling an adventure for a “perfect holiday”.

Attabad Lake, Hunza

Cycling Tour Itinerary

Day......... Description Overnight Camp/Hotel

Day1........... Took bus from Lahore to Rawalpindi, Night Stay in Rawalpindi Hotel
Day2-Day3... Took bus from Rawalpindi to Gilgit, Hotel stay in Gilgit Bus-Hotel
Day4........... Cycle Trip from Gilgit to Jutal, Camp in Jutal Camp, Jutal
Day5.......... Cycle Trip from Jutal to Rakaposhi View point Hotel, Rakaposhi view point
Day6......... Cycle Trip to Pissan Valley Nagar, Trek to Rakaposhi along with Pissan Glacier Local house in Pissan
Day7.......... Cycle Trip from Pissan, Nagar to Hunza (Aliabad) Camp, Duikher
Day8........... Cycle Trip from Duikher, Hunza to Attabad Camp, Attabad
Day9........... Cycle + Boat Trip from Attabad to Passu Village, Gojal Hotel, Sirai Silk Route, Passu
Day10......... Cycle Trip from Passu to Sost Hotel, Park Hotel, Sost
Day11......... Moto Bike tour to Khunjrab Pass Hotel, Park Hotel, Sost
Day12......... Took bus from Sost to Hunza (Aliabad) Hotel, Hunza Continental Hotel, Aliabad

CYCLING TOUR CHECKLIST

CYCLING_TOUR_ITINERARY_CHECKLIST (Microsoft Word 2007+) (20 KB)

Thanks to all my friends and family with whom prayers this trip was made possible.

 

[padamchen]

Cycling on the Roof of Pakistan (Introduction)

• Awais Jibran
  

I'm just a traveler on a bike. I'm not a cyclist & I don't want to become one either. Curiosity envelopes one’s ego and self esteem riding on bike to navigate and explore our beloved Pakistan by land. The series of blogs would take you to our journey on the rigid yet beautiful Karakorum Highway on bikes, Throughout our journey we rough it out, by living the ultimate dream of any adventure lover.



Our country, Pakistan has huge potential of tourism; friendly people of our country makes the area more beautiful and memorable. I just could feel the unqualified thrill and robust enthusiasm permeating from my inner soul that for every stopover I make I have to unfold many hidden natural geographical beauty of our land. The main advantage of ridding on a bicycle is one could get ample time to peruse and document ordinary as well as extraordinary landscape. The unceasing inner will to deliver and share the beauty of our beloved Pakistan is worth the reckoning in tourism assets.

Cycling along the countryside provides unlimited opportunities and familiarity with the local people and regional culture, tradition, history and diversified cuisine practices. Interacting with the local populace make one no stranger to their culture. There local folks provide voluntary kind acts of assistance which make countryside cycling an adventure for a “perfect holiday”.

Attabad Lake, Hunza

Cycling Tour Itinerary

Day......... Description Overnight Camp/Hotel

Day1........... Took bus from Lahore to Rawalpindi, Night Stay in Rawalpindi Hotel
Day2-Day3... Took bus from Rawalpindi to Gilgit, Hotel stay in Gilgit Bus-Hotel
Day4........... Cycle Trip from Gilgit to Jutal, Camp in Jutal Camp, Jutal
Day5.......... Cycle Trip from Jutal to Rakaposhi View point Hotel, Rakaposhi view point
Day6......... Cycle Trip to Pissan Valley Nagar, Trek to Rakaposhi along with Pissan Glacier Local house in Pissan
Day7.......... Cycle Trip from Pissan, Nagar to Hunza (Aliabad) Camp, Duikher
Day8........... Cycle Trip from Duikher, Hunza to Attabad Camp, Attabad
Day9........... Cycle + Boat Trip from Attabad to Passu Village, Gojal Hotel, Sirai Silk Route, Passu
Day10......... Cycle Trip from Passu to Sost Hotel, Park Hotel, Sost
Day11......... Moto Bike tour to Khunjrab Pass Hotel, Park Hotel, Sost
Day12......... Took bus from Sost to Hunza (Aliabad) Hotel, Hunza Continental Hotel, Aliabad

CYCLING TOUR CHECKLIST

CYCLING_TOUR_ITINERARY_CHECKLIST (Microsoft Word 2007+) (20 KB)

Thanks to all my friends and family with whom prayers this trip was made possible.

