Ultimate Balochistan Journey

Day 1 - Karachi

Meet-and-greet at Karachi International Airport and transfer to our hotel of choice in central Karachi.
Introductory briefing about the region, the route and the set of rules to observe while travelling in Balochistan.
We'll spend our first two days in Pakistan exploring Karachi, a behemoth metropolis full of unexpected wonders and striking contrasts.

Day 2 - Karachi

Highlights of your stay will include world-famous sights (such as the Mohatta Palace, the Empress Market and the Mazar-e-Quaid Mausoleum), little-visited peripheral hoods (like the unjustly-feared Orangi Town), colourful food markets, godly delicious street food, and a vast plethora modernist, colonial and Islamic architectural gems!
Meals and overnights in Karachi.

Day 3 - Makran Coastal Highway

We'll leave Karachi at dawn and set off for a scenic drive westwards along the legendary Makran Coastal Highway, a 653-km-long paved road running along the wild shores of the Indian Ocean.

Our first stops will be the small town of Gadani, home to third-largest ship-breaking yard in the world, and Kund Malir, a world-class beach and entry point to the Hingol National Park

We’ll continue deeper into Hingol to visit an ancient Hindu temple at Hinglaj Mata and the beautiful beaches at Ormara, a small Baluchi fishing port.
After a quick lunch on the road, we'll continue to Pasni, a major coastal city of Balochistan and the starting point for our pioneering trip to Astola Island.
Dinner and overnight in Pasni

Day 4 - Astola Island

Early departure by chartered boat to Astola, a stunningly beautiful uninhabited island off the coast of Balochistan and Pakistan's own answer to the Maldives.
We'll spend the whole day on Astola Island, exploring its natural sights, snorkelling and diving in its pristine waters and chilling at the beach.
Dinner and overnight on Astola Island (tents will be provided).

Day 5 - Gwadar

Gazing at an Indian Ocean sunrise on Astola Island definitely ranks among the very best off-the-beaten-path experiences in Southern Asia: truly unforgettable.
After breakfast we'll return by boat to Pasni and head further west for Gwadar, a relatively big Baluchi port town, formerly belonging to the Sultanate of Oman.
In the evening we will drive to the top of the so-called Hammerhead Mountain near Gwadar to enjoy the sunset vista over the town.
Dinner and overnight in Gwadar.

Day 6 - Jiwani

Morning hike to the Crocodile Mountain, from where we'll admire breathtaking views over the Gwadar Bay.
We'll spend the rest of the day chilling out and swimming at the gorgeous beaches of Gaz and Jiwani.
In Jiwani we'll also meet with Baluchi fishermen, visit traditional houses and tour the local fish market.
Dinner and overnight in Gwadar.

Day 7 - Quetta

Morning flight to Quetta, the bustling capital of Balochistan.
We'll spend a the rest of the day exploring Quetta, an ancient city full of charmingly crumbling buildings, colourful bazaars and friendly people.
Dinner and overnight in Quetta.

Day 8 - Ziarat

Full-day excursion to Ziarat, a traditional resort town of lush vegetation, grandiose colonial buildings and spectacular waterfalls.
Ziarat is also famous for its splendid Quaid-e-Azam Residency, a richly decorated wooden structure, originally designed as a sanatorium before being converted into the summer residence of the agent of the Governor General during the British Raj.
Dinner and overnight in Quetta.

Day 9 - Khuzdar

Long morning drive to Khuzdar, the ancient capital of the Brahui Kingdom and a major transport hub in Western Pakistan.
Besides the routine pauses for food, toilet and random landscape pictures, we'll break the journey to visit Kalat and Surab, traditional little towns set amid the fertile plains of central Baluchistan.
Dinner and overnight in Khuzdar

Day 10 - Moola Chotok

After breakfast we'll head to Moola Chotok, a hidden natural sanctuary located east of Khuzdar.
We'll spend the whole day in this conveniently isolated, divinely quiet and utterly sublime place of natural beauty and ancient history.
Highlights will include: snorkelling, swimming and cliff-diving in the Moola Gorge, hiking across surrounding hills and long chats with the locals about all the world and his wife in front of a bonfire and a cup of tea.
Overnight in Khuzdar.

Day 11 - Farewell to Balochistan

After sharing a last Baluchi meal, we'll take care of your transfer to Karachi International Airport.
Possible tour extensions to this itinerary include: Northern Pakistan and/or Afghanistan.
End of the tour.