Suggestions required for Skardu trip

[greatlogix]

I am planning to go to Skardu by road with my family next weekend. I have Honda Fit (2015). Please suggest the best route to reach there Jiglot-Skardu route or Astore-Deosai-Sakrdu route?

[imran2155]

Aoa,

Before reaching Jaglot, you gotta decide the route from Mansehra to Chilas.
Taking Naran route is quite risky at this time because of recent surge in virus cases which is primarily due to huge influx of tourists. Many hotels have been sealed. See the link below (5 days ago) :

https://www.dawn.com/news/1576058

Your other option is to take Bisham route though it has rough patches and I don't know well about ground clearance of Honda Fit.

Once you reach chilas and beyond, then probably take Astore Deosai route as it is bit better then Skardu road. However you may find your car struggle on that route. People usually prefer hiring 4x4 in order to avoid damage to the undercarriage of their cars.

Also, this season has seen a surge in rains and up north is not different. Risk of landsliding is high and I heard a couple days back that Naran/Babusar road is closed for all traffic because of landsliding in GittiDas or some adjacent area.

Lastly, this season is battered by the virus and now heavy rains. So please travel only if you follow SOPs and ensure that the hotels where you stay are also following the SOPs. Also, get details about landsliding areas before you travel. @nagar1 can guide better.

If you are doubtful about these things, then I suggest to defer your plan for next season.

These journeys are unique and refreshing but certainly they should not hold priority over the safety of us, our families, and the natives of nothern areas.

Thanks

[nagar1]

Yes landslides have caused blockages in different areas and KKH also remained blocked on Tatta Pani Chillas. Further there were reports of land slides on Skardu road as well. You have to face such things during this season so better confirm the status of roads before travelling from Natco Office Rawalpindi on any other Bus service that operates for GB. They can give you the latest pic. Natco office numbers are available on my thread " Help for travellers of Gilgit Baltistan"

[nagar1]

Skardu road blocked again at shingus...its a big block...might take 2-3 days to clear

[greatlogix]

Ouch Ouch Ouch! I got the NATCO phone numbers from the topic you mentioned above and got confirmation from NATCO office Islamabad that the road is clear, we are doing normal booking. Buses are going to Skardu.... Thank you, you posted about the latest news about roadblock at shingus.

Can we go, Naltar, Hunza instead of Skardu? KKH in good condition to travel?

[nagar1]

You should avoid travelling boss. The chillas road block was opened yesterday but it keeps on blocking in rains. Better to stop for some days ,wait and see
Natco and other bus services take passengers from both sides and make the passengers cross the road block by foot and swap buses

[nagar1]

In case chillas is blocked you can not reach astore,hunza and gilgit

[mumbojumbo]

Salam.

I think Hunza and Naltar is a better option compared to Skardu.
I went with a few friends to Hunza and Khunjerab back in first WK of oct 2019.

Khunjerab Trophy Hunt

This happens to be my second travelogue. The first one was about the journey that I undertook in Feb 2019 to Quetta. I hope this travelogue serves as a breath of fresh air and a much needed distraction from the stress of this unfortunate outbreak that we are facing and my dua is that May Allah SWT protect all of us. I started rallying my colleagues for a trip to Gilgiit Baltistan back in July 2019 because I was curious to see what was ahead of Babusar Top. I explored the “tours” section of this…

We took the Naran route and that is a much better option compared to KKH. We did find some snow at Babusar top but the roads were clear and remained clear till 3rd WK of oct. We did Islamabad to Gilgit in one go and it took us around 12 hours so it's doable in one day if you start early. The road is mostly good and from Raikot bridge onwards it's excellent till Khunjerab. Raikot bridge is around 60 KMS from Chillas. I think you should wait a few weeks and start off your tour in the last week of Sept. The roads will have less traffic by then and hotels will get cheaper as well since the season is ending.

Astore Deosai route is not for cars honestly. While S1 (Skardu road) sees a lot of land sliding and at times gets blocked for many hours. The road situation is a lot better on Gilgit and Hunza side.

All the best!!

[nagar1]

sees a lot of land sliding

blocked even now at Shingus