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BARFistan 2014 - Come ride Pakistan with me!!!

khan

adifferentagenda.com
Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Location
I <3 Pakistan
Moto(s)
that go up the mountains
Name
Khan
EDIT: The Chosen Ones
Tour 1 - 23rd May to 7th June
1. rebekahlynn (confirmed)
2. UDRider (Confirmed)
3. Motorcycle RN (confirmed)
4. Motorcycle RN (2) (confirmed)
5. dtrav748 (confirmed)
6. 9integra2 (confirmed)
7. JimE (confirmed)
8. rzypvs (confirmed)
9. edscholl (confirmed)

10. TK (confirmed)

Tour 2 - 31st July to 14th August


1.
2. ?authority
3. Lunch Box
4. perforin
5. Momo-san
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.



BARFistan 2014


Hey Barfers, hope everyone’s doing great on here. Those of you who were following "BARFistan 2013" probably recognized that it was a great opportunity to eliminate some of the misconceptions most have about the east. The project was not solely focused on Pakistan though, or even motorcycles as a matter of fact. It was mostly about adventure, getting out of the safety cocoon of familiarity of a 9 to 5 lifestyle and braving a land that you’ve seen portrayed as a warzone.

I have become such a travel junkie and wanted to create more occasions for you guys to cut yourself loose and come explore the hidden beauty of Pakistani’s many cultures and have a life-changing experience (without breaking the bank and me as the best tour-guide you’ll ever have). So, 2014 is just around the corner and since BARFistan 2013 was incredibly successful, I’d like to host BARF again in Pakistan next year. I was lucky to have so many local companies generously sponsoring our last trip, and have been trying hard to secure more sponsors for 2 tours in 2014. After a lot of running around, I’ve been able to cut costs to the bare minimum for these two trips. Motorcycle rentals are the most expensive thing on this trip. I’ve sent out proposals to Honda Pakistan, Suzuki Pakistan, and Kawasaki Pakistan and crossing my fingers for a positive response. Unfortunately, my contacts at the companies are saying that the market has been struggling and chances of landing a sponsorship are pretty grim. There’s still a chance though, so lets hope for the best!

I’ll be hosting two tours in 2014:

- Tour 1: 23rd MAY - 7th JUNE
- Tour 2: 31st JULY - 14th AUGUST


Itineraries:

Tour 1

Note: A big chunk of the roads are unpaved, however, prior off-road riding experience is not essential. You will be camping just for 1 night on the Shandur Polo Field, the rest of the nights will be spent in hotels or Rest Houses.


I want to start this first tour at the end of May considering it’s the best time to explore the northwestern side of Pakistan. The tour starts from Islamabad, and then we’ll be en route towards Mardan, up to Chitral/Kalaash (the lost tribe), on towards Shandur (the highest polo field in the world), head to Gilgit, and finally arrive to my favorite area of Hunza-Karimabad. We'll be resting here, spending some time visiting their magnificent bazaar, and getting lost in this awe-inspiring peaceful hidden paradise. After Hunza Valley, we’ll go further north, cross the Atabaad lake on a ferry, and ride the highest international road in the world to The Khunjerab Pass.



Tour 2

Note: A big chunk of the roads are unpaved, however, prior off-road riding experience is not essential. You will be camping just for 1 night at Deosai Plains National Park, the rest of the nights will be spent in hotels or Rest Houses.

I want to start the second tour at the end of July considering it’s the best time to explore the northeast side of Pakistan. The tour starts from Islamabad, with us heading up the famous KaraKorum Highway to Chillas, from there, we’ll ride towards the Deosai Plains (second highest plains in the world), then to Skardu where we’ll explore the gorgeous Skardu desert, and finally we’ll ride to Gilgit and Hunza-Karimabad. We'll be resting here, spending some time visiting their magnificent bazaar, exploring the 800+ year-old forts, and getting lost in this awe-inspiring peaceful hidden paradise. After Hunza Valley, we’ll go further north, cross the Atabaad lake on a ferry, and ride the highest international road in the world to The Khunjerab Pass.


Both the tours will last for 2 weeks. If you wanted to spend a few extra days here, we’ll definitely be able to work some things out.

I’ve calculated the costs to be roughly $1000 per week

This will include:
- Motorcycle rental
- Fuel for the entire journey
- Motorcycle maintenance during the journey (oil changes/filters/fluids/plugs etc)
- Support vehicle (you won't have to carry luggage on the bike with you)
- Hotels
- Camping equipment
- All toll and ferry charges
- 3 meals a day (breakfast-lunch-dinner) a lot of tea as well
- 2 helpers who will help you with everything from riding your motorcycle when you're tired to giving you a massage on top of the Himalayas
- Any transportation/extra fee in case of landslide


Not included:
- Your airfare
- Visa fees
- Insurance costs
- Any other expenses you make (shopping, beer, wine, hookers, male strippers etc)
- Burning down your motorcycle when you're cold and you can't find wood

This is going to be a first-come, first-served basis. There are 10 spots open for each tour, and I’ll keep a waiting list, too, in case some drops out.

I posted some pictures of BARFistan 2013 on a couple of other moto forums and received a slew of emails from the members asking about a 2014 tour. I’ll favor Barfers first, of course, so sign up soon. I’ve been getting good vibes here, so lets make it happen!


i thought ill put some pictures for those who are not familiar with 'BARFistan 2013'



Deosai Plains the second highest plains in the world
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Last bridge before the second highest Mountain in the world K2
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twists much?
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wait!! it gets better
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and better
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seems like the edge of the world! Lowari Pass
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Riding in Pakistan is not like your sunday ride to Starbucks
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you won't only be riding along the mountains, you'll be riding under them at times
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Wooaahh!!
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Shandur's entrance!!!
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into the wild sorta.
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gorgeous eh?
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imagine being there!!
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we spent a couple hours by the fire
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A night here is to be experienced at least once.

This picture does not do justice to the amount of stars and beauty Shandur has at night.
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Last edited:
We'll cross the blue lake on ferries on both the tours
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We have to be carefully, the bearded guy is on the hunt for us bikers..
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If you're lucky enough you just might end up on a billboard in Pakistan, now how cool is that :p
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Heck yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know just yet if I'll be able to join one of these tours, but I VERY much hope to.
 
I'm going to be in Spain in June, so that's going to be out for me.... I'll see about the second tour.
 
Just spoke with the wife and I'm in for the May/June trip. I will likely sell a bike to fund this, but bikes are replaceable and this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
 
If I can ride by then, I want to go; the July/Aug. trip is more likely. Very much. Will likely need to sell a bike as well.
 
And I just got done watching the long way round / down series' - this Pakistan trip could satiate the wanderlust it gave me.
Such an incredible experience for not a lot of coin. Hmmm.
 
just added the names on the first post. ill get some more details in.. This is going to be EPIC!!!!

Oceansides, make it happen again HAHAHA!!!

Chotiaa!!!
 
make it happen Dan, you'll be a great addition in the group :)
 
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