If you are fond of snowy mountains, chilly winter scenes with breathtaking mountain ranges; Quetta trip would always have been on your go-to trip list. Quetta is the capital of Balochistan and is also one of the top spots to enjoy snow falls and winter-centric activities in Pakistan. The city is surrounded by steep mountains on all sides, protecting the city like a fort. The most famous mountains here are Koh-e-Murdar, Chiltan, and Zarghun. Travelers from all over Pakistan come to visit this winter wonderland, but what if you want to have a Quetta tour during the spring or autumn season? Is there anything worthwhile to keep you busy? There will be lots of questions going on in your mind. Let them answer here one-by-one.

Let’s take some sneak peek of its HISTORY

The existing area of Quetta is surrounded by pastures and mountains, with several plants and animals relative to the dry plains to the west.

If we go back to the city’s history, from the 11th century CE, the land of Quetta was owned and ruled by the royal tribe of Pashtuns Kasi. Later on, it was captured by Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi during his invasion of South Asia. In 1543, Mughal emperor Humayun came to Quetta en route to Safavid Persia, leaving his son and future Mughal emperor Akbar here. In 1709, the region was a part of the Afghan Hotak dynasty and stayed apart until 1747 when Ahmed Shah Durrani conquered it and made it a part of the Durrani Empire. Moreover, the first European visited Quetta in 1828, and described it as a mud-walled fort surrounded by three hundred mud houses.

In 1876 Quetta was occupied by the British and subsequently incorporated into British India. In 1856, British General John Jacob had urged his government to occupy Quetta given its strategic position on the western frontier. British Troops constructed the infrastructure for their establishment. By the time of the earthquake on 31 May 1935, Quetta had developed into a bustling city with several multi-story buildings and was known as “Little London”. The epicenter of the earthquake was close to the city and destroyed most of the city’s infrastructure, killing an estimated 40,000 people. If you visit Quetta today, one can’t imagine that once this city was destroyed to its core.

Quetta is located at:

Quetta is bounded to the north by Pishīn district, to the west by Afghanistan, to the east by Ziārat and Harnāi districts, and to the south by Mastung and Nūshki districts. Quetta district, whose area has been reduced by the government as the population has grown, is geographically small compared with other districts in the province. Physically, it is mostly composed of valleys 1,400–1,700 metres (4,500–5,500 feet) above sea level, but its western edge lies along the foothills of the Central Brāhui range.

Quetta is famous for:

• Quaid Residency

Quaid Residence, known as “Quad-e-Azam Residence”, 8 km from Ziarat, is the founder of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who spends his last two months and ten days in this place. It is the most famous wooden landmark used as a sanatorium and was built in the British Raj in the summer of 1892, before entering the federal agent headquarters. Residence Quaid-e-Azam is a historic site with green grass, pine trees, and flower gardens all over the valley.

• Ziarat

Tourism to Quetta is incomplete without visiting Ziarat. Ziarat is the capital of Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. It is 8,850 feet above the low ground and is about 125 kilometers from Quetta. Wooded and beautiful border hills.

The disputed mountain is characterized by the highest peak of Ziarat, at 11,400 feet. Most tourists go on summer vacations. It is famous because Pakistan’s Founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the greatest commander, rested here for the last two months of his life. The surrounding hills are surrounded by lush trees, forming the base of the world’s most famous juniper bush. Juniper is considered to represent the true value of access. There are many trees in the valley that are nearly 7000 years old.

• Pishin Valley

It is located in the Pishin Valley in the northwestern part of Balochistan Province, about 50 km from Quetta in Pakistan’s Pishin District. It has 1,000 Acco fruit farms. The Pishin Valley is a prolific land with many fruits and crops. The Pishin Valley is a popular place for crop production. Besides crops, it is also known for growing vegetables and fodder. Today it is known for its gardens and agriculture in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pishin Valley is the heart and soul of the festival, the colorful crops, and the transfer of cultural festivals. The Pishin Valley is the most important tourist destination, with many beautiful sights in Balochistan.

• Quetta Museum

Whenever you want to relate to the history and civilization of western Pakistan, go to one of Quetta’s most famous museums, located near the bazaar, the Archeological Museum. Weapons, manuscripts, tools, and special clay products of the “Stone Age” family in the museum. The Geological Survey of Western Pakistan has a Historical Geological Museum in Quetta, which displays exhibited fossils and also displays aquatic fossils dating back to 540 million years ago.

