Category: Asia

Categories
Asia Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful and diverse country located in Central Asia, known for its stunning mountain landscapes, rich history, and friendly people. As a traveler, you’ll find plenty to see and do.

One of the most popular destinations in Kyrgyzstan is Lake Issyk-Kul, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. The crystal-clear waters of the lake are perfect for swimming, and the surrounding mountains provide a beautiful backdrop for hiking, trekking, and horseback riding.

Kyrgyzstan is also known for its nomadic culture, and you can experience this firsthand by staying in a traditional yurt camp. These portable tents are used by Kyrgyz nomads as temporary homes during their seasonal migrations, and they offer a unique and authentic glimpse into traditional Kyrgyz life.

Move around

The capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, serves as the main transportation hub of the country. However, if you want to venture deeper into nature, relying solely on public transportation may not be the best option. Fortunately, hitchhiking is a popular and culturally accepted practice in Kyrgyzstan, as it is in other parts of Central Asia. Marshrutkas, which are local minivans, provide affordable transportation between major cities, and the cost of transportation within the country is generally very reasonable.

For example, in the summer of 2022, a marshrutka ride from Bishkek to Balykchy, a distance of 200km, cost around 3 USD. Alternatively, taking the train on Saturdays is almost the same price and provides a scenic journey, making it a better option, in my opinion. When traveling around Issyk Kul lake, transportation is easily accessible with marshrutkas, shared cabs, and hitchhiking. Despite the area being quite touristy during the summer, prices remain low, and the locals are incredibly hospitable.

Bishkek to Osh can be reached by shared cab which is about 20USD one way (700km) they can be found around place called Osh Bazaar in Bishkek. Even though it seemed closer from the Issyk Kul lake to take another route to Osh, I didn’t manage to find a transport and was advised by others that the road condition is very bad.

In and out

After arriving from Almaty, Kazakhstan, I took a shared cab to Bishkek, although I can’t recall the exact price, it was likely around 10-15 USD. The cabs depart from the central bus station and usually only leave once they are full or when passengers agree to split the cost.

Crossing the border was a breeze, but after passing through, I had to find another form of transportation to get to Bishkek. Walking would have been an option, but with nearly 20km to cover, it wasn’t the most practical choice. Instead, I decided to team up with other passengers from my previous ride, and together, we shared a cab to Bishkek, paying only around 1 USD each.

After Kyrgyzstan I was going to Uzbekistan, reaching border from Osh was very easy using public transport within the city, it would even be easy to walk since it’s only 5km away. Border itself was hassle free, and from the other side in Uzbekistan there are many taxi drivers with whom you have to negotiate, I took the bus to Andijan and it was around 1USD if I remember correctly.

Categories
India

Northern India

Northern India is a region that encompasses the northern part of India, which includes the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Delhi. The region is characterized by its diverse geography, vibrant culture, and rich history.

The northern region of India is home to the Himalayan mountain range, which spans across several states in the region. This mountain range is known for its snow-capped peaks, beautiful valleys, and scenic landscapes. The region also includes the fertile plains of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, which are home to some of the most important cities in India such as Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.

The region has a rich cultural heritage that is reflected in its art, music, dance, and cuisine. Northern India is known for its iconic landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

The people of northern India are known for their warmth and hospitality. The region has a diverse population with a mix of different ethnicities and religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism. The languages spoken in the region are also diverse, with Hindi being the most widely spoken language.

Overall, Northern India is a fascinating region that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the diverse and vibrant culture of India.

Sim card warning!

It’s much more difficult to obtain sim card in India then it is in other countries. As a foreigner you can obtain only pre-paid one and if you get it outside Jammu and Kashmir/Ladakh, it won’t work there. Also once getting one from Vodafone in Delhi, it was required to provide personal details of a local person, luckily an Indian friend could help me out with it, no idea how it would be solved otherwise.

How to move around?

It’s very easy to move around Rajasthan and most parts within the states between Ladakh and Delhi, there are various bus services provided, both low budget and more comfortable options, lots of options are available online and there are usually many more available at the bus terminals, in many cases online platforms will not support foreign bank cards, therefore, try various sites in case you don’t have an Indian bank card.

Ladakh/Jammu and Kashmir

It’s important to note that the following experience is based on my travels during the summer season of 2022, as many roads in the region are closed during winter. While informal minivans between cities are readily available in Jammu and Kashmir, traveling in Ladakh is a different story. Navigating the region is more challenging than other parts of India, but it’s well worth the effort.

One way to reach the capital city of Leh is by bus from Manali in Himachal Pradesh, which takes an entire day but offers stunning scenery. In Leh, there is a main bus terminal with two timetables, but keep in mind that some rides may be cancelled if demand is low. Don’t rely on my attached photo as a reliable source of timetable information, as it may already be outdated!

Another more reliable way is shared cab, but it’s much more expensive than buses and you need other passengers. In my case round-trip from Leh to Pangong lake was almost 30USD, which is considered a very good price. Also I had to use it from Leh to Kargil (20USD) for a decent road and around 200km distance, public buses were out of service due to Muharram celebrations.

On another day, I took a bus from Leh to Hunder, which actually went further than my intended destination. I ended up getting off in the middle of nowhere next to Udmaru Bridge, with the goal of reaching Turtuk, the last place before Pakistan that foreigners are allowed to visit. Hitchhiking was my only option, but since only one or two cars pass by each hour, it was uncertain. Despite the uncertainty, everything worked out fine in the end, since most people are very welcoming and happy to help.

