Beautiful Pictures (none of those affected by earthquake)


Cactus Dark


Lunch Stop: We stopped here for lunch. This was the only shade for miles around. We drove a ways off the road to get here, and scared of a whole lot of sand grouse.


Water: Water is pumped from this river to the park for the animals


Tombs: Some of Alexanders army is buried in this graveyard.


Abandoned 1: A small ghost town.


It's not visible in this picture, but the terrain was quite rocky up ahead.




The sign at the entrance to the Kirthar National Park.




landscape--



[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/kirthar_2005/F1000013.jpg[/img]


[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_1.jpg[/img]

Major Breakdown: Though it might seem the tyre is taking a rest by the side of the jeep, this was a major breakdown on our first day out of Karachi, three hours short of Sukkur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_2.jpg[/img]

Lowari Pass Resthouse: A resthouse at the Lowari Pass. none of them are me:)
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_4.jpg[/img]

Ice Factory: Ice is cut up and loaded onto trucks here. Glacier's are apparently a natural ice factory
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_7.jpg[/img]

AO on Jeep: Crossing a river stream.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_12.jpg[/img]

Rice fields: A beautiful view before reaching Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_16.jpg[/img]

British Bridge: This bridge was built by the British a century ago, and it's still going strong. It's barely wide enough for a jeep to fit, and moves as you go along it.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_18.jpg[/img]

Mahodand Lake: Another view of the river. This picture doesn't do it justice. The lake is at the end of the swat valley, about three hours beyond Kalam.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_20.jpg[/img]

KKH Signboard: Signboard of the KKH as you approach the Karakorum highway.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_21.jpg[/img]



On the Move: The road to Garam Chasma. It was a very picturesque drive, with a few very narrow places where you have to go very carefully.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_24.jpg[/img]

Fallen Jeep: This local jeep had gone into the river just a few minutes before we got there. The driver managed to jump out as the jeep went down and came out scratchless. Dr. Mansur orchestrated the rescue attempt, while Hamid Omar and Taimur Mirza were the brains behind actually bringing it up.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_25.jpg[/img]

Winching: Taimur Mirza's CJ7 and Hamid Omar's M38 are winching up the jeep. These warn winches are rated at 12,000 pounds and even then everyone was suprised that they managed to pull the jeep up. The locals couldn't believe it at all!
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_26.jpg[/img]

Winching Ends: The Jeep is almost there. The axle snapped as it was dragged upwards.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_27.jpg[/img]

Narrow Road: A road. Goes to Garam Chasma along the river.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_30.jpg[/img]

Chitral Camp Site: Our campsite next to a river just before Garam Chasma 3 hours north of Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_31.jpg[/img]

Fishing for trout at Maho Dand lake: This is a river fed by glaciers just around the bend. It's one of those spots which you see in pictures of travel magazines.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/chitral/chitral_omars_19.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]

Very nice pics, thanks for sharing!

Always nice to see positive things, things that brighten the day too.

Fairy Meadows Tent: This is our resthouse/hotel/campsite at Fairy Meadows.


Cutting Wood: The locals cutting wood.


Raikot Tatu Sign | AO: The jeep track ends at Tatu village at a height of about 6,000 feet. The walk to Fairy Meadows is about 5 kilometers reaching a height just below 12,000 feet. It is a 3 hour or longer walk (depending opon fitness and weight of backpack!) and is classed A+ according to the Lonely Planet guidebook. A+ means easy for some, but difficult for most.
We stopped here on our way to Fairy Meadows for lunch after our night stay at Shangrila Hotel Chilas. The lunch was very wholesome and consisted of French fries and lentil soup. We stuffed ourselves to prepare for unforseeable horrors despite warnings to the contrary.


Fairy Meadows trail: On the trail to Fairy Meadows.


Fairy Meadows Drive: This is a picture of the Jeep drive from Raikot Bridge to Tatu, before our trek onwards to Fairy Meadows. The Jeep ride was very enjoyable and memorable to most and terrifying for some as this picture shows. At a couple of points the Jeeps had to reverse to negotiate the tight hair pin bends. The track is so narrow, if a Jeep approaches from the other direction, one Jeep has to squeeze to the side of the hill while the other precariously navigates around it with two wheels practically hanging over the edge.
The report from 2003 is that rain and ensuing landslides have washed the Jeep track away. Now you would have to walk all the way from Raikot Bridge (height 2000 feet) to Tatu - a difficult and hot 5 hour trek.


