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Travel Warning WARNING: Quetta is in the midst of violence targeted against the Hazara minority and Shia Muslims. During January and February of 2013, a string of bombings and attacks have happened all over Balochistan and Quetta, killing hundreds. The terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is very active in the area and has been threatening more attacks.

Quetta (Urdu: کوئٹہ, Balochi: کویته) is the capital of Balochistan province in Pakistan. If you are taking the overland route from Istanbul, Turkey to New Delhi, India without going through Afghanistan you will have to pass through Quetta.

Quetta is an excellent base for exploration of Balochistan. Kan Mehtarzai, which at 2224 meters above sea level was the highest railway station in Pakistan until the line closed in 1986, is a two-hour drive away. Loralai, the almond bowl of the country, is 265 km away. Besides, there are numerous other valleys that are fascinating places for explorers.





The population of Quetta district is approximately two million, and the city has an area of 2653 km2.



Quetta is known as the fruit basket of Pakistan. Plums, peaches, pomegranates, apricots, apples, guavas (locally called zaitoon), some unique varieties of melon such as "Garma" and "Sarda" and cherries, pistachios and almonds are all grown in abundance. Some pistachios also grow in Qila Saif Ullah. Saffron grows very well and is being cultivated on a commercial scale. Tulips are an indigenous flower of Pakistan. The yellow and red varieties of tulip grow wild in the area.

People and Culture[edit]



Nomadic tribesmen, mainly Balouchi, pass through Quetta Valley during spring and autumn with their herds of sheep and camels and their assorted wares for sale. This seasonal movement adds colour to the life of the city.


Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

1 Quetta International Airport is about 15 minutes by taxi from the city center. Flights with Pakstan International Airlines will take you here from most major cities in Pakistan such as; Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. As of 2014, there are no international flight available.

By train[edit]

There are daily train connections with most major cities in Pakistan. The overnight sleeper Bolan Mail departs Karachi daily at 17:00, arriving after noon the next day. Another sleeer train, Quetta Express starts in Peshawar (33 h) daily at 80:00 and make stop-overs in Rawalpindi (29 h) and Lahore (24 h) on its way, arrival time in Quetta is around 17:00 the next day. Coming from Afghanistan, there is a train departing the border town of Chaman every day at 14:00, arriving later that evening just before 18:30.

One international connection is available, with Zahedan in Iran. The train departs Zahedan the 3rd and 17th of every month at 08:00, supposedly arriving the next day at 15:15. Be aware however that delays are the norm, the actual arrival time is usually between 3-6 hours after schedule. On some occasions this train might be cancelled and replaced by a bus.

All trains arrive at 2 Quetta railway station just off Zarghun Road, a few blocks west of the city centre.

By road[edit]

The highway connects eastward to Karachi and westward via Koh-e-Taftan to Tehran, Iran, 1,435 km away. The road to Sibi connects it with Punjab and upper Sindh. The road via Loralai - Fort Monro -D.G. Khan and Multan is a shorter route for Punjab. The Chaman Road is a link between the country and the Afghan border.

Get around[edit]

On foot[edit]

The city centre is small enough that a visitor can reach most places by foot. It is a place of ancient monuments, wide tree-lined boulevards and sterling British architecture. Even more compelling, Quetta has a dramatic setting, with a mountainous backdrop on all sides. Most sights can be easily seen in a day: the impressive Archaeological Museum of Baluchistan, the fort or the city’s many colourful bazaars—great places to pick marble, onyx, and some of the finest carpets in Pakistan.


By auto-rickshaw[edit]




Hanna Lake[edit]



Hazarganji Chiltan National Park[edit]


In the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, 20 km southwest of Quetta, Markhors, have been given protection. The park is spread over 38,437 acres, altitude ranging from 2,000 to 3,200 metres.



Pir Ghaib[edit]

It is a waterfall and picnic point located 70 km from the city centre on Sibi Road.


Located 10 km west of Quetta


  • Archaeological MuseumFifa Road. Open 9AM-3PM daily. Has a collection of rare antique guns, swords and manuscripts. It has a display of Stone Age tools, prehistoric pottery and articles found from Mehrgarh. There are also coins, manuscripts and photos of Quetta before 1935 earthquake.

Amusement and Recreation[edit]





Numerous colourful social festivals are also source of jubilation. Sibi festival that traces its roots to Mehrgarh, an archeological site of ancient human civilization, attracts people from across the country. It is attended by common folk, ministers and other government officials. Folk music performances, cultural dances, handicrafts stalls, cattle shows and a number of other amusing activities. Buzkashi is a peculiar festival showing the valor of Pashtun people. It is celebrated on horseback by two teams that use their skills to snatch a goat from each other.



