Muscat: Towering snow-capped peaks, beautiful alpine lakes, roaring rivers carving through rocky valleys, cascading waterfalls, lush green woods, and charming communities hidden in the hills — this is not a scene from a film, but an unforgettable reality that a group of Omani cyclists experienced during their recent journey across northern Pakistan.
These riders regarded it as nothing short of "paradise. "
"It is a paradise for bikers... the hills, lakes, waterfalls, small towns, and the friendliness of the people... biking around in these locations is a dream come true," said team leader Issa Al Hasani, speaking after completing the 12-day journey from June 20 to July 2.
The group, inspired by Muhammad Iqbal Ghangla, a famous Pakistani motorcycle adventurer, set off from Islamabad on what they termed as the journey of a lifetime.
"Pakistan is a fantastic place for bikers," Al Hasani said. "Many places remain untouched and provide raw, natural beauty. Although the roads can be hard in spots, that's part of the fun – it adds to the adventure and excitement. "
The party traveled an astounding 2,500 kilometers, riding through a combination of busy towns, lonely mountain routes, desert routes, and lush valleys. They averaged roughly 300 kilometers each day, usually beginning at 9 a. m. and riding until dusk.
Their trek concluded at the stunning Khunjerab Pass, a high-altitude border between Pakistan and China that stands at more than 4,600 metres above sea level.
All bikes were obtained locally in Pakistan, ranging from 150cc to 750cc, and the group was escorted by an ambulance and a government convoy for protection and assistance.
"It was the people who melted our hearts, not only the scenery," one of the bikers remarked.
"Everywhere we stopped, we were greeted with smiles. Even the police and military officers were quite nice and helpful. "
To commemorate the journey's success and emphasize the strong relations between Oman and Pakistan, Pakistan's Ambassador to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, hosted a special reception at his house on Tuesday.
"The northern section of Pakistan is endowed with some of the world's most stunning natural beauty – mountains, meadows, countryside, snow, and glaciers," Bokhari said. "It rivals the best of any continent, and trips like this help promote Pakistan as a key destination for adventure and ecotourism. "
The campaign was part of Oman and Pakistan's 54th anniversary of diplomatic relations, with the embassy playing an important role in planning and assisting the trip. Planning started only 28 days before departure, demonstrating great cooperation between the two nations.
Among the crew was Kashif, a passionate biker from Rawalpindi who has lived in Oman for over a decade. Kashif, a dedicated member of the Bousher Bikers Club, says the club, which was founded in 2016, currently has 40 members of various nationalities who are all connected by a passion for the open road.
The riders are already planning their next trip, this time to explore Iran and Turkey.
