THE BEAUTIFUL SWAT VALLEY
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INTRODUCTION
If you are thinking of having a trip to Swat, you have definitely come to the right place.
Swat Valley is a high-altitude tourist destination in the northwest mountains of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Although swat valley has a reputation for its spectacular natural beauty.
Situated on the swat river, the valley has about 247 Km (153 Miles) distance from the capital city Islamabad in Pakistan. Swat Valley remained an independent self-governing state called “the Yusafzai Swat” until 1969. Later, it merged with Pakistan.
Swat is known as the Switzerland of East because of its magnificent landscapes. Along with the red hut cottages that remind us Switzerland. Swat Tour is full of amazeballs with dense deep forest with richly green alpine meadows. Along with the swirling waterfalls with the roaring river.
Above all, the snow-clad gigantic mountains of Mankial and Flaksair are mesmerizing. Each region of Swat is so captivating for the tourist. Swat falls in the province Khyber Phatunkhawn of Pakistan. A straight drive of 6 hours from the capital of Pakistan.
WHAT IS SWAT FAMOUS FOR
Swat Valley is famous for its natural wonders that include its breathtaking diverse landscape and natural wildlife. Swat has many scenic countryside lush forests and impressive high peak mountains. This all provides a suitable natural habitat for wildlife as well as attracts tourists.
Other popular features of swat are; its spectacular freshwater lakes, rivers, springs, waterfalls, and it’s pleasant weather. This all collectively makes it a safe heaven for tourism in Pakistan.
Tourist activities in summer and winter are also well-known features of swat. Swat in summer is popular for hiking, trekking, camping, chairlift/cable car riding, general holiday making, and honeymoon trips.
In winter sports activities in swat make it the most famous and enjoyable tour destination in Pakistan. National and international tourists visit swat valley in winter to enjoy skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice hockey, bandy, snowboarding, speed skating, curling, etc.
TOURISM IN SWAT
The government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan also invited foreign travel bloggers to the country. PM took this step to paint a rosy international reputation of Pakistan to internet savvy millennials abroad. Traders who left the area during the Taliban era have returned to Swat. Moreover, its city of Mingora has once again become a business hub.
Tourists have also made a steady comeback to escape the sweltering summers of the big cities.
According to the provincial tourism department, one million people including foreigners visited Swat in 2018.
KALAM
Kalam Valley is in upper Swat at a distance of 96km (59 miles) from Mingora. Whereas, 326 km (202 miles) from Islamabad in Pakistan. The Kalam valley town and hill station are situated at an elevation of about 2,000m (6,600 ft).Kalam is geographically surrounded by Matiltan in the northeast, Utrar in the west. However, Bahrain Valley is in the south towards the mainland.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KALAM
There are many attractions and places to visit in the Kalam. Covering a wide area which is just waiting for you to explore! Perhaps Kalam valley is the most famous gem of a place to visit in swat.
There are breathtaking lakes, soaring mountains, picturesque valleys, green lush forests, and other natural attractions in Kalam. These wonders of nature make Kalam the most beautiful places to visit on everyone’s list when they are in swat.
1. THE KALAM BAZAR (DOWNTOWN)
The Kalam Bazaar is the main marketplace and commercial centre of the kalam valley. Despite being small, Kalam Bazaar has hotels, restaurants, cafes, medical stores, and a good number of general stores. This Bazaar serves as a high street or Downtown for locals and tourists in Kalam and rounding areas.
2. MATLILTAN
Matiltan is about 13km from Kalam which is roughly under 50 minutes of travel by drive. Alternatively, the journey to Matiltan through the Ushu road along the swat river is a wonderful hiking trails. This hiking trail is 13km from Kalam to Matiltan through Plain Forest Kalam, Kalam Forest PlayGround, and other breathtaking landscapes. By walk, this journey is around 3 hours.
Considering a 6 hours round a trip from Kalam to Matiltan by trekking. Hence, enjoying time on the way and in Matiltan is a perfect day out in Kalam.
3. Ushu
Ushu is on about 21km of distance Kalam. It is around 60 to 80 minutes travel drive. The journey from Kalam to Ushu is on the same road towards Matiltan. Onwards from Matiltan this is a 7.5 km of distance via Mahodand Lake Road along the beautiful Ushu River.
Other tourist attractions include:
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4. Utror
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5. Gabral
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6. Mahodand Lake
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7. Kundol Lake
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8. Izmis Lake
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9. The Great Forest of Kalam
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10. The National Forest Kalam
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11. Kalam Forest PlayGround
SWAT A PARADISE OF BEAUTIFUL LAKES
God has blesses Swat with nature’s beautiful lakes. Its mesmerizing lakes not only add to the scenic beauty but are also popular attractions among visitors and locals. For fishing, hiking, water sports or simply relaxing in the beauty of nature. Lakes in Swat carry a rich history with them. In addition great tales of myths add to the magic of their landscapes.
