In the remotest corner of Pakistan lies one of the world’s best kept secrets: Balochistan. Blessed with warm sea and pristine beaches, rugged mountains and snow-capped peaks, and diverse tribal cultures and incredible hospitality, Balochistan is easily one of the most fascinating destinations one can imagine. Yet, it remains one of the least visited places in the world, as internal conflicts and security concerns have made this region largely off-limits for tourists. Throughout years of intense interest and countless attempts, I have been extremely fortunate to travel multiple times to Balochistan, befriend her people, and discover true hidden gems. Now, it is time for me to share my knowledge and invite you on an unforgettable trip to one of the world’s least visited places!
Dates: 25. December 2025 – 4. January 2026
Places covered: Gadani, Hingol National Park, Ormara Beach, Pasni, Astola Island, Gwadar, Jiwani, Lasbela, Khuzdar, Quetta, Karachi (optional)
Disclaimer: The itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen security concerns or extreme weather. This page contains affiliate links.
Frequently Asked Questions about Balochistan
Is Balochistan safe to travel?
Tourists are often concerned about the history of unrest and internal conflicts in Balochistan. However, on this tour we will have 24/7 police escort and prior authorization from local authorities, who are working around the clock to ensure our safety. Hence, it is safe to travel to Balochistan with this tour.
Can foreigners travel to Balochistan?
The Pakistani government has long banned foreign nationals from independent travel to Balochistan due to an array of concerns. Visiting Balochistan as a foreigner requires special permits that are nearly impossible to obtain as an independent traveler, and also unknown to most local tour operators. However, this tour will ensure the NOC (non-objection certificate) from the Interior Ministry, as well as permits to every point of interest for my guests.
Why join a Balochistan tour?
As mentioned above, joining a tour especially tailored for foreigners is essential to obtain the necessary permits and ensure security. Furthermore, this tour will help you visit some very remote places that are impossible to access without specialized transportation. And of course, you will benefit greatly from the knowledge of both local guides and an experienced traveler who can show you hidden spots and untold stories of the land, and facilitate local encounters to help you grasp the culture and complex realities of the diverse people of Balochistan.
Who can join this Balochistan tour?
This Balochistan tour welcomes open-minded adult travelers of all ages and backgrounds who are physically capable of spending up to a week in remote areas with limited resources, and join activities such as camping, boat rides, and jeep rides. Please ensure that you are in good health since healthcare facilities across Balochistan are very basic.
About your guide
Hi, I’m Arabela, a.k.a. The Spicy Travel Girl. I’ve been solo traveling all over Pakistan for the past five years, with special interest in Balochistan. I’ve had the fortune to visit the region numerous times and form deep connections with the local communities. In 2023 I published Of Threads And Needles, a travel memoir about one of my most memorable trips to Balochistan, and my unique experience of being a solo female traveler in this very conservative region. During my time in Pakistan, I became fluent in Urdu and learned a little Balochi, which helped immensely in connecting with the land and her people. I’m looking forward to sharing my extensive knowledge about the region with all my guests and followers.
Tour Itinerary: 10 Days Trip to Balochistan
Day 0 (OPTIONAL): Arrival in Karachi, city tour, Lyari Town visit
You will arrive in Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling seaside metropolis, and arguably, one of the most underrated cities in the world. To experience the city in the most authentic way, I highly recommend you to join me for a city tour. Together, we will visit Karachi’s most famous landmarks, and I will help you navigate the chaotic bazaars. The exact schedule will depend on the group’s interests and time availability.
After covering the essentials, I will take you to my personal favorite neighborhood: Lyari. Once known as Pakistan’s most dangerous hood, Lyari has been lifted out of misery by a bold Baloch-majority community of artists and scholars. We will visit a local NGO school, where you will meet the people of Lyari face-to-face and learn about their efforts. At the market, you will get an introduction to Balochi culture and learn how traditional Balochi dresses are made. You will even get the chance to buy one for yourself, so you can blend into the beautiful scenery of Balochistan!
Note: This optional city tour + accommodation in Karachi are subject to additional charges yet to be determined by demand.
Day 1: Gadani Shipbreaking Yard, Chandragup Mud Volcanoes, Hinglaj Mata Temple, Kund Malir Beach
After breakfast we will immediately cross the provincial border to Balochistan. Our first stop will be at Gadani, the world’s third-largest ship breaking yard, where you will get to watch workers disassemble huge ships with their bare hands and heavy-duty machinery. It’s one of the most dangerous workplaces out there, but don’t worry, the supervisors will make sure you don’t trip over electric wires or have a giant rod dropped on your head. Next, we will hit the Makran Coastal Highway and enter the famous Hingol National Park, where we will see the active Chandragup mud volcanoes and the remote Hinglaj Mata Mandir, both of which are sacred Hindu religious sites. We will watch the sunset at Kund Malir Beach and spend the night there.
Day 2: Hingol National Park, Princess of Hope, Buzzi Pass, Pasni
We will commence our journey along the most scenic leg of the Makran Coastal Highway, with photo stops at the most famous natural rock formations of Hingol National Park, including the Sphinx of Balochistan and the Princess of Hope. You will enjoy sea views from the sandy dunes of Golden Beach before we make our way up the stunning Buzzi Pass, also known as the Grand Canyon of Balochistan. Eventually, we will leave behind Hingol National Park and drive to the fishing village of Pasni, where we will visit a sandy desert right by the sea and admire the sunset from the top of the dunes. Night stay in the village and meet local families.