Ghazi bro, is there a link or blog where I can follow their ride and photos?

Basic desi cycles, rigid forks. Spirit of adventure.

Cheers, Doc

 

[ghazi52]

Ghazi bro, is there a link or blog where I can follow their ride and photos?

Basic desi cycles, rigid forks. Spirit of adventure.

Cheers, Doc

https://www.hunzaadventuretours.com.pk/north_pakistan_mountain_biking.html


https://www.spiceroads.com/tours/pakistan_karakoram


http://destinationpak.com/blog/cycling-on-the-roof-of-pakistan-introduction/

 

[padamchen]

https://www.hunzaadventuretours.com.pk/north_pakistan_mountain_biking.html


https://www.spiceroads.com/tours/pakistan_karakoram


http://destinationpak.com/blog/cycling-on-the-roof-of-pakistan-introduction/

Fantastic!

Many thanks buddy.

Cheers, Doc

https://www.hunzaadventuretours.com.pk/north_pakistan_mountain_biking.html


https://www.spiceroads.com/tours/pakistan_karakoram


http://destinationpak.com/blog/cycling-on-the-roof-of-pakistan-introduction/

@I.R.A

Check the last link out. Shandoor Bohat Door Hai

Cheers, Doc

People look Central Asian. Slight mongoloid. Like Uzbeks or Tajiks?

Cheers, Doc

 

[ghazi52]

Cycling on the Roof of Pakistan (part-1)

• Awais Jibran

Before you reach to the destination, you have to face the headache of packing your luggage, making sure all the things are in place, getting on the right transport but they do not always go as expected. Its the test of your psychological strength right at the start of your journey. Like for us, the Journey didn't start as we expected it and we had to face and overcome the unexpected.

DAY 1: LAHORE - RAWALPINDI

SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2013
It was raining early in the morning when we set off from Lahore. The showers of rain turned out a huge blessing with cool breeze in summer morning. The morale was high, and we quickly finalized our bags and hired a “Ching Chee”, which took us from home to the bus station.



Rainy weather early in the morning

Photo with the "Chang Chee" walla

We reached Rawalpindi at 8:30PM and were amazed to see the rush and queue of passengers at the Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) Bus Station. Passengers were rushing and trying to reach Gilgit, Hunza and China. Unfortunately we were not able to get a seat in any of the buses and spend the night in Islamabad.

NATCO bus stop, Rawalpindi

Stood waiting at NATCO bus station

We booked the seats for next day on a coaster which was supposed to leave at 7PM. Islamabad is a peaceful place and we rested there for the night.

DAY 2 - 3: RAWALPINDI & HEADING TOWARDS GILGIT

SUNDAY JUNE 16, 2013 - MONDAY JUNE 17, 2013

We choose to travel by bus to Gilgit. Later in the evening when we reached Rawalpindi, we thought we could enjoy the scenic beauty of Islamabad. We had noticed the immense difference between the people of Lahore and Islamabad. People in Islamabad are more content (mellow in speaking, accommodating and friendly) as compared to Lahore. Roads were wide and dainty. We have seen trees grown in both sides of the roads’ shoulders either way from ingress to egress of the highway. This environment creates less and/or nill pollution in Islamabad making it an ideal city of Pakistan.

Fruit shop in Rawalpindi

Famous "Afghani Naan" in Rawalpindi

In the evening, we left early for the bus station to arrest the very chance of missing the bus ride. We were finally felt relived when we saw our entire luggage was hooked inside the bus. We were about to start our journey that we have been dreaming about.

Our hearts were pounding as we were approaching the mighty Karakorum Highway (KKH). On the way we enjoyed natural scenery and rocky mountains. We stopped for dinner and Isha prayer near Haripur and started journey again on Karakorum Highway (KKH) in Kohistan District.

The roads were uncrowded, beautiful and green in Kohistan, a welcome change from the heavy traffic of Abbotabad. Fresh air welcomed us when we reached Thakot Bridge. The bridge joins Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with other parts of the country.

