Baluchistan border crossing
 

Hi guys, new member here!

I’m in my mid thirties now and am riding motorbikes pretty much all of my adult life. All my trips have been inside of countries like Germany, Vietnam, New Zealand and so on and I have never crossed a border to a neighbouring country whilst on a trip — so far. I want to change that in roughly half a year and ride my bike, together with a good friend, from Germany to Vietnam.

Within Europe border crossings won’t be an issue as a citizen of Germany. The one crossing (and area) my friend and I worry a bit about is the one from Iran to Pakistan — Baluchistan, to be precise. We both have never been there but have heard mixed reviews about its current state.

Has anyone here made the crossing from Iran to Pakistan recently or has any insights of that area? Should we skip it and maybe ship from Dubai to India?
Any tipps and insights are greatly appreciated — thanks!

Hello and welcome,
I cannot comment on the current state of affairs regarding that crossing as it is sometime since I made it but will say if possible and you are happy to do so do visit Pakistan, it is a beautiful country with a largely friendly and hospitable population and will be another highlight on what should be a great trip.
Hopefully someone will be along to advise on the currently situation in Baluchistan.

People get so worried about this area! Relax Bro, it is easy and nothing to worry about. Sure it takes time and yes, you need to be escorted but it is no big deal. 5 Long days with many stops and if it summer you will suffer badly as it is freaking hot. Winter is cold but bearable.

Hey bud,

I am looking to do this trip in June 2022, I am pakistani through heritage but born and living in the UK. Have a look at the below link of a couple who drove their camper van through Iran and Pakistan last month. The process is long because you have to get a government escort which is free until you leave the Risky area as such. I personally want to try going via the new board which is near Gwader and Rimadan with no escort and reportedly much safer but mixed messages regarding if you can cross with your own vehicle. Currently its open to busses, lorries, and people.

I think the area can be unstable but recently as of last 5 to 6 yrs the issues have been with uniformed officials and not directed at the general population but that said it can change anytime.

House dog has the right attitude, Relax and what will be....will be..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZXiAJyLndU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ITeCT9vIvo&t=44s

I have two befriended couples who have recently crossed from Iran to Pakistan (November 2021 and February 2022, respectively). At the moment it seems to be quite straight forward even with the 1200km escorted stretch in Baluchistan.

You might/will have much more trouble crossing from Pakistan into India (border closed to tourists as of yesterday) and then from India through/to Myanmar (since it's a war zone I would not count on that area opening up).

I am planning to ride to from Europe to India sometime later this year, so I am hoping that the borders that are open stay open and crossing from Pakistan to India will be possible again. At this point I am expecting to ship my bike onwards from India.

Cheers,
Benjamin

Did you manage to do this? Any feedback please ¿

My trip is a bit slower than anticipated, I expect to arrive in India sometime in spring this year.

Currently borders all the way to India seem to be open - but that is always subject to change. I even know of a couple who travelled Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan so that seems to be viable at the moment, too.

Cheers,
Benjamin

I am currently in India and there is a Spanish chap here who came through the Iran-Pakistan and Pakistan-India borders within the last two months without a problem.
He is cycling and tried to avoid the police escort by going through the entry point below Taftan but they caught up with him in Gwadar and he had one through to Quetta and possibly further which he found a pain.

So he reported crossing the southerly Iran - Pakistan border near Gwadar?

Yes, it didn't help though, he struggled to find a guesthouse that would have him and the police found him and insisted on escorting him anyway.