Islamabad Capital Territory Travel Forum

Pakistan Zintabad!

Hello everybody,

I have a question about necessary connection times at the Islamabad Airport from an incoming intl. flight to a domestic/national flight within Pakistan.
Are 2 hours enough to disembark, passportcontrol, receiving luggage and getting an ongoing flight within Pakistan?

Thanks a lot,

Chris

Chinese multientry visa in Dubai, or 2 single entry visas?

Hi, I am doing a long trip

Dubai (Feb)
Iran (March-June)
Tajik/Krgyz (July)
-cross the Chinese border to Kashgar, and down to Pakistani frontier at Sost
-Pakistani/Islamabad, back to Chinese frontier
-re-enter China, up o Kashgar, Urumqi, Qinqghai, Xinining, get tebit permit, enter Lhasa (August)
-leave for Kathmandu
-Nepal (late September)
-India (mid-October0

My question is about the Chinese visa, and whether to get a multientry visa (2 entries), in Dubai, or 2 single entries, one in Dubai (to enter China after Kyrgyzstan), and the 2nd visa in Islamabad, to re-enter China.

If I get a multiple entry China visa in Dubai, I am concerned how valid it remains, especially since I am in Dubai in Feb, and planning to enter China (the 1st time) around July, and the second time, around August? Dubai, and Tehran are the only places I can pick up the Chinese multientry visa, before entering Central Asia, where it's said to be much harder to get the Chinese visa.

Also, what's the difference between a multiple entry visa vs. 2 single entry visas.

I am going to China twice. once after crossing the border with Kyrgyztan, down to Kashgar, on to the Pakistani frontier (total trip maybe 1 week, hardly worth the cost of a visa, butt I have to get into China).

2nd trip is coming back up to the Chinese frontier, after visiting Pakistan, and Islamabad. in Theory, I can pick up a 2nd single entry visa in Islamabad, where it's much cheaper than Dubai.

So the question is should I deal with all the Chinese visas in Dubai, and get a multientry, or get 2 single entries, one in Dubai, for the 1st entry, and another in Islamabad for the 2nd entry.

The 1st entry is going to l last about a week or 10 days max, just over the border to Kashgar, from Bishkek, and down to Sost, at the Pakistani frontier, so not much.

The 2nd entry will be lengthy and long, including Kashgar again Urumqi, Xining, Qinghai, at least a month-6weeks.

So what to do about the Chinese visa?

Hi All,

I will be going to Islamabad for half a year for work related trip. The accommodation and transportation has already been arrange. I'm a fairly independent person, so going out alone should be ok for me.

I prefer not to make judgment of a place unless I have gone there and see it with my own eyes, but my colleague has been to Karachi has advised me to not go out alone. And that I must have someone to accompany me and that it is better for me to stay in rather than go out as it is not that safe.

So for all of you guys, who is living or gone to Islamabad give a clear picture of the safety especially to a single women. Is it fairly safe just like in any city in the world for me to out alone to shop, visit museum, go for a hike and etc's. As it would be a waste for me to go to Pakistan but do not enjoy/experience/see the real deal.

Btw, aside from that. As I'm from a no-winter season country. Is it very cold during the November to January? And also what is the recommended appropriate attire/cloth to wear in Islamabad.

Thanks in advance

hi,
i read on the internet that the rose and jasmine garden is being renovated. is it closed to the public during this time? i read somewhere it was going to take 3 months :( and i'm going to be there in october.

when was the faisal masjid build and who build it too.

hi
can any 1 help me please, i would like 2 know where can i shop for to find wall hanging tapestry and indian bedding from islamabad?

Did anyone know how long it takes to obtain an India Tourist Visa in Islamabad? and How much? Thanks!

I am going to Islamabad and need to say in a hotel for 9 days - what are the daily typical rates for a hotel?

Marriott? holiday inn?

Hello every one !
I ve a very naughty chick in islamabad living in a hostel. Sometime she doesnt like to eat at hostel's mess so she has to fast. (I mean cosmetic fasting LoL...!)
Can someone please tell me about resturants and hotels in Islamabad where I can pay for her in advance so that whenever she doesnt want to eat at mess she can call them for a delivery.
Here in uk we have this system. Actually we purchase vouchers by paying in advance and whenever we want we use them.
I ll highly be grateful to the friend who ll help me.

So I have heared that there will be openning soon a new restaurant in Jinnah, called Drumstick! Is it true?!
If so, cant wait to go!

Hello All,

I want to go to North Pakistan + Azad Kashmir between last week of Dec & end of Jan 2008. If anybody else is going alone like me, we can go together and can have a nice time.

My main stay will be in Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) in my home town but I am planning to explore North of Pakistan ... Muree, Kaghan, Naran, Saiful Malook, Shogran.

I am flexible and can change the dates/places to visit if my companion wants to see different places.


Please get back soon, I want to fly asap before my holidays run out. I am flying from Birmingham to Islamabad .. again, can arrange it so that it suits both of us ...
Thanks

did the emergency state in pakistan effect islamabads night life?
and if it did how?

Salam Aleikum,

I am coming from France in Europe and soon going to get maried
in Islamabad.

I would like to go with my wife one week in a cute place after the wedding.
Of course I am looking for a nice and secure where there is not much people
if possible. Calm hotel with things to visit.