The breathtaking views of the beauty of lakes in Swat and it’s freshwaters make them a perfect stop. The swat valley has many ponds and many majestic large freshwater lakes. The valley has nearly 35 famous lakes. Each of them being unique with its lure and sparkling landscapes. These lakes are home to numerous species of plants and wildlife.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SWAT/KALAM
There’s no bad time of year to visit Swat. With plenty to see and do, regardless of the elements. After all, as the old saying goes, WHEN YOU LEAVE A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, YOU CARRY IT WITH YOU, WHEREVER YOU GO.
The best time to visit swat, however, depends on what you are planning to do. To get escape from the heat wave in other parts of the world you may prefer to visit swat in May, June, July, August. Or even in September to enjoy the pleasant weather of Swat.
If you are a winter sports enthusiast and want to enjoy skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice hockey, bandy, snowboarding, speed skating, and curling. Therefore, you might consider visiting swat in December, January, February, and even in March.
In general the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November are the mild weather months in Swat. For family tours, school holidays, city breaks, and shot & weekend break swat has the best weather and time around the year to match your needs.
BEST HOTELS AND ACCOMODATION IN SWAT
The options for accommodation in Swat are endless ranging from apartments, lodges, holiday parks, cottages, hostels, hotels, and even paying guest options available to choose from. You’ll find both luxury and budget hotels in Swat. All perfect for putting your feet up and enjoying a good night’s sleep. Grand country houses, sleek penthouse suites, authentic family-run inns, and pleasant hill resorts are just a few of the hotel types you’ll find in Swat Valley. Ranging from normal hotels to luxury hotels like SERENA are present in Swat.
HOTELS IN KALAM
As mentioned above, there is a variety of hotels and suites in Swat where you can stay. But coming towards Kalam. Currently there are some hotels and accommodation not as good as Swat. These are the ones with medium facilities. But the tourists can not find the high end amenities over there. Currently, the following hotels are present in Kalam.
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GOLDEN STAR HOTEL
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PTDC MOTEL
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NEW HONEY MOON HOTEL
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MID HILLS HOTELS
Recently, a new tourist attraction is going to make an entry in the hospitality industry in Kalam. To add to the tourism in the region LANDSTER SPANISH HOTEL APARTMENTS is an upcoming tourist attraction. It is a project of Landster PVT LTD. With Spanish Style Suites, this will be the first time in history of Kalam that a hotel offering high-end amenities will be constructed. The developers expect that they will complete the project within a 2 year duration. Moreover, the investors will get asset as well as monthly return on their investment. It will offer the following features:
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Ideal location (Tehsil road)
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7 story building with 3 Kanal area
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Parking Plaza
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CCTV cameras
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Capsule lift
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Central heating
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Fun city, Gym, Pool
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TMA approved
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Rooftop Restaurant
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International food chain
In conclusion, if you are planning your visit after a period of 2 year, you will enjoy all the lavish facilities offered by this hotel/restaurant. If you’re looking for a home away from home where you can relax in your own space, then LANDSTER SPANISH HOTEL APARTMENTS is the way to go!
OUTDOOR RECREATION IN SWAT
Swat has countless suitable places for outdoor recreations such as hiking, camping, road biking, mountain biking, rock climbing, winter sports, fly fishing, hunting, horseback riding, kayaking, rafting, road and trail running, and more. Having both plane and extreme mountainous landscapes swat offers a versatile range of outdoor activities for all group ages.
Whether you want to enjoy your time in the comfort of downtown in Saidu Sharif, or in the surroundings of Mingora city. Simultaneously, if you want to experience the utmost recreations of upper swat in its great mountains, lush green jungle, waterfalls, and freshwater lakes you will realize that you have chosen the right place.
MUST VISIT PLACES IN SWAT
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Kalam Valley
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Kumrat Valley
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Madyan
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Bahrain
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Marghazar
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Saidu Sharif
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Mahodand Lake
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Malam Jabba
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Fizaghat
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Kundol Lake
CONCLUSION
In short, by the end of reading this article, you are ready to visit Swat Valley. Aren’t you? Do not over think. May be this is the perfect opportunity to discover the beauty of this region. We want people to know, they can still travel and enjoy scenic views, although they have a busy lifestyle.
If you enjoyed reading this article, there is a lot more for you. Please visit https://landster.pk/blog/.
