Up-to-date status of travelling from Quetta to Taftan?

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dbhouston
dbhouston

Hi all, I'm heading to Pakistan after I visit India at the end of this year and had planned to work my way back to Europe overland via Iran. I'm aware of the complications and dangers/discomforts involved with taking a route towards the Iranian/Pakistani border but this is the way I am choosing to travel and was therefore wondering if there are any up-to-date information on making this trip?

I understand that Pakistan's accessibility changes frequently, and know that I'll have to update my plans when I am to embark, but I suspect there will be still similarities to the logistics of this trip. What is the procedure and experience of those who have travelled overland from Quetta to Tafta? I suppose the police will be ready for you at Quetta station?!

Any help will be brilliant, cheers!

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SpankingSteve
SpankingSteve

First off, you will need to apply for your Pak visa before you leave home as these are not available on the road, nor will it be straightforward, with Pak consulates currently requiring an LOI (letter of introduction) from a Pak based tour operator, plus numerous other forms of documentation and a hefty fee ! As you will need to have this before you leave to begin your India trip, you may have to tailor your time in India to fit around your entry into Pak. Pak visa is usually 30 days entry valid for 90 days from issue, so you will have 90 days to enter Pak after your visa is issued, you will also need an Iran visa, as these are not available at the border.

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oskar.scholdstrom
oskar.scholdstrom

I did the trip from Taftan to Quetta in November 2014, you can read the trip report here.
When I arrived in Quetta I met 3 motorcyclists going towards Taftan and they had pretty much the same experience going the other way. They needed the NOC, had to wait a few days in Quetta, escorted all the way to the border etc.

Situation might have changed now though, but that's what it was like in Nov 2014 at least.

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dbhouston
dbhouston

Thank you guys for replying!

I'm currently waiting to hear back from the brilliantly named Gerry's visa dropbox on the potential of obtaining a visa with up to a 6 month window for activation, so I'll play it in accordance to what they reply with. Hopefully this isn't too tricky.

Thanks for the documentation of your trip oskar, it's really helpful!

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oskar.scholdstrom
oskar.scholdstrom

For the record the embassy in sweden told me mine was only active for a 1 month window, but when I received it it was 12 months.

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shandur_adventure
shandur_adventure

Its not advisable to travel overland through Baluchistan province specially from Quetta to Taftan due to the presence of Baloch separatists in the area.

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