Khunjerab 2000

The Khunjerab pass is the highest point of the Karakoram highway and the border between China and Pakistan. Although the actual pass isn't that long it encompasses some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the world. This was a 35 day long trip from Karachi to the Khunjerab Pass and back again.
by Dr. Mansur Ahmed

Foreword

Traveling by road has always brought out the best in me. The hum of the engine, the rumbling noise of the tires, and the passing scenery have a calming effect on my being. Ever since I was young, traveling by

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February 23, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 1: Karachi to Khuzdar

24th June 2000: Karachi, Hub, Uthal, Bela, Sunaro (chrome mines), Khuzdar. (Largest settlement on the RCD Highway). Distance: 410 km, Odometer: 12610 Route: The route passes through the industrialized landscape of the SITE area, before leaving Karachi’s sprawling suburbs. Traveling

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 2: Khuzdar to Quetta

25th June 2000: Khuzdar, Surab, Kalat, Mastung (Ruins of fort). Tiri, Lak pass, Quetta. Distance: 327 km Odometer: 126,488 Route: The main route north continues across wide plains with mountains rising up on either side. The rugged and barren landscape

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 3: Quetta to Loralai

26th June 2000: Quetta, Kuch Lak, Dil Sora, Khanozai,Loralai Distance: 252 Km, Odometer: 126784 Route: Head northwest out of Quetta on the Chaman road, past the turning for the airport. The road crosses the Chaman railway line and passes through

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 4: Loralai to DIKhan

27th June 2000: Loralia, Mekhtar, Kingri, Rakhni, Khar,Fort Munro, Sakhi Sawar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan. Distance: 402 Km, Odometer: 127000 Route: East of Loralai the old single lane road is in poor condition for much of the way.

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 5: DIKhan to Islamabad

DI Khan, Darya Khan, Dullewala, Chashma barrage, Mianwali, Musa Khel, Akwal, Talagang, Chakwal, Islamabad. Distance: 380km, 28th June 2000 Route: Head northeast out of Dera Ismail Khan towards the Chashma Barrage, crossing the Indus at Chashma, and turn left on

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 6: Islamabad

Shopping: Covered Market, Jinnah Supermarket, Aabpara, Blue Area. Restaurants: Pappasallis, Kabul Tikka, Hot Spot, and Bakery. 29th June 2000 Travelogue: I woke up at about 8:00 in the morning, and drove to the petrol pump where I had the Prado

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 7: Islamabad - Margala Hills

Shopping and repairs in Rawalpindi, trek up to the top of Margala Hills. 30th June 2000 Travelogue: Taimur and the boys went to Pindi early in the morning as their vehicles were in need of minor repairs. The suspension on

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 8: Islamabad to Besham

Islamabad, Haripur Havelian (official starting point of Karakoram Highway), Salhas pas, Abbottabad (1853), Bandi, Mansera (trading center, Asoka's Rock Edicts), Batgram, Thakot, , Besham (site of Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien's crossing of Indus in 413 ad. ) Distance: Odometer: 128084, 1st

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 9: Besham- Chilas.

Besham, Pattan (fertile bowl, devastated in 1974 by massive earthquake, Dasu, Sazin, Chilas (police checkpost, rock art, City of Nanga Parbat 26,660ft in the Himalayas). Distance: Odometer: 128344, 2nd July 2000 Route: The road passes through the town of Besham

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 10: Chilas to Fairy meadows

Chilas, Thalpur, Gonar Farm, Raikot Bridge (hire jeeps here). Tato 2600 meters. Fairy Meadows 3155 meters. (Flower-strewn high altitude alpine pastures situated at the base of Nanga Parbat) Distance: Odometer: 128548, 3rd July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 11: Fairy Meadows:

Fairy Meadows, Trek to Beyal camp. 4th July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 12: Fairy Meadows to Gilgit

Fairy Meadows, Tato, Raikot bridge (Pick up the 4×4's), Gonar Farm, Jalipur, Jaglot, Gilgit. 5th July 2000 Route: The gravel track from Tato to Raikot bridge takes a good two hours of fourwheeling.The KKH crosses the river at Raikot bridge.

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 13: Gilgit

Rest. Jeep Service and Repair, Shopping. Stocking up for Kunjerab, 6th July 2000 Travelogue: The men were up early in the morning as the vehicles were in need of repairs, each one has something or the other to sort out.

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 14: Gilgit to Hunza.

Gilgit, Dainyor, Sankhar, Jaglotgah, Aliabad, Karimabad (Hunza). Distance: 101km, 7th July 2000. Route: As the KKH leaves Gilgit district and enters Nagar. The KKH takes a sharp bend to the right following the course of the Hunza river. To the

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 15: Nagar

8th July 2000 Travelogue: We had a relaxing morning in the luxury suites of the Hunza PTDC. The water here has a peculiar color to it. It looks grey and velvety as it flows like fine silk it gives the

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 16: Hunza to Sust.

