Dolphin Sighting in Ormara and Volcano Hiking

Little Hikers and Haris Scaling Mud Volcano 

Makran Coastal Highway is a great escape from Karachi; a dream long-drive cutting across a beautiful natural terrain. Last weekend, the opportunity arrived again and we drove all the way to Ormara, ~350 km from Karachi, and stayed there overnight thanks to our lovely friend, Haris Tohid.

Dolphins Sighting 

It was the highlight of the holiday. While boating around the channel in the morning, we noticed dolphins also in addition to usual small fish and preying birds. There were plenty of them showing off their acrobatic skills. Ali was the Lucky Charm and also captured one of those from close. Here she goes:

A post shared by Ali A. Siddiqui (@ali_siddiquie) on Feb 18, 2018 at 5:59am PST

Hiking on Mud Volcano

Before reaching Ormara, we made a detour to see the active Volcano, called Chandragup, which bubbles out mud, usually gently.

Most of us hiked till the crater testing our fitness in "full noon". Kids outperformed and especially enjoyed the natural slide on the steep descend. I got there, almost, but had to come down due to nausea eventually bringing out the heavy breakfast; chai, paratha, omelettes, etc. which we had at a roadside hotel just before Winder city.


Click here for details of my previous camping night at Mud Volcano 

Chandragup Volcano at Makran Coast Spewing Fresh Mud

Live Crater of Chandragup Mud Volcano

Chilling at Ormara Hammerhead

Sunset at Ormara Hammerhead

Ormara Beach from the Top; Check Out the Rocks

Relaxing after a Long Drive and Hiking

Princess of Hope

Trip to Coastal Highway is Incomplete without Paying Homage to the Princess of Hope

Driving Information
We left Karachi before 8 am, and reached Ormara around 2:30 pm, with enroute stops for breakfast, volcano hiking, and a couple of photo shoots. It was quicker on the way back, ~5 hours, with only one quick stop at the truck hotel located around Hingol River Bridge. There, Al-Hassan Hotel is a good option for fresh meal or tea break.

Makran Coastal Highway is as smooth a drive as it could be. It was conveniently possible to maintain well above 120 km, except for the ~40 km hilly patch between Kund Malir and Buzi Pass. That patch has sharp turns, attention grabbing natural rock carvings including the Princess of Hope and Sphinx like formation, and vast canyon views; so one has to be extra careful especially when emergency facilities are non-existent.

RCD Highway is now very well paved but a busy road demanding a lot of driving attention.

Keeping a can of extra fuel (15-25 liters) is recommended if driving to Ormara, or more if beyond, unless willing to use the suspicious quality smuggled gasoline. Being the last resort, there is one fuel station in Winder city, on the RCD Highway, which sells regulated one.

If you are planning to visit the Makran Coast and need information about traveling conditions, you can write me at muzamil79@gmail.com

Photo Courtesy: Ali, Haris, Hasan, Khurram, and Zeeshan

Nostalgia: It was 2008 when we first visited Oramara, again courtesy Haris. Then we were 5 in 1 car. Population has grown up significantly in the last decade, evident from the latest census results. So this time we were 20 people Mashallah; including spouses and kids, in 5 cars!

Makran Coastal Highway: near Buzi Pass

It was 2008!