Kund Malir and Hingol National Park are not really rivals, because Kund Malir beach lies inside the park. The real choice is between spending your time on the beach or on the rock formations and mud volcanoes further along the Makran Coastal Highway. If you want sand, sea and a night under the stars, go to Kund Malir. If you want strange landscapes to photograph, add the Hingol sights, which take more driving.
Here is how the two compare, so you can decide how far west to go from Karachi.
| Kund Malir | Rest of Hingol National Park | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A wide beach on the Arabian Sea | Rock formations, mud volcanoes, a river gorge and a shrine |
| Distance from Karachi | About 237 to 250 km | About 200 km (Chandragup) to 300 km (Buzi Pass) |
| Time needed | A half day to an overnight stay | A full day, or part of two |
| Facilities | Very basic | Almost none |
| Best for | Swimming, camping, relaxing | Photography and short walks |
How are Kund Malir and Hingol connected?
Hingol National Park covers about 6,100 sq km across Lasbela, Gwadar and Awaran districts and was declared a national park in 1988. Wikipedia describes Kund Malir as a beach located within the park, and lists it in Asia's 50 most beautiful beaches for 2018. The Makran Coastal Highway runs along the southern edge of the park, so "going to Hingol" usually means driving the highway and stopping at several places along it. Our Hingol National Park guide covers the whole park, and our Kund Malir beach guide covers the beach.
Choose Kund Malir if you want
- A beach day. The sand is wide and the sea is open. It is the main reason most Karachi families come. Swim carefully and stay in shallow water; see our post on whether Kund Malir is safe.
- A night of camping. There is no hotel in the park, so people bring tents. Our Kund Malir camping guide covers wind, tide and what to carry.
- The shortest drive. At roughly 240 km from Karachi, it is the nearest of the big sights, and a very early start makes a single long day possible, as in our Kund Malir day trip guide.
- Less walking. Almost everything happens at the beach, which suits older relatives and young children better than a dusty mud volcano walk.
Choose the wider Hingol sights if you want
- Unusual scenery. The Chandragup mud volcano is about 200 km from Karachi, a kilometre off the highway, and rises to around 58 metres. Farther west, the Balochistan Sphinx and the Princess of Hope stand beside the road near Buzi Pass. See our Balochistan Sphinx guide.
- Photography. The clay formations look best in the low light of morning or late afternoon. We cover this in more detail in our Hingol photography guide.
- Wildlife and landscape. The park has marsh crocodiles in the river, and sea turtles use the coast. Don't expect to see much from the highway; our wildlife guide explains what is realistic.
Can you do both?
Yes, and most people should. The sights are strung out along the same road, so a two-day trip can cover both: mud volcano and Kund Malir on day one, Sphinx and Princess of Hope on day two. Our 2-day Hingol itinerary sets out that sequence with timings.
If you only have a single day, choose one end. Either stop at Chandragup and Kund Malir, or accept a very long day to push on to the Sphinx. Trying to see everything in one day from Karachi means about 600 km of driving and a risk of returning after dark, which you should avoid on Balochistan roads.
What the two have in common
Both sit in Balochistan, so the same rules apply:
- The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, and travel insurance can be affected for overseas visitors. Check your own government's advice.
- Pakistani visitors usually pass levies checkposts and need their CNIC. See CNIC requirements for Balochistan.
- Drive only in daylight. Our Makran Coastal Highway safety guide explains why.
- Bring all the fuel, water and food you need. There are no services between Hub and the parts of the park you will visit.
- October to March is the best season; summer heat is severe. See the best time to visit Kund Malir.
Our advice
For a first visit with family, make Kund Malir the aim and treat the mud volcano as a bonus on the way. For a photographer or a group of friends who like exploring, go for the full two days and put the formations first. If the weather forecast is hot, windy or wet, choose another weekend, because both the beach and the formations are exposed and have no shade.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kund Malir part of Hingol National Park?
Yes. Kund Malir beach is located inside Hingol National Park, which is why people often use the names interchangeably.
Which is better, Kund Malir or Hingol?
It depends on what you want. Kund Malir is better for a beach day or camping, while the wider park is better for rock formations and mud volcanoes. Most visitors see both on a two-day trip.
How far is Kund Malir from Karachi?
About 240 km, and sources quote between 237 and 250 km. It takes roughly three and a half to four hours.
Can you see Hingol in one day?
You can see the nearest parts, such as Chandragup and Kund Malir, in a long day. The Sphinx and the Princess of Hope are further west, and a two-day trip is more comfortable.
Is there accommodation at Kund Malir or Hingol?
Not inside the park. Visitors bring tents or stay in basic guesthouses in Ormara, further west along the coast.
