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Hingol National Park does not have any hotels or resorts, so the only place to stay in the Park is to camp. The main campsites are located on Kund Malir beach. The best way to get there from Karachi is to go with a tour operator. The staff will set up everything for you and provide you with food. They will also make sure you have everything you need to camp in the cold. The area has many beautiful sites that are best enjoyed from a good campsite on the Makran Coastal Highway.
There are two different styles of camping that happen along this section of coast. With the first, an operator organizes the camp for you and provides all the camping gear. The gear and the food are carried to a campsite on Kund Malir beach, or another location of your choosing. The other style of camping is where you are responsible for bringing all of the gear yourself.
It is usually easier to use an operator for camping in this area. Making the camping arrangements from Karachi can be challenging because you need to arrange enough food and water for the whole trip. The operators are also familiar with the various sites and beach conditions, and can give you information on the best locations to set up camp.
Self-equipped camping is best for travelers who are knowledgeable about the coastal area and conditions of Makran Desert Tarmac Road, and who have relevant camping equipment. This type of camping is not suitable for first-time visitors of Hingol National Park.
The National Park does not provide any sort of camping facilities. All the camp sites are set up temporarily.
Kund Malir is the most renowned spot in Hingol Park and one of the most beautiful beaches of Pakistan. It is also the most convenient location for camping because of its proximity to Karachi. The travel time to Kund Malir beach from Karachi is approximately 4 hours. Because of easy access from Karachi, the beach is one of the most famous camping sites along the Makran Coast line. Camping at Kund Malir gives you an opportunity to witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Unlike other beaches along the coast line, visitors at Kund Malir camp have the benefit of not having to drive to other locations to watch the sunrise and sunset. Less crowded early mornings and evenings are some of the perks of staying at Kund Malir camp.
B) Operator-arranged camps at Kund Malir
From November to March, a number of operators out of Karachi set up temporary camps at Kund Malir. The most basic options at these camps have guests sleeping in tents set up on the beach. Better camps set up canvas dining tents, and provide camping chairs and a cook. Some of the better-equipped operators provide sleeping bags and other camping gear and organize the transport of drinking water from Karachi.
The quality of operator camps at Kund Malir varies. Well-equipped camps, with local guides, are better equipped to manage the challenges of the park and ensure the safety of visitors. Others, not as equipped, rely on the coast and the surrounding environment to enrich the experience of visitors. The only way to tell the difference is to ask direct questions.
When choosing a camp at Kund Malir, it is important to consider the type of tent provided, the cold weather rating of the sleeping bag, the quantity of water provided per person per day, the meal plan, and if a park licensed guide will be provided.
Most visitors from Karachi expect overnight temperatures at Kund Malir to be similar to those at home. This is far from the case. In addition to the cold caused by the loss of the sun’s rays, there is the wind-chill factor caused by the breeze blowing off the Arabian Sea. A sturdy tent is a good investment.
A responsibility has been assigned to camp operators to clean up after visitors. Waste collected from camp sites should be disposed of properly. The cost of transporting campsite waste to an appropriate disposal site should be charged to the campers.
A) Near Princess of Hope and other landscape features
There are ample flat areas along the Makran Coastal Highway where the Princes of Hope formation rises out of the ground that are suitable for campsites. Some camp operators set up their camps along this stretch of the highway.
For travelers less interested in the coastal formations, this camp is a good option. It is less well known than Kund Malir, but offers a visual appeal of its own for the two nights of a typical Hingol camping tour.
B) Hingol River Area
Some operators locate their camps along the Hingol River for travelers interested in the riverine and crocodile ecosystems. The river camps also provide better access to the river and to the crocodiles which, during the hot hours of the day, retreat to the river banks to remain submerged. River camps are more challenging than beach camps. The access tracks are in worse condition and the local drivers and guides are less familiar with the area. In addition, the guides must also understand the latest conditions of the river to determine where it is safe to approach the crocodiles.
C) Makran Coastal Highway
The section of the Balochistan coast within the park is mountainous and dramatic. Some travelers stop along the Makran Coastal Highway to take in the coast, the mountain cliffs and the dramatic landscape. These are not developed camping sites.
A camp on this stretch of highway provides a distinctive view of the Arabian Sea from land. Beach camps typically provide shore access via path or stairway. Highway camps do not. Access to these camps require parking on the highway shoulder and walking to the camp location. Highway camps are primarily used by experienced hikers, requiring no support and transportation, to set up camp along their route.
from 4) What A Good Hingol Camp Setup Includes
During the winter months, a strong wind-resistant tent is a must. The coastal wind can gust up to 30 Kts. A properly staked tent is essential to an comfortable night’s sleep.
During the winter, the temperature along the coast can drop to single digits, so a sleeping bag rated for freezing conditions is a must. Beach camping operators renting summer-only rated sleeping bags provide no value to the customer.
Water is the most valuable camp logistic. The Kund Malir beach and Hingol National Park do not have any water sources. All water is transported from Karachi. An operator limiting the water supply to campers creates an unpleasant camping condition.
How much water per person per day does the tour provide? What happens if the tour group extends past the planned time due to mechanical issues or weather conditions? These questions evaluate a tour operator’s capability and planning.
