Balochistan covers almost half of Pakistan's land but holds a small share of its people. It's a landscape of bare, folded mountains, dry riverbeds and wide gravel plains, with a coastline of cliffs and long beaches along the Arabian Sea. Quetta, the provincial capital, sits in a high valley ringed by mountains and is known for its fruit orchards. The south-west coast, called the Makran, is the part most visitors see, because a good highway now runs along it from Karachi.
The coast and the hills
The Makran Coastal Highway runs west from Karachi through Hingol, the largest national park in Pakistan. Wind and sea have carved its soft cliffs into towers and faces. The beaches are wide and mostly empty, and short hikes lead up into the canyons. Further west, the fishing town of Ormara leads on to Gwadar, a port on a hammerhead-shaped headland, and boats from the coast run snorkelling trips to offshore islands. Inland, Quetta is the base for the northern hills, with mild summers and snow in winter. Much of Balochistan is best seen on a guided road trip with stops along the way.
Getting there and where to stay
Most coast trips start in Karachi, and Hingol is about three to four hours' drive away, close enough for a long day or an overnight camp. Quetta and Gwadar both have airports with domestic flights. Outside those two cities, rooms are simple and many coast trips camp on the beach. November to March is the best season, before the coastal heat and humidity build. Conditions vary between districts and can change quickly, so check current official travel advice before you plan and travel with a local operator who knows the road. A coast trip pairs well with a few days in Sindh.
Booking on adventuro
Trips here are mostly guided road and camping trips along the coast. Use the Book here tab to see live dates and prices from local centres.
