Beautiful Places to visit in Swat Valley for Tourism

 Most Beautiful Places in the World

If you are fed up with the rising temperatures and want to get some relief, pack a bag and go to visit most beautiful places in the world.

Now the question will arise in your mind, which area to go for tourism, where you can enjoy the natural views and fresh air at a low cost. Many of you may have visited the tourist spots of Pakistan before but there are still many places that you might not be visited.

The valley we are talking about today is located in the Malakand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which we know as Swat Valley. At one time, there were many problems regarding security in Swat, but the Pakistan Army has restored the splendor of that area by carrying out operations against terrorists. Where thousands of domestic and foreign tourists go every year and have fun at different places.

A trip to Swat Valley

If you travel to Swat by air, the flight will land at Bacha Khan Airport in Peshawar and if you want to travel by train, you have two options:

First is that you will travel about 30 hours from Karachi to Peshawar station.

Second is that you will depart from Karachi and reach Rawalpindi station.

First route

After landing at Peshawar, you will get public coaches from there to reach Swat, while if you want to go by your private vehicle, this facility is also available.

The route from Peshawar to Swat is 198 km which can be covered in about three hours.

Second route

After landing at Rawalpindi station, you will find coasters from Peer Wadhai Lorry Adda to Mingora and Bahrain, which will depart at 6 pm, 9 pm and 11 pm. Their fare is within 1000 rupees, while from here you can also go to Mingora by private vehicle, which will cost around 8000 rupees.

The distance from Rawalpindi to Swat is around 237 km which takes about three and a half hours to cover.

If you want to travel from Rawalpindi to Swat, night-time will be very suitable as there is no traffic pressure and the distance is covered quickly.

Route Guide to Swat

From Rawalpindi to Swat, one has to travel on M5 (motorway). Before the tunnel was built, it used to take four hours to reach Mangalore from Malakand. The passengers were also scared because it was a single road with two-way traffic. 

But now the tunnel has been constructed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, after which the route has been reduced by one and a half hours.

A road has been cut through the mountain to get to the tunnel, which makes the first-time travelers a bit nervous while some even feel nauseous. After 5 to 10 minutes, this path will end and the tunnel will start, after seeing which you will surely open your mobile and record the video (as the tourists who go every year also do).

After exiting the tunnel, the vehicle will arrive at Mingora bus stand. If you left Rawalpindi at 11 p.m., the call to prayer would be made shortly after your arrival, and if you left Rawalpindi at 9 p.m., you would reach Mingora around 12:30 a.m.

After reaching Mingora you will have ways to go. This area is also important because from here to the right are beautiful places such as Bahrain, Kalam, Hoshu, Glacier, Malam Jabba, Gabina Jabba, Green Chowk, and Fiza Gut.

If you wish, stay at a hotel in Mingora and from here, depending on your budget, proceed to Malam Jabba by private or public vehicle, where you will reach the resort after a three and a half hour drive over mountain roads. This place is about 9,200 feet above the sea level, while Kundal Lake is also there.

There is also a park on the Fiza Gut where Swat River flows on the west side. In which the tyre tube boats ply, while here the kids will also show their skills by jumping into the water. This park is built on solar system.

It is a 60-km route from Mingora to Bahrain via Bagh Dairy Road, which can be reached by an hour and twenty-five-minute drive. In public transport, the time may take more than two hours according to the passengers. Along the way you will see rolling fields, waterfalls, and mountains.

Kohistan Valley

After reaching Bahrain, if your face is towards the Kalam, you will hear the sound of river from the right. Whereas you enter a street, you will see a strong iron bridge built by local engineers over the water. It is so strong that daily vehicular traffic passes through it.

On your way to Kalam from Bahrain, you will first come to Kedam area on the right-hand side, where you climb the mountain and above it there is a beautiful area called Gurnai.

Taking the route to Kalam, on the right-hand side you will see the river flowing by Kalam. In the last two years, the road has been modernized and the journey has become much more pleasant.

On the right and left are the houses of local people on the mountains. On each mountain, a family resides. They are given different names.

Generally, tourists are not allowed in these areas, but if you talk to a local and convince him, he can take you with him, where you can hike and make the tour more enjoyable.

Then on the right, area Mankyal comes from where you reach Jabba by a difficult and dangerous route. There are green fields and white colored Khan of Swat Palace.

After a difficult 4-hour trek, you reach 'Jabba', which the locals call the most beautiful area of Swat or Switzerland. A normal car cannot go there but you have to take a special jeep to reach Jabba. It is very difficult for common tourists to reach this area.

After passing Mankyal, the next area will come to Lai Kot, where on the right-hand side you will see a big rock stuck in the mountain. Local residents say that they have been seeing the stone like this for years.

Along the way you will see streams of water running down the road, some of which may have pipes or bottles attached to them. A pipe or bottle indicates that it is drinkable water, and the rest is sewage water.

Before you reach Kalam, you will find hotels, shops and promenades. There is also a check post before it. After reaching here, if you want to enjoy the next trip, then stay here and next morning you can leave for Osho Jungle, Waterfall, Mahodand and Saifullah Lake.

The beautiful mesmerizing views of Mahodand Lake and the route will energize your mood.

Kumrat Valley

Before Osho there is an open field on left hand side which the locals call Banda Kali. Children and youths are seen playing cricket here in the evening. A little further from this field there is a road on right hand side leading to Kumrat Valley, where you have to take a private vehicle. Tourists are mesmerized to see the famous waterfall, Katora Lake in Kumrat valley.

Usually, tourists return to Kalam after arduous journey to Kumrat and then catch the departure. If you reach there, a path on right hand side leads to Gujjar Gabral.

Here on the way, you will see a lake called 'Dhamaka Lake' by the locals. Because it came into existence accidentally after an explosion. No one knows its depth. Interestingly, the higher you travel, the colder the temperature will feel and the colder the water will be. As evening falls, the temperature here drops very low.

After passing Dhamaka Lake, you are behind the mountains visible from Kalam. There will also be many interesting places along the way. Potato crop will be harvested in August. After reaching Gujjar Gabral, you will see mountains behind and river in front.

Kharkhari Lake

Beyond here is Shahi Bagh, Kharkhari Lake. If you dare to go here, you might forget the beauty of other areas.

Usually tourists visit only Kalam, Osho Jungle, Mahodand, and Malam Jabba. While there are many places where a large number of tourists can visit if a few arrangements are made.

People from all parts of Swat Valley are hospitable. They will not only welcome you but also go ahead and help you out if there is any difficulty.

Due to above mentioned area being located at a high altitude, there is annual snowfall here. If you arrive in June, you may not get snowfall, but you will see some snow on the mountains. July and August are the best months if you want to see the beauty of this place. Because the mountains here are green and the flow of river water is fast, and the roads are also open.

 

Also visit:

👉 Bashigram Lake of Madyan Swat Valley

👉 Swat Valley: Cradle of History and Civilization

👉 Excursion to Heart-shaped 'Sri Kalam Lake' of Swat

 

Please share your experience with us in comments box, if you visited any beautiful place in Swat Valley.