Pakistan - Multan to Quetta direct or go via Sukkur?
 

Hi,

Looking for advice from anyone who has done the route from Multan to Quetta in Pakistan.

Is the direct route (via Dera Ghazi Khan) achievable in one day? It is over 600 km which is something I would only do if I knew the road was good and I could maintain a high average speed. When in India I would never attempt to do that many kms in one day - maybe the road conditions are better in Pakistan (possibly there are fewer cows on the roads?) :-)

I've seen from a few other threads people going via Sukkur - is this the better route?

Thanks

Merhaba,

2 photos for you included.

One says all how you will travel from Multan to Quetta and Taftan bordergate afterwards following an escort.Thats the most interesting and exciting also most friendly part of the trip in Pakistan..Definitely obey the rules of escort.They are there for our safety.

Other photo shows the valuable and most appreciated friendships and supports of local bikers which you can hardly meet on other parts of the globe.

When in Multan, get in touch with great local bikers with a big hello from me,and Turkish Bikers Hakan and Şandan who were there a while ago...
https://www.facebook.com/muhammad.iqbalghangla?fref=ts

And marvellous friend Dr.Omar Khan in Lahore for all your questions and advices you may need for whole Pakistan..
https://www.facebook.com/omar.khan.5494?ref=ts&fref=ts

We are always thanksful to them for all the current information and tips they give us..

Wish you all the best..

I've decided it's a crazy idea to attempt that in a day - instead I plan to stop in Loralai (between Multan and Quetta) and stay in the guesthouse suggested in Erics' post here

Thanks for the pictures and info Mehmet!

At least a few years ago Loralai and DG Khan were off-limits for foreigners, so this routing is something you probably ought to double-check. The usual detour for tourists to bypass this area goes via Sukkur.

(IIRC, a few tourists were kidnapped somewhere close to Loralai, this was maybe 1-2 years ago, didn´t see any explanation, why they were there, I think the police should not have let them enter that area in the first place).

Humm, well I guess I will find out tomorrow when I head that way. If the route is closed to foreigners then I'll post back here so that others know.

I've met a pakistani biker duo (father and son) who did this road within a day, i think an even longer distance. but they were driving (racing from their story) for more than 10 hours, not waiting for any escort (escaping).

This was around July 2012, back then this road was still off-limits for foreigners. I would wonder if they changed that, i guess at some point they gonna ask you for a NOC, which you probably won't get easily. But you never know until you try, just be a bit careful, that story of the kidnapped swiss couple (they ignored warnings that this road would be dangerous) did not read very nice!

Sukkur would be the alternative...
Or going all the way down to Karachi and taking a train to Quetta is what many people did in 2012 (but in the other direction)

Take care
Moritz

Thanks for all the advice on this.

After reading your comments, speaking to Mehmet's friend Muhammad and chatting with some other guys here in Multan - it sounds like the Loralai route is out of the question for foreigners - even the locals are hesitating to drive that road!

I'm going to go to Sukkur instead - anyone have any accommodation suggestions here?

So, you guys have saved me from possibly being turned around by the army or kidnapped - thanks again.

- David

i was not allowed to stay in Sukkur for security reasons (but i think there is no problem with Sukkur at all), you must be lucky not to be with an escort already, so they will bring you to a place they consider "safe", mostly the pricier hotels.

Just a small warning about the escorts, they are all friendly, but really want to get rid of you, if you stay somewhere you are their responsibility, which means 1 or 2 armed guys have to stay in front of your room/hotel all night long.
I got really big problems the day i left from Quetta because they did not allow me to stay anywhere (wanted to give me to the next escort). i ended up with a 13h driving day, mostly around 46 degrees, i got badly dehydrated, heat bubbles on my hands... in the end i had to get really mad (shouting at them...) to let me stay somewhere (ended up in some kind of police station about 100km north of sukkur).

I had escorts all the way from Dalbandin to Lahore, hope you have more luck and they let you go on your own until Sukkur (i know some people didn't have escorts after/before Sukkur).

Good luck!

Sukkur- hotel
 

Hi ,

I'm going to go to Sukkur instead - anyone have any accommodation suggestions here?

Red Carpet Hotel on Military Road, leading from the roundabout at west end of Sukkur Barrage, which attempts to control the Indus River.
Late '09 I paid PR 500 for safe parking, cold scoop shower, working toilet, a big, clean, comfortable bed and breakfast omlette. Friendly staff.
If the cook hasn't moved on I reckomend the chicken biryani for your evening meal. Might not be a good idea to take an evening stroll alone, you will be needing an early night anyway.

