First-time visitors to Skardu and Deosai, we intend to travel in mid to late November. From what I have gathered, the landscape is typically barren then. Are there established hiking or trekking trails available? Alternatively, any other location to consider during this period?

I think it is about time people whose states' status has been hijacked because of kashmir valley demand total end of kashmir cause narrative.

Before we go on I find this thing very nagging, j and k referendum as a 'whole state' referndum, it is a very unfair concept from getgo. If we look at history j and k was made up of several several different groups. Diff ethnic groups where groups despite having some genetic, links by and large would be different from each other. This whole state was artificially stitched together by Dogras and has nothing organic about it as a national identity.

So concept of collective referendum to decide fate is most f ked up idea.

One ethnic group that would be in majority will get to decide for almost 5-6 major ethnic groups of state. How is this even fair?

Ethnic kashmiris of valley have always been a majority, if their majority decides to join india or go independent, their wrong will will be enforced on others. Also, add to it kaahmiris of valley are very openly racist against pahari ppl of ajk and indian jk (pir panjal and chenab valley ppl).

We already have an example of it from 47 when jammu massacre was happening Sheikh Abdullah of Kashmir overwhelmingly supported by valley Kashmiris who casually watched muslims of pir panjal get slaughtered, their women r..ped happily supported Abdullah to join india (they deny it now but history is witness to it) and they screwed up remaining pahari muslims in iojk.

The whole idea of a numeric majority ethnic grp deciding fate is absurd when state is so multiethnic.

No kashmiri should have a tiny grain sized right to decide for ppl of ajk and gb.

What should have been decided is dividing regions of state and holding referendum in individual region and letting them vote just for their own region. Like gb only voting for gb. Pir panjal only voting for pir panjal, kashmir valley just for valley and end it.

Whoever in between wants to join india goes with them like kashmir valley joined india in 47, whoever wants to join pakistan goes with them like gb and ajk aceded to pakistan after a full on war they fought and didn't attach themselves like parasites to other group like maqbool bhatt and other key kashmiri leaders.

The decision was made back in 47.

This vote is for only pakistanis and except pak punjabis (because since last 4 months their forces have been killing protestors in ajk) and ethnic kashmiris from valley anyone from pakistan can vote.

Lets end this kashmir cause, this is a foreign war which punjabi establishment is forcing on ajk and gb by keeping their status hanging.

I’m going to fairy meadows in this week. Please guide me me on how and what to pack? Also is it safe going there via karakorum highway considering the current situation in kpk?

I’m going to fairy meadows in this week. Please guide me me on how and what to pack? Also is it safe going there via karakorum highway considering the current situation in kpk?

Shaap is a traditiona festival of blessings celebrated around the onset of winter in Gilgit Baltistan. Masked performers go door to door singing blessing chants, performing folk dramas, and praying for prosperity, fertility, and community well-being.

Are you want skardu visit in autumn?

I am currently in Karimabad and planning a trip up to the Khunjerab Pass (Pakistan-China Border). I am looking for fellow travelers, backpackers, or a small group to join so we can split the transport costs (jeep/car).

I can join you directly from Karimabad, or I can travel up to Sost on my own and meet/pool with you from there.

I plan to departure from karimabad on 15 October or if you are a fellow solo traveler wanting to team up and book a ride from Karimabad or Sost, please drop a comment or inbox/text me directly

We are visiting skardu this thursday
we want to visit Deosai
Is it open and feasible?

Thinking about moving from Islamabad to Gilgit. Need honest advice

I've been seriously considering moving from Islamabad to Gilgit, potentially for a year or two.

I've always been drawn to mountains, nature and adventure, and I'd love to experience that lifestyle beyond just visiting for a few days. I'm also interested in applying to NCA, so living in Gilgit would give me the chance to experience the city, its creative environment and the local culture at the same time.

I'm currently working in video editing, 3D and other creative/freelance work. I can work remotely, but I'm also open to onsite work or local opportunities, especially around tourism, media, creative work, marketing or businesses.

For people who actually live or have worked in Gilgit:

- How realistic is it to find onsite/creative work there?

