Khunjerab Pass at the Pakistan / China border, to Sost, North Pakistan.
The KKH is the world's highest paved international road connecting Pakistan to the ancient silk road. The KKH begins in Kashgar, China and goes for 1,300km to Abbotabad, in Pakistan
The Monument is the common border marking the two countries. Its also marks the beginning of another adventure for us. Taking the Karakoram Highway will not be challenging as a new paved highway is being built but we are looking forward to face the Attabad Lake crossing.
Fantastic, amazing scenic views awaits us to Passu at Lake Attabad. Mountain Peaks, blue/green/ turquoise Rivers, Green lusch valleys, Villages, Farms and Glaciers await us. Its going to be our dream adventure of a lifetime, especially Dad who was inspired to make the Lake crossing on a boat ....with no lashing...no life jackets.....his dream ....high up in the Himalayan Mountain Range.
The KKH was first open in 1982. Now a new paved road is being built by a China Pakistan Consortium due for completion 2015
Pakistan guards checking our documents before allowing us to proceed further. Unlike the borders of all the countries we have been too so far, the customs and immigration offices for Pakistan is not located right at the border. It is in the town of Sost, about 90km away.
Towns and Villages, Valleys, Mountains Rivers and Glaciers we will pass by.
Once a treacherous track, the KKH is now newly paved. Road works are still ongoing such as installing side railings, completing some of the tunnels etc.
Snow capped Mountains.
Winding road snaking down the Mountain....
Drainage work in progress.
A stream from melting snow.
The stream is one of many feeding into this river . This is low period.
When streams turn into rivers, water erosion becomes a photo piece.
Further down white water stream racing down
The first tunnel
A Landslide occurred here .....recently
We can still pass...
Welcome to Kunjegrab National park.....and a a donation for the upkeep of the Park is collected here.
The Guards letting us through after registering and paying the fees.
A huge boulder came tumbling down the mountain side ....too big to move the stone away
This where the huge boulder fell on the road . and rolled to he edge of the road....
A river at its driest.
Arriving at Sost. After completing customs and immigration formalities. The Officers were very helpful and polite. We checked Sost Town and spent the night here.
Sost Main Road town.
Our Sorento next to a colourful Pakistan Jingle trucks, named as such because of the jingle sound the truck makes when it moves, thanks to all the trinkets hung around the truck.
One of the "super"stores at Sost. Others sell various items including food, groceries, solar panels, batteries and cigarettes and what nots. etc.
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