Safe Travel

Peter, in Oslo

Wy don't some of you people try the route down to Karachi? Sindh deserves a visit, has the country's greatest historical sites, desert, rich culture etc, and it is safe.

Karachi is Pakistan's biggest city, and deserves a visit. And the road north from Karachi is good, and passes through nice scenery. Plus you can completely bypass Quetta if you don't feel safe there by going onto the Taftan road at Mastung.

You may get along the road without escorts too, since I believe few foreigners use this route.

You got it right, DG Khan and Loralai are off limits for foreigners. Some time back a Canadian member of MAP (Motorcyclists Assoc of Pak) somehow reached Fort Monroe undetected. Once found out, he was forced to return late night. I am sure it wasn't a very pleasant experience
I would suggest to stay on the main roads and try to spot the lovely blind dolphins in Sukkur.

Cheers
Omar

There are a quite a few places to stay, just stop and ask a local to help you find one. If not you can ALWAY camp at the police stations, they might even give you a bed!

As for the police escorts telling you must go to the expensive ones, just tell them - only if they are paying!! Make them find you a cheaper one. Thats the best part about having these guys with you.

Have fun - Pakistan is one of my top destinations around the world. I planed one month in Pakistan and ended up staying for 6! Head to the north and dont let that part of Pakistan get you down.

I met up with Mehmet's friend Muhammad in Multan - he really is a great guy, we had breakfast together, he showed me round the city and suggested I stay with a friend of his in Shikarpur rather than a hotel.

Then rode from Shikarpur to Quetta at first light, didn't stop for any police checkpoints and just kept going all the way to the Bloomstar in Quetta. Not sure if I would advise others to do the same, but I really didn't want to hang around at the checkpoints waiting for them to organise an attention-drawing motley crew to take me to a hotel where they receive a back-hander.

Now I have to wait to get the NOC before proceeding to Taftan. Will take the escort for this part of the route if offered.

Thanks for all the advise guys,

David

Problems Getting a Pakistani Visa in Dublin
 

I am undertaking a Drive between Ireland and Australia. The biggest i am coming up against is getting a Paksitani Visa in Dublin. Initially they flatly refused, however thanks to Horizons and the posts you guys leave i have convinved them that while these areas are unstable at times, with the proper preparation and precaution, people are doing these trips everyday, so.... They have agreed to give me a visa under 4 conditions
1 - Get an Iranian Visa (No Problem)
2 -Provide the Carnet Du Passage (No Problem)
3- Provide provisonal bookings for hotela in Quetta & Multan

Can any of you recommned hotels in both towns that i could make a provisional booking? In most hotel search engines, there is either little or no information. When i went to book in the Serena Hotel in Quetta, it says there is no availability at any stage over the next 12 months??

4 - Provide evidence of an armed escort
here lies the biggest issue. While it's obvious from these forums that Police escorts are provided by the police, the Pakistani embassy in Dublin never heard of them and i had to show them threads of this site to show their existance. So now they want officail confrimaton from the Police in Pakistan that there will be an armed escort when we arrive at the border in Taftan.

The only way i can see is that i call hotels in both cities and somehow contact the police and look for an email? Am i missing something or is there the only way to go?

thanks and would appreciate any insight

hi doc,

many people stay at Bloomstart Hotel

if you reach the manager there who speaks good english, i think he would try to write something on a piece of paper and send it to you.

The armed Escort thing is more tricky, i might have a contact in Dalbandin who could help with that, but really not sure (i guess you would be the first to ask for that).
Alternatively you could try to get the Bloomstar guy on phone when you are at the embassy, most travelers cross him so he could tell about escorting/safety. eventually he is able to get some paper too.

Btw. most people get their Visa because they don't mention that they cross the iranian/pakistani border. My first visa attempt was refused/ignored too. Then i used an agency (~40$ more) and had no problems at all.

Good luck!
Moritz

Thanks for getting back to me so fast...

From your response below I take it that hotel doesn't have email? Would he have to write the confirmation out and then send it via post?

Would your contact be ok if I got in touch? How could he help me? Is he a member of the police force?

Do you have contact information on a reliable visa agency?

Thanks again,
David

Home | Overland to Oz

Ireland to Australia

I forgot to ask.... Can you recommend a hotel in multan to stay and get a provisional booking to satisfy the embassy?

Thanks again

@docdocdoc

In one of my old messages here,a photo of the pakistani police car escorting my friends on 2 bikes in Multan last oct. available..

For hotel reservations:
Have great friends in Multan,quetta,and lahore..Local bikers with great hearts and they are really doing their best for Brother Pakistan Tourism..

