Spread Over 640 square miles, Hingol Natural Park located along the Makran Coast is the largest natural park in Pakistan, approximately 190 Kilometers away from Karachi.
Leaving Karachi very early in the morning, you can witness most of the shops in the Hub Chowki area have their doors wide open and people sleeping inside.
Awaiting sunrise we spent roughly an hour on the bridge over the Hingol River, though the river is mostly dried it only fills when it rains. It is said that crocodiles can be seen around when the river is high.
It was first time that I felt the importance of resolution of this matter; first time I felt that we are so close to our apparent rivals, though divided I felt happiness to see so called Indian Kashmir without any border, and just a seemingly omnipresent, barb wire spread all over to divide what is naturally together.
After a few flamboyant layers, the first sight of the sun is deep red and breathtaking, just as in a fairytale, the sun rises behind the layers of the mountain, striking the shades on the water beneath, creating silhouettes and slowly revealing the exquisiteness that it holds the entire scene feels like a backdrop of some uncanny world.
Only one hotel serves food in the entire natural park, from breakfast to dinner, this is people’s stop, Fried Eggs and Parthas with scrumptious chai were served by the two workers who usually keep the hotel open 24/7 considering the demand and location.
The entire area is spread with layers of Mud Mountains, and there are many mud volcanoes, most of which are now dormant, however climatic changes, sea winds and rain has impacted the rocks and turned them into beautiful and near-perfect sculpture formations.
Passing through these Mud Mountains, you silently come across, a natural rock, believed to be a formation of a dormant volcano, a beautiful lady, unnamed until 2005, when she was discovered by UN Goodwill Ambassador and world-famous Angelina Jolie, who gave her the name “Princess of Hope” believed to named considering the hope that Makran Coastal Line and development of Gawadar brings to Pakistan.
As closely as one goes to the princess of hope, the shape changes but the essentials remain the same, the more you go within the mountain, the more stunning it becomes.
It is not the only wonder that exists within the area, surprisingly other rock formations seem to be a replica of the Sphinx and a few more that are resembled things around us.
Though it is still enigmatic whether these were crafted by some master artisan or yet another natural wonder that makes the world go speechless. Mystery as this place holds, one can easily compare it to the Great American Canyons.
Between the hotel and the princess of hope, the utmost area has a long stretch of yellow mountain belt on one edge and Clear Blue Kund Malir Beach on the other; locally known as Agor the beach is a spellbound sight, you witness the beautiful mountains on the edges and endless prospect to the sea that sets the horizon. The water is flawless with waves gushing strong and a breeze so cold, one can easily spend all day there.
The amazing Balochi Karai is mostly the lunch served at the only hotel in the area, a place where you can see a good mix of locals and tourists.
“To Serenity”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
Every year, in April and in Navratri pilgrims come from all over Pakistan and even from India to pay homage.
On the way from the beach to Karachi, Kund Malir, Fish Market is spread over a long span. The fish of the area are very famous and considered to be delicious. You can have an amazing chai at hub chowki with locally made cookies, to end this supernatural journey to the land of mountains. Truly Pakistan is full of adventurous Joys…
The Josh Tour, the Young duo who loves travelling and more so Pakistan, organized the trip… I must say, along with the tour you can witness the passion for travelling and love for Pakistan very evident.
