Crossing Iran/Pakistan border

[Valentyn]

Hi lads,
I'm going to move from Iran to Pakistan soon and I'm getting mixed information regarding the Taftan border. Some say its 100% closed, some say its 100% open. Anyone has recent experience with this border in the Pakistan direction?

[Bartosz]

It means that all Pakistan borders are open, but Iran land borders are closed.
So land travel from Turkey to Iran is immpossible, at least for now.
I wait for opening those borders from 2 years. Every year I move the date of trip for the next year.

[Valentyn]

Originally Posted by Bartosz

So land travel from Turkey to Iran is immpossible, at least for now.

Not sure what you mean here. I've successfully crossed Essendere/Serow border 2 weeks ago from Turkey to Iran.

[eurasiaoverland]

Maybe not very helpful, but just go. I wouldn't not go just based on some unreliable reports.

Fuel is cheap, roads are good - you can quickly get down there and see for yourself.

If it is closed, there are lots of things to see an do in thar far corner of Iran

EO

[Valentyn]

I agree with you that I still should go no matter what the reports are since situation changes rapidly.
My problem is I am a bit time constrained and I'm considering to invest some of it in researching the possibility of leaving Iran by sea to Pakistan or India. So im trying to assess how much effort and time I should put into that.
P.S. I would also appreciate some insights on what to see and do in that area of Iran (;

[eurasiaoverland]

Leaving by sea would require a container as there is no ferry service between Iran and Pakistan or India.

Sistan and Baluchestan province is one of Iran's most interesting in my opinion.

The road from Kerman - Shahdad - Nehbandan takes you on an amazing route through pure desert.

The road from Zahedan down to Chahbahar (or Beris) takes you past very varied scenery from high plateau, close to Mount Taftan (volcano with active fumaroles), wadis with date palms, to the very distinctive, eroded landscapes of the Makran coast around Beris. Highly recommended.

The coastline west of Chahbahar becomes utterly featureless, but there is a small mud volcano to visit.

There are lots of old castles, ruins and archaeological sites. Top of my list would be Kuh-e Khajeh near Zabol - the views over the Helman basin are amazing. Shahr-e Sukhteh is an intriguing archaeological site. There are other interesting catles in Seh Kuheh (near Zabol) and Bampur. Also in Saravan, though I was not allowed to enter town due to a fresh attack on police when I was there.

Iranians will tell you that Sistan and Baluchestan is dangerous... its reputation is greatly overblown. Driving with Iranians is bloody dangerous - minor things like smugglers attacking police checkpoints every now and then are not much of a concern to me.

EO

[Bartosz]

Originally Posted by Valentyn

Not sure what you mean here. I've successfully crossed Essendere/Serow border 2 weeks ago from Turkey to Iran.

This is current information from the Polish www of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"Land borders remain closed to traffic, except for road transport".

Of course, if I believed in the information provided by my ministry, I would probably never go anywhere, and I have already traveled a bit of the world. However, this is quite simple information, so probably true.

If this is not true, whether you were going there for tourism, business or as a driver with transport.

Your information will be very valuable to me.

[Valentyn]

Crossed it on my motorcycle. Tourism visa.

[Big_Dave]

Originally Posted by Valentyn

Hi lads,
I'm going to move from Iran to Pakistan soon and I'm getting mixed information regarding the Taftan border. Some say its 100% closed, some say its 100% open. Anyone has recent experience with this border in the Pakistan direction?

It is open both ways. Just go.

[Bartosz]

Originally Posted by Valentyn

Crossed it on my motorcycle. Tourism visa.

With Carnet de Passage, of course??

[Hound_Dog]

Originally Posted by Bartosz

With Carnet de Passage, of course??

Mandatory. Dont listen to talk of fixers, Hussein CDP's and the like for Iran. Might work..until something goes wrong that is. Pakistan there is no getting around it.

[Bartosz]

Originally Posted by Hound_Dog

Mandatory. Dont listen to talk of fixers, Hussein CDP's and the like for Iran. Might work..until something goes wrong that is. Pakistan there is no getting around it.

I was few times in Iran. Two times with Hussein docs, then tried also without CDP but it was too expensive. So from that moment I had CDP