Hitchhiking in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the best countries to hitchhike: because of the ease of getting a ride and because of the kindness of its people. It is true that many people do not like dogs, but if you travel with dogs it will not be a problem. At least that was my experience in the country during the more than half a year that we toured it from start to finish. The waits were short (or very short) 90% of the time, and the rescuer on duty was ALWAYS a charm. In the end, it is just another example of hospitality in the Kingdom-Country of Hospitality. Don't be surprised if several people fight to take you!
Below I share some facts and tips for hitchhiking in Pakistan based on my experience that may help/guide you. You can also read these posts about general hitchhiking and hitchhiking with a dog:
HITCHHIKING IN PAKISTAN (WITH DOG)
Anywhere is good
Good company!
Although for hitchhiking in other countries I recommend staying at town exits or gas stations, in Pakistan you can start in the very center of a city. The vehicles will stop, regardless of whether they make those behind them wait. I say it again, it is very easy to get a ride, especially if you are a foreigner. The difficulty lies in “getting rid” of the locals, who will try to take you to a tea house, to eat or directly to their home to meet their large family, friends and neighbors.
Get ready to talk
At Osama's house, Timergara
Pakistanis are very nice and curious, and they will want to know about you. They usually speak English well or at least a little, but don't worry if this is not the case: the conversation will be by gestures, Google Translator or through the handful of photos of their children on their phones. It is highly likely that the rescuer on duty will invite you to his house and you will end up being friends for life.
"Acha Kutta"
Cocaí trying her best
If you travel with a dog and you see that when the driver/passengers stop, they are not really dog lovers, say these magic words “Acha kutta”. That is, “good dog.” Also show them a towel or something to indicate that your dog will sit there and not leave the seat or floor covered in dog hair.
Incredible roads: the adventure beggins!
Pakistani roads
Pakistan is not exactly characterized by its road network (there are not even traffic lights) and the state of its roads. In return, the NORTH offers a network of impressive routes through the most spectacular mountains that my eyes have ever seen. The Karakoram Highway, part of the ancient Silk Road, which connected trade with Central Asia, winds from Islamabad towards China. It is one of the mythical routes for many travelers, who soon realize that the possibilities are endless. As many as fairy tale valleys run along the road. Some are crossed by dirt roads at the bottom, others on the edge of the abyss and others are only passable by 4x4 or on foot.
Long journeys
Pakistan is to be explored slowly
Be aware that in Pakistan trips will be extended in time... so much so that sometimes you can be on the road all day. It doesn't matter that the map shows only a few kilometers. To the destroyed and curvy roads we must add the frequent stops to drink tea, eat, take a detour to see a distant cousin... Not to mention the rock collapses that might force you to wait for a tow truck to come or to look for an alternative and much longer route. In the south of the country, there are not so many curves but there are many populations, traffic and chaos.
Men behind the wheel (99.99%)
Sonia and Cocaí with a local guy, Astore
In the countries I know in Asia, women hardly drove us by car. More than anything because they hardly drive, but in some cases it is also due to the existing cultural segregation by sex. In Turkey, Iran or India, we got some rides from women, but in Pakistan not even one... in six months. The separation and worlds of men and women is very marked, especially in some areas near Afghanistan (Baloch and Pashtun). I understand that this issue may make travelers uncomfortable, not only to start hitchhiking, but to even come and visit the country. If you have doubts about this, I leave you here the Instagram of Leti Lagarda (@leti_lagarda) a young Galician who hitchhiked through Pakistan (and other stigmatized countries) and Paula Belenda (@howimettravel), who traveled through it on a motorcycle.
Pickups… AND PAKISTANI TRUCKS!
In a pick-up truck, Karakoram Highway
Although almost all Pakistanis will want to take and help you, if you are traveling with a dog they might back out. Surely that's why we traveled a lot on pickups, on the roof of vans... and of course their super trucks. For those who do not know, Pakistani trucks are authentic walking murals with the most diverse designs and international recognition. Old vehicles converted into works of art full of colors and life (see the first photo of the post). So for me it was amazing to be able to ride a handful of them. Advantages of traveling with a dog!
Banned territories and military police
Ride with Pakistani escort
Attention! Not all Pakistani territory is open to foreign tourism. Some of what until recently were known as “Tribal Areas” are directly prohibited, and others we are only authorized to cross with a military escort. The most popular among travelers is the province of Balochistan. If you come by land from (or are going to) Iran, the entrance (or exit) of Pakistan, which you must pass through, will consist of a 600 km trip in military pickup trucks through the desert, stopping at numerous checkpoints to show your passport and wait for the next vehicle with armed men. It might also happen that in an area that is theoretically safe and open to tourism, you are assigned an escort. It is true that this takes away your freedom and can become tiresome, but there are several advantages. They are very nice (more so than the police in any other country I know), they save you from hitchhiking and it is a real adventure: sometimes you sleep in the police station with them!
Note. This service is covered by the Government of Pakistan.
Schedule according to the weather
Pakistan can be very hot in summer
While in the north you have to be careful with winter, in the south you have to be careful with summer. On the one hand, cold and the possibility of getting stuck in a town due to the snow. On the other hand, unbearable heat and humidity. That is, try not to travel through the provinces of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Chitral area between December and March, and try not to do the same through the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan between May and August.
Put a tent in your backpack
Traveling with a tent is key to hitchhiking
As always, I recommend traveling with a tent. It is surely the hitchhiker's most precious gadget: if night comes and you haven't managed to get a ride, you can always camp in a meadow next to the road. Also, a tip for lovers of trekking and mountains (prepared if possible): there are routes of several days (or weeks) that cross valleys and passes in the three triplet mountain ranges: Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalayas. You can leave the road for a few days and take a look at these powerful natural wonders, full of forests, flowered meadows, rivers, lakes, glaciers... Take a look at the post NORTH PAKISTAN, ITINERARY.
CONCLUSION
Adventure is guaranteed around those impressive routes between mountains while you share time with families in their cars, bounce between boxes of fruit in pickups or have tea with a truck driver in his rolling work of art. Furthermore, as I say, Pakistani hospitality throughout its territory is guaranteed, which translates into invitations to local houses, teas, meals and the occasional excursion through beautiful and secret corners that its lands treasure, and that they will want to show you very proud.
I RECOMMEND 100 X 100 THE EXPERIENCE OF TRAVELING THROUGH PAKISTAN BY HITCHHIKING.
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