What can be the best recreational place than a beach? It lets you rejuvenate and allows you to play, swim, walk in the mud and socialize under the sun. Although we have beautiful beaches in Pakistan but when it’s about Karachi beaches, the pollution that comes with it is enough to take your enjoyment away.
So, this time we decided to leave Karachi behind and travel to a gorgeous beach in Balochistan i.e. Ormara. It is located in the Makran coastal region. It used to be an old coastal town. According to history, the roots of Ormara are linked with Alexander the Great who stayed here with his army after conquering Sindh, Punjab and KPK in 400 BC. Ormara is named after one of the officers of Alexander, who died there.
It’s also one of the favourite picnic spots for Karachiites. Ormara is 350 km away from the city of lights i.e. almost 5-6 hours drive from Karachi. But not to worry as the thick, crafted, snake-type mountains, alluring destinations, and lush green plants will keep you hooked to the window. Here are the places you can explore while travelling to Ormara:
- Makran Coastal Highway
- Hingol National Park
- Majestic Mountains
- Princess of Hope
- Sphinx of Balochistan
- Kund Malir Beach
- Golden Beach
- Buzi Pass
When you reach Buzi Top, do stop at this place to view this attractive spot. From the Buzi Top, you can also see a Geological Wonderland, the Arabian Sea; a huge eroded land.
You will also find restaurants or food spots where you can take your lunch or tea break. Also, there are army checkpoints in Balochistan for your safety and security. So while going to Ormara, don’t forget to keep your original CNIC as they might ask you for that. Also, when you see Army checkpoints, don’t shoot any videos or pictures of that spot as it’s strictly prohibited.
From lush green views to incredibly tall, perfectly textured and wide mountains, you’ll be amazed at the creation of the Almighty. You’ll also see how perfectly the labourers have formed roads in between the mountains.
Princess of Hope
Situated in between the mountains, there’s a statue of a princess who’s standing tall, wearing a royal robe and a crown. Nobody knows about its history or its name but it’s said that the statue is 750 years old. And when the famous Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie visited this place, she named her ‘Princess of Hope’.
It’s also said that this statue is not man-made but it’s naturally carved by the winds of the Makran coast. But if you take an in-depth view of the place, it seems that there was a small community that existed here. According to history, the princess was lonely and was waiting for someone but no one came to her rescue. In this crucial time, there was only Sphinx who stood by her side. And that’s why there’s also a statue of the Sphinx over there.
Nothing is 100% true about this statue and only God knows about it. But if you’re travelling to Ormara, take a pause at this place to have its overview. You’ll also be curious to know about this Princess of Hope and Sphinx of Balochistan.
About the Beach
The beach itself is widespread, holds a mountainous view and alluring to the core. When you walk barefoot on the beach, you will be drawn to its essence. It won’t only lower your stress but will also let you appreciate the beauty of nature.
If you go on weekdays you’ll see less public. You can sit for hours on the beach or even swim as well since it’s not deep. And that is also the reason you will find no ships or boats here.
Things You Can Do at Ormara
Once you reached Ormara, there are plenty of activities you can do except for sightseeing such as:
- Beach Camping
- Bonfire
- Movie Night
- Outdoor Games
- Celebrations
- Hosting Dinners/Parties
- Photoshoot
- Sunbath
You should reach before sunset to capture the amazing view of this place. And if you stay there, you will wake up to a beautiful sunrise on the beach. And I guarantee, you will never forget the stunning morning view at this exquisite place.
There are many tours and travellers who organize trips to Ormara. It will cost around 8-10K per person. Camps will cost you Rs.1000-1500. But if you’re planning to stay at Ormara for more than a night then I won’t recommend it because there are not many activities you can do at the beach.
There are separate washrooms for males and females. Also, if you want to book a room, hotel or resort for yourself, there are options available for it as well.
Secondly, it’s a humble request not to litter the place. Take your trash bags with you to keep the place clean.
Wear your sunscreen and have a happy beaching at Ormara. Here’s a short glimpse of our trip to Ormara beach:
I prefer books and diaries more than phones and Facebook. Soulfully connected to Pakistan. And I passionately believe that I can change the world through blogging.
