5 Things You’ll Love About Karachi Pakistan

Posted on October 18, 2019October 18, 2019 by dev

I just spend 2,5 days in Karachi for my round-trip around Pakistan. These are the 5 things you’ll love about the biggest and most hectic city in Pakistan, Karachi.

1. City On The Move

I have been to many big cities around the World, and if you go to most big cities there are usually higher risks of criminals trying to harm you, scams, etc., but in Karachi it felt different to me. It has the distinct feel of a city on the move, but people are still greeting you with a welcoming feeling. People seem to be on the go in Karachi, and it gives a wild energy, and it’s really fascinating to observe this city on the move.

2. Food And Cuisines

Karachi is known as the city by the sea, so it has some mouth-watering fish markets and restaurants.

You can find food from all over Pakistan here in Karachi, to match your tastes. Go to Hyderabad Colony for the most authentic Hyderabadi achars, or go to Burns Road for the best kababs, haleem and other desi foods. Or, if you like to have karak dhoodh patti chai, then head to the tea shops around Cantt Station. For gola ganda head to Dhoraji Colony, if you like spicy ‘disco aaloo’ go to the thelas in Kharadar, or if the legendary Bihari Kabab is more to your taste, you should head to Meerut Kebab house.

3. Cosmopolitan Feeling

Beautiful architecture and cosmopolitan feeling in Karachi

Karachi is relatively young, but it has some of the most interesting architecture. A good way to explore this is to drive around the Old City — Kharadar, Mithadar, Saddar, Elphinstone Street, M A Jinnah Road, Napier Road, and their surrounding areas. I was in Karachi mid October, and would strongly recommend to do your city tour early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the insane heat in the middle of the day.

I was told you will find far more women drivers in Karachi than in any other Pakistani city, and in general Karachi has a distinct cosmopolitan and urban feel to it, which is super cool. This city is alive!

4. The Prices

Karachi is among the world’s top 10 cheapest cities in the World again in 2019, and the megalopolis called home by over 16 million people, has remained in the top 10 cheapest cities in the World consistently over the past decade, even ranking as the cheapest city a few times. The surveys are measuring the comparative cost of more than 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment, and Karachi is just unbelievably cheap! Furthermore the Pakistani hospitality is unreal, so you’ll have so much free stuff, and when you sometimes try to pay for something or split the bill, it happens that a Pakistani person won’t let you. Hospitality is great in Karachi!

5. The Adventures

Karachi is a city for a traveler who loves a wild adventure. Jump on the colorful buses, take a rickshaw ride, throw yourself out in the wild, hectic and lively streets of Karachi, and just breath in the cool craziness of this huge city. Karachi is an experience well-worth it, and I’m honestly so excited to explore the rest of Pakistan after some adventurous days in Karachi.

Some would say don’t go to Karachi, and I would say go to Karachi! If you only visit Lahore, only visit Islamabad or only visit Karachi, you haven’t been to Pakistan. Then you’ve only been to a city in Pakistan! Try out the biggest city in Pakistan and promise me to explore the rest of Pakistan too. That’s what I’m planning to do, because it’s such a beautiful country. I’m feeling the good vibes and beauty already!

With Pakistani police man inside the Tomb of the Founder of Pakistan, Karachi

Pakistan Zindabad… Next stop: Lahore! Before heading to the mountains.. Can’t wait to see what this country has in store!

Gustav

gus1thego.com

1 Week In Somalia And Eritrea With NO PHONE

Posted on August 24, 2019August 24, 2019 by dev

I had one of the best days in Somaliland climbing mountains, seeing tons of camels roaming around and enjoying amazing Somali food, but to be honest the next day was one of the worst in my life.

Perfect First Days In Somaliland

A perfect day in Somaliland was coming to an end, which I had spend with local friends, whom I got in contact with through my phone which is 80% the way I get in contact with people. We went out on a roof top restaurant in the evening with views over Hargeisa and I ate camel for the first time in my life, which wasn’t as good as crocodile to be fair, but indeed good! A day with so many cool experiences and memories never to forget. We agreed to do some cool stuff the next day and would just text each other about meeting up somewhere in the city, using Whatsapp as I always use when I’m traveling, so I was really excited.. Everything was just fine..

Climbing a mountain in Somalia with my local friend, Lianura

Worst Day Ever Incoming

I went to bed in my fairly small $6 luxury penthouse suite in Hirad Hotel, Hargeisa in Somaliland thinking, “what an incredible day it has been..” What I didn’t know was the next day was going to be the worst day I can remember in a long time!