Categories
Asia Pakistan

Pakistan

Travel warnings and restrictions

This page provides information on travel restrictions within the country during the summer of 2022. While I will be sharing my own experiences and highlighting regions where I faced issues, it is important to note that this list may not be comprehensive. It’s always a good idea to check the areas you intend to visit before you travel.

I traveled through the Gilgit-Baltistan region and did not face any major issues. I did come across a few checkpoints on the way, but they did not cause any significant delays. However, I did not venture far off the main roads and cities. At one checkpoint from Gilgit to Skardu, I was asked for a hotel confirmation. I am unsure of how the situation would have played out if I did not have one. Overall, I found the country to be extremely safe during my month-long journey.

South of Punjab and Northern Sindh provinces!

This area is very tricky! It’s very likely you won’t be allowed to travel without police escort. First strange thing noticed, once booking a hotel online in Faisalabad, the host cancelled it. The real “fun” started once i decided to go directly to Multan. I had reservation, but the hotel told me that they have no rights to accommodate a foreigner! ”Hotel Multan Continental” was the cheapest one (20USD) apart from expensive western chains, which had ”appropriate security standarts” to accommodate foreigners. In order to check-in, it was required to arrive with police escort, so I managed to get it after couple of hours at the local police station. Afterwards, there was no way to move around independently. Hotel would contact police and they would escort me, extremely slow and lengthy response usually. Once they escorted me to the bus, which would take me to Bahawalpur. It seemed ok, but the following they once I was hitchhiking back from Derawar, police noticed me and the same thing happened. I spent over 3h in two different police stations before I could go back to Bahawalpur, where the local police was waiting me. Since my train was following day at night, after check-out time was forced to spend 8 hours at Bahawalapur train station. Arriving early at Sukkur, there was no police, but then later next day at Hyderabad, the police noiced me again, so I went to Karachi in order to get rid of them. Karachi was hassle free, but my day trip to Thatta ended up with another police escort.

Kashmir and Balochistan

These areas require special seperate permits to visit. I had minivan from Mansehra to Muzaffarabad, the border control guys were friendly and really tried to help me, but they had no authority to let me pass the border with Azad Kashmir. From what I’ve heard it takes up to two weeks prior to get these permits. Regards Balochistan, there was an exception which allowed me to do a day-trip from Karachi to Gaddani.

Categories
Asia Pakistan

Gilgit-Baltistan

Hunza Valley is a beautiful valley located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Karakoram range and is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and hospitable people. The valley is situated at an altitude of 2,438 meters (7,999 feet) above sea level and spans an area of approximately 7,900 square kilometers.

The valley is home to several small villages, including Karimabad, Altit, and Baltit. These villages offer a glimpse into the traditional way of life of the local people, who are predominantly Ismaili Muslims. The people of Hunza are known for their hospitality, and visitors can expect to be warmly welcomed.

One of the most famous landmarks in the valley is the Baltit Fort, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort was built in the 8th century and served as the residence of the Mirs of Hunza until the 1940s. Today, it has been restored and turned into a museum that showcases the history and culture of the region.

Hunza Valley is also known for its stunning natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and Ladyfinger Peak. The valley is also home to several glaciers, including the famous Batura Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers outside of the polar regions.

How to get around?

From Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Hunza it was very easy and comfortable bus ride with “Faisal movers”, they have wide coverage and can be suggested for the ones who prefer more comfortable rides. The price for this journey at the summer of 2022 was less than 20USD (20h journey, depending on various conditions).

Hunza-Gilgit-Skardu – there is a regular minivan service between, they can be pretty packed and the price was just couple of USD, however the road condition at the summer of 2022 was surprisingly good.

Skardu-Islamabad

When i was returning from Skardu, decided to try small minivan, since from this city options are more limited. The journey, was aproximately two times shorter and cheaper, however it was one of the least comortable rides throughout my travels.

Categories
Asia Bhutan

Bhutan

Among the most secretive and isolated countries as well as smallest one’s with a land area below 40000 km². Bhutan’s highest peaks are above 7000 m tall. Elevation rises from 200 m in the southern foothills to more than 7,000 m. This great geographical diversity combined with equally diverse climate conditions contributes to Bhutan’s outstanding range of biodiversity and ecosystems. From visiting nearly 80 countries, have never seen any other country where traditions are so much enforced. Heritage sites bill insists on national dress in government meetings and in schools. Even building a regular private house requires a local architect and traditional architecture elements in it’s design.

How to get there?

This is the trickiest part, unless you are a citizen of India, Bangladesh or Maldives. Otherwise the cost of visa is 200 USD during low season and 250 USD during high season, the prices mentioned are per single day! Licensed tour guides accompany tourists during their trips and arrange accommodations – independent tourism by foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) is prohibited!

In my case, we were in Kathmandu, Nepal already. There you can find different tour agencies who will sort out everything for you. The price was around 1300 EUR for 3.5 days and 3 nights with two guides, excursions and everything included. The country itself is very cheap, visa itself is the most painful part. Probably there are another ways how to save a hundred or two euros, but our time was limited and tourism agency seemed the most logical option.

Flight from Nepal to Bhutan

One of the most interesting and scenic flights in my life, even though duration was only around 45 minutes. It’s very likely to see mount Everest during this flight, choose seat accordingly! From what I heard it’s even better than separate 200 USD flight next to it. Paro airport, which is the main airport of Buthan has very unique geography. With surrounding peaks as high as 5,500 m, it is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports, fewer than two dozen pilots are certified to land at the airport. Flights to and from Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.