Travel Options from Quetta to Kalakot
Kalakot, located in the district of Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir, is known for its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. The journey from Quetta to Kalakot can be undertaken by road, train, or air, each offering a different experience in terms of time, convenience, and comfort. This article will detail the available travel options, including distance, routes, and estimated travel durations.
Distance and Duration:
- By Road: The distance from Quetta to Kalakot is approximately 850 kilometers (528 miles). The journey generally takes around 14 to 15 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
- By Train: There is no direct train service from Quetta to Kalakot, but travelers can take a train to Islamabad or Rawalpindi and then continue by road to Kalakot.
- By Plane: The aerial distance between Quetta and Islamabad is approximately 670 kilometers (416 miles). The flight duration is around 1.5 hours. After reaching Islamabad, travelers need to cover the remaining 140 kilometers to Kalakot by road, which takes around 3 to 4 hours.
By Road: Traveling by road from Quetta to Kalakot is one of the most popular options, despite the long distance. The drive covers about 850 kilometers, and the journey typically takes 14 to 15 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. The route primarily follows the N-65 highway, passing through Balochistan and the regions of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
The first part of the journey takes travelers through Balochistan’s vast and rugged terrain. As you enter Sindh and head toward Punjab, the landscape becomes greener, with the option to take breaks in major cities along the way, such as Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan. The final stretch, as you approach Azad Kashmir, offers scenic views of hills and forests, making the long journey a rewarding experience. Travelers should prepare for the road trip by ensuring their vehicle is well-maintained and by carrying food, water, and extra fuel.
Once you reach Islamabad or Rawalpindi, Kalakot is another 3 to 4 hours away by road, through well-developed roads. From here, travelers can follow the Murree Road to reach the hill station areas, eventually leading them to Kalakot.
By Train: Although there is no direct train service from Quetta to Kalakot, travelers can opt for a train journey to Islamabad or Rawalpindi, which takes around 12 to 14 hours. Once in Islamabad, passengers must switch to road transport to reach Kalakot.
The train journey offers comfort and the opportunity to enjoy scenic views of the countryside, especially while traveling through the regions of Balochistan and Punjab. Once in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, travelers can hire a taxi or use other local transport to continue their journey to Kalakot, a distance of about 140 kilometers, which typically takes around 3 to 4 hours.
Although train travel is not as convenient as road travel due to the lack of direct access to Kalakot, it provides a more relaxed journey, especially for those who enjoy the comforts of train services.
By Plane: Flying is the quickest way to travel from Quetta to Kalakot. The flight duration from Quetta to Islamabad is approximately 1.5 hours, covering a distance of around 670 kilometers. Several airlines operate flights between Quetta and Islamabad on a daily basis, making it a fast and efficient way to travel.
After arriving at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport, travelers need to proceed by road to Kalakot, which is about 140 kilometers away. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions. The journey from Islamabad to Kalakot passes through scenic areas, including the Murree hills, which add to the beauty of the trip.
While flying is the fastest option, it is important to account for the time spent at the airport for check-in and security, which can extend the overall travel duration.
Conclusion: Traveling from Quetta to Kalakot offers a variety of options, each suited to different preferences. Road travel is the most common and convenient, though it involves a long journey of 14 to 15 hours. Train travel offers a more leisurely pace but is slower and requires additional transport to Kalakot. Air travel is the fastest, cutting down the journey time to 1.5 hours, but requires additional time for local transport to Kalakot. Ultimately, the choice of travel option will depend on the traveler's time, budget, and comfort preferences.
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