White Jeep: We were stopped somewhere near Manshera. In the background is the silencer for an ancient steam engine, last used in the late 1800's by the British.


Khunjerab Sign: This is the sign at the Khunjerab Pass listing distances.

Some very nice pictures, though you might want to edit your topic description to indicate this topic is very picture heavy.

HO | SO: Standing at the very edge of Pakistan.


Patricia Mirza: Patricia Mirza at the Khunjerab sign.


Lawn | Lourdes Hotel: The Lourdes Hotel in Quetta. Its very old and the best hotel in Quetta. Their visitor book reads like a who's who of foreign travellers and locals.


Rest Stop: Stopped on the way for a breather.



Lovely view: A vista of the view from above. That is the indus river.


Landslie: Landslide blocking the road from Sost to the Khunjerab Pass.



Cafe de Hunza: A thoroughly western cafe in Hunza. The only one of its kind in Pakistan, where you can go sit, drink coffee and read. They have good snacks also. Everyone going to Hunza ends up coming here. Highly recommended.


Amjad Mawaz | Hamid Omar: Standing in front of a little bit of heaven.


Cooling: Chilling the drinks in the cold water. This is near Baltit fort.


Altit Fort: The Omars in front of Altit fort.


Fear Factor: A case of sheer white knuckles! This track cut into the mountainside had a drop of nearly 3000 feet to the bottom of the gorge. Enroute to Tatu from Raikot bridge.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab4.jpg[/img]





Hunza Valley: A gorgeous view of the Hunza valley.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab5.jpg[/img]

Mountain art: Ancient rock carvings near the Altit Fort, Hunza Valley.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab6.jpg[/img]

Mackenna's Gold: The mountainside eroded by melting snow, Phunder valley, Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab7.jpg[/img]

Ye Anciente bridge: A rope and plank bridge made by the locals for crossing the Ghizer river. Ghizer District, Yasin Valley, Gilgit.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab8.jpg[/img]

Cathederal Peaks: These jagged peaks are located enroute to Gulmit from Karimabad. Hunza valley
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab9.jpg[/img]



River at Sust: Not many people brave the rapids around here. Its a most impressive sight.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab12.jpg[/img]

Going around the bend: A jeep making its way up the mountain. Enroute to Tatu from Raikot bridge.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab10.jpg[/img]

Chairlift Ahoy!: Crossing the Gilgit River the good old way. Yasin Valley, Gilgit.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/salman_khunjerab11.jpg[/img]

Sunset in Nathiagali: The sun retreats behinds the mountains for the night. Picture taken in Nathiagali by Imad.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_41.jpg[/img]

In The Sluice: Just one of the many narrow obstacles on the Gilgit-Phandar route. According to rumour, this road has been paved now. Photo by Salman Ali.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_42.jpg[/img]



Yasin Valley: One of the countless beautiful views of the Yasin Valley on the Gilgit-Phandar route. The road runs through the valley the entire way. Photo by Salman Ali.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_43.jpg[/img]

Shortcut gone Wrong: The Hilux was trying to take a shortcut down to the river, but bungled the run-up and got stuck on the edge. Photo by Salman Ali.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_44.jpg[/img]

Salman's CJ-7 on a suspension bridge: Salman negotiates a suspension bridge in the CJ-7. Photo by Imad Ali.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_46.jpg[/img]



Nick and Sik: Travelling in style.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_47.jpg[/img]

Raikot Glacier: A view of the Raikot Glacier from the campgrounds at Fairy Meadows. Photo by Imad Ali.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_49.jpg[/img]

On the beaten path: Sikander, KO, Nabeel, Imad, and Maria on the trek to Fairy Meadows. Nanga Parbat looms in the background.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_50.jpg[/img]

Bridge? What, that!?: Just a glimpse of the drive from Raikot Bridge to Tatu. Photo by Salman Ali.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/khunjerab_2000/khunjerab_51.jpg[/img]

Wonderful photos, I really enjoyed viewing them, thanks for sharing.

Dharki at Night: The Cherokee enjoying the peace and quiet of the night after a hard day's work.


Driving on the N5: On the highway. The N5 (runs from Karachi to Lahore) has been improved a lot from what it used to be.


Pappoo Saaeen: Famous Lahori folk drummer.


Blues for the red sun: When you go fast enough, you experience something called akin to a doppler effect, where the light becomes red shifted. Picture by AO.





Red Kia Rising: Driving through a landslide area. Mr. Kabir Omar shows us his true skills behind the wheel.


