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Visiting Pakistan as a South African?

Ozymandiasza

Ozymandiasza

First Class Player
Joined
Jun 14, 2013
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2,618
Hi guys,

A first-time poster on this section. Some of you might know (loathe) me from the cricket forum. I've been wanting to travel to the Himalaya for a long while now. Unfortunately, the congested routes in Tibet, and probably India, would be too touristy for me. So I thought, why not get an opinion from the locals about visiting the Gilgit-Baltistan as a white South African.

I'm aware of some religious extremist elements and sympathisers in Pakistan, but these stories are generally greatly exaggerated. As a South African, I'm "use" to crime but still wouldn't want to lose my head in front of a camera. Would you guys recommend visiting this region in order to experience the Himalaya? Is it safe?
 
I would discourage you unless you want your relatives to pay a heavy ransom to the Talibans.

Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
 
enkidu_ said:
I would discourage you unless you want your relatives to pay a heavy ransom to the Talibans.

Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
Click to expand...

There are no mountains in Mississippi, and the Appalachians barely touch northern Alabama.
 
enkidu_ said:
I would discourage you unless you want your relatives to pay a heavy ransom to the Talibans.

Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not...
 
enkidu_ said:
I would discourage you unless you want your relatives to pay a heavy ransom to the Talibans.

Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
Click to expand...

You must be an Indian or BDeshi, never waste a chance to say like this.

Gilgit , skardua and particularly Hunza, which you pass through on your way to Himalaya are one of the safest place in subcontinent . I have been there multiple times.
 
moghul said:
You must be an Indian or BDeshi, never waste a chance to say like this.

Gilgit , skardua and particularly Hunza, which you pass through on your way to Himalaya are one of the safest place in subcontinent . I have been there multiple times.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks. The videos and images I've seen have looked transcendental.
 
Ozymandiasza said:
Hi guys,

A first-time poster on this section. Some of you might know (loathe) me from the cricket forum. I've been wanting to travel to the Himalaya for a long while now. Unfortunately, the congested routes in Tibet, and probably India, would be too touristy for me. So I thought, why not get an opinion from the locals about visiting the Gilgit-Baltistan as a white South African.

I'm aware of some religious extremist elements and sympathisers in Pakistan, but these stories are generally greatly exaggerated. As a South African, I'm "use" to crime but still wouldn't want to lose my head in front of a camera. Would you guys recommend visiting this region in order to experience the Himalaya? Is it safe?
Click to expand...

Funny you say that, because in the poem Ozymandias..the head had fallen near the legs.
"Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies"
 
Fly out to Islamabad and then drive up north into the mountains. Or you could fly into Lahore and drive through the rest of Punjab and then go up north.
 
[MENTION=134334]Ozymandiasza[/MENTION] I have been visiting the North of Pakistan (and even China) to climb mountains and to just engulf myself in the Earths beauty ever since I was 13. I am a professional mountaineer with certification from Italian climbers. Therefore, I am sure I know more about travelling to the North of Pakistan more than the average Joe. I can link you to the best travel guide in the country, who is an educated man, a professional and expert mountaineer and rock climber and most importantly, someone who knows everything there is to know about travelling to Pakistan as a foreigner.

Gilgit Baltistan is absolutely safe. The trouble lies in Fata which is far, far from there and even the terrorists from Fata have been evacuated. You can research on this. There are plenty of articles, videos, blogs and other tips and reviews from foreign tourists travelling in Pakistan who share the same opinion, because it is not an opinion, rather a fact.

Obviously, I'm not trying to convince you to visit Pakistan. But if you want to, I can link you with a great person I know personally who has dealt with at least a thousand foreigners travelling to the north of Pakistan and has been doing so over a decade. Safe, sound and comfortable. Good luck!
 
ExpressPacer said:
[MENTION=134334]Ozymandiasza[/MENTION] I have been visiting the North of Pakistan (and even China) to climb mountains and to just engulf myself in the Earths beauty ever since I was 13. I am a professional mountaineer with certification from Italian climbers. Therefore, I am sure I know more about travelling to the North of Pakistan more than the average Joe. I can link you to the best travel guide in the country, who is an educated man, a professional and expert mountaineer and rock climber and most importantly, someone who knows everything there is to know about travelling to Pakistan as a foreigner.

Gilgit Baltistan is absolutely safe. The trouble lies in Fata which is far, far from there and even the terrorists from Fata have been evacuated. You can research on this. There are plenty of articles, videos, blogs and other tips and reviews from foreign tourists travelling in Pakistan who share the same opinion, because it is not an opinion, rather a fact.

Obviously, I'm not trying to convince you to visit Pakistan. But if you want to, I can link you with a great person I know personally who has dealt with at least a thousand foreigners travelling to the north of Pakistan and has been doing so over a decade. Safe, sound and comfortable. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Nice. Yes, please PM me the details. I have a great love of the mountains as well. There is something primal and majestic about them. Although I prefer to adventure solo in the wild, I feel it would be wise to get some advice/service in this instance.
 
The parts of the country that you plan to visit are completely safe. Plenty of foreigners go there every year, so go ahead.
 
Have a good time pal! Its great place to visit.

I will link a youtube vlog later of a british white woman that visited North Pakistan. Absolutely stunning!
 
