IN THIS POST:
– About Gwadar
– How to Travel to Gwadar?
– Planning Your Trip to Gwadar
– Tips for Travelling to Gwadar
Gwadar is one of the major trading ports of Pakistan, located in Balochistan. While the region boasts a rich history, it became a busy tourist destination just a few years ago, when the unexplored regions of Balochistan started to gain a lot of social media fame. Today, Gwadar is one of the most frequented areas by tourists, especially by those looking to get away from the greyish tone of megacities. Here’s all you need to know about travelling to Gwadar.
About Gwadar
Located on the southwestern coast of Balochistan, Gwadar is a port city that has been a regional settlement for centuries. However, many hidden gems of Balochistan have recently come to the fore, including Moola Chotok, Hingol National Park, Astola Island, and many others, boosting tourism in the region.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has brought Gwadar into the limelight even more, with China not only creating a road that connects Gwadar Port to northern Pakistan but also upgrading the port and the surrounding coastal area. This includes creating several housing solutions for both Pakistanis and Chinese nationals who will be working at the port. Most of the construction is being done around Jinnah Avenue, past the Old City of Gwadar.
How to Travel to Gwadar?
As more and more people become eager to explore the golden and silver sand beaches, as well as the amazing sunsets on offer during a trip to Gwadar, we see an influx of tour operators who are offering convenient weekend trips to the coastal area.
However, travelling to Gwadar is a journey that can be made on your own. It’s an 8-hour drive from Karachi via Hub and the Makran Coastal Highway. You will pass by Hingol National Park, Kund Malir Beach, and Ormara Beach on your way there. The roads are well paved, all the way up to Gwadar’s Marine Drive, where most of the motels are located.
Planning Your Trip to Gwadar
Gwadar usually boasts a hot and arid climate that is typical of Balochistan, in spite of being a coastal town. The best time to visit Gwadar is from September to March during the low tide season, but December to February are the coldest months here, with temperatures as low as one to two degrees centigrade. This is why the peak travel season is from September to November and then in March.
Places to Visit in Gwadar
Interested in promoting Gwadar’s tourism industry? Here are some of the top places to visit in Gwadar and its surrounding areas:
Kund Malir Beach
Kund Malir is one of the many crystal clear beaches that dot the Makran Coastal Highway. The beach also has a small restaurant close by for meals and hills all around that are perfect for hiking.
Hingol National Park
Established in 1988, this enormous national park is home to at least 35 species of mammals, 65 species of reptiles and amphibians, 185 species of birds, and over 250 species of plants. It is also where you’ll find the Princess of Hope and the Sphinx.
Princess of Hope
A uniquely shaped natural rock formation, the Princess of Hope is located in Hingol National Park and was given its name by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie on her visit to the area. It is shaped like a statue of a female and is quite impressive due to its immense size and seemingly man-made shape. It is believed to be the result of mud volcano eruptions in the region.
The Sphinx
You don’t have to go all the way to Egypt to see the man-made Sphinx when we have one of our own natural sphinxes in Gwadar! This astonishing rock is naturally shaped like the Sphinx and is right at the top of the range in Hingol National Park, making it a sight to behold and a popular attraction for visitors.
Ormara Beach
Lying between Karachi and Gwadar on the Makran Coastal Highway, Ormara Beach is a naval base with one of the few untouched beaches in Pakistan.
Gwadar Port
Since Gwadar Port has a naval base and is also the hub of development activity in the region, it is fascinating to visit the place and witness the hustle and bustle in the area. The port offers fishing and boating opportunities for enthusiasts.
Koh-e-Batil
The hammerhead-shaped peninsula is home to the Old Town of Gwadar with hills on both ends. The most famous one among these is Koh-e-Batil since it offers magnificent views from the top after climbing nearly 700 steps on a steep staircase built into the mountain. Gwadar’s Pearl Continental (PC) Hotel is also built on this mountaintop.