Rock City 1: The view from Rock city hotel.


Rock City - View from hotel room: The rooms here offer a panoramic view of the Swat valley.


Driving down the Lowari Pass: Picture by AO.






White Kia, Grey Kia: On the road, somewhere near Lowari Pass.


Cutting the Ice: They found their ice cube, but then realized there was only one. They're having it cut up so they both can chill their Diet Coke. This glacier is near Lowari Pass.


Chitral Valley: View of the Chitral valley.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/100_0798.jpg[/img]

AO taking a refresher: Convenient cooling off spots are found every now and then on the road.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/100_0837.jpg[/img]




View From Lowari Pass: On our way up the Lowari Pass, heading back from Chitral, this is the view of the amazing hairpin turns that run all the way up the pass. Our Lahori Kia Sportage is in the middle. The Nissan Diesel truck further below has a tough time negotiating the turns, having to reverse back and forward at each hairpin. We happened to be stuck behind a bunch of these trucks, and it took us ages to get up the pass, not to mention the noxious diesel fumes we had to contend with. But because the going was slow, it gave us time to take these wonderful pictures!
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/001018.jpg[/img]

Cold Ice: The glacier near Lowari Pass - yet another picture of it. And yes, those are some massive ice cubes.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-24_17-44-37_024.jpg[/img]

Chitral Valley 2: A view of the Chitral vally from the road.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-25_12-13-21_0086.jpg[/img]

Bridge 2: Driving over a narrow bridge.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-25_13-40-52_0100.jpg[/img]

On the Way: On the way to the Kalash Valley.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-25_14-30-32_0115.jpg[/img]





Hotel Staff: HinduKush Heights hotel staff nightly sing for the guests.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-26_00-13-15_0019.jpg[/img]

Mastuj: In case anyone is wondering, this is what the outdoors looks like. Picture taken between Mastuj and Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-26_17-50-55_079.jpg[/img]

Chitral Bazaar: All essential items available.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_17-44-21_080.jpg[/img]

Made in Chitral: A locally produced car slash mobile workshop. It has a 2L engine coupled with a Suziki gearbox, a welding unit out of a tank, a full set of tools, an air compressor, and a few other tricks.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_18-53-17_096.jpg[/img]




Lobby: The checkin counter at the Hindukush Heights.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_22-28-56__216.jpg[/img]

Early Morning Hike: Finally.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_06-06-11_044.jpg[/img]

Sunflower: A solitary flower. The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) can grow up to 1 foot across. That could be a terrifying sight though. This one was about 3-4 inches or so across.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_07-24-59_063.jpg[/img]

Rania at Chitral: Cute!!!!!!
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_08-41-54_067.jpg[/img]



The longest hike: The rooms lie down there.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_10-38-28_004.jpg[/img]

The Kremlin: It's actually a mosque in Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_11-11-17_024.jpg[/img]

Wood: Deforestation at work. Or is it capatilism?
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_11-15-09_026.jpg[/img]

Tunnel 1: A tunnel going at a 45 degree angle straight up the mountain. This is about an hour away from Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/000014b.jpg[/img]


Kalash Town: Picture of a Kalash town by Ameena Husain.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/100_0823.jpg[/img]

Tunnel 3: The view at the top.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/100_0869.jpg[/img]

Goat Painting: On the wall of [structure] in the Kalash village.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/001107.jpg[/img]

Tilted Tunnel: more pictures of the tunnel.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-26_14-37-27_0179.jpg[/img]




Through a tunnel darkly: It stretched on forever...
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-26_14-43-32_0183.jpg[/img]

Scenic Pic 2: View from Mastuj fort.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2003-01-04_03-55-14_0007.jpg[/img]

Milestone at Mastuj: Getting closer to Shandur...
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2003-01-04_04-11-13_0011.jpg[/img]

River Valley: Between Mastuj and Chitral.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2003-01-04_04-50-22_0018.jpg[/img]



Log Hut: A picture of one of the six huts at the HinduKush Heights lodge in Mastuj.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_07-28-32.jpg[/img]

Mastuj Fort: The fort.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_07-30-42.jpg[/img]

Shandur Road 2: Flowers along the route.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_11-54-20_0029.jpg[/img]

Suspension bridge: It was narrow enough that the sideview mirrors were touching both sides.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_11-11-58_259.jpg[/img]



Suspension bridge 2: Another view of the bridge.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_11-12-33_261.jpg[/img]

Shandur Lake 1: Lake at Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/000019.jpg[/img]