My Phone Was DONE

I woke up super early next day around 5 am and wanted to check my phone (IPhone X), and when I checked for a few seconds the Apps started to close down and my IPhone completely shut down within seconds. Damn, what was that?! I was in tears, how could I get in contact with Lianura and my friends here in Somaliland, how could I plan the rest of my Somalia and Eritrea trip (had around a week left) and how about my videos and pictures? I knew it was a while a go I did a back-up – and yes, I did lose a lot of files after having trying 24 hours to bring back my phone to life without any success at all! All I could see was a Apple-Logo shining bright on the screen. I was completely devastated and the next days all I could think about was, “why didn’t I back-up my phone properly?!” But lucky for me still have evidence from each country I’ve been to, but would honestly rather lose all of my stuff instead of videos/pictures from traveling. Remember to back-up your phone really often guys – I learned it the hard way!

Never seen so many camels as in Somaliland

Losing My Phone Was An EYE-OPENER

It was really tough to see my phone die, especially when you’re in Somalia and Eritrea and can’t contact your family for a week! What were they thinking, would they start an investigation, because they couldn’t get in contact with me? How could I now plan anything moving from Somalia to Eritrea, all the thoughts were running through my head.. Even all the important documents is on my phone, but now there was no other way than finding a way in these tough regions! I guess most people couldn’t do a week without their phone, I had to do a week without mine in Somalia and Eritrea and to be fair it was an eye-opener for me.

Had a special permission to visit a tank graveyard in Eritrea, without using my phone

Lesson Learned

No one spoke English of the persons I met in Somalia and Eritrea (after I left Lionora and her friends), but I had to be much more social and was 110% in the moment, which was actually beautiful to experience in a World where the phone takes away a lot of our time unfortunately. I think I learned a lesson from this experience, maybe it was destiny, a sign from above, even though I don’t believe much in stuff like that..

Around the non-English speaking country, Eritrea, in the most difficult way possible

Be Grateful Always

I was really sad about what happened with my phone, but I started to put things into perspective. How many people can’t see, how many people can’t walk, how many people have bad health, and I’m healthy and complaining about not having my phone? Come on, man.. Move on Gustav, you’re wrong, make this possible without your phone.. And I did!

We Grow From The Bad Days And Experiences

We grow from the challenges we face. We grow from the bad days and experiences, because that’s when we learn to appreciate things and that’s when we learn how to live with gratitude. You can’t have sunshine without a little rain, and even though you might be really sad right now about something, time will with guarantee heal you and you just have to move on and be grateful for what you have and enjoy the journey. Don’t let anything stop you from reaching your goals.

Somalia and Eritrea, thanks for this adventure!

Gustav

gus1thego.com

Want To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro? (And Help Orphans)

Posted on August 5, 2019August 7, 2019 by dev

What’s cooler than climbing Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro? Not much really. For me it’s been one of my best travel experiences ever.. But one thing is better: To climb Mount Kilimanjaro and support a good cause.. Do you want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and send Tanzanian orphans to school? Then read on!

Climbing Kilimanjaro is one of the absolute best things you can do!

Team Charity’s Kilimanjaro Climb (Luxury Package)

5-days hike: 14th/19th December 2019 – Marangu Route

⭐️(Luxury Package – Sleeping in huts!)⭐️

Trip price: $1800 (+$99 Project Fee – Tanzanian Orphans School Fee)
Normal price: $2899

Deposit Fee: $400 per person – Then you’re IN. Only 16 spots. First come, first served!

Included: 2 nights at hotel (1 before the climb and 1 night after the climb) + a lot more!
(Read full programme below)

My favorite travel accomplishment. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro!

Payment – What To Do?

Step 1:

Click the Payment link, right here:👉 Kilimanjaro Charity Climb Payment Link

Step 2:

Put in your personal information. And in the field ‘description’ at the bottom you write:

‘Charity Climb December 2019’

Step 3:

Put in 400 USD in ‘amount’ (for the deposit) and press make payment

Step 4:

After a few minutes you’ll get a confirmation e-mail on your booking. + You’ll have access to our group’s private Messenger-group, where you can ask any questions you might have and they’ll be answered.

YOU’RE READY! BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TICKET!

Step 5:

Make sure to be in Mount Kilimanjaro Airport, Tanzania the 13th December anytime. You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town.

The legendary Mount Kilimanjaro from below

I’m Coming To Tanzania, Are You?

I’ll be in Tanzania in December 2019 and therefore I thought it was time to do something cool! Why not arrange a luxury charity hike for my friends to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro? Much cheaper than normally? Yep! You’ll pay only $1899 if you book in August and $1999 from 1st of September 2019. Sleeping in tents?

No… sleeping in huts! This is a luxury charity trip!

You’ll be sleeping in huts. Much better than the freezing cold tents at night

The Perfect Time And The Perfect Conditions

I’ve talked to the guy I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with for the first time, Daniel, about doing a Kilimanjaro-hike and I wanted it to be just as perfect as the Kilimanjaro climb I had.. Even better! Forget all about the cold tents at night, you’ll be sleeping in huts, so we make sure you’re well rested and ready to walk ‘pole pole’ (slowly) during the way, which are key words for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Furthermore the trip is in December (Tanzanian summer time) with close to no rain.. Perfect conditions!

