Hi All,
Has anyone here have any experiences with traveling to Northern part of pakistan, places like Gilgit and Hunza valley. If someone from Karachi wants to visit, anyway possible for them to go there. Karachi to Lahore in Train and then from there on in a bus.
Re: Karachi to Gilgit
I am from Karachi and I went to Gilgit and Hunza valley last month (i.e. June 2009). The best way to get there is to first go to Rawalpindi by train (comfortable and cheaper). And from Rawalpindi (Pir Wadhai Bus Station) you can catch a bus called NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Corporation) and it will drop you at Gilgit for around Rs.1100
For more information you can visit the thread I created before going there. It also contains information and pictures about the places I visited.
Link:
http://www.paklinks.com/gs/travel-tourism/322937-gilgit-hunza-valley.html
Re: Karachi to Gilgit
Thanks, the pics look really nice.
Can you tell me how long was the train ride from Karachi to Rawalpindi, and how long was the bus ride from Pindi to Gilgit?
I am visiting Pakistan after Ramzan and will be there for 10 days, do you think i can squeeze in a trip to Gilgit in that time frame?
Most likely I am not planning to visit every area like others have before, but just the scenic areas (mostly green and mountainous regions)
PS - I looked at more of your pictures on facebook of other trips and the trips to Kaghan, Naran and surrounding areas look very nice, do you recommend visiting Kaghan area or Gilgit. I know Gilgit is more up North and will take more time.
Re: Karachi to Gilgit
The train ride from Karachi to Rawalpindi takes around 25-30 hours depending on what train you are choosing.
You can go to Pakistan Railway and then “Plan Your Journey”.. That will tell you which train will take least time from Karachi to Rawalpindi. Getting late is also very common for Pakistani trains so always prepare your mind for a late arrival of 2-3 hours.
I think visiting Naran valley would be a better option for you this time because you have only 10 days in Pakistan out of which few will be reserved for your main reason of coming (like meeting family or official work). So, in real you have like 6-7 days for the trip.
Rawalpindi to Gilgit is almost 26 hours way (i.e. because of repairing of Karakoram Highway. All of it after Besham is not paved and the whole way is bumpy. Road closures are also observed because of work in progress). And from Gilgit to Hunza it takes 3-4 hours more.
Naran valley is about 10-12 hours from Rawalpindi and you can reach there by PTDC bus which goes daily at 9 AM from Flashman Hotel. Other options are available too if you miss the bus. (i.e. going to Mansehra from Rawalpindi on Daewoo Bus Service and from there you can catch a van or a bus to Naran).
Naran valley also has many attractions like Lake Saif Ul Maluk, Aansu Lake, Lalazar, Lulupatsar Lake, Jalkhad etc.
Our Northern Areas are also very beautiful and 6-7 days are way too less to explore the Northern Areas. I went there but I had few days + tight budget so I wasn’t able to explore the beauty of our Northern Areas at full extent. May be next year I’ll go for more detailed tour.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask 
Re: Karachi to Gilgit
Hi everyone, is it safe to travel alone in northern areas of Pakistan?
Re: Karachi to Gilgit
Yep completely safe. I just returned last month and it was great experience.
Re: Karachi to Gilgit
I did Islamabad to Gilgit 23 years ago. It was a lot of fun on the bicycle.