The best-documented caves of Balochistan are the Gondrani rock-cut caves near Bela, the sacred cave of Lahoot Lamakan in Khuzdar District, the cave shrine of Hinglaj Mata on the Hingol River and the prehistoric paintings at Tharia Cave near Wadh. All four sit in the south of the province, within a day's reach of Karachi, and they are very different places: an abandoned cave settlement, two living pilgrimage sites and a rock shelter with ancient art.
This guide describes each one, what sources say about getting there, and the security picture you need to read before choosing any of them.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Gondrani | Rock-cut caves, 20 km north of Bela, Lasbela District |
| Lahoot Lamakan | Sacred limestone cave and spring, Wadh tehsil, Khuzdar District |
| Hinglaj | Cave temple on the Hingol River, inside Hingol National Park |
| Tharia | Painted rock shelter, about 15 km west of Wadh |
| Best season | Cooler months; summer is hot and dry |
| Safety | UK advice is against all travel to Balochistan |
Gondrani caves near Bela
Gondrani, also called Shehr-e-Roghan, lies about 20 kilometres north of Bela in Lasbela District. Sources give the distance from Karachi as roughly 200 to 220 kilometres, about three hours by road on the N-25 to Bela and then a short rough track.
The caves are cut into solid conglomerate rock on several levels, joined by pathways. Each has small rooms with hearths, niches for lamps and a verandah. British-era records are said to have counted around 1,500 caves, while about 500 survive today. Dating is not settled: some writers call it a Buddhist monastery of the 7th or 8th century, others say a Buddhist link cannot be proven. Locals link the place to Mai Gondrani, a holy woman whose grave is a small shrine.
There is no conservation programme and few facilities, so bring water and food and leave in daylight. A high-clearance vehicle makes the last stretch easier. We have a separate guide to the Gondrani caves at Bela and to Bela town.
Lahoot Lamakan
Lahoot Lamakan, "the place beyond the world", is about 110 kilometres north-west of Karachi in Wadh tehsil, Khuzdar District. A Dawn writer described a drive of about three hours on a narrow road shared with marble trucks.
The cave is limestone with dripping stalactites. Visitors climb an iron ladder fixed to the rock, then crawl to reach the inner chambers. A spring below feeds a patch of date palms, and a small bazaar and tea stalls serve pilgrims.
The site is sacred mainly to Shia Muslims, who venerate a footprint attributed to Ali, and to followers of Shah Noorani, who is said to have spent his last days in the cave. Local Hindus say the cave was sacred before that. In Sha'ban thousands of pilgrims walk here from Sehwan over 14 nights; read our account of the Lahooti pilgrimage. Treat it as a shrine: dress modestly and ask before photographing people.
Hinglaj Mata cave shrine
Hinglaj Mata is a mountain cavern on the west bank of the Hingol River, inside Hingol National Park in Lasbela District. It is a Hindu temple to a form of Durga, reached from Karachi by the Makran Coastal Highway, about 328 kilometres and around four hours according to Wikipedia. The Hinglaj Yatra takes place over four days in April and is Pakistan's largest Hindu pilgrimage.
Outside the yatra it is quiet, and visits depend on local conditions. See our guides to the Hinglaj Mata temple, the yatra and Hingol National Park permission.
Tharia Cave paintings
Tharia Cave is on Pabu Mountain near Qili village in the Pallimas Valley, about 15 kilometres west of Wadh. Paintings were found there in March 2015: five panels showing a row of dancing men, humped bulls and deer-like animals, most probably Paleolithic according to the sources.
We found no reliable information on public access, facilities or a visitor route, so this is a site to know about rather than a trip to plan. If you are curious, ask the local administration in Khuzdar or Wadh before any attempt.
Is it safe to visit the caves?
Balochistan is the most restricted province in Pakistan. The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, and travellers with a foreign passport should know that going against such advice can void travel insurance. Pakistani visitors do travel to Gondrani, Lahoot and Hinglaj, mostly in daylight and in groups, often during pilgrimage seasons.
Check local news and current police advice the day before, avoid night travel and follow any route restrictions; our guides to Balochistan safety and the night travel ban go into detail.
Which cave suits whom?
- Families wanting a short, simple outing: Gondrani is the easiest, with a short walk among the caves.
- Pilgrims: Lahoot Lamakan and Hinglaj are visited mainly in their seasons.
- Archaeology enthusiasts: Gondrani first; Tharia only with local advice.
- Anyone uneasy about the security picture: the Sindh side of the border has other options, covered in our destinations section.
Frequently asked questions
What are the famous caves of Balochistan?
Gondrani near Bela, Lahoot Lamakan in Khuzdar District, the Hinglaj Mata cave shrine and the Tharia Cave paintings.
How far are the Gondrani caves from Karachi?
Sources give about 200 to 220 kilometres, roughly three hours to Bela plus a short rough track.
Are the Gondrani caves Buddhist?
Some historians say they were a Buddhist monastery of the 7th or 8th century; others say this cannot be proven.
How far is Lahoot Lamakan from Karachi?
About 110 kilometres north-west, around three hours by road according to a Dawn account.
Can I visit Balochistan caves with my family?
Pakistani families do, in daylight and with current local advice. Foreign visitors should check their government's advice first.