Shandur Lake 2: Another view of Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/000023a.jpg[/img]

Shandur Sign: The sign greeting one to Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/000036.jpg[/img]




River 2: On the way to Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/000107.jpg[/img]

Road to Shandur: Winding through the mountains.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_11-08-59_107.jpg[/img]

Cherokee rounding curve: En route.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_11-37-53_109.jpg[/img]

Valley 6: Snowy peak near Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_12-40-24_125.jpg[/img]




River pic 4: On the way to Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_13-00-59_131.jpg[/img]

Curvy Road: Another shot of the road to Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_13-36-54_140.jpg[/img]

River crossing 42: Fresh water!
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_13-39-02.jpg[/img]

Baby Goat 1: At Shandur Pass.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_13-44-12.jpg[/img]




Goat at Shandur: Shepard boy.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_13-45-56.jpg[/img]

Jeeps at Shandur: Parked next to the lake.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_14-20-51_162.jpg[/img]

Shandur Polo Ground 1: The famous polo ground - this is the highest polo ground in the world.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_15-15-10_181.jpg[/img]

Road to Shandur 2: Picture of the road. This will soon be paved over.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_15-51-03_193.jpg[/img]






Rocks 2: Rock structures near Shandur.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_16-29-00.jpg[/img]

Valley near Shandur: breathtaking view from here. The camera doesn't do justice.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-27_16-29-42_195.jpg[/img]

Bridge Crossing 3: One of the bridges on the way. This is near Mastuj.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_11-10-56_007.jpg[/img]

Another Bridge: Someone, they don't seem all that safe, despite have survived the test of time.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_12-13-04__136.jpg[/img]








Chitral view: The view from the hotel lawns.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-29_08-42-18_068.jpg[/img]

Field 1: This picture is of a wheat field on the way back to Islamabad.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_12-29-30_029.jpg[/img]

Approaching Islamabad: Approaching the end of the journey.
[img]http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/shandur_2004/2004-06-28_15-48-48__181.jpg[/img]


Woooh! That it for now... I hope you enjoyed the pictures




Your welcome More pictures added anyway

Are these from a holiday? I must say they are very beautiful!

Interesting... However, if that is what the Heaven really looks like, I'd rather be elsewhere.

Ditto here.

*Mental note* Remind self to not come into this topic unless I'm willing to wait for over 100 pictures to load.

Thank you very much, it is very interesting to see the beautiful side

I looked at the pictures 3-4 times

For those on Dialup connections, note that you can disable images, avatars, and signatures in your Control Panel. That's what I've done... my Net connection is slow enough as it is without those things having to load. Until I get broadband, I view all IPB's I'm a member of like this. That said, this topic loaded pretty quickly.

@Dima - Maybe "Heaven" is a culmination of what each individual person considers to be the most beautiful, perfect environment. More to the point, maybe our afterlife is defined by what we deserve, or what we feel (subconciously-sp?) we deserve... I don't mean to stir a religious debate, but being an atheist, that's as good an explanation as any... so maybe for the original poster, these images of Pakistan are his/her Heaven...

amazing pictures, some of those i would have never expected to see in Pakistan

Looks pretty cool... but yeah, I never knew pakistan looked like that.

It seems pretty dry, though... sort of like the great plains.

What were you doing when you took them?

wow...i feel like i had a trip there too..


thanks for sharing

Glad you like the pictures everyone don't belive what news/press tell you - they make you think pakistan is awful but it is not!

You can find more pictures at http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/



It is dry but its breath-taking! I mean if you go there - you'll become crazy because it is so beautiful.

Here is another Pictures in Mella village...






My home in Pakistan


Me

I love the monkey. Some of its pretty. Almost reminds me of the western and Eastern U.S. in a way.

Awesome pictures. Beautiful country

The pictures are from diffrent area's some from the south and some from the natural north.

And for those who say it isnt like heaven and you would be some place else. Why do you not believe its heaven?

Ever seen the U.S. or Europe? Or Asia in general? Very very pretty and scenic.

Reminds me of the monkey off Family Guy for some reason. LOL

I don't know why everyone's being so antagonistic towards the suggestion that its 'Heaven on Earth'. Its pretty obvious he didn't mean it literally.

I was checking this thread again.. my memory came back!

Sorry to hear that you lost your memory - but glad it came back.

Quite the old topic

None-the-less, you have an amazing country there. Very nice pictures.

I'm glad he resurrected this topic. I enjoyed it a lot.