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BARF'ing Tour of Pakistan 2025

US State dept says level 3 warning for Pakistan (reconsider travel).
How legit is that?
 
khan said:
2025 you'll be turning 50 that means?? that's enough of a reason to ride Pakistan again HA! im almost touching 40 now myself :afm199

the Honda 150s are way better/lighter than the piggies 150s.. but if I can pull of the CFMOTO deal, that would just sweeten the deal!
Click to expand...

I REALLY hope I can make it work. The CFMoto deal would be amazing, but I kind of loved having ultra shitty bikes. It added to the adventure :rofl

Kevin, it probably is a legit thing, but this trip is VERY different than if you were to just go to Pakistan on your own. Going with Moin opens a lot of doors that would otherwise be closed.
 
mean dad said:
US State dept says level 3 warning for Pakistan (reconsider travel).
How legit is that?
Click to expand...

The original point of these tours was to show there is so much more to PK than the governments narrow and biased view.

Pretty sure that site never says anything but DON'T GO and RECONSIDER. I got plenty of those warnings before both my 2014 and 2015 trips, I ignored them. I lived.
 
I'm in Dallas for work this week (ie boss over my shoulder) so I can't take the time to type up anything that would do both of my ride trips to Pakistan justice so I'll quickly say, my 2014 trip to Pakistan was AMAZING and quite literally life changing. I'd been riding bikes for about 5 years at that point but the trip gave me a whole new appreciation for motorcycles and motivated me to travel by moto in various countries over the next several years.

2014 Pakistan
2015 Nicaragua and Pakistan
2016 Cambodia, Baja
2017 Baja, Sri Lanka and Italy
2018 Baja, Turkey
2019 Baja, Vietnam
2020 Baja x2
2022 Turkey

I'll write up more later, but I strongly encourage anyone reading this thread with interest, makes it happen. You will not regret it.

This thread reignited my interest in returning to Pakistan for the THIRD time. I am organizing a 2025 ride with Moin. The group is capped at 10, and I have 16+ interested in going. Kevin is included in my count since he spoke up and is firmly committed. There is a strong possibility of a second group, possibly even a third. I will help organize any additional groups once I have mine set.

In 2025 I am going with my soon to-be-husband, my sister, and close friends. If I had any concerns about traveling there, I would not go a third time and I would definitely not take those most important to me. When I called my sister and said, "Pakistan, next year, do you want to go?" her answer was an immediate YES. Reader, yours should be too.
 
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Lunch Box said:
Kevin, it probably is a legit thing, but this trip is VERY different than if you were to just go to Pakistan on your own. Going with Moin opens a lot of doors that would otherwise be closed.
Click to expand...

:thumbup

rebekahlynn said:
The original point of these tours was to show there is so much more to PK than the governments narrow and biased view.

Pretty sure that site never says anything but DON'T GO and RECONSIDER. I got plenty of those warnings before both my 2014 and 2015 trips, I ignored them. I lived.
Click to expand...

This post seems dismissive of my question. :dunno
While I hope no one would ever accuse me of being skittish it would be foolish of me to disregard all warnings as patently false; and was hoping to get some local insight into where we're traveling vs where any unrest might be.
Is Pakistan completely drama-free and one could go anywhere without a care in the world and Uncle Sam is nothing but a fearful boomer?
Or is it dicey in some areas but we won't be going that direction?


rebekahlynn said:
This thread reignited my interest in returning to Pakistan for the THIRD time. I am organizing a 2025 ride with Moin.
Click to expand...

I'm confused. Are you taking over coordination for this trip, or are there two trips planned for 2025?

I mean either way I'm in like Flynn. Just wanna make sure who I'm interacting with for details.
 
mean dad said:
:thumbup

This post seems dismissive of my question. :dunno
While I hope no one would ever accuse me of being skittish it would be foolish of me to disregard all warnings as patently false; and was hoping to get some local insight into where we're traveling vs where any unrest might be.
Is Pakistan completely drama-free and one could go anywhere without a care in the world and Uncle Sam is nothing but a fearful boomer?
Or is it dicey in some areas but we won't be going that direction?

I'm confused. Are you taking over coordination for this trip, or are there two trips planned for 2025?

I mean either way I'm in like Flynn. Just wanna make sure who I'm interacting with for details.
Click to expand...

