Ziarat:
A visit to Quetta is incomplete without a trip to Ziarat. Situated 133 kilometers (3 hours by car) from Quetta at an altitude of 2449 meters above sea level. Ziarat is a holiday resort amidst one of the largest and oldest Juniper forests in the world. It is said that some of the Juniper trees are as old as 5000 years. The name Ziarat means, “Shrine”. A local saint, Kharwari Baba, is believed to have rested in the valley and blessed it. After his death he was buried here. People frequently visit the saint’s shrine, which is 10 kilometers from Ziarat.

Accommodation:
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation has a Motel Complex with 18 comfortable rooms and cottages. Accommodation can be booked from the PTDC Offices in Quetta, Karachi and Islamabad. There are other comparatively inexpensive hotels in the town’s center.  

Forest and Orchards:
Extensive research is being done in the forest nurseries to replace the juniper forest with the fast growing trees, as the regeneration of the juniper is very slow. The magic of Ziarat is its honey, its flowers which attain large size here, its luch green grass and cool weather even in the hottest months of summer, “Shinshoab”, a lavender like wild bush looks lovely in twilights. Over 4400 acres in an around Ziarat are under apple orchards. The apple grown in the orchards, particularly the black and red kulu variety are delicious. A fair amount of black cherry is also grown in Ziarat. The cherry season lasts from the 1st to 15th of June.

Chashma Walk:  
Between the ever-ascending hills and the deep ravine, there is a mile-long stretch of flat land ideal for a peaceful walk. This is the “Chashma Walk” which leads to the spring or a “Chashma” that provide water for the town. It is only 2 kilometers from the PTDC Motel Complex.

Prospect Point:
The view from Prospect Point is rewarding. It lies at a height of 2713 meters above sea level and is 6 kilometers from Ziarat. The road is metalled, but a walk is recommended. Once at the peak with wind whistling through the forest one can see the valley stretch out in undulating slopes in front. From a nearby cliff, one can clearly see the highest peak of these hills known as Khalefat, which rises to a height of 3487 meters. There is a small rest house situated nearby. Advance booking can be made through the office of Deputy Commissioner of Ziarat.

Shrine of Baba Kharwari:
The shrine of Baba Kharwari is 8 kilometers from Ziarat town. A member of Sarang Zai, his real name was Tahis. He became a discipline of Nana Sahib and a number of miracles are attributed to him. He is buried in a valley about 8 kilometers from Ziarat. A large number of people visit his shrine and offer sacrifices in his memory. During Eid festival, the tribesmen gather around the shrine and hold wrestling and marksmanship competitions.

Zindra:
Fourteen kilometers from Ziarat is the picturesque Zindra. Zindra derives its name from the Pushto word “Zindra” meaning “four grinding mills”. Zizree (16 kilometers) and Nauna Dam (20 Kilometers) are also interesting places for an outing near Ziarat.  

Quaid-e-Azam Residency:
Quaid-e-Azam Residency with its lush green lawns, Chinar trees and flower gardens commands a striking view of the whole valley. It is historical importance, as the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan, stayed there during his last illness. It houses the relics of the Father of the Nation. The Residency was built in 1882 by the British and used by the Agent to the Governor General as his summer headquarters.