Any advice on a bus from Gilgit via Islamabad to Lahore? Cost? Bad idea? White 26 scruffy looking American. I notice it passes through Abbottabad, which I can`t help but recognize from headlines...how much of Swat valley is media hype and how much is reasonable danger?
Im willing to take some risk to see Pakistan with my own eyes, but I dont want to take foolish risks. I appreciate any insight from people who have taken this route.
Its safe to take a bus via KKH to Islamabad onwards to Lahore,2100 Prk from Gilgit to Islamabad and 700 Rs from Islamabad to Lahore.Yes the bus passes through Abbottabad while coming from Gilgit but what's wrong with that?
I don't suggest foreigners to visit Swat at the moment.
Avoid going to traibal areas and do not visit mosques specially in Friday prayers time.
Not a problem. The bus does not actually pass through Swat.
Abbottobad is a normal town. It was a big suprise that Laden Sahib was found there.
Gilgit to I'bad costs about 1000Rs with Natco. It will take between 14 and 24 hours.
You will get dropped at Pir Wadai bus terminal where, if you cn face it, you can get a bus to Lahore. It will take 6-8 hours and cost 4-600 Rs.
(prices and times are a bit vague as they are from memory but i am sure a local poster can help you out).
There should be no major problems on this route at all. Biggest risk is the driver crashing or the fcat that the KKH can see landslides that very occasionally hit a vehicle. Very unlikely but more likely than any other type of danger in my opinion.
Have fun
JakJones,I think the abouve poster is wooried about Abbottabad because Ladin Sahib was found there.
You re right that Abbottabad is quite & safe town in general.
The bus from Gilgit to Islamabad/Rawalpindi takes around 18 to 20 hours in these days.
Excellent advice. Thank you. This along with talking to a Pakistani friend has settled most my unnecessary fears.
One small note:
Is Nov. an Enjoyable month to be in Pakistan or should I try to make it a bit earlier?
Bonjour mes amis,
Take a NATCO bus from Gilgit to Rawalpindi, 20 to 22 hrs these days because of road maintenance.
November, a bit chilly in the mountainous regions Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral but pleasant in the south, Islamabad and Lahore.
From Islamabad to Lahore, some 5 hrs, take a Daewoo bus, pretty convenient.
Daewoo bus
In Lahore, please avoid the sufi gatherings at the sufi shrines, not safe these days.
Fort, Badhshahi Mosque, Shalimar gardens, and food at food street, shouldn't be missed.
As far as Swat valley is concerned, it's absolutely safe to visit, I was there in July along with a European friend and we met a group of foreign journalists, who were also visit the valley, so no worries.
Bon voyage..
