Khuzdar is a city of about 218,000 people on the N-25 highway in central Balochistan, and the places most people go to from it are outside the city: the Moola Chotok waterfalls about 105 km to the north-east, and the cave shrine of Lahoot Lamakan in Wadh. The city has history and a busy market, but very little set up for visitors, and Balochistan is covered by security advisories. This guide covers what is worth knowing, and who should go.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 1,237 m |
| Population | 218,112 (2023 census) |
| From Quetta | About 300 km by the N-25 |
| From Karachi | Roughly 380 to 400 km by the N-25 |
| Best known for | Moola Chotok, Lahoot Lamakan, the N-25 route |
| Climate | Hot dry summers (record 43 C), cold winters (record low -8 C) |
| Security | The UK advises against all travel to Balochistan |
What is Khuzdar like?
Khuzdar sits at the head of a narrow valley, ringed by mountains, at about 1,237 metres. It was historically the capital of Jhalawan under the Khanate of Kalat, and in 1869 it was the scene of a battle between the people of Jhalawan and the Khan of Kalat. Brahui is the main language, spoken by around nine in ten residents.
It is Balochistan's third-largest city, with a university of engineering and technology and a medical college. Visitors describe a working market town, with the bazaar, sajji and roast mutton as the main things to do. A traveller who drove there from Karachi in 2017 described winding roads and a city walled by mountains on all sides.
Since July 2026 Khuzdar is also the name of a new division, which includes the districts of Khuzdar, Kalat, Surab and the newly created Wadh. Maps and news reports may use either set of names.
Moola Chotok
Moola Chotok is a ravine in the Kirthar mountains, roughly 105 km north-east of Khuzdar, where a river drops between cliffs in a waterfall known as Chotok ("falling water" in Brahui and Balochi). It is the best known destination in the district, and one guide also mentions a smaller waterfall with a pool nearby.
The practical facts come from older travel guides, so check them locally:
- The road is paved as far as Moola village, according to a PakWheels account, and from there it is off-road with river crossings.
- A high-clearance 4x4 is needed. Guides say a minibus cannot make the crossings.
- Guides give the off-road part as up to about six hours, so most people camp.
- Autumn (September to November) and spring (February to March) are the suggested seasons. Summers are very hot and monsoon storms can cause flash floods.
- A 2020 Zameen guide quoted tour operators at PKR 7,500 to 9,000 for a two-day package from Karachi. That is an old price and is not a quote.
- Carry original CNICs. Levies and Rangers posts line the route and may turn back anyone without them.
It is not an outing for young children or older relatives, and going with an experienced operator is better than going alone.
Lahoot Lamakan and Shah Noorani
The cave and shrine are in Wadh tehsil, not in the city itself. It is a pilgrimage site first and a sight second. Read our full guide to Lahoot Lamakan, and see the Lahooti pilgrimage guide for the foot journey from Sehwan.
History and archaeology around the city
Wikipedia notes several mounds of archaeological interest in the district, with finds from the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age, and names the Palace Mound as the most important. These are for specialists, not casual visitors, and there are no organised visits that we can verify.
One travel site mentions a Khuzdar Fort. We could not confirm its condition or whether visitors are allowed inside, so ask locally before planning around it.
Getting to Khuzdar
Khuzdar is on the N-25, which runs from Karachi through Hub, Uthal and Bela to Khuzdar and on to Surab, Kalat, Mastung and Quetta. Our guides cover each side: Quetta to Khuzdar by road and Karachi to Khuzdar by road. Khuzdar Airport exists, but we found no scheduled flights.
For a wider look at the province, our places to visit in Balochistan page covers easier options.
Is Khuzdar safe to visit?
The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan, and it can void travel insurance. Pakistanis do travel and live here, but you should treat it as a place needing current local information, not a casual trip.
Recent incidents give a sense of it. On 21 May 2025 a suicide bomber hit an Army Public School bus in Khuzdar, killing at least 10 people, most of them children. In September 2026 security forces reported killing five militants and recovering 23 abducted people after militants set up an illegal checkpoint on the N-25 near Kalat.
Balochistan has also restricted night travel on the N-25 since March 2025; see our night travel ban guide. Check local news, travel only by day, and read our guide to whether Balochistan is safe before deciding.
Who is it for?
Khuzdar suits people with family or professional links to the area, pilgrims heading to Shah Noorani and experienced overland travellers with local help. It doesn't suit first-time visitors to Pakistan, families on a holiday or anyone who wants a polished trip. Our destinations page lists the regions we do run trips to, and none are in Balochistan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Khuzdar famous for?
It is known as a main city on the N-25 highway, as the old capital of Jhalawan, and as the base for Moola Chotok and the Lahoot Lamakan shrine.
How far is Moola Chotok from Khuzdar?
About 105 km north-east, depending on the source. The last part is off-road and can take several hours with a 4x4.
What is the weather like in Khuzdar?
Summers are hot and dry, with a record high of 43 C, and winters are cold, with a record low of -8 C. Autumn and spring are the usual choice for travel.
Can you fly to Khuzdar?
Khuzdar Airport exists, about 5 km from the city, but we found no scheduled commercial flights. Most people arrive by road.
Is Khuzdar safe for tourists?
The UK advises against all travel to Balochistan, and there have been serious attacks in and around Khuzdar. Check current local advice, and overseas visitors should check their own government's guidance.