Fastest way to overcome that reservation problem is:
Contact them online,send them your personal details and planned dates for hotel staying, ask a written hotel reservation..I sincerely believe they will get the written hotel document and mail it to you with pleasure..I know them for several years and their support to Pakistan Tourism is always being appreciated by all the bikers who have been there..Thats how we do it here.

Add big hello and selam from me in your messages..

Quetta.
https://www.facebook.com/shazam.zaheer

Multan
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...4547120&type=3
Many photos of my Turkish friends following escort police available here..

Lahore
https://www.facebook.com/omar.khan.5494?fref=ts
Dr.Omar is marvellous old friend and president of map.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MAPakistan/
he is also ın Hub forums when has time...

If this will be your first visit there,Pakistan is the most friendly country with many natural beauties and colors to discover..Just obey the escort rules between taftan and lahore..Its also possible to get the wednesday train from quetta to lahore..(hope not changed)
Sure Pakistani friends will be glad to answer all your questions...

Its very hard to explain but we name it spirit of adventure travelling here.. Meet foreign bikers and support them with what you can do when at home..

TIP FOR A NICE IMPRESSION ON CONSULATE STAFF OF ASIAN COUNTRIES..:
Make a file with brief and true information about your bike,your trip,your dreams going to realise, your desire to discover beauties,colors,realities of the country and to prove your friends that reality is not same as told on media,and what you have left behind for this trip..
If possible, have a blog and include the link saying that your trip is followed by many bikers in your country...

If you need any inf. for turkey,just send me a message.

Wish you happy,safe,lucky and healty trip.

All the best.

You can probably do it in a day, we thought the same
 

I came through from Iran with a bunch of other guys last October. We hoped to get to Multan from Quetta. We thought it would take a day to Quetta and another day to Multan.

But we were wrong ... see the happened here

In 2011 I crossed and was asked to write this letter and fax it through to them. You will be able to find their details on their website.


The Secretary,
Home Department, Government of Balochistan,
Quetta.

SUB: REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF NON OBJECTION CERTIFICATE (NOC) TO ENTER IRAN BOREDR THROUGH BALOCHISTAN

Dear Mr.

I, Miss Danielle Murdoch of Motomonkey Adventures (One Adventure, One Woman, 70,000km, 2 years) spent the last 12 months travelling from Australia on my Suzuki motorcycle. Currently I am in Islamabad travelling through Pakistan and about to head towards the Iran border through Balochistan. My travelling details are as under:

Name: ***
Nationality: ***
DOB: ***
Passport No: ***
Date of Issue: ***
Date of Exp: ***
Issue Authority: ***
Motorcycle: ***
Chassis No: ***
Reg. No: ***

I have been made aware that foreigners now require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before crossing Balochistan. My visa in Pakistan expires on 6th October, 2011 and Inshallah expected to arrive in Quetta on 3rd October, 2011.

It is therefore, you are requested to kindly issue a ‘No Objection Certificate’ to cross Balochistan as soon as I arrive in Quetta on 3rd October, 2011 and obliged please.



Kind Regards,


Danielle Murdoch

Cc:
Mr Rao Amin Hashim,*Inspector General of Police,*Government*of*Baluchistan, Quetta
Phone:0819201366*Fax: 0819201267


As for hotels -

For your Visa - just book it through Lonely Planet website. I think I had to pay a $5 deposit to make a booking and included it in application. I never actually stayed there.

Along the road -
The police escort will take you to the places to stay! I didnt like Bloomstar guy and requested another hotel (There is a cheaper one down the main road behind the theatre)

Another hint - Do not pay the escorts! On both sides!!

I would suggest you to join the MAP facebook page and post your queries there. We have members from all parts of the country and should be able to help you.
You can send friend request at,
http://www.facebook.com/groups/MAPakistan/

Wishing you all the best.
Omar

Hotel Quetta
 

I believe tripadvisor and booking.com can find you a place, however we stayed at a place called the Gardenia Resort. Quite why it was called a resort we could never figure but the food was OK and they sourced some beer for us so I was happy. The parking is within a fenced area so bike will be ok.

Cant remember the cost but it was fairly cheap.

Regards to Police escorts, we travelled from Iran and had escorts in Iran from outside Zahedan all the way to the border. From there the Pakistani's escorted us to Quetta. It took us 3 days to reach Quetta from border as we had a bike problem plus the changeover of guards can take so long. We had to get a permit to continue beyong Quetta and sadly they gave us a permit to go to Karachi, the wrong way. In Karachi we escaped escorts to travel alone up to Sukkar and Lahore. Agree with pnot paying escorts. The Iranians had to syphon petrol to keep going with us, one their guys asked me for money in Zahedan, which I refused. However, they were kind enough to feed us so mustn't complain. None of the Pakistani guys asked for money.

Cheers