Period is mid november.

Can someone advise me a great place for this ?
Where should I go?

Thank you all for your help

i'm going be moving to islamabad this summer and just had a few questions i wanted to ask

i am thinking of sending my kids to Oak School and city School and just wanted to know if anyone knew the schools were any good? or had kids at the school or knew a good school? the kids age are 2, 8, 11 and 12

i also wanted to know what the quality of the houses are like in islamabad and if you are allowed to build your own swimming pool in the back garden?

Another question was is there any gyms or activities to do for kids and adults?

i would be very greatful for any infomation regarding there matters above.

hi i was wondering if any one knew about oak school or city school if they are good schools for my kids ?

Hi

I have a young family and I am hoping to relocate to Islamabad in the near future. Can anyone give me any advice on where the best schools are in the capital and information on fees and what the average fees are in Pakistan. I am also worried about the healthcare aspect so any tips on good health centres/clinics would also be appreciated. Also where would be a good place to meet new people and expats with families.

Thanks

I need phone number/name and address of some clean reasonbly priced guest houses close to Rawalpindi High Court/Ayub Park/Bahria Town/Lalazar Area.
Thank you

Who has a dentist they recommend here? Doesn't need to have a fancy office or equipment just needs to be skillful and caring. Thanks so much!


Here is a joke for you.

My office has enrolled us in a new dental plan, it's called "chew on the other side" :D

What are the visiting hours for Rawal Dam?
Can we come there at 9am in morning?

Hi

We are British ex-pats who are thinking of returning to live in Pakistan in the near future. we have two young children and I am worried about the issues of kidnap and ransom in Pakistan as I have heard a lot of this happens,also whether we will be able to fit in. Can anyone tell me what it is like living in Islamabad and how good the amenities and services are. Generally in the UK we are seeing negative issues coming out of Pakistan however I am trying to be open minded and positive in the light of the problems facing Pakistan in general. Any advice is appreciated.

Thankyou

I need to seek advice and comments from those of you who have been to Hunza by road.

I am planning to go to Hunza with my family by car on Karakoram Highway on 2nd june inshallah.Since no night time driving is in our plan, our first night stop shall be at Besham where we expect to reach in 10 hours...leaving Lahore by 7 am and travelling on M2, reaching Islamabad interchange within four hours, Abottabad in another three hours and then Besham (three hours more) before sunset inshallah.
My original plan was to spend the second night at Chilas but I have learned that Chilas is 5 hours from Besham and Gilgit is another three hours from Chilas.So now I assume we can reach Gilgit from Besham before sunset even if we don't stop at Chilas and after spending the second night at Gilgit, we can drive to Karimabad the next day inshalah.Does it sound workable?

How is KKH in the month of June...landslides?
I have learned there are bandits robbing cars and other private vehices in Kohistan region...any idea of current state of affairs regarding that?

It is not possible to drive our cars in to China but can we drive past Sost and upto Khunjerab Pass? Or we cannot drive beyond the customs check post at Sost?

Any hotel recommendations in Karimabad?---neither the budget class nor a five star...just a good, moderate one.

We plan to leave our car at some place in Gilgit and fly to Skardu and back.Any comments?

Flying to Gilgit from Islamabad and back could be less time consuming but that way we won't be able to experience KKH.

I will be grateful for any guidance that anyone can provide from their first hand experience.

Can any Pakistani Vter tell me procedure to apply for Hongkong tourist visa? I want to go there this year but dont know if its better to apply through travel agent or directly with embassy]. Do they have embassy in Islamabad? What is their procedure and how long it take them to give visa? thanks

Hi,

I will arrive 15th of May on Islamabad Airport. Can I get Pakistani Rupees from the ATM?

Thanks for informing me!

Tobi

Slaam to all,

We are trying to gather information on Islamabad. Are there any areas where you would not recommend living? We are a mixed race married couple, hubby is Pakistani with extensive family in Pakistan and I am English. We have only been to pakistan for 2 weeks but totally loved it. We would like to enrol our daughter aged 7 with the the International School of Islamabad as it seems to have an excellent reputation. Our youngest is only 2 so will stay at home for a while. We plan on finding a modest house that requires renovation for around £150,000 is this realistic? We don't mind which area we live in as long as we can hear the call to Azhan :) and the neighbourhood is friendly with working electricity and water. We would be happy to move to similar areas of Rawalpindi hubby has an uncle who lives in lalazar which we found was a good neighbourhood. Could we get our daughter to school from there everyday or should we live closer?

Please advice

Allah Hafiz

Hi,

I am considering studying in Islamabad. What is the typical cost of living for a foreign student expecially the cost of housing? Is ADSL internet connection readily available in students dorm or hostels? Thanks a million!

Is there any Aikido in Islamabad?

Expat looking to figure out the dating scene in Islamabad. It confuses me.

i wana travel from rwp to khi ..please tell me the rates

My husband and I are planning an imminent move to Islamabad and would like to know if anyone can advise on the best schools for British expats. We have 9 year old twins.

Thanks.

Hi all,

I will be in Islamabad for a couple of days very soon. Can anyone recommend any must see tourist attractions?? There does not seem to be many guide books on Islamabad so any hints or tips would be gratefully received!

Cheers...