Just Back from K2 Basc Camp Trek

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thirllingsteps
thirllingsteps

Just back from Pakistan. Had a wonderful time, even though there were incident at Nanga Parbat. I know that there has been a lot on here lately about safety and I thought I would share my thoughts having just returned. We travelled with other trekkers on KKH and trekked to K2 base camp, unfortunatey not Gondogoro La. we walked in Skardu, we walked everywhere, we took the KKH, we stayed in Chilas, we shopped in Skardu and Islamabad, we ate in out of the way spots and did many other things that made our vacation special. Not once, did it ever occur to me to be nervous in any way. It is a complete non-issue, so much so, that when you go and experience it yourself you may just feel a little foolish for being concerned in the first place! I 100% feel safer in Skardu and on K2 trek than I do in my own city in Texas. Nanga Parbat is far off from K2 trek trail and lot of security by army at each camp site.
Really, let this put your fears to rest once and for all. In addition everyone is very nice and accomodating. If anyone wants any more information please PM me.
Couple of tips

1) For a bit of peace and quiet after walking round in Skardu visit the Deosai - an oasis of tranquility.

2) The banks in Skardu wont accept travellers cheques (or at least the guy on duty when we were there wouldn't) and they also don't accept Mastercard or Visa card.

If you are undecided about visiting Pakistan - go for it - it was amazing!

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guyanaguy
guyanaguy

You are from Texas and yet you call it "travellers cheques" instead of "travelers checks"?!! Are you really from Texas?

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k2_heights
k2_heights

Thanks thirlingsteps for sharing valuable first hand travel report with fellow travelers.
Keep on having fun.

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thirllingsteps
thirllingsteps

'm not native American, but live in Texas.

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oceanbound222
oceanbound222

I agree. Pakistan is an undiscovered paradise. India is packed to the brim with tourists and everyone there is trying to get their share of the tourist dollars.

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mashap
mashap

Thirlingsteps, thanks for sharing. Its great to hear. Did you do your trek with an agency? If so, what was it called?

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saharablue
saharablue

Hi Guyanaguy,

Greetings from US
I'm from Texas & write 'traveller's cheques'! ;-)
but then I'm a girl
And a 7 time traveller to Pakistan.

Cheers.
SB

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saharablue
saharablue

Thanks Tirllingsteps for your pleasant post.
It's nice to hear that a fellow Texan likes Pakistan as much as you did. I do as well.
How did you get cash?
This happened to me once in 2005 & I stayed in a village for 3 weeks until I could get money.
Do you know if Gilgit is cashing traveller' cheques at the banks these days?
This can be a problem in the North. No problem in Islamabad.

Thanks.
SB

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tomtraveller
tomtraveller

I just returned from Pakistan - doing the K2 and G1 and 2 based camp trek. My experience on safety was very similiar to the OP. I never felt threatened - always felt safe, and I had a wonderful experience.

I could not cash travelers checks anywhere - even in Islamabad. I went to several banks in the Blue area and a whole covey of bank officials would examine my American Express travellers checks, and then they would hand them back to me, indicating that I couldn't cash them unless I had a Pakistani bank account.

Also, I could not find an ATM that would take my debit card. I kept getting error messages.

Fortunately, I brought enough cash - USD - and the money changers would readily accept those bills.

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k2_heights
k2_heights

Thanks tomtraveller for sharing first hand update on traveler's check.

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