• Hannah Lake

Lake Hanna, 14 kilometers from Quetta, Pakistan, has an impressive appearance surrounded by mountains. Hannah Lake was built side by side with the reservoir during the British Empire in 1894 and was the starting point of Hannah Lake. The lake’s water source provided a picture of the water mirror in an exposed brown environment. Visitors can easily rent Hannah Lake by speedboat and steamboat and wander around the unique islands in the middle of Hannah Lake. Hannah Lake is a very irresistible terrain point. Lake Hanna has no other fantastic places to travel. Hannah-Lake Quetta without visiting Lake Hanna is useless.

• Hazarganji Chiltan National Park

Hazarganji Chiltan National Park is the most popular and important place for tourists during Quetta‘s visit. Hazarganji means “a thousand gems”, which has to do with more than a thousand jewels that are legendary hidden in the 35,000 Acco parking lot. Hazarganji Chiltan National Park is only 16 km from Quetta City, and its purpose is to protect Markhor or Barbary Chiltan goats. The park is home to foreign plants such as juniper, pistachio, and almond trees.

• Quetta Local Market

For buyers who like local commercial product disputes, Quetta is the foundation of three popular and traditional markets. Suraj Gang Bazaar and Liaqat Bazar are located in Shah-e-Liaquat. Kandahari Bazaar is located in Shahrah-e-Iqbal. The bazaar offers local handicrafts, especially Baluchi mirrors made from world-renowned carpets and dressing rooms. In addition, you can see fur coats, jackets, shirts, jewelry, shoes, and sandals on the market.

• Urak valley

Known as the “Hometown of Orchards“, it is 22 kilometers from Quetta. The Urak Valley produces a variety of selected fruits, such as peaches, apple trees, pomegranates, and more. The waterfall at the other end of the valley gives you the most amazing scenery.

• Quetta Recreational Park

In addition to Chiltan National Park, there are many great places near Quetta, which makes the Karkhasa theme park only 10 kilometers away and the impressive Urak Valley 21 kilometers away. The road to the valley is surrounded by orchards and wild rose bushes. At the end of the valley, visitors can fall between the apricot and apple trees. In the mouth of the Urak Valley, there is the impressive emerald green lake Hanna. On the ring road in Quetta, a stable mountain bike departs from the bus base.

• Kan Mehtarzai Railway Station

Last but not least is the Kan Mehtarzai Railway Station, which probably falls in one of the oldest railway lines of Pakistan. Kan Mehtarzai is the world’s most famous railway station, 2224 meters from Quetta and it takes two hours by car. It’s not wrong to say that it became a Monument of Quetta, the tourist who is visiting Quetta must visit this railway station.

What’s the prevalent language in Quetta? 

Pashto is the language spoken by the majority of Quetta residents. Other languages include Brahui, Balochi, Urdu, Punjabi, Saraiki, Hazaragi, and Sindhi.

Best months to visit:

While many people make trips to Quetta for the snowfall, the best time to visit the region is actually between March and November, when you can explore the beauty of the surrounding valleys in pleasant weather.

What’s the Climate look like?

Quetta features a continental semi-arid climate with a large variation between summer and winter temperatures. Summer starts in late May and continues until early September with average temperatures ranging from 24 °C to 26 °C . Autumn starts in late September and continues until mid-November with average temperatures of 12 °C to 18 °C. Winter starts in late November and ends in late March, with average temperatures near 4 °C to 5 °C. Spring starts in early April and ends in late May, with average temperatures close to 15 °C.

Where to stay in Quetta? 

• Quetta Serena Hotel

As per reviews, the staff was courteous, professional, and willing. Although the room size was a little smaller, it was a good place to stay. 

• Other notable places to stay are Zulfiqar Hotel, Balochistan International Hotel, and Salsabila Hotel.

Where to Eat in Quetta? 

Some of the exotic and must-go-to places to eat while your visit to Quetta are as follows:

• Lehri Sajji House
• Usmania Tandoori Restaurant
• Saigon
• Gulshan Karachi
• TenEleven Continental
• Road Stoves Cafe
• Italian Creamz
• Dolphin
• Mehfil Restaurant
• The Vegas Pizza
• Balana Restaurant
• Cafe China
• Al Fajar Restaurant
• Sheraz Bar.B.Q
• Rv pizza shop
• My Pizza Hut
• United Savour Food
• The Vegas Pizza
• My Pizza Hut
• Chinese n Continental Grill

Moreover, one of the famous food items that you shouldn’t miss while making your trip to Quetta is Khaddi Kabab.

Information you should know:

• Electricity Complaint Center – 118
• Water Complaint – 2443156, 2441424
• Telephone Complaint – 18, 2821116, 2441000
• Chambers Of Commerce & Industry – 2821943, 2835717
• Civil Defence – 71143
• Civil Secretariat – 62020
• General Post Office (GPO) – 9201409
• Ambulance – 115 , 2824543, 9203334, 837295-296
• Police Station –   9202555, 9202777, 9201250