You're right, I was being dismissive because I do think the warnings are generic. This reconsider travel level 3 warning update is from June 2023, nothing has warranted a new update in 11 months? I'm sure there are places to avoid in PK, just like I'd avoid certain areas of Oakland after dark. I just trust Moin to be aware and not lead us into dicey areas. With that said I do have a STEP account and read the emails.

This warning specifies the Balochistan province, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and India-PK border. We will not go anywhere near Balochistan as it's south of Islamabad and the tour goes North. The route does skirt the outer edge of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province but doesn't go into it. We don't go near the India border.

Planning - Wiles and I decided we wanted to go, and then I threw out a feeler text to my regular riding buds, and realized I have more than enough interested to fill at least one group. I don't know if there will be enough to warrant a second group so I counted you into mine to make sure you're able to go. I will be the POC for the tour, Moin appreciates the help. He's in the process of finalizing the itinerary details, I will post the link up here when it's ready (likely tomorrow). Then we'll take deposits to secure the tour dates ($500 per person). Once that group is set we'll see how many more are interested in going, and if Moin wants me to, I'll help him organize a second tour (but I won't be going on that one).

Right now I am coordinating with the riders (and Moin) via Whatsapp. It will likely be used on the tour as well because it works on wifi (ie. you don't need cell service to 'text') and messages both international and local numbers for free. You can download it now and join the idle chatter, or wait and I can give you any pertinent updates via email or regular text. Of course you can always ping Moin too, I don't mean to imply I am the only contact.
 
On a personal note, I really hope to make it on this ride and I hope you're able to join us mean dad!
 
Hi Barfers! I've ridden with Moin in Pakistan 3 times and look forward to the next time. The trips are well organized with routes & lodging mapped out. There's a sag wagon and mechanic along. It sounds like there will be better bikes now than the Ravi 125s we rode the first trip. Pakistan is an amazing place, incredible views, great mix of street & dirt riding. If you're looking for an adventure in a different place go ride with Moin!

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mean dad said:
US State dept says level 3 warning for Pakistan (reconsider travel).
How legit is that?
Click to expand...



mean dad said:
:thumbup



This post seems dismissive of my question. :dunno
While I hope no one would ever accuse me of being skittish it would be foolish of me to disregard all warnings as patently false; and was hoping to get some local insight into where we're traveling vs where any unrest might be.
Is Pakistan completely drama-free and one could go anywhere without a care in the world and Uncle Sam is nothing but a fearful boomer?
Or is it dicey in some areas but we won't be going that direction?




I'm confused. Are you taking over coordination for this trip, or are there two trips planned for 2025?

I mean either way I'm in like Flynn. Just wanna make sure who I'm interacting with for details.
Click to expand...


Your concern is legit and I understand your position, when one reads a state dept. warning on a country you plan to visit it raises concerns. No one wants to go on a vacation with such warnings thrown at you, it can be scary.

Pakistan has it's fair share of issues, far from being a perfect country.. however, hospitality is taken very seriously here, from locals from every town to govt. level organisations, everyone takes extra precaution to take care of foreign and domestic tourists and their safety is of utmost importance, any bad news hurts the tourism sector so the govt. goes above and beyond and makes sure tourists come and go safely.

The last 12 years of doing these tours, im glad to report ive never had any issues or even a close call in terms of security and safety. Intelligence agencies keep a close eye on us, they check in with me everyday while on tour asking me if any help is required. Theres a lot less check points now, security situation has greatly improved since I first started these tours.

In 2023 11,000 foreign climbers came to pakistan to climb some of the biggest mountains in the world, another 25,000 foreigners came for non climbing activities. Domestic tourism is growing at 300% each year.

here's an article on BBC by Samantha Shea, she visited pakistan a couple of years ago and gives a rare insight from an outsider perspective
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/...ighway-the-road-thats-the-eighth-world-wonder
 
rebekahlynn said:
You're right, I was being dismissive because I do think the warnings are generic. This reconsider travel level 3 warning update is from June 2023, nothing has warranted a new update in 11 months? I'm sure there are places to avoid in PK, just like I'd avoid certain areas of Oakland after dark. I just trust Moin to be aware and not lead us into dicey areas. With that said I do have a STEP account and read the emails.

