Pakistan Sost, Pine Cone Mountains of Passu and Borith Lake 2013

 Karakoram Highway from Sost to  Passu

We spent a few hours at after Custom Formalities to get a couple of things done on our Sorento. We had her serviced (engine oil and oil filter changed) and her side step fixed. 

             

Engine Oil and Oil filter changed and safety checks carried out at this workshop.

We had seen the Tourist Information Office the day before and decided to drop by the office this morning to get some info. Next, we changed some dollars for rupees (1 USD = 98 rupees). 

Then we went in search of lunch. We packed some briyani rice and chapati roti. We left Sost Town at noon local time to head towards Passu and the Attabad Lake.

Pakistan Karakoram Highway KKH to Lahore 2013

Pakistan. Mastuj to Chitral and the Kalash Villages, near Aryun. 2013

Mastuj is in the Khyber Paktunkhwa Region of Pakistan         

We left Mastuj with a lone Police Escort....driving South West through the Mountains to Chitral and The Kalash People Villages near Aryun

Pakistan. Gupis to Shandur Pass along the Gilgit River Valley 2013

Shandur Pass is located between Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan as a common shared pass. It is often called the 'Roof of the World'. 

Getting oof the KKH  after Gilgit City and taking the Chitral Gilgit  Road to Shandu Pass/Top and beyond is the most rewarding part of our trip from Kungerab Pass . The scenery is most captivating, the turquoise coloured   Gilgit River  is never ending as we drove. Green River Valleys  stretching  from Gupis Town to  Shandu Pass is the most beautiful.  Shandu Top Highlands is worth the detour getting off the KKH. 

Pictures below describes it all.

 Gilgit River 

Pakistan KKH Ali Abad to Gilgit and Dunyore 2013

 We left Ali Abad village for Gilgit City.

Lush green field.

Pakistan Our Sorento crossing the Attabad Lake (aka Hunza Lake / Gojal Lake) 2013

                         Hunza Valley, North Pakistan

Hunza is located in the Gilgit Baltistan region in the north of Pakistan. We are travelling the stretch from Passu village to Attabad village.

Our Karakoram Driving Adventure Videos - 1

Pakistan Karimabad and Aliabad 2013

By now our Sorento have been offloaded from the boat that had taken her across the Attabad Lake over the section of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) that is now fully submerged. Click on the link to read more about our Sorento's Attabad Lake crossing. near Passau

We rejoined the KKH Highway and after fifteen minutes of dirt road from the New Lake, we are back on paved road again.

The blueish of blue waters of Attabad Lake...natural 'dam' caused by a massive glacier landslide that swept away the road connecting Attaabad Village and Karimabad Village.....a new road is under construction . Local, visitors, goods, local produce and vehicles from either side use Ferry large boats 

Our Karakoram Driving Adventure Videos - 2

Pakistan Driving on the world's highest paved international road - the KKH 2013

 Khunjerab Pass at the Pakistan / China border, to Sost, North Pakistan.

Today we crossed the border into Pakistan from China at Khunjerab Pass, which is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway (N-35) at 4,693 metres above sea level.

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.