Two girls, age 25 (both blonde(!)) are going to Pakistan in
August (1 month) and India (2 months). Want to go by bus or
train Islamabad - Lahore - New Dehli - Mumbai with several
stops on the way. We have some questions:
1.How safe is it to travel in the northern parts of these
countries these days? Are the bombing and fights only in
Jammu/Kashir or other places too?
2.Will the Indian election in September cause too much
trouble - should we just avvoid India until after the
election?
3. Has anyone travelled by bus from Lahore to New Dehli?
4. How much money do you usually spend on a three monts trip
like this (low budget and without the plane tickets)?
5. What about VISA or Mastercard in Pakistan?
Thanks.
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1 - it is pretty safe in most of the North of Pakistan, in
India I would stick mostly to Himachel if you are worried
about safety, and do not trek by yourselves - if you want
very safe Nepal is your best bet.
2 - elections always cause hassles but not so much that you
should be worried if you take precautions - avoid all
demonstration - NEVER attend any political rallies - don't
voice your opinions about poitics in an argumentative
fashion -- election day itself is perhaps the most pleasant
day of all to be in India as all vehicle traffic -
richshaws, trains, busses, trucks, bicycles, everything is
banned. I'm not kidding - this is so people cannot be
transported to other districts to participate in election
fraud. It is so quiet and spooky - a very unique day to be
in India.
3 - bus from Lahore to Delhi is for Indians and Pakistanis
only. You can either take the train or walk across the
border - both options are fun.
4 - 1000 - 1500 US per month is a good figure to go with -
although it is very easy to spend alot more or alot less.
Assumes that you may want to go 2nd AC on longer train
trips, eat at the occasional fancy joint, drink a beer, swim
in a pool, use the occasional private riickshaw.
5 - don't know for sure but am willing to bet both are fine.
Have a good trip
...does your blonde hair have to do with this?
Actually I've reconsidered - 1000 UD per month is a little
high unless you plan on living high - maybe 500 US D is more
an average.
Since you can do ANYTHING you want to do on US$30 / day in
India, I would say that US$800-900 will be ample.
P.S. By "anything" I mean eating out every morning, noon,
and night, staying in Hotels recommended in LP(where the
prices go up the moment of publication!), and any activity
which takes your fancy. For example: I stayed in a good
hotel in Delhi, took the v.early morning train to see the
Taj Mahal / Fort , hired a car and guide all day, ate three
good meals, and came back to Delhi via the train- all for
less than US$30. And I was in a hurry!
For India, if you're on a low budget, you can make it with
10$ a day. But 15$ makes life easier. It depends as well on
how oyu want to travel around.
I don't know. Do you think it will matter? One thing is to
travel two girls on their own. Another thing is if you also
look very different -being rather tall and with for instance
blonde hair. Even though I of course will dress properly and
behave politely.
Hello:
Provided you land in Islamabad there ae many places to go ,
Peshawar and Khyber pass,Darra, Landi kotal are all about 3
hours away by road(wont take more than 2-3 days to see all
these places). By North if you mean going towards mountains
than from there the nearest such place is Swat valley, it is
beautifull with lots of handicrafts shops to browse as
well(about 5 hours from Peshawar). From there you have an
option of going to Either to Chitral valley and seeing Kafir
Kallash (thought to be the lost tribes from Alexenders army,
and some of them having blue eyes and golden hair like your
self)or you can go to Gilgit, hunza through KKH(silk
road) through Khawaza Khela Swat road which will land you in
Besham, Since you have plentty of time I would suggest the
later. There is also Kaghan valley and many other places,if
you need any further info please e-mail me.
Zgm
Dear Mary
I was more curious about the ! than the blojnde hair.
bc