References
In October 2011 I travelled up and around Northern Pakistan with Mohammed Bashir. He punctually picked me up from Islamabad, spoke good English and was very friendly. Everything was organised in advance, but by the same token when I changed my mind he had the flexibility to accommodate this as he has extensive contacts built up over 40 years and speaks local languages. He has intimate knowledge of the mountain areas and he was a fantastic travel companion. Bashir was also able to obtain discounts on accommodation and food, and more generally, his prices are very reasonable. Lastly, security is his top priority and I felt at ease and warmly received – this is in stark contrast to how the international media portrays the region. I give Bashir my highest recommendation.
Ryan Fox, Economist, Australia [Click here to see Ryan's Lonely Planet post]
"I used Bashir as a guide on several treks in Pakistan 2010 and again in 2013. I got to experience some of the world's most beautiful places on my trip with Bashir. He is a very friendly and helpful man who takes good care of you, and all the organization that needs to be done before and during a trek. I especially appreciated his knowledge and experience of the Kaghan Valley where he also have his base. I was also able to get to know his friendly son who was a good companion for me. If you need an independent and flexible guide with great experience, I highly recommend Bashir. I will definitely use Bashir again on my next trip to Pakistan."
Johan Assarsson [Click Here to see some of Johan's photos of these treks]
"I can heartily recommend Bashir as a guide. He knows his business thoroughly, he is sensitive to clients needs, he is willing to do whatever needs to be done while on trek. His resourcefulness, cheerfulness and pleasant personality make him not only an ideal guide and trekking companion, but make him a ready friend of all who use his services. I have travelled with him numerous times over the past 12 years and keep coming back. I can highly recommend him..."
Dr. Luke Cutherell
“I have trekked with Bashir countless times over the past 25 years. He is an excellent companion and guide with a rare ability to anticipate your needs and understand your preferences. He is extensively experience across the entire Northern Areas of Pakistan, having pioneered several breathtaking hiking routes. Good people like Bashir are hard to find, and I recommend him very highly.”
Dr. Jonathan Mitchell
“I have been trekking in northern Pakistan since the 1970s and without doubt Bashir is the best trekking guide I have ever used. He has organized many fantastic treks, often to spectacular “off the beaten track” locationsunfamiliar to many other guides. He is a great trekking companion with a good sense of humor and willingness to be flexible and to adjust schedules as often as necessary to meet the needs of trekkers. One of Bashir’s great strengths is that unlike many other trekking guides he is willing to help out however and whenever required, whether it be cooking, cleaning up, shopping for provisions, etc... Bashir has also saved me lots of money as he is able to negotiate local rates with his great network of local jeep drivers and porters, thus eliminating the high overhead rates charged by many of the major Islamabad-based adventure travel companies. Over the years I have recommended Bashir to many friends and acquaintances and I have only received positive feedback about his honesty, gender-sensitivity, problem-solving abilities, and positive spirit.”
Andrew Wilder, Research Director, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University
"My wife, son and I used Bashir in the summer of 2001 to do the K-2 basecamp trek. Bashir arranged everything and we did the trek without any problems and for much less than the big organizations charge. We were well taken care of and it was an experience of a lifetime. I would highly recommend using Bashir as your guide and organizer"
Rev. Tom H. McEnroe
“Between 1985 and 1993 Bashir and I traveled extensively in the northern areas of Pakistan. Based on those treks I was the author of the trekking section of a short lived second edition of the Lonely Planet Guide toPakistan . Bashir was in all respects a trusted and reliable companion, familiar with mountain travel, resourceful and helpful, and always made a positive contribution, both in camp and on the trail. I recommend him fully and without hesitation.”
Ray Wallace, PhD
Ryan Fox, Economist, Australia [Click here to see Ryan's Lonely Planet post]
"I used Bashir as a guide on several treks in Pakistan 2010 and again in 2013. I got to experience some of the world's most beautiful places on my trip with Bashir. He is a very friendly and helpful man who takes good care of you, and all the organization that needs to be done before and during a trek. I especially appreciated his knowledge and experience of the Kaghan Valley where he also have his base. I was also able to get to know his friendly son who was a good companion for me. If you need an independent and flexible guide with great experience, I highly recommend Bashir. I will definitely use Bashir again on my next trip to Pakistan."
Johan Assarsson [Click Here to see some of Johan's photos of these treks]
"I can heartily recommend Bashir as a guide. He knows his business thoroughly, he is sensitive to clients needs, he is willing to do whatever needs to be done while on trek. His resourcefulness, cheerfulness and pleasant personality make him not only an ideal guide and trekking companion, but make him a ready friend of all who use his services. I have travelled with him numerous times over the past 12 years and keep coming back. I can highly recommend him..."
Dr. Luke Cutherell
“I have trekked with Bashir countless times over the past 25 years. He is an excellent companion and guide with a rare ability to anticipate your needs and understand your preferences. He is extensively experience across the entire Northern Areas of Pakistan, having pioneered several breathtaking hiking routes. Good people like Bashir are hard to find, and I recommend him very highly.”
Dr. Jonathan Mitchell
“I have been trekking in northern Pakistan since the 1970s and without doubt Bashir is the best trekking guide I have ever used. He has organized many fantastic treks, often to spectacular “off the beaten track” locationsunfamiliar to many other guides. He is a great trekking companion with a good sense of humor and willingness to be flexible and to adjust schedules as often as necessary to meet the needs of trekkers. One of Bashir’s great strengths is that unlike many other trekking guides he is willing to help out however and whenever required, whether it be cooking, cleaning up, shopping for provisions, etc... Bashir has also saved me lots of money as he is able to negotiate local rates with his great network of local jeep drivers and porters, thus eliminating the high overhead rates charged by many of the major Islamabad-based adventure travel companies. Over the years I have recommended Bashir to many friends and acquaintances and I have only received positive feedback about his honesty, gender-sensitivity, problem-solving abilities, and positive spirit.”
Andrew Wilder, Research Director, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University
"My wife, son and I used Bashir in the summer of 2001 to do the K-2 basecamp trek. Bashir arranged everything and we did the trek without any problems and for much less than the big organizations charge. We were well taken care of and it was an experience of a lifetime. I would highly recommend using Bashir as your guide and organizer"
Rev. Tom H. McEnroe
“Between 1985 and 1993 Bashir and I traveled extensively in the northern areas of Pakistan. Based on those treks I was the author of the trekking section of a short lived second edition of the Lonely Planet Guide toPakistan . Bashir was in all respects a trusted and reliable companion, familiar with mountain travel, resourceful and helpful, and always made a positive contribution, both in camp and on the trail. I recommend him fully and without hesitation.”
Ray Wallace, PhD
