Kirthar Range Transportation

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To reach its first center Khar, situated approx. 95 km from Karachi, one requires their own transport. Although we took our sedans, preference should be given to 4x4 if one wants to explore. Our journey was simply exploratory and we were not aware about the road conditions.

Map Explanation:

1/ From Karachi take superhighway till you reach Northern Bypass exit, heading north (restaurant Al-Habib marks the spot) – approx. 20km from city center.
2/ Take the northern bypass (pay Rs. 10 toll) going towards Baluchistan, now you will heading west. After traveling approx. 30 km you will reach a sign board for Hamdard University at your right. Left road is going towards Mangopir, and road straight towards Hub town and than to Baluchistan.
3/ Go towards Hamdard University this road will take you straight to Hub Dam, approx. another 25 km. Till here the road is double track.
4/ Once you reach Hub Dam, one road is climbing the Dam, and there is another going right (marked by a fading Kirthar National Park sign). The road now is single track (and surprisingly) newly built. Khar is approx 19 km from this mark. One important note: After traveling approx. 5 km, there is a fork on the track going right, take the left track. Right track takes you back to Karachi (another route but road condition is quite bad).

On 3 occasions, you will have to cross a dried out river stream. Trucks and other vehicles have flattened the track, and once can easily take ones car across it. The road ends where Kirthar National Park starts.

Khar Center is right from the road, and this road has been completely washed out due to rain. One requires a 4x4. I did manage to take my Honda City, but it was torture for the car. The last steep climb is full of gravel, God knows how I managed to take my car up. Others were more sensible and left their cars below and walked.

Do not do off-roading in your Sedan in the surrounding areas as you are liable to get stuck in the sand. I got stuck 3 times, and than gave up and returned.