Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Upcoming: Highland Meadows and Lakes from Kalam to Kumrat Valleys (Upper Swat and Upper Dir)




This summer (June 2018) we're heading North of the country to the beautiful and naturally gifted valleys around Hindukush Mountain Ranges.

We will traverse around the highlands connecting Upper Swat and Upper Dir between Kalam and Kumrat valleys. Its vast landscape hosts countless pastures, glacial water streams, natural lake formations, and absolutely unique fauna. 

The idea is to stay at an idyllic remote hamlet, Gabral, as close to nature as it could be, with locals (homestay), relaxing and enjoying the bounties of nature:"naturally" organic food, homegrown vegetable and fruits, non-harmonized dairy, freshwater trout, herb fed lamb, and what not!

Due to its remoteness, Gabral faced relatively lower human intervention, therefore, nature is better preserved evident from the fact that the valley naturally grows hundreds of medicinal herbs, which makes it really enticing!

Itinerary:


M=Mingora 1 night
G=Gabral 6 nights
J=Jandrai 4 nights


June 21
Thursday
Departure from Karachi
June 22
Friday
Reach Swat, Mingora M1
June 23
Saturday
Mingora -Kalam-Gabral G1
June 24
Sunday
Gabral: Settle down G2
June 25
Monday
Gabral: Shahi Bagh Trek G3
June 26
Tuesday
Gabral: Khrarkhari Lake Trek G4
June 27
Wednesday
Gabral: Kundol Lake Trek G5
June 28
Thursday
Gabral-Kumrat-Jandrai J1
June 29
Friday
Jandrai-Jahaz-Banda Trek J2
June 30
Saturday
Jahaz Banda-Katora Lake-Jahaz Banda  Trek J3
July 1
Sunday
Jahaz Banda-Jandrai Trek J4
July 2
Monday
Jandrai-Peshawar-Karachi

Our preferences:
A) stay as close to nature as possible 
B) have local organic food
C) slow traveling 
D) keeping it environment friendly


Budget

For 2+2 of us we estimate Rs. 50,000-70,000 for ~10 days trip - including food, accommodation, and inland traveling plus the cost of return journey from Karachi. This trip would involve mild trekking/hiking, some adventure, offroading, and possibly a few nights of camping.

In case you are heading in the same direction, family or otherwise, during the same dates please give me a buzz, and we can appreciate the natural beauty together.


For planning update, please see Kalam to Kumrat 2018

2 comments:

  1. Hey Muzammil,

    Looks like an amazing adventure. How are you planning to travel from Karachi till Islamabad and the return?

    ReplyDelete
  2. For return, have booked PIA Peshawar-Karachi (cost us 9000 per adult, expensive now)
    For Karachi Islamabad: We will take train, whereas the other friend who has confirmed will go by air

    ReplyDelete