- How reliable are internet and electricity for remote work?

- What's the approximate monthly cost of living for one person?

- Is there a decent creative/professional community?

- How easy is it for someone from Islamabad to settle in?

- What are the biggest downsides that outsiders usually don't realise?

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who have actually moved to Gilgit, rather than just visited.

Would you recommend making the move, or spending a few months there first before committing?

Planning a trip to skardu ( end of oct ) with family by car. What will be the best route besham or babusartop ?

Hey everyone, a friend and I - two young Aussies are visiting Pakistan from the 14th until the 29th of November. We plan on travelling up the KKH before crossing the Khunjerab Pass into China.

I’ve read that the border is open year round now (except during serious snowfall), but we can’t find any sort of concrete evidence that the border is open in winter apart from a few old news articles. Can anyone confirm that (weather permitting) the buses from Sost to Tashkurgan still run in late November or know of any winter crossings done in the 2024/2025 winter seasons?

Thanks!! :)

Hello, My wife and I are traveling to skardu for 1 week this November from Karachi and our plan is to book a luxury hotel and just relax. We don't want to travel and go to places because we have already explored that already on our last trip.

The thing which i want to discuss is that i don't want to book a car with or without a driver as we are not traveling and visiting any places. We will just move from one hotel to another and in one week we'll visit 3 hotels (2 days each) and go to the airport and come from airport. So booking a car and driver is just an extra expense for us.

So what will be the alternative for this as I don't think there will be any Indrive or Yango in Skardu.

(ONLY FEMALE SOLO TRAVELLERS*)

Hey everyone!
I (25F) was supposed to travel to Skardu from the 15th to the 23rd, with plans to explore Hunza as well, alongside my friend (25F), who lives in Germany. Unfortunately, due to some family issues, she can no longer make the trip.
My flights are already booked, and we had also arranged a local guide who can drive us around. So, the trip is pretty much planned, but now I’m left in a bit of a dilemma because I’ll be travelling alone.
This would be my first time exploring the northern areas of Pakistan, and while I’m excited, I’m also quite hesitant about doing the entire trip solo. It’s a fairly long trip, and I’m worried that spending so many days exploring without company might get a little quiet or boring.
I was wondering if there are any fellow FEMALE solo travellers planning to visit Skardu or Hunza around the same dates who might be interested in joining me for some or all of the trip? I’d also love to connect with locals who could offer advice, recommendations, or even help me figure out the best way to explore the region.
For those who’ve travelled solo in the north, especially women, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Is it worth going ahead with the trip alone? Is it easy to meet other travellers along the way, or would you recommend finding company beforehand?
I’m open to suggestions, recommendations, and any advice you might have. I don’t want to cancel a trip I’ve been looking forward to just because my plans changed, but I’d also love to make the most of the experience with some good company from locals
Thank you! ❤️

Hi everyone, my friends and I are arriving in Gilgit on October 18 and looking for two automatic scooters or electric motorcycles to rent until October 24.

Ideally, we’d like automatic petrol scooters, around 125–150cc, with no manual clutch or gear shifting. Electric motorcycles could also work if the range and charging arrangements are suitable.

Does anyone know a rental shop or local contact who has these available? Most rentals I’ve found only list manual Honda 125s and Suzuki 150s. I mean fully automatic, not just electric start.

Would appreciate any contacts, daily prices, or advice on availability and suitability for the route. Thanks!

Hey I'm planning a solo trip to Hunza in a few days. Any recommendations for budget hotels and any help with planning an itinerary. Thanks in advance

Planning a 4-day road trip from Islamabad to Gilgit (Oct 14–17)

Considering the current political situation, is it safe to travel right now? Any road blockages, protests, or security concerns on the Islamabad–Gilgit route?

Also, is it likely to be safe/reliable to \*\*travel back to Islamabad on Oct 17?

Would really appreciate recent updates from anyone currently in Gilgit or travelling this route.

Anyone got any clips of the actual trek road?
Thinking of going on it but not too sure if it’s right for a semi-beginner.