Kohat

Introduction

Kohat is a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and the headquarters of Kohat District. Its centre is built around a British-era fort, with various bazaars and a military cantonment close by. The surrounding area was the scene of frequent armed skirmishes between British colonial forces and local tribesmen in the mid to late 19th century, a history that still shapes how the city reads to a visitor.

Pashto and the Kohati dialect of Hindko are the main languages you will hear in Kohat, and they are a good starting point for understanding the city's character. Expect a working provincial city rather than a polished tourist stop, with its bazaars and cantonment giving shape to everyday life.

Getting around

Kohat has no metro, tram or passenger rail service, so plan everything around road transport. The city is compact and bazaar-centred, built around a British-era fort, a military cantonment and a network of markets. Walking is the natural way to cover the central bazaar and fort area, where the streets are busy and destinations sit close together; this is also where you will find the guava for which Kohat is famous. Dress modestly and keep valuables discreet, since the bazaars are crowded and you will draw attention as a visitor. For anything beyond the centre — the cantonment, the dam and lake area, or Tanda Wildlife Park — use a vehicle instead of walking.

Taxis and hired cars are the most straightforward option for door-to-door trips, and hiring a car for a half-day or full day is usually simpler than finding a new taxi at each stop when linking the fort area, the cantonment and outlying spots. Agree the fare before you set off, especially outside the central city, and arrange your return journey in advance if you go to Tanda Wildlife Park, which lies outside the city and is reached by road. A planned Green Bus Service was still in the planning stage at the time of reporting, so check locally whether it has launched before relying on it. Buses and vans are the conventional way in and out of the city for intercity travel; confirm departure points and timings locally and ask the fare before boarding. If you fly in, Kohat is served by its own airport close to the city, and the practical way into town is by road — arrange a taxi or pre-arranged car through your hotel if possible, confirm the fare before leaving the airport, and have your destination written down in Urdu or Pashto if you speak neither. Knowing a few greetings in Pashto or the Kohati dialect of Hindko will make directions and fares noticeably easier to sort out.

When to go

Kohat has a hot semi-arid climate, so the year divides into a hot, dry stretch and a cooler stretch, with the monsoon bringing the area's main rain. Temperatures climb through spring into a punishing summer, and the mid-summer monsoon delivers the year's main rainfall. During this hot season, heat shapes the day, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the early hours.

The winter half of the year is the comfortable window for a visit, with daytime conditions far easier than the summer heat. Rain is sparse during these cooler months, so travel and sightseeing are less likely to be disrupted.

Three days in Kohat

Day one: Start in Kohat itself, getting your bearings in a city of Kohat District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Expect to hear Pashto, Kohati and Hindko spoken around you, with Urdu useful for getting by. Walking is a good way to take in the streets; dress conservatively out of respect for local customs. In the afternoon, head out to Tanda Wildlife Park to see the area's wildlife.

• Spend the morning walking central Kohat
• Listen for Pashto, Kohati and Hindko
• Visit Tanda Wildlife Park in the afternoon

Day two: Use taxis to reach parts of Kohat District beyond the city centre. Agree on your fare before you set off. Temperatures can be high, so plan your outings for the cooler parts of the day, and carry water. During the hotter months, seek shade at midday.

• Hire a taxi and agree the fare first
• Plan around the heat

Day three: Take the Green Bus Service to explore further afield, as buses connect Kohat with other places in the region. Rain can arrive during certain seasons, so check conditions before you travel. Keep some time for a final walk through Kohat before you leave.

• Use the Green Bus Service for regional travel
• Check for rain before setting out