Exploring Swat: A Guide to Nature’s Treasures
Swat
The capital of Swat is Saidu Sharif, but the most important town in the Swat Valley is Mingora.With its high mountains, green meadows, and clear lakes, it is a place of great natural beauty and is very popular with tourists.The places to visit in Swat Valley are Kalam Valley, Kumrat Valley, Mahodand Lake, Kundol Lake, and Malam Jabba.
KALAM VALLEY:
The Kalam Valley is surrounded by lush green hills, forests, waterfalls, and lakes that add to its beauty. It has a dense green Ushu forest that amazes tourists with its mesmerizing beauty. A visit to this valley can be tempting all year round, as its beauty is indescribable. The months of June to the end of September and November to December are the best times to visit Kalam Swat. Still, the summer months of May through August are the best for visitors visiting Kalam Valley. Kalam Swat offers fantastic attractions and activities for you to enjoy and explore.
Undoubtedly, Kalam is the most visited place in the Swat Valley. It takes around 7 hours to reach Kalam from Islamabad, depending on your route.While visiting KALAM, visitors have a broad range of excellent hotels, making it one of the most pleasant destinations for tourists.
- Golden Star Hotel
- Holiday Resort Kalam
- La Rosh Hotel
- Blue Ocean
- Daryal Hotel
- Wulnut Height Kalam
- Roomy YurtsMinapin Kalam
USHU FOREST :
Ushu Valley is made more gorgeous by Kalam’s lovely forest, which is mostly made up of deodar trees. Few people are aware that Ushu Forest Kalam is home to hundreds of unique bird species. Guests have the opportunity to discover the forest by participating in guided hikes or taking leisurely strolls, fully experiencing the peaceful atmosphere and picturesque views.
Mahodand Lake:
Mahodand Lake is located in Kalam’s Ushu Valley. Nature’s masterpiece is set against a rich backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks and beautiful fields encircling the lake. It takes two hours to travel 35 kilometers to reach the Mahodand Lake from Kalam Valley. A jeep track is on it. Additionally, jeep rates range from 8000 to 10,000 rupees. Summer is the best time to come because the lake is frozen in the winter. This lake is a popular place for boating, camping, and fishing.
Kumrat Valley :
Kumrat Valley is located in the Upper Dir District and can be reached one hour from Swat. There is a huge abundance of waterfalls and streams that give an increase to the beauty of Kumrat Valley. It is a pleasant place to stay because of the quiet environment and scenic surroundings. Kala Chashma, Jahaz Banda, Katora Lake, and Badgoi Pass are the main sightseeing places in Kumrat Valley.
People camp at the side of streams and enjoy nature. There are many camping spots at Kumrat, but if you would rather stay in a hotel, some options are:
- Burj Al Kumrat Hotel
- Hotel Grand Palace
Malam Jabba:
Malam Jabba is a hill station and ski resort in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Swat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is 314 km from Islamabad. It is located at an altitude of 9,199 ft, its Ski Resort was the first ski resort in the country. This resort is ideal for skiers and snowboarders who want to enhance their on-slope abilities because it has a lot of ski slopes and only one chairlift. The resort offers extra services including ski training and renting of equipment.
Visitors can include:
- Ice roll
- Snowboarding
- Speed skating
- Snow sculpture
- Ski festival
- Hiking
- Ice hockey
- White Palace
- Mountain biking,
- and rappelling while enjoying the breathtaking views.
Ticket prices of Malam Jabba activities:
- Malam Jabba Chairlift Rs 1700
- Malam Jabba Zipline Rs 3500
- Entry Ticket for Park Rs 300
Visitors here have their choice of various luxury resorts and hotels, providing both comfort and convenience. The best hotel you can choose for your stay during your visit is Pearl Continental Hotel Jabba Malam, which offers great deals and various food items.
