| DOCUMENTS
For
Italians to obtain a visa was not that straight. In
fact, besides the copy of the flight ticket, the embassy
in Rome required the evidence of a reservation in
Pakistan. Given the cheapest hotel I found was 95$/night,
I booked five nights and once I got the visa I cancelled
the reservation. The visa cost me around 50 euros.
MONEY
The
currency is the Pakistani Rupia (1 euro= 80 PKR).
US$ seems still to be the most convenient currency
to be changed.
HEALTH
I
had the usual vaccinations: ephatite A, B, typhus
and tetanus but I took nothing against malaria. I
hadn't any problem with the food or the drink, anyway
I never drank tap water.
GENERAL
TIPS
If
you have planned a flight Islamabad- Gilgit or Islamabad-
Skardu, take into account always a back up solution,
as to take a bus. In fact very often these flight
are cancelled due to the bad weather conditions
The
stiffness in the respect of the Islamic laws depends
strongly by the area of the country. Generally speaking
the Hunza valley, namely the Karakorum Highway from
Gilgit up to the north, is very liberal: you can see
women unveiled and only a percentage of the population
stick to the Ramadan. On the opposite Peshawar is
crazily rigid and it's a place to keep away if you
easily become intolerant of prohibitions.
Travel
during Ramadan isn't a joke, but doable if you bring
some food and water. Most of my travel coincided with
the Holy month. In case you are freaking out, head
to the north in the liberal Hunza valley. On the other
hand the celebration for the end of the Holy month
will surprise you
In
public, generally, keep away from the women; even
speaking with one of them will create a useless tension.
I
found the Footprint guide of
Northern Pakistan (1st edition by D. Winter) turned
out really well done
Speaking
English will let you to comunicate with most of the
people, even in rural areas
If
you want to visit the Khiber pass an armed escourt
is mandatory, but it can be easily organised by the
guesthouse in Peshawar (I did at the Tourist Inn Motel
in Shaddar road nr8). It's cheaper if you share the
expense with other three passangers. Anyway I was
alone and I spent around 30 $ for car, guide, driver
and escourt. The whole trip last half day
In
the North hot water and electricity are never to be
taken for granted when you chose an accomodation;
bring your candles
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