Events / February
Balochistan
Sibi Mela
Pakistan's largest cattle and horse fair, a Baloch cultural gathering running since the 19th century.
Traders, musicians, and tent cities fill Sibi for a week of livestock shows, folk performance, and desert-market energy. First held in 1885, the Mela remains Balochistan's great annual gathering.
- Livestock & horse trading
- Baloch folk music
- Sword & traditional dance
- Tent bazaar
- Since 1885
- When to plan
- Late February each year; confirm exact dates before booking roads from Quetta.
- Getting there
- Drive from Quetta, roughly 160 km on the Quetta-Sibi road. Allow a full day each way, escorted travel, and a local guide who knows Mela camp logistics.
- Region
- Balochistan guide →
What to expect
Sword dances, horse trading, cattle auctions, and folk music fill the fairground. It is loud, dusty, and deeply Baloch, not a staged performance for tourists. Expect long days on foot, dust, and crowds around the main arena and livestock pens.
History
The Sibi Mela grew from a British-era livestock fair into a week-long cultural institution. Tribes and traders still meet here to show horses and cattle, settle business, and celebrate with music that carries across the plateau.
Combine with the coast
GreenPak does not operate a property at Sibi yet. Many guests pair the Mela with a Balochistan coast loop, Hingol, Gadani Lagoon, and Broadbeach Sonmiani, or plan it as a standalone cultural add-on from Quetta with the travel team.
Respectful travel
Dress modestly, ask before photographing people and animals, and follow your guide's cues around livestock auctions and tribal gatherings. This is a working fair, not a theme park.
