Kalam valley

Kalam valley, like other vales of Northern Pakistan, is rich in natural beauty. It is known for its waterfalls, lakes, lush green hills and other gifts bestowed upon it by the nature. Being only at a distance of 270km from Islamabad it is frequently visited by tourists and adventure travelers. The river of Swat flows though this region and offers spectacular scenery to the visitor. The neighboring valley of Laddu is also breath-taking.

The fascinating places of Kalam valley include:

Kandol Lake:
It can be reached in about three hours from Laddu. It is advisable that you take a guide along with you.

Mahudand Lake:
It is a lake about 40 km from Kalam. It is accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, and is a good location for fishing.

Other Lakes:
These include Lake Naseerullah and Lake Saifullah.

Snow capped mountains of the valley

Kaghan Valley

Mahudand Lake

Mahudand Lake

Kondol Lake

The river of Swat

Kaghan Valley

The 155km long Kaghan Valley is situated at an altitude of 4170m (13690ft) in the Mansehra district, NWFP, Pakistan. Kunhar river flows through its length. Local languages spoten here are Hindko and Gojri while Urdu is also spoken.

The tourist attractions of Kaghan valley are many and are very popular among tourists specially its lakes. These include Lake Saif-ul-malook, Lake Dodipatsar and Lalusar Lake. The mountain peak of Malika Parbat (5, 296m) is also accessible from Kaghan valley. In addition to these, Shorgan is also regarded as a fascinating place.

Most visitors to Naran pay a visit to Saiful Muluk Lake (10,500 feet) 6 miles east of town. If the road is open you can arrange transportation by jeep. If the road is closed, it is an easy, gradual three-hour walk, and the lake is a lovely spot for a picnic. you can also take some guide with you. you can ask it from hotel, or any shops but make a good deal. Espacially if you plan to walk in may/june, due to big ice-glaciers you may require a horse to put all your luggage on it. Brown Trout and Mahasheer are stocked in the pure silvery waters between Kaghan and Naran. The Kunhar river's trout is considered best in the South Asia.

The Kaghan area can reached by road via the towns of Balakot, Abbottabad and Mansehra. In Balakot, one may find buses and other transports to reach Kaghan or Naran. It can also be reached from the capital, Islamabad. You can drive in a rented car, taxi, station-wagon or bus to Abbottabad which is 122 kms from Islamabad and 217 kms from Peshawar. Abbottabad is also a Charming town spread out over several low, refreshingly green hills.

The tourist season of Kaghan valley is from May to September.

Lalusar Lake

Kaghan Valley

Lalazar, Kaghan Valley

Hunza Valley

Lush green fields, snow capped mountains, beautiful springs and friendly people make the enchanting Hunza valley a perfect spot for tourists and nature lovers. It is located in the north of Pakistan at an elevation of 2,438 meters (7,999 feet). The local languages spoken here are Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina, while many people understand Urdu (National language of Pakistan). Most of the people are Muslims. Hunza is administratively divided into 5 districts run by D.Cs controlled by the chief minister of Gilgit which is, in turn, controlled by the federal government of Pakistan itself. The capital is Karimabad.

In the past Hunza was a princely state near Nagar. This state continued to survive until 1974 when Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto finally dissolved it. There are many versions about who inhabited the valley first. According to one, Alexander Zulkarnain made an effort to inhabit and develop the sublime valley. An other version implies that Alexander The Great annexed the area and at the last moments of his life alloted it to his loyal commanders. Who made it irrigable and inhabitable. Yet another version says that many people fled from the Tartar country after a great revolution and settled in the valley. About 200 years after the introduction of Islam in the area, the first Muslim ruler Mayroo Khan (Given the title of Thum) married, and twin sons were born. His sons were always hostile towards each other and Mayroo Khan had to break up his empire into two parts (Nagar and Hunza), when the question of succession arose. The British conquered the valley at some time between 1889 to 1892.

Hunza valley is a Heaven for mountaineers and climbers because of the towering mountains surrounding the valley. These include Rakaposhi 7,788 m (25,551 ft), Ultar Sar 7,388 m (24,239 ft), Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 m (24,045 ft), Ghenta Peak 7,090 m (15,631 ft), Hunza Peak 6,270 m (20,571 ft), Darmyani Peak 6,090 m (19,980 ft), and Bublimating (Ladyfinger Peak) 6,000 m (19,685 ft). The picturesque Baltit Fort is also worth seeing. Valley's tourists season is from May to October. The Karakoram highway connecting China and Pakistan provides easy access to the exotic valley. Regular bus services are also present for tourists.

Baltit Fort

Rakaposhi, Northern Areas,Kashmir, 27th highest of the world at 7788m

Chitral Valley

Chitral Valley:

The Chitral valley, located in the northern region of Pakistan, is one of the most remarkable places in the world when it comes to natural scenic beauty. Its picturesque mountains, beautiful springs, Juniper forests, friendly people and rivers teeming with the famous Trout fish are truly spellbinding. Alexander the great passed through this region in 327 B.C and left behind the signs of his culture.

Location:

The Chitral valley is situated amidst the mighty mountains of The Hindukush range. This mountain range is 322 km long. The chitral valley is separated from China by the Hunza region and from the Soviet Union by a narrow part of Wakhan, a province of Afghanistan. Chitral river flows near the Chitral district.

Facts and Figures:

Coordinates: 35°53′N 71°48′E

Elevation: 1278-7700 meters

Area: 14504 square meters

Population: 1,59,230

Religion: Mostly ISLAM

Local Language: Khowar

Famous Sport: Polo

Area Code: 0943

Currency: Pakistani Rupee

Time Zone: PST (UTC+5)

Dress:

The people of Chitral valley mostly wear "Shalwar Kameez" which is the national dress of Pakistan. Women wear "Duppatas" and Shawls along with "Shalwar Kameez". The most popular head dress of the Chitrali men is the woolen "Pakol". In winters, the men wear long baggy coats having long sleeves known as the "Shuqa". These coats are also made out of wool.

The people of Kafir Kalash distinguish themselves by wearing specific woolen hats with feathers and/or small metallic bells. The Kalashi women wear an eye catching head gear which consists of a black cloth with shells, buttons and feathers on it.

People of Kafir Kalash

Sports:

The traditional sport of Chitral is Polo. World's highest Polo ground (Shandur Polo ground) is also present in this area, where the Shandur Polo festival takes place. Around 15,000 people visit this place during the Shandur Polo festival which lasts for about a week. Football is also very popular in the valley. A number of football clubs are present in the Chitral district.

Approach Routes:

The valley is easily accessible by air from the historical city of Peshawar. Most of the land routes are over mountain passes. Towards the North Lowari pass leads 365 km to Peshawar.To the east, there is a 405 km (252 mi) route to Gilgit over the 3,719 m (12,201ft) Shandur Pass.
And in the west, the Dorah Pass provides an additional route to Afghanistan.