Fare list - Rawalpindi to Gilgit (RS: 1650)

Stopped at Haripur for dinner

Kohistan at dawn

Heartbeats started to count in as we were starting the journey on the Mighty Karakorum or Karakoram Highway (KKH) near Hassan Abdal. The Karakoram Highway traverses to about Twelve (12) Major Towns in Pakistan and Four (4) Towns in China, viz

1. In Pakistan KKH involve the towns of: Besham, Kohistan, Chilas, Gilgit, Parri Bangla, Danyore, Goro, Nagar, Aliabad, Gulmit, Passu and Sost;
2. China KKH comprise the towns of: Tashkurgan, Upal and Kashgar. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is the highest paved international road in the world connecting China and Pakistan across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges through the Khunjerab Pass at an elevation of 4,693 meters (15,397 Ft.). KKH connects China’s Xinjiang Region with Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Regions serving as popular tourist attraction. The highway is adjudged as the 8th Wonder of the World. KKH was started in 1959 and was completed in 1979 and officially opened for public use in 1986. The highway connects the Gilgit-Baltistan Region of Kashmir to the ancient Silk Road that runs approximately 1,300 Kms. (810 miles) from the City of Kashgar in the Xinjiang Region of China then to Abbottabad, Pakistan. An extension of the highway southwest from Abbottabad forms the N-35 then coalesce with the Grand Trunk Road (N-5) at Hassanabdal, Pakistan. The KKH is the informal name of the Karakoram Highway. Officially, KKH is better known as N-35 within Pakistan and the China National Highway 314 (G314) within China.

The notable mountains that can directly be seen while travelling on KKH are, namely:

1. Nanga Parbat at Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan - The 9th Highest Mountain of the world at 8,126 meters in height (26,660 ft.)

2. Rakaposhi at Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan - 27th Highest in the world at 7,788 meters in height (25,551 ft.)

3. Diran at Gilgit-Baltistan , Pakistan – The most dangerous mountain in Pakistan

4. Shishpar at Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

5. Ultar Peak, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

6. Tupodan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan – Known as the “Cathedral Peaks” near Passu

7. K-2, World famous 2nd Highest Mountain in the World after Mount Everest

The region includes some of the world’s largest glaciers like the Baltoro Glacier. Five 8th Thousanders of the world (Mountains taller than 8,000 meters or 26,000 ft.) are in Pakistan accessible by the Karakoram Highway (KKH).

Many glaciers can be seen while travelling on KKH, viz:

1. Minapin Glacier

2. Passu Glacier

3. Ghulkin Glacier

4. Khunjerab Glacier.

The need to have a more elaborate description of the Karakoram Higway and the corresponding mountain and glacier landscape picturesque along the highway validates the detailed scenic enumeration of the mountain and glaciers to be encountered while travelling on the KKH highway.

We stopped near Haripur for the dinner and Isha Prayer and moved on KKH in Kohistan it was natural green in geographic landscape beauty . After Abbotabad, vehicular traffic was smooth sailing. Fresh air permeated and welcomed us when we reached Thakot Bridge. This bridge connects Gilgit-Baltistan and NWFP to other parts of the country.

All the buses were convoyed by Police motor vehicles to make sure of the safety of all passengers. Our Long journey in Kohistan came to rest at Dasu, where we stopped for the breakfast.

Kohistan people are known to be unfriendly with tourists. To our minds, we fervently hope some change of attitudes as Kohistan is a dreamland tourist attraction haven of luxurious natural Waterfalls interspersed within and beside the luxuriant green vegetative mountains. One can see the Indus River flowing just by the side of the road. This river is also known as “Shair Dariya” & “The Mighty Indus”. It is the combination of Hunza River, Gilgit River, Khunjrab River and other Nalla’s that join it. Summar Nalla, Khyal Nalla, Dubair Nalla are the main river tributary of the Nalla’s. Nalla is a Cold, Clean water source coming from the Glaciers.

