"So Explore the Earth (Al-Quran)" Mozumbus's Profile

The Ancient Jain Temple at Nagarparkar, Pakistan

Roadtrip from Karachi to Nagarparkar, Thar Desert

This March I finally visited Nagarprakar, which can be rightly described as the last town in the Southern Pakistan – thanks to Farrukh and other Karachi Couch Surfing members.

From Karachi, Nagarparkar is ~500 km across the Thar Desert and pierces into the Indian states of Gujrat and Rajasthan along the rather deserted section of Pakistan – India border.

In those 2 days on the road, there was ample opportunity for me to take a bird eye-view of the life around the desert from the roof of the coaster!

This is a snapshot of what we explored during the whirlwind tour:
=Naukot Fort – a gigantic 200 years old structure at the brink of the desert
=Gaddi Bhit – a sand dune overlooking Mithi city top of which is accessible through a paved road!
=Jain Temple – an ancient place of worship

Here is the trip report with photographs: Karachi to Nagarparkar

And here are my reviews and detailed tips: VT Nagarparkar Page

Nanga Parbat - the World's 9th Highest Mountain

Kalash and Fairy Meadows 2012

In May, I once again visited the beautiful Northern Areas of Pakistan but with a new set of destinations; Kalash and Fairy Meadows making a loop via Lowari Tunnel and Shandur Pass. This time I was accompanied with friends - Zeeshan and Nadeem. We used public transport throughout and booked accommodation on the go.

Destinations
Kalash Valley (Kafiristan - the land of infidels), is a primitive but colorful pagan civilization surviving right along the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan
Fairy Meadow: A lush green natural platform at a height of 10,800 feet overlooking the mighty Nanga Parbat - the world's 9th highest mountain

Challenges
Lowari Tunnel: a 9 km cave like structure connecting Pakistan with its North West town of Chitral
Shandur Pass: A heavenly plateau at a height of 12,200 feet connecting Chitral to Gilgit cutting through Pamir, Hindukudh, and Karakoram ranges

Itinerary and Detailed Trip Report
Following is the trip itinerary which will take you to the detailed trip report and photos:
May 12, 2012: Journey Starts - Karachi to Faisalabad through Karakoram Express
May 13, 2012: Journey Continues - Faisalabad to Rawalpindi to Chitral via Lowari Tunnel
May 14, 2012: Finally Reached Kalash after a 50 Hours Marathon
May 15, 2012: The Colorful Spring Festival - Joshi - in Kalash and a Local Wedding
May 16, 2012: Touching Boundries - Trekked to the last Pakistani village towards Afghanistan
May 17, 2012: Journey Resumes for Fairy Meadows - Kalash to Mastuj
May 18, 2012: Mastuj to Gilgit via Shandur Pass
May 19, 2012: Reached Nanga Parbat - Gilgit to Raikot Bridge to Tattu (Jhal) to Fairy Meadows
May 20, 2012: Nanga Parbat - the world's 9th Highest Mountain
May 21, 2012: Sheer Luck - Snowfall at Fairy Meadows
May 22, 2012: More Luck and More Snowfall
May 23, 2012: Return Journey: Fairy Meadows to Jhal to Raikot Bridge to Chilas to Rawalpindi
May 24, 2012: Rawalpindi to Faisalabad to Karachi
May 25, 2012: Back Home

A Traditional Malay Wedding in Cameron Highlands

Egypt - December 2011

December 4: Of Pharaohs - Modern and Ancient

December 5: Minarets and Pyramids of Cairo

December 6: Beauty, Enchantment, and the Suez Crossing of Ismailia

December 7: The Best of Free Cairo

December 8: Mummies and the Nile

December 9: The Colourful Friday of Cairo

Bali, Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka - 2011

March 18: Visiting Elephant Sanctuary in Pinnawala

March 17: From Kuala Lumpur's LRT to Colombo's Tuk Tuks
March 16: A Day in KL - Shopping, Food, and LRT
March 15: Penang to Kuala Lumpur - Yet Another Bus Journey
March 14: Wandering around Penang
March 13: From Cameron Highlands to Penang
March 12: Attending Malay Wedding and Having Chinese Steamboat
March 11: Tea Plantations and Those Weird Insects of Cameron Highlands
March 10: Naan, Paratha, and Jungle Trekking in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

March 9: Goodbye Bali
March 8: Balinese Massage
March 7: Water Sports in Bali
March 6: Kecak Kecak at Uluwatu and Jimbaran Beach
March 5: Silence in Bali
March 4: Attending Worlds Best Festival in Bali

March 3: Singapore - Bali
March 2: Singapore & Sentosa Island
March 1: Colombo - Singapore

February 28: Karachi - Colombo

Backpack Europe 2009

June 8: Karachi – Doha – Rome
June 9: Rome
June 10: Rome – Florence
June 11: Florence – Pisa – Florence
June 12: Florence – Venice
June 13: Venice – Athens
June 14: Athens
June 15: Vouliagmeni, Athens
June 16: Athens – Barcelona
June 17: Barcelona – Granada
June 18: Granada – Cordoba
June 19: Cordoba – Sevilla – Cordoba
June 20: Madinatul Azhara, Cordoba – Malaga
June 21: Malaga – Geneva – Doha – Karachi

This was the trip which brought me to VT. This wonderful website and more wonderful fellows here helped me generously to craft a crazy but successful itinerary!

