WildLens by Abrar
WildLens Blog
The Best Possible Overland Route From Germany to Pakistan
May 2020 I started my dream tour from Mainz, Germany to my home town Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. I always had a dream to travel on Pamir highway so I planned in such a way that I can visit all the places that I had ever thought of visiting along with some of the most interesting spots along the way. As per my initial calculations, it was gonna take approx. 10 months; the first 6 months to reach Pakistan, spending the next couple of months exploring Pakistani landscape and then going to India for the remaining days.
I was ready to leave in the last week of March and then came Covid. Since all the borders were closed, I waited patiently until the situation improves. Eventually, I crossed my first border in the first week of June on the very same day as Austria decided to open the borders with Germany. The Google map below will show you my approx. travel route and the places I visited along the way.
How to Use This Map: Click the Tab on the Upper left corner of the map to view all places of interest marked in the map. You can show or hide the places by check/uncheck marks. By clicking on the Star in the upper corner next to the name of the map, you can add this map into your Google maps to view it on mobile or computer. It will be saved under "Your Places" under the Menu.
The driving map is calculated approximately as I wasn't able to enter more than 10 stops but the map does show almost all the places. After entering Pakistan from Taftan border, you must plan at least 3 days to reach Islamabad/Lahore/Karachi.
Things to Consider
There are few things that you should consider before embarking on such a tour.
- You should only plan for this journey if you have time to enjoy this wonderful experience and in my opinion, at least 6 weeks will probably be enough to visit a few places along the way.
- Be flexible and don't book any hotels/apartments along the way. (I booked my hotels on daily basis and usually afternoons. Sometimes I would simply walk in and ask if any rooms were available).
- Before entering Iran have some foreign currency (Dollars & Euros) with you as foreign credit cards are not accepted there.
- Download offline maps (I used maps.me an app on my mobile and downloaded all the maps of the countries on my route).
- Buy a VPN (some apps are blocked in Turkey and Iran).
- It's difficult to get SIM cards in Turkey and Iran without any local contact.
- Always arrive early at the border crossing especially Turkey-Iran and Iran-Pakistan border which is opened only during the day (no fixed timing).
- After Crossing into Pakistan you will be provided free of cost security to cross Balochistan province.
- Foreigners need NOC in Balochistan, Pakistan which will take at least one day in Quetta to get it. For Ex-Pakistanis holding POC (Pakistan Origin Card), NOC is not mandatory.
- Plan ahead whether you want to drive back or transport your vehicle (get some quotations from different companies).
- Last but not the least, carry all the necessary documents with you to have a hassle-free journey.
Further Information
You can get the detailed map of each country I visited here
- Germany
- Austria
- Slovenia
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Albania
- North Macedonia
- Bulgaria
- Turkey
- Iran
- Pakistan
About the author
Comments 3
Dear Abrar,
Finally, an easy to understand and comprehensive guide to follow or plan a trip by road for bikers and others.
So much false and misleading information out on the web. Abrar has done an honest, humble and amazing vlog and web postings, all at his own expense.
I can only dream of embarking on same trip, but if God willing the times comes, then I have a good reference from Abrar`s hard work.
May almighty give you good health and safety wherever you travel.
Irfan - UK
