Report for crossing border from Iran to Pakistan
 

Hi all,
Please refer to my experience as follows.

I started from Akbal tourist guest house in Bam at 5:00 alone, then arrived 11:30 on 21st Oct. at check point of Mirjarveh for 400 km. But, I was waiting 5 hours here for having escort.

Then, I and one police went to border 10 km ahead who was sitting at rear seat of my bike without gun(^｡^;), then entered customs area.

I stayed ITTIC INNS ( Mil 72 tourism hotel ) located in just next Irannian border but in customs area, so We have to enter customs area at first, We can stay here at 6 USD.

Next day morning, border gate is open at 7:00, it takes 3-4 hours to make procedure for carnet at both side.

After completed procedure, Pakistan police escort will begin.
I stayed at police station of Nokkundin far from 150km from the border and We can reach at Quetta next day in the night.

Two bomb attacks killers three in Quetta just the day of my arriving on 23th.
We were locked in the hotel inside in Quetta.*Going outside to bazaar was imposible.
Quetta has been in high alert.

Some informations as follows.

1. One motorcycle or car is ok for having the escort for both sides.
So, you don't need to make a groupe, you just go directly to the border.
At the check point, police would arrange the escort.

2. You have Iranian escort from at the check point of Zahedan or Mirjaveh* to border. Sometimes you have to wait for half day to be arranged.

3. You have Pakistan escort from Taftan to Quetta to the hotel.
Escort will changes frequently every their duty area very efficiently.
It is very smooth, so that there is no rest, no lunch time, you have to keep on going.
Pakistan police are well trained and organized.

4. Regarding customs area of Iranian border, there are two gates, ITTIC INNS is between two gates. Both gates open from 7:00 to17:00.
Another option is to stay at Mirjaveh tourist inn in Mirjaveh village, or PTDC motel in Taftan. It is depends on where you are by the sunset.

5. It takes two days to Quetta after border. For first day, there is no escort after sunset.*You have to stay some where of along the way, then you should stay at police station for the first day. It is free.* But, there is no dinner(^_^;).

6. You have to bring some food and water. There is no shop along the way.
Temparature is 20-36℃. There is fuel stand in Mirjarveh near check point.

7.* In Quetta, you have to get NOC ( No Obligation Certificate ) to escape Balchistan province.
It is must to have police escort to go to goverment office to get NOC document. It takes for almost one day. Hotel will arrange police.

8. It is better to stay Bloom star hotel where every overlanders come together in Quetta, because police knows well here, everything is very smooth.
It is available here to get beer and hard liquor(^_-).

9. From Quetta to Sukkar and Multan, there was police escort as well for 800 km for some reason in my case.

In all, I was escorted from Taftan to Multan for 1500 km by well trained and organized Pakistan police (ー_ー;), thanks a lot!

Be careful and good luck!

Thanks,

From Multan, 28 Oct. 2014

Tamaaki Wakata

Hope you've met Mr.İqbal and Mr.Omar.
will be great if you share this part of your trip,too.

All the best for your trip to the land of sunrises.

It's interesting that you stayed in Nokkundi, overlanders usually stay at Dalbandin, it's a town in the middle of Taftan and Quetta and you can find everything in this town easily. Maybe you were late for the Dalbandin.

The Pakistani security forces usually don't let foreigners to stay in a hotel at Taftan, becuse sunni extremists usually attack to these hotels which shia people usually stay.

The escorts at Iranian side is just a formality and they cannot organize well, everytime they are late and they don't listen you and give information.

I guess that you're writing these from Iqbal's house in Multan, say hello to him from Caglar, Africa Twin rider from Turkey.. :thumbup1:

Have a nice ride dear Tamaaki!

Very interesding german interview about Pakistan: Video "Planet Wissen: Geiseln der Taliban – 259 Tage in Todesangst" | ARD Mediathek | WDR Fernsehen

That's great! Thanks for the report.
There's three of us in Lahore at the moment about the head towards Quetta then Iran. One of us is sick so we might be here for few days. We've just come down the KKH, which is amazing don't miss it. If you want to met up we're staying at Lahore Backpackers. Or email or call

fishernz@gmail.com
0340 0422 054

Thanks
Mark

the interviewster is the worst i've seen in a long while.

but Holy my what a story.

how is the security situation there around Multan and Uch Sharif?

Multan and Uch Sharif are fine.