Planning Notes
Itinerary
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Comments
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M=Mingora 1 night (Swat base city)
G=Gabral 5 nights (Upper Swat)
J=Jandrai 4 nights (Upper Dir)
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Start with Overnight Stay in Mingora
Stay in Gabral Valley and explore around Upper Dir: if conditions allow |
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June 21 T
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Leave Karachi
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Karachi-Faisalabad Karakoram Express
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June 22 F
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Faislabad-Mingora M1
Faisalabad-Rawalpindi Skyways Rawalpindi-Swat Mingora Car Rent
By Air: Karachi-Peshawar-Mingora
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After reaching Mingora, may continue to Bahrain or Kalam.
Assess transport options: hire vehicle (Jeep or Fielder) for whole trip, or go point-to-point.
Mingora accommodation? |
June 23 S
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Mingora-Kalam-Gabral G1
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Might stay at Kalam to check accommodation conditions at Gabral.
Arrange supplies from Kalam: Food, LPG cylinder, etc. Hire Car from Mingora for the whole day Make vehicle decision Kalam backup accommodation |
June 24 S
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Gabral: Settle down G2
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June 25 M
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Gabral: Shahi Bagh G3
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June 26 T
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Gabral: Khrarkhari Lake G4
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June 27 W
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Gabral: Kundol Lake G5
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June 28 T
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Gabral-Kumrat-Jandrai J1
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June 29 F
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Jandrai-Jahaz-Banda J2
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June 30 S
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Jahaz Banda-Katora Lake-Jahaz Banda J3
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July 1 S
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Jahaz Banda-Jandrai J4
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July 2 M
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Jandrai-Peshawar-Karachi
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Peshawar-Karachi flight booked
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Target Destinations
Gabral Valley
Gabral is an idyllic remote valley located at far North end of Upper Swat. Due to its difficult access and dead-end nature, the valley enjoys relatively lesser human intervention and is still out of the lethal tourist radar.
Its vast landscape hosts countless pastures, glacial water streams, natural lake formations, and absolutely unique fauna.
Unlike most of Swat, which is inhabited by Pushtoons, Gabral is inhabited by Gujjars, a distinct shepherd community which mostly lives in the highlands around India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Apart from managing their big cattle herds, and agriculture, Gabral dwellers benefit from the presence of medicinal herb varieties found in the highlands in abundance.
As such, the hill station lacks tourist facilities, which makes it more attractive for our style of traveling. For our upcoming trip in June 2018, I am now trying to arrange homestay, for a week or so, so that we could relax and enjoy the bounties of nature, most importantly the "naturally" organic food: homegrown vegetable and fruits, non-harmonized dairy, freshwater trout, herb fed lamb, and what not!
Kharkhari Lake
Utror Valley
Kundol Lake
Desan Meadows
This stunningly beautiful pastoral highland has been under dispute between the residents of Kalam (Pushtoon) and Utror (Kohistani) from last 2 years and was on the verge of a full blown armed battle when the opposite sides took positions to settle down the issue through guns.
Jag Banda Meadows
Kumrat Valley
Jahaz Banda Meadows
Katora Lake
Driving/Trekking Duration
Place
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Km
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Time
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Google Map Link
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Comments/ Fare
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Kalam to Gabral
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Kalam-Kharkhari Lake
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39
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1:32 G
1:00 T
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Round trip from Kalam: 7000 jeep 5 door Nazeer
Exact coordinates to be confirmed
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Kalam-Hotel Gujjar Gabral
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38
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1:30 G
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Ideal for homestay
Habeeb, Nazeer
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Kalam-Gabral
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22
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0:49 G
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Kalam-Utror
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16
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0:36 G
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Shared Car: 100-200 (latest report: not plying anymore due to local dispute)
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Hotel Gujjar Gabral-Kundol Lake
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28
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1:07 G
3:00 T
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Through Ladu Village
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Kalam to Mahodand
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Kalam-Mahodand
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33
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1:43
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Car: 4000
Van: 500 per person
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Kalam-Ushu
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19
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1:07
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Kalam-Matiltan
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11
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0:39 G
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Kalam-Boyun
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5
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0:21 G
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Gabral to Kumrat
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Hotel Gujjar Gabral-Kumrat Valley
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63
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2:12 G
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Hotel Gujjar Gabral-Zhandrai
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53
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1:42 G
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Hotel Gujjar Gabral-Forest Rest House Badgoi
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40
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1:21 G
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Hotel Gujjar Gabral-Utror Road
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19
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0:49 G
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Utror-Thall
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Jeep: 3500 (2012)
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Mingora to Kalam
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Mingora-Kalam
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96
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4:09 G
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250 Van
600 pp Shared Car x 6
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Mingora-Bahrain
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61
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1:53 G
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120 Van
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Bahrain-Kalam
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37
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2:27 G
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200 Van
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Dir to Kumrat
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Dir - Jandrai
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84
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3:53 G
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Shared Jeep: 500
Full: 5000
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Cautions
Rains and Landslides
Packing List
Warm Clothes
Rain Coat/Umbrella
Trekking Shoes
Medicines
Tinned Food
Contacts
Swat Coach Rawalpindi: 03139900035
Rent a Car Rawalpindi-Mingora: Rs. 4500
Rent a Car Rawalpindi-Mingora: Rs. 4500
http://www.pakistansource.com/kharkhari-lake-precious-jewel-swat/
Dear Muzzammil,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are back to Karachi by now after yet another exciting adventure up in the north. Like always, I am waiting for details of your trip along with pictures.
Please also let me know the expenses as your itinerary and expenses posted seem tentative. Keep up the good work and take care.
Ali
Dear Muzzammil. Please comment which route to take. From Dir or Kalam. I will be riding a Toyota Altis and I have lifted its body using packings. Can I go to Gabral on this vehicle or I have to hire Jeep from Kalam?
ReplyDeleteI am anxiously waiting for detailed blog as I am going there just after elections. In fact I am delaying the visit to cast vote as two of my daughters will be casting their first ever vote and are very excited about it.