Mud Volcanoes
Named Baba Chandrakup, it is one of the few remaining active mud volcanoes in Balochistan. A mud volcano is unique because it spews cold mud rather than hot magma. You will have to hike up the volcano to see the mud bubbling at its mouth, though.
What to Pack for Your Trip?
Since you can comfortably visit Gwadar over a weekend, remaining in your vehicle for the trip and then staying the night at a modest but comfortable motel, there’s very little you actually need to carry. If you’re going in the peak winter season, dress warmly and carry sufficient warm layers with you. Here are some of the essentials that you can consider:
- A light jacket
- Flashlight
- A change of clothes
- Joggers or comfortable shoes
- A winter hat
- A cap
- Sunglasses
- Shawl
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser for the road
- A water bottle
- Light snacks for the journey
Travel Itinerary for Gwadar
Irrespective of which tour group you choose, this is generally the itinerary that will be followed:
Friday
- Gather at meeting point: 11:30 pm
Saturday
- Set off from Karachi: 12:00 am
- Stop at Winder, Balochistan (20 minutes): 2:00 am
- Arrival at Kund Malir: 4:30 am
- Breakfast and Sunrise at Kund Malir: 5:00 am
- Sightseeing at Princess of Hope: 7:00 am
- Departure for Ormara: 7:45 am
- Stop at Ormara Beach: 9:30 am
- Departure from Ormara: 10:30 am
- Arrival at Gwadar Tourist Motel: 2:00 pm
- Lunch: 3:00 pm
- Tour of Gwadar Port: 4:00 pm
- Gul Point Beach: 5:00 pm
- Sunset from Deewan-e-Jah (mountain top): 5:30 pm
- Get settled at the motel: 7:30 pm
- Dinner: 8:30 pm
- Bonfire and Folk Music Performance: 9:30 pm
Sunday
- Sunrise at Gwadar Beach: 5:30 am
- Breakfast: 6:30 am
- Sightseeing of Gwadar from Koh-e-Batil via stairs: 7:00 am
- Packing up bags at the motel: 9:30 am
- Departure from Gwadar: 10:00 am
- Visit the Gwadar Market: 10:30 am
- Visit the Mud Volcanoes: 12:00 pm
- Lunch at Ormara: 2:00 pm
- Stop at Buzzi Pass (20 minutes): 4:00 pm
- Reaching Karachi: 9:00 pm
Cost of a Weekend Trip to Gwadar
A 2-day trip to Gwadar, similar to the itinerary mentioned above, can cost you PKR 10,000 to 12,000 per person, depending on your tour operator. Discounts are generally available for groups of five or more.
Tips for Travelling to Gwadar
While you make the journey, keep the following tips in mind:
- Time your arrivals and departures for the sunsets and sunrises
- The ride in the coaster from Karachi to Gwadar is long and tiring. Bring some games or music along.
- The waters will be quite cold in the winter season, so keep that in mind if you decide to take a dip.
- The hike to the Princess of Hope and Koh-e-Batil requires stamina. Avoid this part of the trip if you are afraid of heights.
- Weekend trips can be tiring but exhilarating, so join the tour with a positive mind-set.
Gwadar offers golden sands, beautiful views, plenty of mountain climbing opportunities, and the chance to bring a much-needed change to your lifestyle. New projects like the Gwadar Golf City, Canadian City Gwadar, and Naval Anchorage Gwadar, are some of the best ones to consider if you want to invest in Gwadar’s rapidly developing coastal region.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more fascinating tourism posts and email us at blog@zameen.com with your feedback.
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Truly an amazing place, this beautiful piece of land in our country. Wish Gwadar a bright future and earliest development.
It sure is, keep following the blog to find out about other beautiful pieces of land in our country as well!
Beautiful places thanks for sharing
Amazing place in Pakistan but I study to more places in Pakistan whose are hidden from people who lover of tourism, to enjoy beautiful moments in the natural beauty of the earth whose are the gift from Allah.