Day 3: Trip to Astola Island, Water Activities, Camping
Following an early breakfast we will embark on a two-hour boat ride to Astola Island, Balochistan’s largest island and a truly untouched gem. Locally known as Haft Talaar (Seven Hills), this uninhabited island boasts breathtaking hilltop views and some of the world’s most pristine beaches that are home to many protected species. Spend the day swimming or snorkeling, trek to the top for sunset, and spend the night in a tent under the starry sky. And as if that wasn’t already special enough, the beaches of Balochistan are also known for bioluminescence, although I can’t promise you that one!
Day 4: Back to Pasni, Gwadar
After an early morning picnic we will commence the journey back to Pasni by boat, and then drive to Gwadar, Balochistan’s famous port city that is predicted by some to become the “next Dubai”. There we will visit he stone-hewn Gwadar cricket stadium and Koh-e-Batil, a hilltop that gives a full view of the entire city, including the controversial Gwadar port. Contrasting the modern developments, we will then head to the traditional parts of town, including the historic Omani fort, Gwadar market, and the fisheries, where you will get to meet Baloch fishermen. We will spend the night in Gwadar.
Day 5: Jiwani, Pishukan, Ganz, Pakistan-Iran border (optional), drive back to Ormara Beach
We will leave Gwadar for Jiwani, the last village before the Iranian border, and admire the idyllic nature of Pishukan and Ganz on the way. Upon the group’s request, we may drive all the way to the Iran border, or at the very least try some Iranian snacks. We will then head back on the Makran Coastal Highway to Ormara Beach, where we will spend the night at a beach resort.
Day 6: Lasbela, Gondrani Caves, Khuzdar
We will now explore the inland of Balochistan, starting with a quick stop in Lasbela, from where we will go on a short trek to the mysterious Gondrani Cave City, an ancient site that is by some presumed to have once served as a Buddhist monastery. We then drive through the mountains of inner Balochistan to Khuzdar city, where we will spend the night.
Day 7: Moola Chotok Waterfall
In the morning we will embark on an adventurous 4-hour 4×4 jeep ride to Moola Chotok waterfall, a refreshing oasis in the middle of the mountains. You will have some free time to swim in the gorge and we might try traditional Balochi flame-grilled mutton sajji. We will either spend the night camping by the waterfall or head back to the hotel in Khuzdar.
Day 8: Quetta
After breakfast we will begin our drive to Quetta, where we will admire a potentially snowy winter wonderland that contrasts the warm sun-kissed beaches of the south. We will reach Quetta later in the day, where we will head straight to the bazaar, where we will get to sample Balochistan’s famous dry fruits and experience Balochi and Pashtun folklore culture up close. We will spend the night at a hotel in the heart of the market.
Day 9: Quetta, Hazara Town (if permitted), BBQ feast
We will spend the following day exploring Quetta, with a potential visit to Hazara Town. The Hazaras are one of the most persecuted, yet resilient communities in Pakistan. While Hazara Town is widely off-limits for any outsiders due to security concerns, I will try my best to arrange the permission to meet the Hazaras of Quetta. Alternative program will take place if the request is declined. The day will conclude with a grand BBQ feast where we will share an entire goat! Alternatives will be provided for those with dietary restrictions.
Day 10: Farewell, Airport drop-off or transfer to Karachi
Our trip to Balochistan will eventually come to an end. Airport transfer will be arranged for those who are flying out of Quetta. Those who are returning to Karachi will be able to travel back in our car free of cost.
Further Details
What’s included
The following services are included in the tour cost:
- Air-conditioned transport (Grand Cabin)
- English-speaking guide
- NOC for Balochistan (special permit from the Interior Ministry)
- Security escort
- Pakistan visa
- Airport drop off
- Fuel and tolls
- Special traditional dinner in Quetta
- Standard hotels and camping
- 4×4 jeeps in Moola Chotok
- Boat transfer to Astola Island
Not included are:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Porter service for personal luggage and pony rides (if needed)
- Medical care, rescue, and evacuation in case of emergency (Get travel insurance here)
- Personal expenses, including laundry services, phone plans, and shopping
- Unexpected additional expenses due to extreme weather, natural disasters, and political developments
- Tea, mineral water, and snacks
- Optional activities
- Tips and donations
Costs
The cost of the Balochistan tour per person is typically $2150 for double-occupancy (two people sharing a hotel room) and $2300 for single-occupancy (private hotel room). However, since this is my first tour, I’m offering a 15% discount, resulting in $1850 for double-occupancy and $2000 for single occupancy. The day tour of Karachi, including hotel stay, costs an additional amount dependent on demand.
What to bring
A detailed packing list will be released once your trip is confirmed. But roughly speaking, you will need the following:
- A passport with at least 6 months validity
- Travel insurance that covers travel to Pakistan/Balochistan (Get yours here!)
- Light, yet modest clothes for coastal areas
- Warm clothes for mountain areas
- Sufficient cash, since ATMs that accept foreign cards are rare in Balochistan
- Positive vibes and an open mind
How can I join this Balochistan tour?
So, are you interested? Just fill out the form below, or message me on Instagram @thespicytravelgirl!
Further reading
To learn more about Balochistan and prepare your mind for the trip, I strongly recommend you to check out my book, Of Threads And Needles.
You can also check out the following articles:
Traveling to Pakistan in 2026: Everything You Need to Know
What to Pack for Pakistan: A Complete Packing List
Is Pakistan Safe for Women Travelers? My Honest Opinion
Pakistan to Iran by Road: Gabd Rimdan Border Crossing Guide
Top 12 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Karachi