Ozymandiasza said:
Nice. Yes, please PM me the details. I have a great love of the mountains as well. There is something primal and majestic about them. Although I prefer to adventure solo in the wild, I feel it would be wise to get some advice/service in this instance.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but you can only PM the mods. [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] bro, can I post the link to the travel guide over here?
 
[MENTION=134334]Ozymandiasza[/MENTION]

Here's the link - https://m.facebook.com/hunzaonfoot/

You can have a look at the reviews by mostly foreign tourists who visited Pakistan. The person here at 'Hunza on foot' makes sure to personally assist you in your journey to the North of Pakistan, providing you with everything you need and at comfort. Not to mention, his packages are very reasonable and you wouldn't be paying a fortune, unlike what would be the case in some other country, like Switzerland.

All his contact information is on the Facebook page and you can even message him on Facebook. Best of luck! Hope you have a great trip. Keep us updated if you actually go along with this.
 
You're gonna love it. Come. It'll be one of the best decisions you've made in your life. Trust me. I've been around the world but the beauty of Pakistans northern areas is unmatched
 
Ozymandiasza said:
Hi guys,

A first-time poster on this section. Some of you might know (loathe) me from the cricket forum. I've been wanting to travel to the Himalaya for a long while now. Unfortunately, the congested routes in Tibet, and probably India, would be too touristy for me. So I thought, why not get an opinion from the locals about visiting the Gilgit-Baltistan as a white South African.

I'm aware of some religious extremist elements and sympathisers in Pakistan, but these stories are generally greatly exaggerated. As a South African, I'm "use" to crime but still wouldn't want to lose my head in front of a camera. Would you guys recommend visiting this region in order to experience the Himalaya? Is it safe?
Click to expand...

Chitral is something I'd prefer, extremely sporty and friendly people. One of the most wonderful palces in the world...The blonde people with blue eyes just look like Russians...You may see some polo games going on in the local grounds...A dream place for me to visit.
 
Ozymandiasza said:
Awesome, thanks. The videos and images I've seen have looked transcendental.
Click to expand...

Gilgit Baltistan should be a great place to go

I went there last year and I saw a ton of european tourists.

Hunza would be a great base and then there are a ton of things to do within a 40km radius everyday

not sure whether i would do a solo trip though

a group of 3-4 folks would be great. Also there are a lot of tourist groups goin gregularly
 
enkidu_ said:
I
Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
Click to expand...

which alternate reality maps do you posses
 
enkidu_ said:
I would discourage you unless you want your relatives to pay a heavy ransom to the Talibans.

Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
Click to expand...

Best mountains in US are Appalachians, Great Smokies, and Rockies.

Although I don't think any of them are as good as the Pakistani mountain ranges.
 
ExpressPacer said:
[MENTION=134334]Ozymandiasza[/MENTION]

Here's the link - https://m.facebook.com/hunzaonfoot/

You can have a look at the reviews by mostly foreign tourists who visited Pakistan. The person here at 'Hunza on foot' makes sure to personally assist you in your journey to the North of Pakistan, providing you with everything you need and at comfort. Not to mention, his packages are very reasonable and you wouldn't be paying a fortune, unlike what would be the case in some other country, like Switzerland.

All his contact information is on the Facebook page and you can even message him on Facebook. Best of luck! Hope you have a great trip. Keep us updated if you actually go along with this.
Click to expand...

yes. forgot about this

This is a brilliant resource
 
ill share a few snaps from my visit last year later
[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] - have you been to Naltar lake?
 
Slog said:
ill share a few snaps from my visit last year later
[MENTION=141922]ExpressPacer[/MENTION] - have you been to Naltar lake?
Click to expand...

Yes. I've been privileged to have traveled the entirety of Northern Pakistan. Naltar lake was as beautiful as it gets. But personally, I love Rama lake however, the most beautiful lake of all is Attabad lake. Attabad lake is quite possibly one of the most serene, peaceful and remarkable places on Earth.
 
Tell them you're from the land of Hashim Amla and you'll be given as many samosas, rolls and pakoray you want.
 
Ozymandiasza said:
Hi guys,

A first-time poster on this section. Some of you might know (loathe) me from the cricket forum. I've been wanting to travel to the Himalaya for a long while now. Unfortunately, the congested routes in Tibet, and probably India, would be too touristy for me. So I thought, why not get an opinion from the locals about visiting the Gilgit-Baltistan as a white South African.

I'm aware of some religious extremist elements and sympathisers in Pakistan, but these stories are generally greatly exaggerated. As a South African, I'm "use" to crime but still wouldn't want to lose my head in front of a camera. Would you guys recommend visiting this region in order to experience the Himalaya? Is it safe?
Click to expand...

good luck. keep us posted. I also want to visit northern areas of Pakistan Insha Allah one day.
 
enkidu_ said:
I would discourage you unless you want your relatives to pay a heavy ransom to the Talibans.

Also considering your views it's better if you go to Mississippi or Alabama in the US. Very nice mountains and rivers down there.
Click to expand...
:))) I think its better you stick with anthropology; you are good at it
 
Bilal7 said:
Tell them you're from the land of Hashim Amla and you'll be given as many samosas, rolls and pakoray you want.
Click to expand...

They'll be like 'whose that?"

Then he'll be forced to say "the South African guy who chokes in ICC tournaments"

And then they will say "isn't that everyone?"
 
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