Swat Valley

Swat District

The former princely state in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is populated by Pashtuns and Afghans. The place of great natural beauty with emerald meadows, high mountains and clear sapphire lagoons have the echoes of Pashtu language. The district attracts all over the world tourists for everlasting peaceful and relaxing tract. The Swathe of Swat valley is the Switzerland of Asia. The serene sceneries and smiley faces of locals make double the attractive site of crystal clear water when it stretches over the rocks and shows the trout fish in it. With the elevation of 2500 ft to 7500 ft above sea level, the valley has ceaseless snow on its arrogant pinnacles.

The fertile soil and favorable climatic conditions gave an excuse to many nations for colonization. From Alexander to Mahmood Ghaznavi Swat was ruled by man Buddhist and Hindu Rajas. Lastly the Yousafzai tribe of Pathans became the king of Swat. At the time of Ex-Valley regime the valley flourished and presented a picture of paradise to the world with the great sense of development and beautification. The Taliban insurgency was not as severe as it was in the last couple of years.

Smooth shores

Swat, is the only region upon which it seems like the Creator has been over generous. The Swat is the  kingdom of mesmerizing countryside, sparkling clear water fast-moving water, sundry flora , antique vestiges and thrilling lakes. It offers many spots for gratification, voyage and leisure.

Malam Jabba (hilly station) 40 kilometer away from Saidu Sharif is thrilling spot for ice-skating, chair lifts, and skiing. In good time, the ski resort of Malam Jabba was the tournament platform for skiing. The Spot is now totally devastated but still it was worth as one of the main attractions in Swat Valley.

Swat Museum established with the aid of Japaneses to preserve the allocation of remanings. Its seven galleries contain the illustration of Buddha’s life, Gandhara Sculptures, Terracotta figurines, precious stones, rare beads, carved wood, local embroidery, weapons and tribal jewelry.

Lakes

Miandam and Madyan are another two beautiful resorts few miles away from Saidu Sharif. They are famous among trekkers and walkers because its terraced field along the hillside gives them the real essence of greenery and refreshment. One can buy local shawls, traditional needlework, ornaments and carved wood that sells alongside the bazaar. Another spot of Kalam, is famous as a meeting point of Ushu  and Utrot River. The view of snow capped Falaksir mountain is breathtaking. Pari, Kundal, Bashigram, Spin Khawar and Daral are among the famous lakes of Swat District.

The eternal tradition of spellbinding story telling in long and dark nights of winter are solely to the Swat Valley. Every night all the members of the family lay in Kota and the eldest one used to start the tale with the children huddle together in their blankets like a kangaroo’s Joey. Children are very inquisitive so the responding to the narrator makes the environment more interesting. That bedtime stories were narrated in each house.

Swat with its crude situation still presents many more to explore. The journey to swat is 100 miles from three of Pakistan's most important cities: Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The army is reducing the checkpoint to promote tourism in the valley once again so it gives you the surety of security. Before entering to Swat the tourists will be checked for once but they will not bothered again while they're travelling into the valley. All flies gives you the opportunity to take cheap flights to Pakistan. There are also domestic flights with in Pakistan.

Snow Lake

It is amazing to know that Snow Lake is not a lake itself but a high altitude glacial basin at the feet of mighty ranges of Karakoram. It is over 16km wide as a leader of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers. The 1^st foreign visitor Martin Conway gave this name in 1892. He says that "beyond all comparison with the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold a finer".

The Biafo and Hispar glaciers meet at the point of Hispar La that arrangement is of the greatest concentration as a glacial ice beside Antartica.  This vast ice river connects two primordial mountains the Hunza in west among Baltistan in east. Another great mountaineer explorer Eric Shipton describe Snow lake as ’the last blank on the map’. Due to its remoteness from all the populace areas of northern Pakistan, it is a stronghold shelter for wild animals like Himalayan bear, ibex, markhor and the snow leopard. This area is savior for the lives of these animals.

At immense height the Biafo and Hispar glaciers are having pointy daggered  peaks, these include Kanjut Sar, Distaghil Sar, Makrong Chhish, Latok group, Latok II, Latok III, Latok IV: and Baintha Brakk/The Ogre . The only Ogre was climbed in 1977 by Britons Doug Scott and Chris Bonington when they had an epic descent with Scott breaking both of his legs and took a week to reach Base Camp.

The trek to snow lake starts by following the K2 Base Camp trail to the Biafo Glacier in the west. The path  follows free rocky moraine ridges on the glacier for the next few days. The basic campsites are Namla, Mango and Baintha which  located in grassy areas behind tangential moraines. From Baintha camp there is another option of taking the wide ice highway making the walking relatively easy as compared to the rocky trek.

