Here are essential tips and safety guidelines for tours to the northern areas of Pakistan, including places like Hunza, Skardu, Naran, Kumrat, Swat, and Fairy Meadows:
🧭 Pre-Travel Planning
- Check Weather Forecast: Always review weather conditions for landslides, rain, or snowfall before your trip.
- Inform Someone: Share your travel plan and location updates with a friend or family member.
- Local Knowledge: Talk to locals or guides about road conditions and area-specific precautions.
🚗 Transportation & Driving
- Use 4×4 for Remote Areas: Jeeps or SUVs are better for rough terrain like Kumrat, Fairy Meadows, or Deosai.
- Avoid Night Driving: Mountain roads can be narrow, unguarded, and risky after dark.
- Fuel Up in Advance: Petrol pumps are scarce in remote areas—always top up in towns like Chilas, Thal, or Skardu.
🏕️ Accommodation & Camping
- Book in Advance (Peak Season): May to August is busy—confirm hotels or guesthouses beforehand.
- Camp Safely: Set up camp near water, but away from riverbanks. Use a waterproof tent and avoid lighting fires in windy areas.
- Check for Wildlife: In areas like Deosai or Fairy Meadows, avoid keeping food outside the tent.
🥾 Trekking & Outdoor Activity
- Wear Proper Shoes: Good grip trekking shoes are essential.
- Acclimatize Slowly: In high-altitude areas like Khunjerab or Babusar, take it slow to avoid altitude sickness.
- Hire Local Guides: Especially for offbeat places like Jahaz Banda or Katora Lake.
🧳 Packing Essentials
- Warm clothes (even in summer)
- Raincoat/poncho
- Power bank & torch
- First aid kit & medicines
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
- Reusable water bottles
- Trash bags (leave no litter)
📶 Connectivity & Safety
- Mobile Signal: Limited in remote valleys—Telenor or SCOM work best in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Keep Emergency Numbers: Like Rescue 1122, and local hospital contacts.
- Avoid Political Areas: Stay updated with local news and avoid areas flagged for unrest.