Hunza, Sacred Rock, Gulmit, Passu, Batura Glacier , Gircha, Sust. 9th July 2000 Route: Just beyond Ganesh, the KKH crosses onto the south side of the Hunza river, where there is a turning for the jeep track to Nagar. Just

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 17: Sust

Attempted Crossing to Kunjerab. 10th July 2000 Travelogue: The locals confirmed the news early in the morning that the road was closed due to a landslide about ten km down the KKH. I wanted to go and check the extent

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 18: Sust to Kunjerab.

Sust,Koksil, Kunjerab National Park, Kunjerab Plateau. Distance: 86km, 11th July 2000 Route: There is a check post at the north end of Sust. Those making a day trip to the Kunjerab Pass may have to register here, the KKH to

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 19: Sust to Gilgit

Sust, Khaiber, Passu (2,543 meters), Karimabad Aliabad, Jaglotgah, Sankhar, Dainyor, Gilgit. 12th July 2000 Travelogue: The feeling of having been to the Kunjerab top actually sunk in the next morning when waiting for tea at the front lounge of the

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 20: Gilgit - Kargah

Stock up for Phunder, Buddha rock carving at Kargah, 13th July 2000 Travelogue: During our late night discussions we had decided that we would rest at Gilgit for a day before proceeding on to Phunder. Everyone was tired and Phander

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 21: Gilgit to Gupis

Gilgit, Kargah Buddah, Gahkuch, Japuky, Gich, Singal, Yangal, Gupis. Odometer: 129395, 14th July 2000 Route: The road to Chitral leaves Gilgit to the west, passing the turn off to the Kargah Buddah. The jeep road passes along the south side

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 22: Gupis to Phunder

15th July 2000 Route: The jeep track heads west from Gupis, passing through the tiny settlements of Hamardas and jandrote, before arriving at the stunning Khalti Lake (10 kilometers). Beyond Gupis, the river is referred to as the Ghizir river,

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 23: Phunder to Shandur

Fishing trip to Teru. Anika's Birthday. 16th July 2000 Route: The Jeep track continues through Teru (22 kilometers) at 3,065 meters, and Barsat (3,353 meters), the final settlement in the district, before entering a beautiful glen. The camping siteshere at

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 24: Phander to Gupis

17th July 2000 Travelogue: After great deliberations as to whether we should stay another day in Phander or head back it was finally decided that we would leave for Gupis the next morning. The NAPWD rest house had been vacated

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 25: Gupis to Gilgit

18th July 2000 Travelogue: The topic of the day was the earthquake, and how we had survived it. Hamid, Amjad and Susan sat underneath the shade of the old chinnar tree in the front lawn at breakfast and discussed the

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 26: Gilgit to Besham

Gilgit, Jaglot, Talechi, Jalipur, Gonar Farm. Chilas, Thor,, Dudisbal, Sazin, Kotgala, Dasu, Pattan, Chaka, Besham. 19th July 2000 Travelogue: Gilgit to Besham is a long drive, the road is in very good condition and one can cover a great deal

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 27: Besham to Islamabad

Beesham, Shiwi, Thakot, Batagram, Mansera, Abbotabad, Nathia gali, Muree, Islamabad. 20th July 2000 Travelogue: In our late night discussion it was decided that we would drive up to Nathia Gali and then on to Islamabad which is our destination for

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 28: Islamabad

21 July 2000 Travelogue: I had already planned that I would have the 4×4 serviced early in the morning as it was in real need of having the gunk of the past few weeks washed off and the joints greased.

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 29: Islamabad

22 July 2000 Travelogue: It would be a lazy day today as we would all rest and recuperate from the tiring drives that we had endured. The boys woke up late in the morning and ordered breakfast from the guesthouse,

February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 30: Islamabad to Sialkot

Islamabad, Riwat, Mendra, Gujar Khan, Mangla reservoir (on the Jhelum River), Dina, Rohtas Fort (a fine castle, built by Sher shah Suri in 1543), Jhelum (military town, has a 19th century Gothic Church), Sarei Alamgir, Kharian, Lala Musa, Gujrat, Wazirabad,

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 31: Sialkot to Lahore

Sialkot, Daska, Kamoke, Muridke, Lahore. 24th July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 32: Lahore

25th July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 33: Lahore to Multan

Lahore, Pattoki, Okara, Sahiwal, Mian Chunu, Khanewal, Multan. Odometer: 131095, 26th July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 34: Multan to Sukker

27th July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

Day 35: Sukker to Karachi

Sukker, Khairpur, KotDiji, Kandiaro, Moro, Hala, Hyderabad, and Karachi. 28th July 2000

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February 26, 2004, by Dr. Mansur Ahmad | Comments

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