If you are one of them who worried about the security issue in Pakistan, I do must say that it is complicated at the border of Afghanistan and down south. But the way from Islamabad is saved and sound. But the permit is required. Take some cheap flights to Pakistan and definitely you will be far enough away from these areas. The native people are very friendly and hospitable.

Shogran Valley

Panoramic view of Valley

Shogran valley is the green plateaus at the height of 7,749 ft in Kaghan valley. The tall pine trees, emerald meadows, cornfields and cow pastures make up the beautiful valley of Shogran. In hindko Sho means “beautiful” and Gaun means “Village”, the whole phrase mean “the beautiful village”.The valley is 34km far away from Balakot.

The Season of Spring

The village gets affected with the earthquake of 2005.On the way to Shogran, there is a place name kewai, a good place to take a nap. Sri/Paya and Dona Meadows are two popular spots near Shogran. The visitor can hire a jeep or hike for two hours to get to these places. Sri Paye has an elevation of 11,200 feet above sea level. The place is lush with the emerald color meadows and beautiful lakes. Most of the time of year the peak is covered with snow. Siri Paye is covered with beautiful yellow and purple flowers in springs a best time to visit when its beauty is at peak. The two mythical stories are attached with the name of Siri Paye. Locals say that “Siri” was a Hindu lady who fell in love with Paye and  Paye (the legendary hero) lived somewhere on the meadows called Paye. Another story has the amazing feature of lion  with supernatural force lifted goat of a villager and ate it at some place with “Siri” and “Paye” of the goat left stinking at two nearby mountains.

On the way to Dona Meadows, the hurdle of a huge glacier should be crosser and a lovely nearby of two lovely waterfalls. Pine Park Shogran is another amazing great effort to create the natural affiliation to the visitors. The mini zoo is also the part of Pine Park Shogran

The shogran valley has a real asset to view. For adventurous trips the Sharan is a good option; two hour hike and the immature jade lawns are here with the quilt of thick forest. There are a lot of hotels in Shogran. So you can stay here. People are helpful & friendly. The most amazing thing to note is that Telenor and Mobilink signals are also available in the Shogran Valley.

Shogran is only 10 km from Kiwai and 34 km from Balakot. First the flight to Islamabad should be take my visitors then there is a road from Islamabad to Kiwai which is 212 km long. From Shogran, you have a various options of  jeep, horse and hike to several scenic places.

Skardu Valley

Skardu Valley

 Skardu is a word of Balti language means "star stone, meteorite". It is the major town of the region Baltistan and the capital of Skardu District. Skardu valley is 10 km wide and 40km long in Skardu region at the meeting point of the Indus River and the Shigar River. Skardu is 2,500 m above sea level. The town is enclosed by grayish brown mountains.

Skardu and Gilgit are the two major tourism, trekking and trip hubs in the Northern Areas. The giant mountainous of the region having world's famous peaks magnetize the tourists, trekkers and mountaineers from all around the world. The best season to travel to Skardu is from April to October outside this time, the area mostly cut off by the snowy, freezing winter. The Askole and Hushe Valleys are the main gateways to the snow covered peaks K2, the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak and the Trango Towers, and also to the huge glaciers of Baltoro, Biafo and Trango. This significance makes Skardu the foremost tourist and mountaineering base in the northern area, that’s why the infrastructure including shops and hotels are reasonable. There are some of the places need to go when visit to Skardu.

Kharfocho Fort: The fort has been attributed to the famous ruler of Skardu named Maqpon Bugha great grandfather of Ali Sher khan. But Mughal historians are of the view that the great fort was built by Ali Sher Khan Anchan himself.

Mindoq Khar: This is a palace built by Gul Khatoon or Mindoq Gialmo on the hill where now stands the Kharfocho fort only. This also called 'Flower Palace'. The Palace was destroyed by the troops of the Sikh ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Gulab Singh, when he invaded Skardu in 1840 AD.

Hilal Bagh and Chahar Bagh: Just below Flower Palace, there was a terraced garden with fountains built in marble. The palace was destroyed during the great floods in the area after the death of Ali Sher Khan Anchan and a marble Baradari was later constructed at this palace. This royal garden was named Hilal Bagh (Crescent Garden). Another garden was also laid which was named Chhar Bagh on the site where a Girls College stands now.

Buddhist Rock: There is only one surviving of Buddhist. It is located at Satpara road. Probably the rock carvings and images of Buddha date back to the period of Great Tibetan Empire when the Buddhist people of Gandhara migrated and pased through the present northern areas of Pakistan.

Satpara Lake: the lake is surrounded by high glacial mountains. The lake has an island in the middle of its which can be reached by boat. The lake is considered ideal for fishing.

Trip to Skardu plan can make with a flight to Islamabad, then a 2 days journey for Chilas. Then a jeep will move you to the Skardu.

