Lahore Travel Answers

By bus from Sherakot Kot lahore to Pindi Pirwadahi Bus stand. From there hop on NATCO bus to gilgit - Rs 2,200 per head and will take at least 20 hours. Or else you can take coasters but they take long. Natco will also take you to Hunza valley, Gulmit. I think transporation within Giligit is Suzuki loaders. There should not be a problem for hotels in Gilgit an Karimabad. Shop around and you will find cheap deals.

Broadly speaking, you first have to make it to Rawalpindi (Islamabad's twin city), where you will have to reach NATCO bus stand at Pir Widhai (main bus station of Rawalpindi). The most comfortable and reliable bus service between Lahore and Rawalpindi is DAEWOO, and obviously the most expensive but yet not unreasonable. You can see their schedules and fares at http://www.sammi.com.pk/schedules.php Frankly speaking, it gave us hard time to find NATCO bus stand as Pir Widhai is a big place and then our taxi driver was a bit unfamiliar. So it would be good if you can figure that out beforehand where the bus from Lahore will leave you in Rawalpindi, or Pindi in short, and how to make it to the NATCO bus stop. As already suggested by Lahori above, NATCO bus is the most viable option especially when you are bunch of 7. They are government run, but more disciplined than others, and have adequate backup support if something goes wrong, such as landslide. They are quick too! imo, the journey on KKH is also a part of trip fun!! NATCO runs multiple daily buses from Islamabad-Gilgit but they are high in demand so booking in advance is highly advisable. I assume they book on telephone too should you reach there at the stipulated time, usually an hour ahead of the departure time. So keep a good 7-8 hour difference, if not more, between Lahore and Rawalpindi departure is highly advisable. Karimabad is another 2-3 hours from Gilgit and NATCO runs atleast one bus per day from Rawalpindi to Karimabad/Aliabad. It would be helpful if you get the Karimabad/Aliabad bus. Aliabad is the twin city of Karimabad. If not, you have to change transport from Gilgit. I remember we got the minivan/hiace from Gilgit to Karimabad where NATCO left us from. Note that Gilgit is mud and dirt, so unless you are interested in surrounding treks (week+) or reach there late in the night, there is little sense in staying there. Karimabad is by far a better choice and makes a good for Sost also. Gilgit/Karimabad to Sost is a bit typical now because of the Attabad Lake. I understand you first have to make it to the lake where you will take a boat and then again road transport. A foreign traveler reported his recent experience of almost the same itinerary (however, he did Islamabad-Gilgit by air), which will be helpful for you: lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/t... Hope this helps Have a great trip :) Cheers Muzzammil PS: a feedback after your trip on the same thread will be highly appreciated

Muzzammil I am not a fan of Daewoo any more. It is good for 5% of the passengers where departure/arrival time is critical and for the ladies who travel alone and feel a bit of security.... or for burger sort of people who would love to tell others that we arrived through Daewoo and their fare is this.... also I dont think we as a national are too sensitive about time. Back in January, I travelled to Mansehra on Niazi express and fare was Rs. 600. Stopped at Behra for 30 minutes. They had an unschedules stopover at Islamabad Mor and upon my request, they stopped some where on KKH also for Fajr prayer. Still they were on dot.... 8 hours and 30 minutes to Mansehra.... and no discomfort. I wanted more comfort so my friend decided on Daewoo. We left Balakot at 12:30pm on taxi and reached Daewoo terminal Mansehra. We were informed that their shuttle will arrive any time; so we could not have lunch. We waited long until shuttle arrived and it dragged us to Daewoo Abbottabad terminal just 3 to 5 minutes before departure to Lahore. I yelled on them when they said, get your tickets immediately or the bus will leave....after all it was not our fault! Journey started again, we were hungry and waited for something to eat. Lady served the boxes that had MINI/kiddy pack of chips and cupcake only for the whole journey to Lahore....remember we had paid Rs.1050 per person (nonstop Railcar ac parlour to rawalpindi serves hearty breakfast with a ticket of only Rs.660). Then our hope was Rawalpindi terminal for Asr prayer and lunch. Bus stopped at Haripur for 5 minutes and at Rawalpindi for 10 minutes to pickup passengers. later it stopped at Bhera for 15 minutes as driver had lost some time in traffic and have to cover 5 minute delay (sorry we cant delay said the driver). We could hardly offer Magrib and Isha prayer and to have lunch/dinner was a far cry. Although it was our fault not to check their schedule on the web (that was not in fact possible in Balakot), how many people in Pakistan have access to in internet to see their lethal schedule. I dont think being in time is only a customer service. For a long haul journey that covers 3 prayer times and 1 to 2 meals, shouldnt they allow more time?; their may be passengers with diabetis who can not bear long fasting? They were in Lahore with flying colors i.e in time 8 hours 30 minutes from Mansehra to Lahore. Is this customer service not to evaluate passenger needs during particular travel time? So I said good bye to Daewoo...!

Thanks Nasser bhai for your feedback on the Daewoo experience. It's sad that you had a bad one. They have some sport of monopoly in their business and I guess they are aware of how to make advantage of that especially when it comes to pricing. It's unfortunate that our railroad is deteriorating day by day which should have been the main mode of transportation; economical and comfortable. I don't want to bring politics here, but this is the case how private sector takes benefit out of the ineptness of public organizations with the support of corrupt politicians who are all greedy for kickbacks and commissions!:(

Bonjour mon ami, Take a Daewoo bus from Kalma chowk to Rawalpindi, 5 hrs, excellent service. Take a NATCO bus to Gilgit, Pirwadhai terminal Rawalpindi, 20 hrs these days on KKH, but very scenic trip. For stay in Gilgit Park Hotel Hotel Riveria Take a coach from Jutial bus terminal to Karimabad, nowadays 4,5 hrs due to road maintenance. In Karimabad Hotel Hunza Embassy Old Hunza Inn I'd go for Passu beyond Atabad lake, you can stay at Passu Ambassador hotel Sust PTDC motel Hotel Sky Bridge Keep warm gear with you because mid October is cold in Karimabad, Passu and Sust. Bon voyage...

Bonjour mon ami, Take a Daewoo bus from Kalma chowk to Rawalpindi, 5 hrs, excellent service. Take a NATCO bus to Gilgit, Pirwadhai terminal Rawalpindi, 20 hrs these days on KKH, but very scenic trip. For stay in Gilgit Park Hotel Hotel Riveria Take a coach from Jutial bus terminal to Karimabad, nowadays 4,5 hrs due to road maintenance. In Karimabad Hotel Hunza Embassy Old Hunza Inn I'd go for Passu beyond Atabad lake, you can stay at Passu Ambassador hotel Sust PTDC motel Hotel Sky Bridge Keep warm gear with you because mid October is cold in Karimabad, Passu and Sust. Bon voyage...