This warning specifies the Balochistan province, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and India-PK border. We will not go anywhere near Balochistan as it's south of Islamabad and the tour goes North. The route does skirt the outer edge of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province but doesn't go into it. We don't go near the India border.

Planning - Wiles and I decided we wanted to go, and then I threw out a feeler text to my regular riding buds, and realized I have more than enough interested to fill at least one group. I don't know if there will be enough to warrant a second group so I counted you into mine to make sure you're able to go. I will be the POC for the tour, Moin appreciates the help. He's in the process of finalizing the itinerary details, I will post the link up here when it's ready (likely tomorrow). Then we'll take deposits to secure the tour dates ($500 per person). Once that group is set we'll see how many more are interested in going, and if Moin wants me to, I'll help him organize a second tour (but I won't be going on that one).

Right now I am coordinating with the riders (and Moin) via Whatsapp. It will likely be used on the tour as well because it works on wifi (ie. you don't need cell service to 'text') and messages both international and local numbers for free. You can download it now and join the idle chatter, or wait and I can give you any pertinent updates via email or regular text. Of course you can always ping Moin too, I don't mean to imply I am the only contact.
Click to expand...

spot on! I should've read this before I wrote a paper on safety on tour in Pakistan :rofl

Baluchistan is a no go area, although I feel very soon it will be open for tourism as things are changing rapidly there, a lot of development work is happening, a lot of investment is being made in the infrastructure roads/hotels etc.
I crossed Baluchistan on my California to Pakistan moto ride, that place is special for sure.


I very much appreciate your help in coordinating and putting a group together :D
 
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subscribed!
 
One clarifying question, it sounds like there are two groups still, or is that dependent on how many folks sign up? Just wondering if it's possible to know who we'd be riding with or not.
 
N4teTheGreat said:
One clarifying question, it sounds like there are two groups still, or is that dependent on how many folks sign up? Just wondering if it's possible to know who we'd be riding with or not.
Click to expand...

There’s only 1 BARF group tour so far, Rebekahlynn has a private custom tour that she has invited her friends to.

It will only be possible to know who you will be riding with once people start sending in deposits and blocking their spots. Then I can share who is in.
 
mean dad said:
I'm in. Tell me where to send some money for a deposit, good sir.
Click to expand...

$500 deposit via Zelle or PayPal whatever you prefer at moin86@gmail.com

The early bird discount will be applied on first come first serve basis, first 3 deposits will get the $250 off - this discount will be applied after the deposit has been received.
 
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Awesome MD!!!
 
Tourists now fleeing...
 

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Never mind the carnage.
My only question is what kind of bike is that?
 
Why in hell would you go to Pakistan to burn pages of the Quran during a Muslim holiday? I liken this to being gored by a bison after teasing it in Yellowstone.
 
gixxerjeff said:
Never mind the carnage.
My only question is what kind of bike is that?
Click to expand...
Just uploaded a video for you Gixxerjeff!!
Since 2017 we have been using these bikes, we replace them with brand new ones ever 2 years.. We got a brand new fleet a couple of months ago. The bikes our clients get on tours are all very well taken care of with new tires and brakes with fresh oils etc.

For 2025 season we are in the p process of getting a few CFMOTO 450MTs - No promises yet, but im trying really hard to get a few, will update here if/when we place the order :D

For now, check this out!

 
ThumperX said:
Why in hell would you go to Pakistan to burn pages of the Quran during a Muslim holiday? I liken this to being gored by a bison after teasing it in Yellowstone.
Click to expand...
It is unfortunate, these isolated events damage the reputation and tourism of Pakistan. Not sure what really happened, one cannot be killed for burning pages of the Quran, its a holy book yes but killing someone is completely unacceptable. There is an investigation going on and 5 suspects have been arrested, Im hoping the justice system takes good care of them and they are put behind bars. Will know more about this story as it unfolds. All I can say is this is not what Pakistan is all about. I have been doing these tours for 12 years now, working to change the perception of this country, hundreds of bikers have come to ride bikes with me and I can proudly say 100% of the riders fell in love with this amazing country and its amazing people. I really hope the world does not judge Pakistan on these isolated events.

For example the school shootings in the US does not represent the situation in the US at all.. I went to school in California and I know those are isolated events and situation in school is vastly different than what makes the news.
 
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