Gwadar: the hammerhead on the Arabian Sea
Omani territory until 1958, a fishing town for most of its history, and a coastline that looks like nowhere else in the country.
Read itBalochistan
Quetta: the fruit garden in the fortress valley
Pakistan's highest major city at 1,680 metres, ringed by mountains, and the orchard capital of the country.
Weather now in Quetta 1,680 m
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When it snows: A few snowy days in most winters, most often in January; higher ground nearby gets more. More on the seasons
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0), updated every 30 minutes. Mountain weather changes fast: check again before you set off.
Quetta: the fruit garden in the fortress valley
Quetta sits at 1,680 metres in a valley closed in by mountains on every side, which is where the name comes from — kōta, Pashto for fortress.
It is the highest major city in Pakistan, it snows in winter, and it grows most of the country's stone fruit.
A short history
The Mughal emperor Humayun came through in 1543 on his way to Safavid Iran. When the British traveller Charles Masson saw it in 1828 he described a settlement of mud buildings.
The British occupied it and established control in 1883, valuing it for the route to Kandahar. It became the capital of Balochistan after 1947.
The defining event is the earthquake of 1935, which very nearly destroyed the city. What stands now is largely what was rebuilt afterwards.
Places worth your time
- Hanna Lake
- Ten kilometres out, a reservoir ringed by hills, and the standard afternoon trip.
- Urak Valley
- Orchards and a stream, and the best of the fruit country in blossom season.
- Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park
- South-west of the city, and the home of the Chiltan wild goat.
- Quetta Geological Museum
- Better than it sounds, in a province that is essentially one large geological exhibit.
- The bazaars
- For dried fruit, pine nuts and Balochi embroidery.
Before you go
April, May, September and October are best. Winters are cold with snow; summers are dry and hot. Check current travel advice for Balochistan before planning, and fly rather than drive.
On the map
Quetta on the map
The map tiles did not load. Every place is still listed below, with directions.
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Hanna Lake
Ten kilometres out, a reservoir ringed by hills, and the standard afternoon trip.
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Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park
South-west of the city, and the home of the Chiltan wild goat.
-
Urak Valley
Orchards and a stream, and the best of the fruit country in blossom season.
Also in Balochistan
Nearby
Ziarat: juniper trees four thousand years old
The second-largest juniper forest in the world, at 2,543 metres, with some individual trees older than most civilisations.
Read itTravel guides
Before you go
- Quetta to Khuzdar by Road: Distance and Route5 min
- Quetta Souvenirs: Onyx, Baloch Embroidery, Rugs and Dry Fruit5 min
- Northern Areas Trip Plan from Quetta6 min
- Ziarat Trip Cost from Karachi and Quetta5 min
- Urak Valley Quetta: Orchards and Picnic Guide7 min
- The 1935 Quetta Earthquake: History and Remains5 min
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