Quetta to Katpana Distance, Routes & Travel Duration

 

Quetta to Katpana – Distance, Travel Options by Road, Train, and Plane

Traveling from Quetta to Katpana takes you from the arid highlands of Balochistan to one of the world’s highest cold deserts located near Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Katpana Desert, often called the Cold Desert of Skardu, offers an extraordinary landscape of sand dunes surrounded by snow-capped peaks, making it a unique destination in northern Pakistan.

Distance Between Quetta and Katpana

• By Road: Approximately 1,105 kilometers (about 687 miles)

• By Air (via Skardu): Around 650 kilometers (about 404 miles) in a straight line

Travel Duration from Quetta to Katpana

• By Road: 24 to 28 hours

• By Train (to Rawalpindi/Islamabad) + Road: 30 to 35 hours

• By Plane (to Skardu) + Road: 8 to 10 hours

1. Travel from Quetta to Katpana by Road

A direct road journey from Quetta to Katpana is long but adventurous, offering diverse terrains—from plains and river valleys to towering mountain roads.

Route Options:

• Route 1 (via Sukkur and Multan):
  Quetta → Sukkur → Multan → Islamabad → Chilas → Skardu → Katpana

• Route 2 (via Zhob and D.I. Khan):
  Quetta → Zhob → D.I. Khan → Kohat → Abbottabad → Besham → Chilas → Skardu → Katpana

Once in Skardu, Katpana is only a 15–20 minute drive from the city center. The desert lies near the Skardu Airport and is easily accessible.

Estimated Time by Road:

• Quetta to Skardu: 22 to 26 hours

• Skardu to Katpana: 15–20 minutes

• Total Duration: Approximately 24 to 28 hours

2. Travel from Quetta to Katpana by Train

There is no direct rail access to Katpana or Skardu. However, you can take a train from Quetta to Rawalpindi and continue by road.

Train Segment:

• Quetta to Rawalpindi: Jaffar Express

  • Duration: About 24 to 26 hours

Road Segment:

• Rawalpindi to Skardu: 15 to 18 hours

• Skardu to Katpana: 15–20 minutes

This route involves traveling through the Karakoram Highway, one of the most iconic road trips in the region.

Total Estimated Duration (Train + Road):

• Train: 24 to 26 hours

• Road: 15 to 18 hours

• Total: Around 30 to 35 hours

3. Travel from Quetta to Katpana by Plane

Flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get from Quetta to Katpana, although it involves connecting flights.

Flight Path:

• Quetta → Islamabad: 1.5 hours

• Islamabad → Skardu: 1.5 hours (depending on flight availability)

There are no direct flights from Quetta to Skardu, so a layover in Islamabad or Karachi is required.

Final Leg – Skardu to Katpana:

• The Katpana Desert is located just 5 kilometers from Skardu Airport, a short 15–20 minute drive.

Total Estimated Duration (Plane + Road):

• Flights (including layover): 3 to 4 hours

• Road: 15–20 minutes

• Total: Around 8 to 10 hours

Travel Tips for Visiting Katpana

• Best Time to Visit: May to October. Snowfall occurs in winter, and access can become challenging.

• Altitude: Katpana lies at about 2,226 meters (7,303 feet) above sea level.

• Clothing: Warm layers are essential even in summer due to sudden temperature drops, especially at night.

• Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses are readily available in Skardu, just minutes away.

Conclusion

The journey from Quetta to Katpana is a visual and geographic transformation—from desert plateaus to icy sand dunes. Whether you travel by road, train, or plane, arriving at Katpana is a rewarding experience for those seeking one of the rarest landscapes in Pakistan. Its accessibility from Skardu makes it an easy addition to any Northern Pakistan travel itinerary.