Me and my guide John.. He went to the top +100 times. Specialist!

You Need A Team Of Specialists

Me and my guide John literally became best friends on my hike, it’s amazing what 5 days together can do! You need not only good people around you to succeed, but you also need the local experts! It’s important on a mountain like Mount Kilimanjaro to have the knowledge! You can buy this trip from American third part’s companies who’ll overcharge you badly with prices between $6000-8000.. It’s not needed to pay this kind of absurd money to people who don’t even know the mountain that well.. Trust me!

You need local experts! And you’ll get a special connection with the whole team through the days

High Succes Rate In Reaching The Top Of Mt. Kilimanjaro

I can assure you it’s NOT necessary to pay BIG money for a TOP service here! Daniel and his crew has a really high success rates, actually +95% in reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro! All of the guides have been to the top a lot, and know how to help you in every possible situation. They know the weather conditions, know how to acclimatize perfectly so you can avoid altitude sickness, etc! Top guidance and the most amazing food (from the best cook😉.) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ service.

Couldn’t put a single complain on my trip when reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, and therefore I’m happy to arrange this trip with Daniel, who I did my first hike with and who has some amazing reviews.

Ready To Go? Climb Kilimanjaro For Charity

What I’m most excited about is the ‘Project Fee’ for Tanzanian orphan kids in the orphanage I’ve helped +4 years, when you’ll climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Ask any of the kids in the orphanage what the most important thing in life is, and they’ll answer: “School.” So the project fee is mandatory and the $99 Project Fee goes exclusively to pay 20 Tanzanian orphan kids school fees.

You’ll be climbing Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, while you’ll help kids in need.. Help them to go to school, while you’re having the time of your life on this epic mountain! That’s pretty awesome, right?!

Mariamu.. She loves school and dreams of being a teacher

Full Programme – Day 1 to Day 7

Day 1 (13th December): Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Meals: No Meals Included

Day 2 (14th Dec): Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)

After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.

Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3 (15th Dec): Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.

Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi

Approx. time taken: 9 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

On the way to the top! With the Dutch doctors Frank and Inge.. We can do this team 💪

Day 4 (16th Dec): Horombo Hut (3700m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi

Approx. time taken: 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Unbelievable strong porters will help you with your luggage

Day 5 (17th Dec): Kibo Hut (4700m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m)
& down to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi

Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

The Uhuru Peak, top of Mount Kilimanjaro with amazing assistant guide, Hamedi

Day 6 (18th Dec): Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rain forest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.

Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day 7 (19th Dec): Depart Tanzania

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some gifts shop before heading to the airport.

*Safari ,Zanzibar and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

Meals: Breakfast Included

Dreams do come true on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Tanzania. My favourite country!

Pricing – What’s Included?

5-DAYS MARANGU ROUTE

Included in price package

• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.

• 2 nights of accommodation at Keys Hotel Moshi

• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate

• Park entry fees

• Camping fees

• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees

• 18% VAT on tour fees & services

• 4 Season mountain tents

• Double layered Sleeping Mats

• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters

• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain

• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek

• Hot water for washing

• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)

• Government taxes

• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter

• Emergency first-aid kit

Not Included

– Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.

– Travel insurance

– Flights

– Laundry (Available at hotel)

– Personal items and toiletries

– Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php

Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):

• Guides: $20/day/guide

• Cook: $15/day

• Porter: $10/day/porter

Clothing List – What Do You Need To Bring?

Click this link to see the complete gears list 👉 GEARS FOR KILIMANJARO-1

For trekking gear you can also pay $100 per person for all the gears and clothing you’ll need for trekking Mt. Kilimanjaro. Then you don’t need to carry anything, and Daniel has everything in clothing and other stuff (like camelbags etc.) you need in this case.

Looking forward to hear from you guys very soon! Remember you save $100 by booking in August 2019. If you have any question. Feel free to e-mail Daniel on danielmlangwa@gmail.com or me on gus1thego@outlook.com. See you guys in Tanzania 💚

Very, Very Last Information

For the forgetful people, the How-To-Pay-Steps are added again below. Remember also to bring a solid amount of cash from back home, because most ATM’s have limits. You might know I stayed a long time in Tanzania and for me it’s my favorite country in the World. Safe, amazingly friendly people and full of wildlife and adventure. So you don’t need to worry about anything here! I have Tanzania with me in my heart everywhere I go 💚 We only have one life to chase our dreams, but if we do it right, one is enough!

Taj Mahal, in my Tanzania shirt.. The memories created in Tanzania will forever be remembered!