Overland Pakistan Travel

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Currency to display:

Visiting Pakistan[edit]

Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.

Entering Pakistan with a Car or Motorbike[edit]

Correct as of: October 2017.

Iran to Pakistan: This is for the Mirjan-Taftan crossing, note you are under armed protection by the Levy guards from the Iran/Pakistan border throughout Balochistan, there is no option for this. It takes around 1.5hrs to leave Iran and get carnet stamped. The entry to Pakistan is around 30mins. You will then be escorted to the Levies station and given the manager's office floor to sleep. You will receive armed escorts by the Levies through the entire length of Balochistan (three day crossing), you will stay overnight in Dalbandin and Quetta, where it will take an additional day to obtain your NOC (No Objection Certificate). You will be allowed to leave the following day. You may then be either escorted to the border of Balochistan or you may be escorted all the way to Lahore. Those on cars and motorbikes drive/ride their own vehicles. Those travelling by other means ride in the back of police vehicles.

Required Paperwork[edit]

(To check if you need a travel Visa for Pakistan, application instructions and fees see: Pakistan Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
A Carnet de Passage is mandatory to enter enter Pakistan with any kind of motorized vehicle.

Cost of entry[edit]

State the cost for a vehicle to enter

Permitted length of stay[edit]

State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle

Extension of stay[edit]

Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.

Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country[edit]

Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.

Pakistan/India border (Wagah): Before you exit visit the closing of the border ceremony which is unique and happens around 4pm depending upon sunset hours. Then exit the next day. Exiting Pakistan is easy, details are entered by hand in their ledgers and you ride/drive through to India, then more paperwork. Whole crossing took a few hours, nothing unexpected.

Driving in Pakistan[edit]

Recommended books for Overlanding in Pakistan[edit]

Lonely Planet Pakistan & The Karakoram Highway (countr...
Lonely Planet Pakistan & The Karakoram Highway (countr...
by Sarina Singh, Lindsay Brown, Paul Clammer, Rodney ...
From $97.89 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Footprint Pakistan Handbook
Footprint Pakistan Handbook
by Ivan Mannheim, Dave Winter
From $94.90 on Amazon

Travel insurance for Pakistan[edit]

World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.

Vehicle insurance requirements[edit]

Yes or No if insurance is mandatory, and what kind is acceptable.

Cost of vehicle insurance[edit]

State the price of insurance and a time period.

Where to purchase vehicle insurance[edit]

Describe where insurance can be purchased.

Driving license[edit]

State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.

Driving side of road[edit]

Right.
RHD vehicles can be driven,infact many people own them here Pakistan.

Mandatory items in vehicle[edit]

State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)

Roads[edit]

General Road quality[edit]

Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.

Road signs[edit]

Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.

Toll roads[edit]

List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.

Bribery in Pakistan[edit]

Briefly describe how common bribery is and whether it should be expected, and the best way to deal with it.

Checkpoints[edit]

describe the frequency of checkpoints (police or military and what to expect.

Traveling with pets[edit]

List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.

Gas price in Pakistan and Diesel price in Pakistan[edit]

Last updated: October 2012

Currency and unit to display:

Gasoline Grade Price
Unleaded €0.85 EUR per Liter[1]
Diesel €0.91 EUR per Liter[1]

In Balochistan the Levy guards will take you to petrol stations when requested,however in some remote areas the only petrol available will be decanted from canisters. Quality is poor throughout Pakistan but usable.

Safety and Security Considerations[edit]

Not recommended. There will be animals, people, carts and trucks on the roadway, which often does not have defined edges. In addition vehicles often travel against the traffic direction. Of course no streetlighting in most of Pakistan, so you cannot see hazards.

Vehicle parking[edit]

Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.

In Pakistan, as much of Asia, right of way is given to the largest vehicles. This means that trucks will turn in front of you, overtake other trucks, drive the wrong way even on divided roads. You will need to weave around animals, vehicles, carts, mopeds, small motorbikes, utes, trucks, camels and of course people, all travelling at different speeds. Be careful, rarely does anyone look when entering a roadway so keep an eye out for vehicles swinging out in front of you or crossing your path. Drive at the speed of surrounding traffic and be highly aware, the roadway between Lahore and Islamabad is especially challenging due to the markets on each side of the road and sheer volume of people and vehicles. Note, Divided roads are often used by vehicles travelling in the wrong direction if it is quicker for them to do so.

NB: Motorbikes are not allowed on (the few) motorways in Pakistan.

Security advisories and information[edit]

Camping in Pakistan[edit]

Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.

Camping guide books[edit]

List and link to books specifically for camping.

Drinking water[edit]

Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.

Navigation[edit]

Paper maps[edit]

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Pakistan

Pakistan
Pakistan
by Reise Know-How Verlag
From $4.99 on Amazon
Afghanistan, Pakistan, And The Middle East Wall Map
Afghanistan, Pakistan, And The Middle East Wall Map
by National Geographic Maps - Reference
From $12.06 on Amazon
Afghanistan, Pakistan, And The Middle East Wall Map
Afghanistan, Pakistan, And The Middle East Wall Map
by National Geographic Maps - Reference
From $12.06 on Amazon
Lonely Planet Trekking In The Karakoram & Hindukush: W...
Lonely Planet Trekking In The Karakoram & Hindukush: W...
by John Mock
From $click on Amazon

GPS Maps of Pakistan[edit]

Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).

GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Pakistan[edit]

  • iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.

Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.

Special Overland Travel interests[edit]

List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders

Vehicle Maintenance[edit]

Dealers[edit]

4x4s / Trucks

Motorbikes

Local Garages[edit]

Add known good mechanics here.

Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Pakistan[edit]

Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle. List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.

Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'

References[edit]

Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.

  1. 1.0 1.1 World petrol prices, gas prices, diesel prices|MyTravelCost.com

Helpful External links[edit]

Add any helpful external links here.