Travelling to Northern Areas or Kashmir in February

Zohaib asked:

Hi Muzammil,

Is it advisable to travel to Kashmir or northern areas like Naran/Shogran in last week of February? Will everything be frozen? Will there be avalanches and road blocks? Is it useless to go during winter?

Regards,

Zohaib

Muzzammil Replied:

Hi Zohiab. Thanks for your email.

As you suspected, Kaghan valley will be closed for traveling now for blocked roads. As such there is no life around Kaghan valley around winters, and local inhabitants - if there are any - come down to lower mountains. The maximum you may go is Balakot.

On the other hand, Kashmir keeps open in winters; although it will be really cold out there.

Swat might be one option. Mingora keeps open in winters and you can make day excursion to Malam Jabba, which used to be the only ski resort in Pakistan before Swat operations.

Largely depends upon where are you going from, i.e. Karachi or Lahore? and with whom, i.e. family or friends?

For more insights, I find this forum really helpful:
http://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/

Hope this will be helpful. Please feel free to contact me if you need further information.

Regards

Muzzammil

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com

Karachi-Guangzhou-Shanghai-Karachi

Asked

Dear Muzamil,

I need to enquire about air ticket from karachi to guangzhou and return from shanghai to karachi. I need ticket price 20 feb is the departure and return 5th march.

BR

Replied

Dear Farooq

Thanks for your email.

Below is what I could find on www.matrix.itasoftware.com.

Hope this is what you are looking for. You can use the above website and refer that to your travel agent or contact the airlines directly.

Regards

Muzzammil

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com

Karachi (KHI) to Guangzhou (CAN) - Thu, Feb 20
	Karachi (KHI) to Colombo (CMB) - Thu, Feb 20
	SriLankan Airlines Limited 184	Dep: 5:20PM	Arr: 9:20PM	3h 30m	Airbus A320	Economy (S)
		Layover in CMB		9h 41m
	Colombo (CMB) to Bangkok (BKK) - Fri, Feb 21
	SriLankan Airlines Limited 882	Dep: 7:01AM	Arr: 11:55AM	3h 24m	Airbus A330	Economy (S)
		Stop in BKK		0h 55m
	Bangkok (BKK) to Guangzhou (CAN) - Fri, Feb 21
	SriLankan Airlines Limited 882	Dep: 12:50PM	Arr: 4:45PM	2h 55m	Airbus A330	Economy (S)
Shanghai (PVG) to Karachi (KHI) - Tue, Mar 4
	Shanghai (PVG) to Bangkok (BKK) - Tue, Mar 4
	SriLankan Airlines Limited 887	Dep: 2:00PM	Arr: 5:55PM	4h 55m	Airbus A340	Economy (L)
		Stop in BKK		1h 5m
	Bangkok (BKK) to Colombo (CMB) - Tue, Mar 4
	SriLankan Airlines Limited 887	Dep: 7:00PM	Arr: 8:55PM	3h 25m	Airbus A340	Economy (L)
		Layover in CMB		16h 10m
	Colombo (CMB) to Karachi (KHI) - Wed, Mar 5
	SriLankan Airlines Limited 183	Dep: 1:05PM	Arr: 4:20PM	3h 45m	Airbus A320	Economy (L)
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) 68,679.00 Total cost for 1 passenger 68,679.00

Exploring More of Pakistan

Asked

Salam Muzamil Bhai,

I write this email after reading your Travelogues. I am from Karachi and love to travel. Have seen better part of Pakistan. I never visited Balochistan but after reading your trip to Makran Coastal Highway I decided to just go without worrying about law and order scene. It was fruitful and if I had not came across to your blog I would have never knew what I was missing. 

Currently I am craving to see some mountains so I read your Kalash and Fairy Meadows trip. So here I am writing this to get your consultation about the areas to visit and plan efficiently. Brother I have seen Swa & Naran so I plan to see Gilgit Skardu side. Following your footsteps I have joined CS too. Please reply back and if possible please share your cell number.

Thank you again for writing fabulously.

I will be waiting for your reply.

Thanks.

JAVED

Replied

WS Javed and thanks for your kind words. I am pleased to know that my writings cause you to think about exploring more.

If you have been to Swat and Naran, then the next destination must be the Northern Areas. I have visited NA 3 times now; first explored Hunza and Khunjerab, second time visited Skardu and Deosai, and third time visited Kalash and Fairy Meadows. I also suggest you exploring Hunza first. The best time is summers, i.e. May to September.

In Balochistan, I would suggest exploring Makran Coast. If you have your own car, then going a day trip to Kund Malir and Buzi Pass is possible, if you plan well. Winters, i.e. now, is the best time to explore the Makran belt.

So thanks again, and please feel free to contact me when you have a firm plan. I will be there to add value to that.

Regards

Muzzammil

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com

Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru

Asked

Dear Mr. Muzzammil

I saw your message on Pakgrid. I also need some advice. I'm joining UTM, Johor Bahru campus in Feb for my doctorate program in Engineering Education. I think I got a good deal on the airfare (ISB-KL for Rs. 38,500).

I need your advice on the KL-> JB section. Should I take a plane or bus, which is more convenient/economical.

Secondly, can you recommend a low-price but comfy hotel near UTM for the first days of my arrival till I settle in the university hostel?

