Taftan

Taftan is a city in Balochistan. It's very close to the borders of Iran and Afghanistan.

Understand
Taftan derives its name from the mountain peak which is on the Iranian side of border and is snow capped in winters. The city is famous for trade items going from Indian subcontinent to Iran and vice versa.

This is the first Pakistani town you'll encouter on the Istanbul to New Delhi over land route.

Get in
Taftan is on RCD highway which connects Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan. RCD is a well built road and connects Taftan with Quetta to the east (600 km away, 12 hours of driving) and then onwards to Karachi to the south.

(August 2010) If you arrive from Iran via Zahedan and the border town Mirjaveh and have finished the paperwork, security forces (Balochistan Levies) will take you to their headquarter where you have to register once more. Then they will offer you an armed escort for the bus ride to Quetta for Rs1500. It is possible to refuse but no bus company will take you without escort if you're a recognizable foreigner.

Stay safe

 * The area is a major smuggling area for drugs, oil, carpets, movies, so be careful.
 * Do not stray too far from the main highway as not to get lost in the desert and trapped in a possibly lethal situation caused by dehydration.

Go next

 * To Iran
 * To Pakistani cities of Quetta, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad