My Pakistani friend told me to visit Pakistan and said it is really cheap?

I was talking with my friend who is from Pakistan and he recommended that I travel to Pakistan. I told him that I want to check out some areas in central Asia and he told me that Pakistan is significantly cheaper than India for travel? Is this true? There are a lot of interesting places I want to check out in both India and Pakistan, but I don't want to spend too much money traveling. He told me that there are so many beautiful natural sites I should visit in Pakistan. I guess he kind of pumped me up to go there haha. If I did decide to go to Pakistan, I would take a train to Xinjiang province in China and then take a train from there into North Pakistan, which he told me could be done. I will do more research on this. It would of course be a lot cheaper than any flight there from Beijing. Has anyone on here been traveling around Pakistan? How much money would I need to travel around for about 3 weeks or a month? I don't plan on shopping or anything. I mainly want to check out the natural sites like the mountains, forests, lakes, etc. for photography. Also, what places would you guys recommend? I might also be willing to check out a nearby country. I thought about starting in Pakistan, then I would go through north India into Nepal and finally into Tibet. I would just return to Beijing after seeing Tibet, which would be the last stop for this trip. I'm guessing this whole itinerary would cost around $2,000 - $3,000 US dollars? I would appreciate any suggestions.

I read some threads about getting to Pakistan from China and got some answers. So I guess I only really need to know how much being in Pakistan for 3 weeks - 1 month would cost for nature sightseeing.

Edited by: restlesshobo

Edited by: restlesshobo

Edited by: restlesshobo

Edited by: restlesshobo

Bonjour from Chitral,

No idea about the train from China into north Pakistan, though buses and coaches make it from Kashgar and Tashkurgano to Sust ( Hunza ).

If any trekking itinerary is not included, 1500 to 2000 US $ seems a practical amount for 3, 4 weeks in Pakistan, while staying in mid range guest houses and using mostly the public transport in North Pakistan and Chitral.

Ciao,

There are no trains travelling from China to Pakistan, and there are no trains in Northern areas of Pakistan ( Gilgit/Baltistan etc).
UB.

I guess taking the buses along the Korakaram highway would be the way to go. I am more interested in the natural sites and mountains in north Pakistan. If I stayed in really cheap hostels and took the bus around to the natural sites in north Pakistan...do you really think it will cost about $1,500 - $2,000 US? That is not cheap! I have traveled for 3 weeks in China and spent way less than that. There much be a cheap way to see Pakistan for only about $1,000 US for 3 weeks or more. I don't mind sleeping on the floor or in a ghetto place with bugs. I am not like most people. I am not picky at all. I just want to experience the countryside there and I am willing to sacrifice comfort and luxury.

There are plenty of cheap rooms around, and you won't have to sleep on the floor, you should be able to get a decent single for $3-4 in most places. I've just returned from 6 weeks touring Northern areas with my wife on the bike and we didn't pay more than 700 Pkrps anywhere for double en-suite, ( except for PTDC, which we had to use on 2 occasions). Excluding travel costs you could easily live on $10-15 a day, if your happy eating in local places !
UB.

I lived well in Nth Pakistan for $20 a day.

Yeah,you can easily live on 15$ per day basis.The food is quite cheap & you can stay in hotels for 4/5$ per night.

No train from China to anywhere in Pakistan including Northern areas.

This is very good news! I don't mind eating the local food and mingling with the locals. I really want to stay away from the cities and stick to the countryside, near the mountains and valleys. The northern areas and the Jumuu and Kashmir areas look the most interesting to me. I thought about Kaghan Valley for Lake Saiful Maluk, Dungagali, Khyber Pass, Kailash valley in Chitral, Khunjerab Pass in Hunza valley, Nanga Parbat Base camp (Fairy Meadows), Kashmir valley, K2 base camp & Gondghoro la. There are so many amazing places to see here. I should be able to see most of these places if I traveled there for a month or so. Which places are the must sees?

Forget Azad Kashmir, you won't get in without NOC, and that probably applies to Kaghan valley as well now. Khyber pass has been closed to foreigners for some years so I would suggest you stick to Gilgit/Baltistan. Chitral/kailash is still possible but you will be obliged to have a police escort 24/7 during your stay there, even sleeping outside your hotel room door ! Personally, I felt very uncomfortable being constantly accompanied by armed constables, nor did I feel that it was necessary.
UB.

