AqeelBaig
Age: 60 
4493 days old here
Total Posts: 3576
Location:
Karachi, Pakistan
Status : Offline |
Subject : Camping at Ranikot Fort & Gorakh Hill
Trips r Trips.
There is no exception.
What makes the trip exceptional is
• Camping at Ranikot Fort, Dadu (China Wall of Pakistan)
• Camping at Gorakh Hill, Dadu (5600 feet above sea level)
• Fun at Gaaj River.
This is we did on 24th-26th August 2012.
An off-roading, camping, astronomy & much more adventure filled 900 km journey.
Three SUV’s, 13 persons + one local from Dadu onboard:
1. Hanif Bhatti (Pajero)
2. Aqeel Baig (TLC Prado)
3. Camran Mir (Mutt)
4. Dr. Yaqoob
5. Fahad Ullah
6. Babar Kaleem Khan
7. Mehdi Hussain
8. Farzal Dojki
9. Taabish
10. Asif Kamboh
11. Aijaz Hussain
12. Khalid Siddiqui
13. Moonis Ahmed
14. Huzoor Bux (local)
It started from Karachi & our 1st stopover was Ranikot Fort (Near Sann on Indus Hwy).Around 100 km from Hyderabad while travelling towards Larkana.
It was hot & humid & what else to do then dip into river stream where small fish waiting for skin massage.
Yes it was a fabulous experience for many & a second one for a few who already had it at our Kanrach, Balochistan trip.
We all went to see the west wall of the fort which is at a walking distance of 1-1/2 km from fairy pond (this point is marked on GE also).
We camped inside Meeri Kot on 1st night. This is the only place in 32 km wall perimeter of Ranikot fort which is accessible by road.
What a feeling, inside the fort defending it from intruders with what Bar-B-Q which we were supposed to eat as dinner.
It was windy inside & preparing Bar-B-Q became hell of a task. We accomplished it after 3 hrs struggle.
Thanks Fahad Ullah for excellent dinner. You are booked for next camping dinner also.
On 25th we started our journey further towards Goarkh Hill Dadu.
Had B/F at Sehwan & reached Dadau at 1100 hrs. Refreshed at Sui Gas Hqtr, got Chicken Biryani, soft drinks, water etc & left for Gorakh via Johi,Wahi Bandhi @ 1230 hrs.
From Dadu to Gorakh Hill is 105 km. Last 25km is uphill.
The road is in very poor condition & this drive takes almost 3 hrs nonstop.
We reached the top 5600 feet at 0430 pm with few stopovers at johi & wahi with late lunch i.e. Chicken Biryani at a view point 16 km before summit.
It was very pleasant at the top with a marvelous view of surroundings.
We were standing at the highest point of Sindh Province.
Camps pitched, telescope erected, photography in full swing & tea was on fire.
Not alone at that place, a few other were also enjoying the Hill top.
Found out, Now Khuzdar is jeepable from Gorakh. It is a 12 hrs journey.
Inshallah shall do this track.
The camping at Gorakh hills is once in a life time experience. It was my 2nd visit over there. 1st one was in December 2010 & was freezing cold. We kept on sitting in front of fire for whole night.
But not know, being August, pleasant, slight chill, not windy & superb views.
On 26th August, we started our journey towards Gaaj River. It is an hour drive from Hill top.
The river sight was beautiful, recent rains in catchment area had resulted in plenty of water.
We managed to put our SUV’s in the river bed & had an excellent fun filled water bath over there.
After 2 hrs stay, the journey back home started.
Had a brief stopover at Dadu & then headed towards home sweet home.
Reached at almost midnight.
Thanks all my friends & company for making this trip a memorable one.
Special thanks to Hanif Bhai for accommodating all.
We love to be away in woods.
Enjoy the pictures & a few videos.
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