Hunza Travel Forum

My husband is planning to go on trekking to northern region of pakistan.Is it safe for me to take my five month old baby on trekking with us??
please reply soon....the trek is taking place this april the 17th 2005..

First of all it depends on where he is planning to treck, a lot of the treks here would probably not be good. The area is more known for serious expedition trecks - is your husband experienced in this? If so he should be able to advise, if not he should not even consider doing this alone. and expedition organisors will be able to advise you better depending upon what they are planning. I would also strongly advise that you speak to the Foreign Office as several areas of Northern Pakistan are now said to be out of bounds to westerners.
Also most of this area is at altitude - you would all need to aclimatise and how good this is for such a young child i dont know.
Hope this help
Chris

thank you ever soo much for replying...i will definatly take some consideration of your advice..
thank you onne again

thank you for your advise Chris..
my husband has been on the trek before but he's not sure if its safe to take the baby on the trek or not..
i think i'll stick with your advice and not go at all..
thank you for your help..

Dont get me wrong, this is one of the best trecking areas in the world, it depends on what his experience level is and what he is planning to do / go. It is important in areas like this that peoples ambitions do exceed there ability. Also due to current political issues he would need to check with the FO. I am normaly a big fan of taking children on adventure holidays - best way to learn, but i worry that this terrain and area would not be suitable for a young baby. If you all want to treck together, let me know more about your experience and i will try and recomend something.
Chris

5 months old baby is too young, and very risky to take along on a trek/expedition, especially if your husband is going to go on a high altitude trek requiring aclimitazation (3300 m +). I remmember that we went to Khunjerab pass (4000m+) and were advised by a Colonel in Pak Army to stay only for 1/2 hour or less. Some people are OK, and some may experience shortness of breath and other ailments related to high altitude.

Depends where your husband is going for the trek, you can also accompany along...but stay in the main area e.g. if he is going to K2, you and your child can stay in Skardu, or if he is going to Hunza region, you stay at Karimabad.

In case you do decide to go, take all the necessary stuf for your child (pampers, medicines, powdered milk, warm clothings, etc). And also ask any of your friend or relative to go along as it can get a bit lonely there, if you are alone....off course you will not get bored from the beautiful scenery.

I have a three year old daughter, and all my northern area expeditions are on hold till she grows a little older (4+) :( Just being a bit safety conscious.

Anyway, enjoy your trip...one way or another.