Pakistan is blessed with endless beauty, containing several hot spots for tourists in its northern areas. The recent development in the tourism sector, however, has led to a boost in tourism in the southern parts of the country as well, with most travellers from Karachi heading either to Balochistan and its coastal strip or towards interior Sindh. One hub of tourism in Sindh, along the Kirthar Mountain Range, is Gorakh Hill Station, which is also being called the ‘Murree of Sindh’.
Offering mesmerising views and gorgeous sunsets, Gorakh Hill Station lies at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet above sea level, at a distance of 94 kilometres from Dadu. Let’s learn more about this scenic tourist destination in Sindh before we move on to our travel guide for Gorakh Hill.
About Gorakh Hill
First discovered in the 1860s during the British Raj, Gorakh Hill was actually developed and launched as a hill station in 1989. However, with slow development in the area, this tourist destination in Sindh remained hidden from the eyes of both domestic and international travellers. Once the route from the closest settlement of Wahi Pandhi was completed in 2007, the hill station became much more accessible to the average traveller, resulting in its gradual popularity over the years.
Today, Gorakh Hill Station has access to electricity as well as water, with barely passable roads and almost no cell connectivity. But what keeps people hooked to this spot are the amazing panoramic views you can get if you dare to hike to the top. A restaurant, campsite, as well as a motel, are also facilitating travellers to the area now, with plans to develop and pave the route to the hill station in coming years to make it easier to reach.
How to Travel to Gorakh Hill?
There are several travelling agencies in Karachi which offer inclusive packages for weekend visits to Gorakh Hill, for both individuals and groups. The tour usually offers all the necessary amenities, including food, accommodation, transport, camping equipment, and more. While you can travel to the hill station in your own 4-wheeler, it is often cost-effective to plan your tour to Gorakh Hill with a travel agency that frequents the area.
Planning Your Trip to Gorakh Hill
Due to its high elevation, Gorakh Hill Station maintains temperatures below 20°C in the summers and can even witness snowfall in the peak winter season. Thus, you can visit the location round the year, but winter temperatures can generally range below 5°C. The trip can be fairly comfortable, as long as you plan for your journey carefully and carry all of the bare essentials with you. Our travel guide for Gorakh Hill will now focus on all of these aspects of the trip.
What to Pack for Your Trip?
Here’s a list of essentials that you should not travel without on this exciting journey:
- Waterproof jackets
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- A spare T-shirt
- Joggers/trekking boots
- Gloves
- Sweaters
- Woollen socks
- Shawls and stoles
- Sun-glasses
- Sanitizer/soap/hand wash lotion
- Toothpaste, toothbrush, and wet wipes
- Cap/beanie
- Water bottle
- Bedsheet
- Light blanket
Travel Itinerary for Gorakh Hill
Here is a general itinerary for a weekend trip to Gorakh Hill that may work for you. Please note that the timings are subject to change based on your tour operator.
Friday
- Gather at meeting point: 11:30 pm
Saturday
- Set off from Karachi: 12:00 am
- Enjoy breakfast at Sehwan Divine Restaurant (Anda, Paratha and Chai): 6:30 am
- Leave for Wahi Pandhi: 7:00 am – 7:15 am
- Arrival at Wahi Pandhi: 8:00 am – 8:30 am
- Travelling to Gorakh Hill via 4×4 jeeps: 8:30 am
- Reaching Gorakh Hill Station: 12:00 pm
- Lunch at the hill station: 3:00 pm
- Trekking towards Benazir View Point: 4:30 pm
- Enjoying Sunset from View Point: 6:00 pm
- Bonfire and Dinner: 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm
- Stargazing and retiring to camps or rest house: 11:00 pm
Sunday
- Breakfast: 8:00 am
- Setting off for Wahi Pandhi: 9:30 am
- Reaching Wahi Pandhi: 11:30 am
- Departure for Karachi: 12:00 pm
- Arrival and lunch at Sehwan Divine Restaurant: 2:00 pm
- Arrival at Karachi: 7:00 pm
Cost of a Weekend Trip to Gorakh Hill
A 2-day trip to Gorakh, like the one mentioned above, can cost you anywhere between PKR 6,500 to 7,500, depending on the tour operator you choose.
Tips for Travelling to Gorakh Hill Station
Don’t forget to keep the following tips in mind as you embark on your journey to Gorakh Hill Station:
- Make the most of every moment and capture it in your camera.
- The jeep ride can be bumpy. Think of it as riding a roller coaster.
- There’s power at the hill station but keep your flashlight handy.
- Start the hike on time so that you don’t miss the sunset.
- Hike to the very edge of the Benazir View Point for the best views.
- High altitude can result in breathing issues for Asthma patients.
- Be prepared for extremely cold nights and foggy mornings in the winter.
- Ask for additional blankets at the campsite if needed.
The adventurous journey to Gorakh Hill Station is ideal for teenagers, families, thrill-seekers, hikers, photographers, and enthusiastic travellers. The route to Gorakh Hill will also become smoother with ongoing development work in the area, paving the way to the hill station that will become as easily accessible for Karachiites as Murree is for Islamabadians.
If you are a fan of road trips, here are 5 road trips that you must take at least once in Pakistan. For more posts on travel and tourism, keep following Zameen Blog. We can also be reached at blog@zameen.com for questions and queries.