Thanks,

 

Replied

 

Dear Mr. Azhar

Thanks for your email.

Firstly, I'd suggest to check with the travel agent if there is a possibility to fly ISB-JB, with immigration at Johor Baharu. Even a little bit extra charge, say 5,000, would save you from unwanted hassle with all the luggage.

For air ticket, having a look at matrix.itasoftware.com will be helpful. This website will also be useful for your future travels.

If ISB-JB is not possible then I'd recommend bus over flying/train. The best option would be the Yoyo bus from the airport, KLIA: http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ptaklia.htm

This option will save you from going to KL, which is far away from the airport and will be quite time consuming.

The above website will also be helpful during your stay in Malaysia.

Train and budget airlines, especially Air Asia, may also be useful afterwards.

Regarding accommodation, I'd recommend booking.com which is a trusted resource and provides amazingly flexible filters.

Hope this is helpful.

Best of luck for your future endeavors.
 

Muzzammil

Indonesian Visa for Pakistani Citizens

Asked

Dear Muzamil Saab Asalam Alikum,
 
I have few questions if you can help me out with these are regards to your trip to East Asia.I will really appreciate it.
 
1- what is the name of your travel agent and did you book your flights through the agent?
 
2-how many days you spend in Indonesia?
 
3-My travel agent Gerrys is saying if I apply visa through them then I have to buy the whole package from them.
 
I will appreciate your reply.
 
Thank You

Replied

Dear Mehdi sb., walaikum salam, and thanks for your email.

We spent one week in Indonesia, all in Bali. Getting Indonesian visa was not easy and my travel agent was also asking to buy the whole package from them.

However, first I got the Malaysian visa and ticket from my travel agent which was easier. Then I went to the Indonesian embassy myself and asked if they could give me the visa without going to the travel agent.
They asked to book a flight and hotels, which I did online, and submitted the documents. Finally, got the visa in a couple of days without any further issues.

You can see further details here:
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/02/planning-notes-3-oriental-outings-visa.html

Hope this will be helpful.

Regards

Muzzammil
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com

Asked

Dear Muzamil,

 

Thanks for your advice I just have couple of things to ask you more.

 

1- I heard that you need to have certain amount of Singapore currency or equivalent  with you if you have Pakistani passport.

 

2- can you tell me the place where u stated in Bali and Srilanka.

 

3- also with regards to Nepal we get the visa at the airport?

 

Thank you

 

Regards

 

Mehdi

 

Replied

 

Dear Mehdi

This is my pleasure. Here is the response to your questions:

1. I'm not sure and never heard about this.

2. There are plenty of places around Sri Lanka and Bali for all budget ranges. I would suggest using www.booking.com to search a suitable place as per your preferences.

3. Yes.

Here goes details of our SEA trip:

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelogue-oriental-outings-from.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-1.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-2.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/04/travelouge-oriental-outings-day-3.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/05/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-4.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-5.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-6-kecak.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-7-water.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/06/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-8.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/08/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-9.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-10-naan.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-11-tea.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-12.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-13-from.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-14.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/09/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-15.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/10/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-16-day.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/10/travelogue-oriental-outings-day-17-from.html

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2011/10/travelogue-visiting-elephant-sanctury.html

You might also find this post helpful:
http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2012/04/visiting-china-thailand-singapore.html

 

Regards

Muzzammil

 

Charna Island

Asked

Hi , i am a resident of karachi , kindly advice me if you provide services for arranging a fishing trip to charna island , wats the cost and equipment included etc , i would appreciate if u can pass me ur cell no i will contact u tanks  

Replied

Thanks Omer for your email.

Firstly, please note that I do not provide any services. The most I can do is sharing my travel experiences and providing the information to other fellows based on these experiences, without any benefit, commission, etc.

Coming to the topic, i.e. Charna Island, you may find this helpful:

http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2013/10/boating-adventure-fishing-around-charna.html

I can provide you with the contact details of the boatman, Arif: 03453742753

It shall cost you 35-40k for 15-20 persons, including full meals and basic fishing equipment, for a full day trip from Kemari. The other alternative is to reach Mubarak Village first by road and then negotiate with a boatman at Sonahra Beach. I believe this will be a lot economical, especially if there are fewer people than 15, but the first option is by far less uncomfortable.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards

Muzzammil

Higher Studies and Part Time Job in Latvia

Asked

I'm zameer from Srilanka. i'm planning to go latvia to continue my higher studies. what do u think about my plan? if i go there can i get a  good part time job?

 i hope u'll guide me.

Replied

Hi Zameer

Thanks for your email and good to know that your are planning for higher studies.

I have not been to Latvia so might not be able to comment on the perspective of a part time job. However, I did host a Latvian traveler, which provided me with a limited exposure to the country (http://mozumbus.blogspot.com/2012/04/pakistan-second-love-of-latvian.html). From this experience, the first thing I can tell you about Latvia is that its weather would be significantly different from that of Sri Lanka. It will be a lot colder then one can experience in a tropical country. Secondly, I believe that the major foreign language in Latvia is Russian, and not English, which might be an important consideration.

So these are my two cents, literally!

I wish you best of luck and a prosperous future.

Regards

Muzzammil