@uselessbaba: That sounds terrible! I wouldn't want to deal with such a hassle with the police or military during my trip. I will stick to the areas you mentioned. That being said, have you been to both of these areas before? What are some must sees in these places? I want to see some big mountains and some valleys and natural lakes. Things like this. Maybe some small towns or villages in the countryside for the cultural experience as well. Thanks for the information. I hope to hear from you soon.

K2, Astore Valley, Nanga Parbat, Shangrila resort, Skardu, and the Deosai Plateau all looks like really interesting places to check out. I know Azad Kashmir would not be ideal, but how about the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir to the southeast?

No idea about Indian administered Kashmir but you need permission 9from the ministry of Kashmir affair in Islamabad) in order to go Pakistani side of the Kashmir,you could only go all the way to Muzafarabad without permit but not beyond.

Trekking to K2 is one of the most expensive treks in Pakistan,in addition you need to obtain permit from the ministry of tourism along with licensed guide.

The NOC does not apply to go to Kaghan valley.
There is no public transport in order to go from Deosai to Astor valley,you have to hire a jeep either from Askardu or Astor so with your limited budget (20$ per day?) forget about that trip.

Well I would be willing to work more and save up more money for this trip if the transportation and treks can cost a lot. More than $20 a day would be alright. I wouldn't want to trek up K2 since the mountain is too high and it would be freezing up there. I would mainly want to travel to the foot of the mountain and stay in the valley areas for photos of the mountain. How much would it cost to travel just to the foot of the mountain? How much would it cost ballpark range to take a jeep to some of the places I mentioned in my previous post? I am considering a specific route for my itinerary, so just let me know some estimates assuming I would be leaving from the recommended areas or transit locations, hubs, etc. I appreciate everyone's help so far.

Edited by: restlesshobo

Its good idea to work more & save up some more money so your budget 'd not too tight.

''you could only go all the way to Muzafarabad without permit but not beyond.''.......
No you cannot, Muzafarabad is inside AJK and you cannot enter AJK without NOC, ( I know this for a fact, from personal experience ) end of story !
You should add Hunza valley ( Karimabad ) to your list ( stop at the Rakaposhi hotel en route for great views of Rakaposhi ) and Gulmit for a walk up to the glacier ( and an interesting boat ride across the lake ).Ghizer valley is also beautiful and quiet with good trout fishing,and a great place to just chill. Fairy meadows for closeness to Nagar Parbat and Skardu for arranging your Deosai trip. Expect to pay about 5oooPk rps a day for a jeep with driver.
You cannot enter Indian Kashmir/Jammu from Pakistan, but it is no problem entering from India, you can take the train from Amritsar-Jammu and then the bus to Srinigar.
UB.

Agreed with UB that its not possible for a foreigner to go beyond Muzzaffarabad with out a permit from the ministry of Kashmir Affairs in Islamabad.

You should add Hunza valley ( Karimabad ) to your list ( stop at the Rakaposhi hotel en route for great views of Rakaposhi ) and Gulmit for a walk up to the glacier ( and an interesting boat ride across the lake ).

I highly agree with the above. Karimabad is my favourite place in Pakistan, absolutely beautiful views over the mountains, really friendly people and great culture to be seen.

hello, i´m travelling to islamabad on october 13, a pakistani friend of mine is going to pick me up at the airport, but his house is in Kotli...
i´ve been reading this posts and realised that i need a NOC (actually i don´t know what that means..) to get into kashmir (Kotli is in kashmir)
so even if i have my visa for pakistan and going with a paksitani do i have to do that NOC in islamabad???
when we (my pakistani friend & i) went to the pakistani consulate they told us that he (my friend) had to sing a notarial paper saying that he is responsable for me, and a notary had to sing too with the stamp
that´s not enough to go into kashmir??
many thanks in advance fro you quick answers.

Unfortunately, you cannot enter AJK without NOC ( No Objection Certificate ). This will take a minimum of 2 weeks from Ministry of home affairs Islbd.

Agreed with baba jee.