The main bazaar is on Jinnah Road. Prominent bazaars of Quetta are located on Shahrah-e-Iqbal (Kandahari Bazaar) and Shahrah-e-Liaqat (Liaqat Bazaar and Suraj Gang Bazaar). Here you can find colourful handicrafts, particularly Balochi mirror work and Pashtun embroidery. The Pashtun workers are expert in making fine Afghani carpets, with their pleasing and intricate designs, fur coats, jackets, waist-coats, sandals and other creations of traditional Pashtun skills.

Balochi carpets are made by the nomadic tribes of this area. They are generally not nearly as fine or expensive as the Persian city products, or even the Turkoman tribal rugs from further North, but they are generally better than Afghan carpets and more authentic than the bad copies of Turkoman and Persian designs that the cites of Pakistan produce. They definitely have a charm of their own. They range from relatively crude rugs that can, with some bargaining, be had be purchased for very reasonable prices to fine and valuable pieces. Many are small enough to be carry.


Sajji being cooked

In the old bazaars are old tea-shops, which are the local social clubs. There are also many popular eating houses offering different types of delicacies. Among the popular delicacies is Sajji (leg of lamb), which is tender and is not very spicy. It is a whole leg of lamb marinated in local herbs and spices and barbecued beside an open fire. It is very popular among the locals and is offered with great insistence to the guests. The Pathan tribesmen of the valley also enjoy Landii (whole lamb) and Khandi Kebab. Landhi s a whole lamb which is dried in shade and kept for the winters. Kebab shops are very popular, the best being Lal Kebab, Tabaq, Cafe Farah and Cafe Baldia. They serve Pakistani and Continental food. The Chinese restaurant that is one of the oldest in town is Cafe China. Some of the finest mutton in the country is raised around Quetta. It has a delicious smell which can be sampled in the 'Pualao that most of the eating houses.

There is famous Lehri Sajji house and Mir Afzal Karahi at Jinnah Road. The most famous is the Khadi kebab kebab which is just behind the street at Liaquat Bazaar

The Pashtun people are also known for their refreshing green tea and Dood Pati shops



  • Being an Islamic country, Alcohol is banned but is available for non Muslims. None of the hotels have bars, although at some alcohol can be ordered as room service.


  • Quetta is well known for its Kawa (Green Tea) and Shere Chai also known as Dood Pati Chai. Kawa has a unique flavour, and is usually served sweet, lemon and ginger powder are optional additions.



  • 1 Shees HotelM.A. Jinnah Road, 823015. Centrally located. The rooms are a good value, and the manager is helpful.
  • Armani HotelAirport Rd (Airport Road towards Afghanistan),  +92 300 380 0976. Check-in: 20:00, check-out: 11:30. Variety of accommodation for all travellers. Friendly environment for all guests, with an international clientele.
  • 2 Bloom Star Hotel8 Stewart Rd (in a side street of Jinnah Rd near train station),  +92 81 283-3350. Check-out: 12:00. Clean Hotel with two gardens where you can pitch a tent. Also has a parking area. camping Rs300, Single with bathroom Rs600.



  • 3 Quetta Serena Hotel (In Cantonment area, crossing of Zarghoon Rd and Hali Rd.),  +92 81 2820073fax: +92-81-2820070. One of the best hotels around, centrally located and offers lots of service. Prices start at US$170 per night.

Stay safe[edit]


Currently the general level of safety for foreigners deteriorated as the Head of the UNHCR office in Quetta was kidnapped and taken to Afghanistan. If you are on an official mission or high-profile business some caution should be exercised.



FM100 Pakistan is the state-run radio channel with local news and other information. FM105 is an ew private radio channel which in a short time have captured the young audience of Quetta valley due to its modern and open approach to songs and current affairs.


Go next[edit]

Urak Valley[edit]


Pishin valley[edit]

Filled with numerous fruit orchards, the Pishin Valley is 50 km away from Quetta. These orchards are irrigated by ‘karez’. There is the attraction of cool waters, i.e. man-made lake with Bund Khushdil Khan (Tareenan).


A visit to Quetta May be considered incomplete without a trip to Ziarat (133 km from Quetta, 3 hours by car), a hill town 8000 feet above sea-level, where the founder of Pakistan Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah spent his last days. Air-conditioned coach and taxis take anything between an hour or two from Quetta, an ideal and relaxing summer retreat with rows of juniper trees and ever green slopes.


Khojak Pass[edit]


Bolan Pass[edit]

Over the centuries several armies from Central Asia and north intruded into the lands of India through this pass. It is a picturesque hilly road, although you may encounter member of Al-Qaeda.

Lak Pass[edit]

While cruising through the hilly tract between Quetta and Kalat, you cansee the route to Zahidan, Iran. Koh-e-Taftan and Saindak copper mines are en route.

Harnai Pass[edit]


Mehrgarh, ancient civilization[edit]

During recent decades, a lot has been done to explore the culture and civilization of ancient people. An important site near Quetta is Mehrgarh; people there had farming by 7000 BCE, the earliest known in India or Pakistan.

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