Tirich Mir

Tirich Mir is the highest peak with an elevation of 25,230 ft in the Hindu Kush ranges. It is in the north of Peshawar, KPK near Afghanistan. Tirich Mir East like Rakaposhi and Nanga Parbat is known for being the home of "fairies". The Tirich Mir is a chain of about eleven peaks with different routes to their summits. The horse shoe semi circle Tirich Glacier basin is formed by Tirich Mir East, main summit, west and with the group of north peaks. The High cliff considered dangerous due to land sliding threats for climbers. It can also be seen from Afghanistan. According to a local legend, it is impossible to climb it, because of all the Jinns, demons, witches and fairies that live up there. Almost every year, a few tourists are killed while hiking and trekking around Tirich Mir. Often, they fall into deep crevasses and their bodies are never found.

Tirich Mir view from valley

The established route to the peak passes through Chitral, Reshun and Khosht. There is also a shorter route to the peak which is a two-hour jeep drive on Chitral-Mastuj then one has to take a direct route from Perpish to Barum village and then through the glacier to the peak. This route is recommended for those who already familiarized theirselves with high-altitude-climbing; otherwise there is a great danger of high altitude sickness.

The first recorded ascent of Tirich Mir was made by Norwegians in July 1950. The journey was escorted by Professor Hameed Beg of the Karakoram Club (Pakistan) who reached an altitude of over 20,000ft. Captain Tony Streather of Chitral Scouts tagged along with the mission and eventually climbed Tirich Mir. The Pakistanis first attempt of Tirich Mir was by the Karakoram Club's expedition to Tirich Mir in 1951. The team was led by Mian Abdul Rauf, Daud Beg, Arshad Munir and Captain Shaukat Malik. It set up three precede camps and reached at 21,500ft but give up due to shortage of supplies.

Tour to the main peak, the Base camp is set at Babu Camp. The jeep road goes to Shahgrom but there is also an alternate route over Zani pass that is excellent way to do a short trek. Here is now a daily flight to Islamabad and then to Chitral.

Bottle Neck Pass..Ali Masjid

The Khyber Pass is a place of succession brown grey cliffs, slender low-lying valleys and small plans with Safed Koh Range. Inside of the Khyber Pass is the Torkham plain and on its highest point is situated the Shahgai fort, form where Khyber River flows slowly towards Jamrud. In between them, a bottle neck narrowest gorge came where in earlier centuries the Buddhists at Ali Masjid - a bottle neck in the line of advance-where in earlier centuries the Buddhists stopped for water and left their traces behind. It is amazing to note that all the three traditions the Buddhist, the Persian, and Muslim have their features carved in the region.

Ali Masjid and the army fort is a marker of history at the highest point of Khyber Pass. It is located 10 miles east of Landi Kotal city (West of Peshawar), 15km from Jamrud at the narrowest point of the pass and its height is 3,174 feet. A mosque has been a memorial of Hazrat Ali according to local tradition he visited this place. There is a small cemetery filled with the graves of British soldiers who martyred in the second Afghan War. Before the pass was widened to 3m, it has been said that it’s been too narrow even for the two fully-laden camels to pass each other.

The Battle of Ali Masjid served as the opening for Second Anglo-Afghan War between British and Afghan forces in 1878.Apprently it has been told that the afghan got offended with the entrance of British envoy to the country, British used that excuse to attack the fortress of Ali Masjid. John Burke in 1878, taken images of interior of the Ali Masjid Fort that showed a length of wall covered in niches with Buddha images.

A drive to the Khyber Pass road takes you back in history. On the flight to Peshawar, you can see the Afghani villages which are omit a sobering site, open a moon like environment and vast emptiness beyond border.

Islamia College Peshawar

Islamia College Peshawar

The scarcity of value educational institutions in the province of newly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa brought the existence of Islamia College Peshawar. This present condition compelled the local youth to travel to distant regions of British India in quest of education. This stimulated the thoughts of Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum and Sir George Roos-Keppel to set up a foundation that would not only for academic purpose but also generate leaders.

The Islamia College, established in 1913, with the motive of impeding knowledge, along with a systematic basis in the Islam. The college now prepares students for Intermediate Examination of Peshawar board for all science and arts subjects. On Higher level, college is now preparing students for University of Peshawar Degree Examination. However the college has a great belonging to the all districts and tehsils of the region that’s why people want their sons to be educated here but due to lack of facilities many applicants turned down. Its past and present accomplishments make it the best educational institution in the country. Essentially the Islamia College was residential as well so it seemed like the home of scholars roaming for imparting knowledge.

Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum

Islamia College Peshawar is the symbol of educational brilliance in history. Its building is the best exemplified incarnation of Muslim civilization in south Asia. Its green emerald lawns exert a pull on visitors from all over the country. Peeping for the history, Islamia College was not only served as the concluding point of Aligarh Movement, but showed the beautiful blending of Aligarh and Doe band Schools of Thought at that time. Furthermore, Islamia College Peshawar was intended to become mother institution of many universities and colleges. The credit for this goes to Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum (Sir Sayyed of Sarhad).

If you have academic purpose or want to see this historical college of Peshawar get a flight to Peshawar and taste the intellectual ambiance of the Islamia College Peshawar.

Rakaposhi: Mother of Mist

Rakaposhi

One of the greatest manifestations of mountain splendor, there also stands a famous peak of Rakaposhi in Hunza valley. The Rakaposhi at the south-western corner of Karakoram. It is dominating the skyline for immense stretches. The mountain is extremely wide almost 20km from East to West. It is the only one peak on Earth which falls constant for 6000m from the summit to the base. Rakaposhi also had known the Pk 27/42L and Dumani (Mother of Mist). The centered place of peak in Hunza valley attracts many climbers but rather few attempted the summit. That is the reason for the fame of Rakaposhi who visit this area. All routes to Rakaposhi tops are long and difficult. The Western routes are lengthy, northern routes are lofty and technically complicated, and southern and eastern routes are hazardously plain due to storm risk. After six futile missions the peak was first climbed via SW spur in 1985 by British-Pakistani forces Himalayan Expedition. Six camps and high altitude porters made the journey successful.

It is one of the superb peaks in the world. The peak governs the sphere that’s why constantly clear from the Karakorum highway even, the first glance of the mountain is so attractive and amazing that it charms the dwelling. It is surrounded with the famous glacier valleys, like, Biro, Barpu, Bagrot and Pissan.

Rakaposhi

The clear weather can transform quickly into a heavy rain so often the ascents weather can be harsh and life threatening at times. The Karakoram receives a high level of rainfall in the winter which makes climbing very dense and dangerous. So the climber only can make the summer ascent.

For itneray the domestic travelers they just have to take flights to Islamabad. Islamabad is the closest international center with flights arriving from all around the world. So for international one first take cheap flights to Pakistan and move your journey toward Gilgit the largest town in the Northern Areas served by regular transportation services.

Ansoo Lake...Tears of Deou Safaid

Tear Lake

Friendly pine trees, the crystal clear natives like their lakes invite all people around the world to get the gist of beauty. Kaghan valley a jewel among the many beautiful valleys of Mansehra district of Hazara KPK offers the legendry places. One of them I am going to talk about is Ansoo Lake. Ansoo Lake slips into the lives of Deou Safaid (the white giant), the prince Saif-ul-maluk and the fairy Badi-ul- Jamal. The marvelous tear shaped lake gives you the ride of a classic fable from the Hazara region of Pakistan. The sight is worth the drag. Ansoo Lake is positioned between three mountains. It is just a small depression and guarded by the peaks of these mountains.

Lets’ talk about the best time of the year: July to August, the finest moments for nature lovers. The summer love enriched with the splendors of green, blue, white and brown color. It’s all there waiting for you.

This lake can be reached by two different routes. One of two qualities you must possess; a good hiker or a mountaineer. First take a route for a mountaineer which is short but steeper trek takes more than 7 hours from Lake Saiful Mulook. The best time to take this trek is of 6:00 am in the morning. This trek is covered with snow almost more of the year. Horses can be a good option but one still has to walk more than 35% of the distance by himself. This trek further divided into two parts. First half covers the journey from Saiful Malook valley to Malika Parbat base camp. Second half is steeper starting from Malika Parbat base camp and ends with Ansoo Lake.

So the hiker ones, the Second trek to reach Ansoo Lake starts from the village Mahandri, and goes through Manoor Gali and Kach Gali. This hike takes at least three days of 12 hour trekking to get to Ansoo Lake. The big advantage to get the long route is that, it gives an opportunity to camp along the rivers, in jungles, on the peak of mountains and in abandoned towns.

You know you’re at Ansoo Lake. When you’re wiggling your toes in cold stream full with tears and truly staring at the clear turquoise colored water sole to the area.  Moreover, you’re standing 16,490 ft above sea level. Adorable silence of the wind whispers the stories of past. Yep, this is indeed, an exotic lay.  And you just got there!

Wait for a minute, there are some recommendation for you before you plan for Ansoo Lake. You must prepare for Heavy rain at any time, keep the extra clothes as in August you may feel freezing if trapped in the rain. You should have proper shoes and socks, must have some extra one. You ought to have plenty of mineral water, juices, energy drink, chocolates and enough food.

if you are the one to who wants to listen the murmurs of fable,take  flights to Islamabad and make your plan..