The combination of tall and rugged mountain terrain and its spiral looks are testament to the belt of “palaeozoic rock” that adorn the mountain ranges that within these rock belts lie the “Alluvium” and “Pleistocene” mineral deposits. The rough, rocky elevated mountains runs in perpendicular synergy with the Indus river making a noise like a wild lion being a scary landscape scenery for some people. The turbulent continuous flow of stream from the Indus River seemingly loud resounding music along the mountain slopes in any given moment of the day. There are more than 50,000 pieces of rock art and petroglyphs scattered along KKH that are concentrated at 10 major sites between Hunza and Shatial. The carvings were left by invaders, traders and pilgrims that passed along the trade route as well as by the locals. The earliest of this rock art dates back 5000 BC and 1000 BC showing animals, triangular men and hunting rock sculpture in which the animals are drawn bigger than the hunters. The carvings were packed into the rock with stone tools and are covered by thick patina to display their age.

Thakot Bride, Kohistan

Mountain in Kohistan

Indus river at Pattan/Komalia

Mysterious

Dasu Kohistan

 

[Samurai_assassin]

Any photos and pictures to promote religious tourism to Pakistan? Pakistan is home to sacred Sikh Gurdwaras and ancient Bhuddist temples as well as Sufi shrines. Creat a thread to showcase these to the world.

 

[padamchen]

Too good man @ghazi52

Thank you so much for the share.

You guys have amazing beauty and amazing roads there.

Cheers, Doc

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistani Trucks are known in the whole world for their beautiful decoration. Locally, these trucks are called “Jingle Trucks” that provide a lot more pleasant road ride on the Karakoram Highway.

After travelling for almost 18 hours, we finally reached Summar Nalla. Summar Nalla is a joyful place to have a cup of tea. When you travel from Dasu towards Chilas this is the only rest stop in after 57 km. Ride. Summar Nalla considered as a favorite stop for tourists because of the fresh cold water from the glaciers that gives new life in the summer season.

Sumar Nalla, near Shatiyal

Sathiyal

The enterance gate to Chilas city.

We reached Gilgit at 7:20 PM after more than 24 hours of long distance travel that could easily tear us apart and negate our spirits/motivation. The scenery along the way was too entertaining and it didn’t make us feel bored and weary that finally we reached Gilgit City. We started cycling from the Gilgit bus station en route to our hotel. This experience, somehow had been our privileged first pleasures of cycling in this remote area. Nothing much happened after we reached our hotel as we retired in deep slumber.

Trucks on KKH

Somewhere on KKH "a spring"

Things went tough and unexpected when we started paddling on the Karakorum Highway(KKH). The courage and will in ourselves kept us moving on the 8th wonder of the world. Lets get started on a journey of emotions, courage, culture and history.



DAY 4: GILGIT - JUTAL VILLAGE

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2013, 32 KM (20 MILES)

The Karakoram Highway is one of the world's most famous roads and a daring feat of engineering from both Chinese and Pakistani road crews who cut a path through the formidable Karakoram mountain range, which divides the two nations (the road was opened in 1986 and took 20 years to build). Many cyclists I know, or those I'd read about on the Internet had cycled this road - a classic and challenging route passing through the rugged mountainous terrain.

Today we have a personal feel and touch of the Karakoram Highway by bicycle. The sky was full of clouds and cold breeze was blowing when we exited Gilgit on Karakoram highway alongside the Hunza River. On the south, The “Killer Mountain” or also called Nanga Parbat also stands as a giant white cloud attached to the earth. This is the world’s 9th highest mountain (8125m).

Early Morning in Gilgit

Early Morning in Gilgit

Breakfast in Gilgit (Chickpeas, Payee and roti)

Ready to Leave Gilgit

Ready to Leave Gilgit

The highway slowly climbed beside the Hunza river - a series of small ascents and descents, with the former usually lasting longer. The valley sides were steep and often climbed several thousand meters above the road, crested with white, which dazzled in the strong sun. In the evening we stopped at Jutal village. After meeting with locals they agreed that we can camp there, one local named “Tehzeeb” along with his cousin “Shiar Ali” offered us their garden for camp. The garden looked amazing, with apricots trees. We were all excited there was food, water and green garden as no one of us could expect more than what is readily there. After setting our camp the local boys came with a plate of fresh apricots and later with dinner. We have not tasted such apricots before as this garden. “All garden is yours, eat as much as you can”, Ali Shair Said

Jinnah Bridge, Gilgit