There are no external food sources near the camps, so the food offered by the operator is what you will eat. It is important to confirm the meal plan, especially if there are food restrictions.
A park guide is necessary for activities within Hingol National Park, including the crocodile watching activity and the approach to the Hinglaj Temple. A recent guide is more beneficial than one with old park experience.
Safety and security of the location is a major concern for an operator. The operator should have a clear plan for various situations including a medical emergency, a breakdown of the transport, and any security concerns. Balochistan is larger and more remote than other regions of Pakistan, so these concerns are more applicable.
While the most convenient time to visit the Hinglaj Mata Temple is during the annual Yatra, which happens late in March or early in April, it is worth going at other times as well. During off-season, the area is very quiet and you can have the temple to yourself. Pilgrims camp close to the temple or along the tracks that lead to it. No other hotels or lodging options exist in the area.
An overnight camping trip to Hinglaj has a different feel from other camping trips. The goal of your trip should be to facilitate the experience of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, many of whom are camped along the access tracks. The same conditions prevail along the Makran Coastal Highway during the Yatra.
To have the best experience, ensure your arrangements are made well in advance for the specific dates of the Yatra. If camping is your goal, then consider using a tour operator who is used to organizing trips for pilgrims rather than a general camping operator. From Karachi, the Hinglaj Yatra route is much further and has much less comforts and amenities than the other, more popular coastal camping trips.
Avoid camping at the beach from April to October because of the extreme heat. July is the worst month to go to Kund Malir because of the risk of heat stroke. The best time to camp at the beach is from November to March.
During late March or early April, many Hindu pilgrims visit the Hinglaj Mata temple. This is called the Hinglaj Yatra. Because of the rush, the camping scene is different from other camping scenes along the coast.
Camping is not allowed from April to October.
When looking for an operator to use for your camping trip, it is important to consider the following:
How many times has the operator recently camped at Kund Malir and Princess of Hope? Knowing this helps to understand camp conditions along the Hingol River.
What is the lowest temperature that the sleeping bags are rated for? Operators need to be serious about their camping gear in order to earn your business.
How many liters of water per day are provided? What are the plans in case of an emergency?
Is the guide's Wildlife Department of Balochistan licence valid?
This section covers security protocols, including contact persons, evacuation plans, and communication devices carried by the operators.
CHECK BEFORE TRAVEL
Security Advisories for Balochistan issued by your government. Check the latest advisory prior to departure.
Condition of roads and tracks along the Makran Coastal Route, and the status of the camps, especially Kund Malir. Check one week prior to your planned departure.
AVOID
Camping at Kund Malir during the summer.The coast offers no shade and temperatures can soar to over 120°F (50°C) during the day. The ocean remains too cold to swim to offer any relief. October is the first comfortable month for camping.
Camping at Hingol River where Nile crocodiles are known to inhabit. Signs to indicate safe approach distances are not available.
A) Are there any hotels/lodging near Hingol National Park?
No hotels or lodges are found within Hingol National Park. Guest houses along the Makran Coastal Highway offer basic lodging outside the park. Within the park, and at the other attractions, camping is the only lodging allowed.
B) Where is the best place to go camping near Hingol?
Kund Malir Bay is a beautiful and popular spot to camp. Other camping and sites within the park are fairly barren and do not offer an appealing scene like Kund Malir. Princess of Hope area of the park has an interesting and uncommon geological site to camp.
C) How is the weather at Kund Malir in winter?
Winter camping at Kund Malir can be unpleasant. The coastal winds make it cold and uncomfortable and campers need a sleeping bag rated for freezing temperatures. Day time temperatures remain mild. Campers are often surprised by the low and unexpected temperatures.
D) Can I camp at Kund Malir independently?
Yes. It is fairly common in Pakistan for experienced camping groups to camp at Kund Malir Beach without a tour operator. You would have to transportation all your camping gear and supplies from Karachi, as there are no facilities on the beach, and you would have to take your garbage with you as well. Although there are no laws prohibiting it, you would need a guide to camp at the Hingol River and Wildlife areas.
E) How far is Kund Malir from Karachi?
It’s approximately 3 to 4 hours away via the Makran Coastal Highway. Many people in Karachi consider it a good spot for a camping trip because of it’s relatively short driving distance from the city.
F) Is it safe to camp at Hingol?
Compared to other areas of Balochistan, the Hingol area and the Makran Coastal Highway are relatively safe. Thousands of people from Karachi camp along the coast every year. Because of the rest of Balochistan's instability, it would be a good idea to check the most current travel advisories for your country. It is a good idea to use a local tour operator for the Hingol and Makran Coast areas.
We are currently offering our customers the opportunity to camp at Hingol. For reservations, please email us at your convenience at the following email address: HospitalityTours.com.pk. Also, please indicate your desired travel dates, the number of individuals in your group, and your specific camping location (Kund Malir beach, Hingol river section, or rock formations).
We have permit and camping arrangements for Hingol, and are ready to organize a camping tour for you. A park officer is required by law to be present in our camp, for which we will make the necessary arrangements. Please understand that no bookings will be final until we receive your approval.
+92 341 111 3777
Email: info@hospitalitytours.com