Previously I had been using flickr for documenting my trips

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29868685@N05/sets/72157609523366581/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29868685@N05/sets/72157616126426500/

My Beautiful Pakistan

Rakaposhi, 7788m, from Aliabad, Pakistan

Places I have explored in my beautiful Pakistan to-date:

Pakistan Tours: Kalash, Fairy Meadows, Khunjerab Pass Pakistan /China Border, Hunza Valley, Deosai Plains, Shangrila, Wahga - Pakistan/India Border, Chaman - Pakistan/Afghanistan Border, Chikothi - Pakistan/Kashmir Line of Control, Jewani - Pakistan/Iran border, Sawat Valley, Kaghan Valley, Neelum Valley, Jehlum Valley, Quetta and Ziarat, Makran Coastal Highway, Hinglaj Temple, Thar Desert, Nagarparkar

Pakistan Hill Stations: Ziarat, Karimabad, Skardu, Chitral, Kalash, Shandur Pass, Fairy Meadows, Kalam, Atror, Gabral, Miandam, Naran, Kaghan, Shogran, Sri & Paye, Thandyani, Nathiagali, Murree, Patriata, Ormara Hammerhead

Pakistan Lakes: Kachura Lakes (Lower & Upper), Satpara Lake, Lake Saiful Mulook, Mahoodand Lake, Hanna Lake, Chikar Lake, Kalri Lake

Pakistan Islands: Manora

Pakistan Beaches: Kund Malir, Mubarak Village, Cape Mount, Paradise Point, Hawks Bay, Sands Pit, Himalya Beach, Russian Beach

Pakistan Forts: Baltit Fort, Ranikot Fort, Umerkot Fort, Naukot Fort

Other Pakistan Cities: Aliabad, Gligit, Sost, Skardu, Chitral, Mengora, Sawabi, Balakot, Muzaffarabad, Pindi Bhattiyan, Kotli, Peshawar, Attock, Mansehra, Abbotabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Sialkot, Lahore, Shaikhopura, Faislabad, Sahiwal, Bhawalpur, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Jiwani, Larkana, Sukkur, Dadoo, Thatta, Makli, Hyderabad, Umerkot, Nagarparkar, and counting...

Globe Trotting

Saudi Arabia: Jeddah, Mecca, Medina
UAE: Dubai, Sharja
Singapore
Indonesia: Bali
Malaysia: Cameron Highlands, Penang, Kuala Lumpur
Sri Lanka: Colombo, Pinnawela

Italy: Rome, Florence, Pisa, Venice
Vatican
Greece: Athens, Vouliagmeni
Spain: Barcelona, Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Malaga

Egypt: Cairo, Ismailia

Regular Airlines:
1. Qatar Airways
2. Emirates
3. Aegean Air
4. Saudi Arabian Airlines
5. Pakistan International Airlines
6. Sri Lankan Airlines

Budget and Regional Airlines:
1. Air Asia
2. Easyjet
3. Vueling Air
4. Clickair
5. Air Blue
6. Aero Asia

Buzi Pass, Makran Coastal Highway, Pakistan

The Greatest of All Canyons!

Even the picture above does not justify the wilderness of this tortuous mountain pass and the magnanimity of the landscape which is located around 250 paved kilometers from the noisy Karachi. The setting is amazing and still under-explored as the area was landlocked until the development of the Makran Coastal Highway a few years back.

To have a glimpse of what this breathtaking road drive has to offer, take a virtual tour with me!

The Celebrity Status

(from right) Haris, Adeel, Fasahat, Hasan, myself

Part 1 Episode 1
Part 2 Episode 1
Part 3 Episode 1

So finally, this is it. We have been recorded and will be on air!!!

Geo News, a local TV channel, is broadcasting our travelmentary on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at 11:00 pm PST (+5 GMT)

Watch out for the Second and the Final Epsiode: Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at 11:00 pm PST (+5 GMT)

Repeat: Thursday, July 8, 2010 4:00 am PST and 4:00 pm PST. Sunday, July 11, 2010 1:00 pm PST.