I crossed Badgoi Top in August 2020, so treat what I describe as what I saw then. I keep that separate from what I could check today, which you will find near the end. The short version: it was a long, rough ride, and I would not do it again just to reach Kumrat. Where … Read more
My rhinitis allergy flares with the smog in Faisalabad every autumn. Why I escape to Shogran in October, how long it takes to feel better, and what I pack.
What to pack for Hunza, Fairy Meadows, Shogran and Naran by season, with the reason for each item from my own trips.
The Hunza sights worth your time: Eagle’s Nest at dawn, Attabad Lake, Passu Cones, Hussaini Bridge and Khunjerab Pass, with prices and honest advice.
How to walk from Fairy Meadows to Beyal Camp and the zero point: the time, the path, what to carry, the canteen and why to be back before sunset.
Fairy Meadows or Hunza? Costs, effort, season, crowds, signal and who each trip suits, from my 2021 trip to both and my brother’s 2026 trip.
The best months for Hunza, Fairy Meadows, Naran, Shogran and Babusar Top, from my own trips: crowds, rates, snow and when each place opens or closes.
How northern Pakistan changed from 2017 to 2026: roads, hotel and fuel prices, crowds and new places to stay, from my own trips.
Ten things I would skip on a northern Pakistan trip after years of visits, from Saif-ul-Malook to rooms in Batakundi, and what I do instead.
Shogran or Naran? A first-hand comparison of crowds, hotel prices, food costs, weather and things to do, especially if you like quiet.