About
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People
The people are nice, very hospitable and curious. It is almost impossible not to get in touch. However, you see few women, they are not part of everyday life. In bazaars you see them but heavily veiled. Only as a woman can you come into contact with other women. However, as a woman it is better to wear a veil and long clothes. Appropriate clothing is very important. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt are recommended.
The population consists of Pakistanis, Afghans, Punjabi, Shina, Waghi and many more populations. • People speak Urdu, but many also know English.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Visa
Most nationalities need a visa to enter Pakistan.
Visa policy of Pakistan
Pakistan
Visa-free entry; eligible for all electronic visas
Electronic Travel Authorization for visa on arrival for tourism and business purposes; online visa application eligible
Electronic Travel Authorization for visa on arrival for business purposes only; online visa application eligible
Online visa application only
Visa required in advance
Source: Wikipedia.
Last updated 19 Apr 2021 by Cycle PlanetEdit
Sleeping
Staying with locals
People often ivite you to their homes, which is fun, cheap and safe (with the exception of tribal areas).
(Formal) camping
Occasionally there are campsites and sometimes you can pitch your tent at a hotel.
Ho(s)tels
There are plenty of hotels everywhere, with the exception of the desert, where you will still find primitive accommodation options. Along the Karakoram Highway there is a hotel in every place, which is also cheap. They eat together there. There is a so-called “traveler” atmosphere.
Accommodations are also easy to find between Islamabad and Lahore, it is not equally clean everywhere. If there is no hotel, there are sometimes PWD government resthouses. They are often still very British and basic, but cheap. Hotels in cities are often very dirty.
Wild camping
In quiet areas free camping is often dangerous, in busy areas (Punjab and Sindh) too restless.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Safety
Nature and animals
In some places some pebbles come rolling down the mountain: then it is better to wear a helmet. The road from Gilgit to Skardu is very narrow, with poor road surfaces and steep sections. The abyss is steep and deep. So be careful if you come across a truck: get off if necessary.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Cycle PlanetEdit
Food and drink
There are many eateries and you can eat in every hotel. The food is one-sided (chapati and dal) and often spicy. The food is greasy, very greasy. Most cyclists have stomach problems when they arrive in Quetta. Be careful with food, hygiene is not that great. In guesthouses for tourists the food is usually reasonable. Good food for vegetarians is hard to find. Cooking yourself is wise.
Drinkable water
Water is available at every village. You have to purify this water because water from a pump is not really hygienic. Tap water is also not reliable. In the cities (Quetta, Punjab, Sindh) mineral water is widely available. Soft drinks are also easy to get. There is absolutely no alcohol available. You can drink sweet tea anywhere.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit
Other
Best time to cycle
Fall, winter and early spring are suitable for the lowlands in the south. Summer is suitable for the Himalayas. Martin: "It was very hot in the Baluchistan desert in mid-October. When I left Quetta in early November, it was with gloves on in the morning."
Freek and Quirien: "April-May is a good period for the KKH. It is already very hot in the sun, although it cools down considerably at night in the higher areas (to freezing point). near the pass). Please note that the pass is not open all year round: in the spring it opens on May 1 (and closes October 31, I believe)."
Spare parts
High quality parts are only available in Punjab and Sindh. There is little cycling, so bring your own parts. People are inventive with repairs.
Last updated 6 Jun 2021 by Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.beEdit