I want to travel to Kashmir from Europe. I know that I can easily go to Russia, but what next? What will be the route from there? If I go to Pakistani-administered Kashmir, will I be able to cross the line of control to the Indian administered part, and vice versa?
-
According to Wikipedia, there are three parts to modern Kashmir: Pakistani, Indian, and Chinese controlled regions. By "cross line of control", I assume you mean from Pakistan to India?– JonikCommented Sep 11, 2012 at 8:53
-
Exactly.... from Pakistan to India and if I go to indian administered Kashmir then other way around.– moCapCommented Sep 11, 2012 at 9:27
-
3The way of the world, by Nicolas Bouvier is a must-read if you plan to travel from Europe to Kashmir.– mouvicielCommented Sep 11, 2012 at 18:34
-
Me too! But I want to start in Mongolia (-;– hippietrailCommented Dec 21, 2012 at 6:53
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
The historic principality of Jammu and Kashmir is split between the Pakistani Azad Kashmir ('free Kashmir') and the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. India and Pakistan have fought wars over the control of Kashmir and you can absolutely not cross the line of control which serves as the de facto border.
Not only that, but as a foreigner you are are not even allowed to enter Azad Kashmir although with a little luck you can still do so. Pakistani-controlled Kashmir also suffered from a devastating earthquake in 2005 and even if you do manage to enter, be aware that it will not have completely recovered.
Travel in Indian-controlled Kashmir is possible, if somewhat restricted due to violence between the Indian military and Kashmiris who do not wish to be part of India.
Getting to either Kashmir from Europe is fairly straightforward and there are two obvious routes, the northern and the southern. Note that the 'middle' Caucasus route is not viable due to war, closed borders and general instability in the north Caucasus.
North: if you are in Russia, then you must travel to China via Mongolia or, preferably, Kazakhstan. China's Xinjiang province borders Pakistan and the two are connected by the Karakorum highway. Parts of the Karakorum run parallel to the border of Azad Kashmir, so it is a convenient route if that is your destination. You can also follow the Karakorum to Islamabad and from there go to Lahore, which is next to the border crossing between Pakistan and India.
South: starting in Turkey, travel through Iran to Zahedan and cross the border to Quetta in Pakistan. From there you can make the long journey to Lahore (for India) or Islamabad (for Azad Kashmir).
Getting into Azad Kashmir is possible if you avoid detection by the authorities at the internal border. There are minibuses which travel from the towns Mansehra and Murree to Muzaffarabad (the capital of Azad Kashmir) and if no one sees you at the checkpoint, you are in. Even so, hotels will immediately report the arrival of a foreigner to the police, so you should make good use of your time before they come to kick you out!
Many tourists in India visit Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, so getting there is easy enough.
-
3Azad Kashmir is one of the provinces administered by Pakistan, there's Gilgit-Baltistan too. And while I am not concerned by it, I can imagine a comment war breaking out soon here about "most Kashmiris don't want to be a part of India". :) Commented Sep 11, 2012 at 15:14
-
@AnkurBanerjee I thought the Indian Kashmiris (and not everyone in Jammu & Kashmir is Kashmiri of course) almost universally want either independence or to be part of Pakistan. Is that incorrect? Commented Sep 11, 2012 at 16:10
-
Also, Gilgit, Baltistan and the other Northern Areas are not populated by Kashmiris. Commented Sep 11, 2012 at 16:15
-
Ah I see you're using the pedantic interpretation of 'Kashmiris' as those specifically living in Kashmir Valley. In the Indian subcontinent (both sides of the border), 'Kashmiris' alternatively - and you can say incorrectly - is supposed to mean everyone in the regions mentioned here. Commented Sep 11, 2012 at 16:51
-
7On separation, there's a lot of propaganda on both sides on what the 'majority' wants. It has never been put to an actual referendum because both sides claim it as legitimately theirs, and hence a referendum is "not needed because we already know what the answer is". It also gets muddied along religious lines since there are Muslim Kashmiris on the Indian side who want it to be a part of India, some don't; then there are Hindus too native of the region called Kashmiri Pundits who were displaced and claim the land as theirs / part of India. It's a complicated mess. Commented Sep 11, 2012 at 16:55
Your options are legion. It's more a matter of how challenging you want to make it to yourself and how much time you want to spend.
Assuming you refer to western Europe as your starting point, your easiest route would be:
Western Europe - south east Europe - Turkey - Iran - Pakistan (though southern Pakistan can be unsafe).
If you want to go through Russia:
Ukraine - Russia - Kazakhstan - China - Pakistan. Ukraine - Russia - Mongolia - China - Pakistan.
For any of the above routes, you could also detour through the Caucasus, pass through Belarus, go through central Asia and try Afghanistan.
I think that as an outsider you can cross the line of control. But I'll let someone else answer that.
