The hills were calling

Swat is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. The river Swat is a clear water river starting from the Ushu rage of mountains to the spread of the valley of Swat. It is one of the greenest valleys of the Northern Pakistan and is well connected to the rest of Pakistan. There are regular flights from Islamabad to Swat and back. One can also get here either from Peshawar (160 kms) or Islamabad (250 kms). The valley of Swat is located in the middle of foothills of Hindukush mountain range. The main town of the valley is Mingora and Saidu Sharif.

Swat is a place for leisure lovers, Hikers, and archeologist. There are many comfortable hotels where one can stay a while to relax. In Kalam upper Swat there are some very pleasant walks, since weather is pleasant one can easily walk over the hills for hours and enjoy the unspoiled nature.

The Swat is garden of Ashoka and was a prosperous land in the Buddhist times (2nd BC to 5 AD). There are at least over 100 archeological sites in the valley less than 10% of the area excavated. One can explore some of those sites in a half-day tour of Swat.



Islamabad to Swat is approximately 250 kms and 5-6 Hours. Drive in the morning from Islamabad stop at the confluence of Kabul & Indus Rivers. Later continue to Swat via Charsadha, stop at different village bazaars and pass the Malakand pass. One can have Lunch at a local restaurant on the way. After Malakand pass, you enter the valley of Swat. View the Churchill's picket and Shingardar Stupa on the way. Takht e Bhai most well preserved Buddhist monastery is on the way before Malakand pass time permitting can visit this archeological site too but that can extend the trip to around 8 hours.


Tourist Attractions in Swat

Marghazar


Marghazar 16 km away from Saidu Sharif is famous for its Sufed Mahal the white marble palace built by the first Wali (ruler) of Swat.

It used to be the ruler's summer residence. Elizabeth II (Queen of England) and Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh) were also hosted there in 1961. Elizabeth II described it as "the Switzerland of the East" during the visit. The marble used to build White Palace was the same marble, which was used to build Taj Mahal. It was turned into a hotel.

Fizagat Park


Fizagat Park is a recreation arena for the tourists and the locals situated at 1 kilometer from Mingora city. Situated along the bank of the River Swat, tourists enjoy the bath and pleasant climate in summer

Malam Jabba


Malam Jabba is a Hill Station in the lower Swat mountain ranges nearly 42 km from Saidu Sharif in Swat Valley. It is 314 kms from Islamabad and 51 km from Saidu Sharif Airport. Malam Jabba is home to the largest ski resort in Pakistan. On the main Madyan-Kalam road, the road turns to the right at Manglor town (12 km from Saidu Sharif), for the Malam-Jabba Dara which has a villages like Salanda, Jehanabad, Talegraam, Badar, Ser, Malam, Kishora, , and finally Jabba. Malam is a small village, which comes prior to Kishora village on the main Malam-Jabba road. Malam is nearly 17 km from Manglor while Kishora is at 18 km distance. Jabba is the uppermost part of the whole Dara. The Malam Jabba ski resort, owned by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, has a ski slope of about 800m with the highest point of the slope 2804 m (9200 ft.) above sea level.

The resort was equipped with modern facilities including roller/ice-skating rinks, chair lifts, skiing platforms, telephones and snow clearing equipment.

Unfortunately, the Taliban destroyed the resort when they were in hold in Swat valley. Now that writ of the government has been reinstated and peace established, tourism has picked up. The government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) has awarded the tender for rebuilding the Malam Jabba skiing resort to a private company. Work is going on in full swing and is almost completed. Skiing has already been restored and a skiing festival was held in Jan as well.






Saidu Sharif and Mingora


At the elevation of 990 metres, Mingora and Saidu Sharif are twin-towns merged into each other. Mingora is the biggest town in Swat with all the main markets, bus stands, hotels, restaurants and shopping malls etc.; while Saidu Sharif is the administrative capital of Swat. Over time, Mingora has become heavily congested and relatively hot in summer as compared to Saidu Sharif. The Bazaars of Mingora are fascinating and worth exploring for woven woolen shawls, jackets and caps, handicrafts, old silver jewelry, old carpets, stones, dry fruits and much more. Saidu Sharif also has many schools, colleges, hospitals and government offices. Swat Serena Hotel, Swat Museum and Butkara remains are also located in Saidu Sharif.

Being capital city of picturesque Swat valley. Saidu Sharif is the principal seat of administration for looking after and managing regional government affairs several colleges, schools, government offices are situated here. Swat museum, the tomb of the Akhund of Swat, beautifully built buildings of Swat State era. Especially Jehan Zeb College, wooden building of Mehmankhana and archeological sites of Butkara I, two and three are worth seeing places in Saidu Sharif.

Mingora the center of economic activities and the only urban area of the valley is adjacent to Saidu Sharif that offers traditional, Pakistani and western food outlets, restaurants and hotels. Locally produced beautifully displayed at its main bazaar, shops, show rooms etc. include semi-precious stones, embroidered dresses, hand woven ladies’ shawls, bed sheets and woodwork. Traditional ornaments and antiques are available at shops. Visitors on trips to Swat valley usually stroll in its bazaars for shopping at the end of their journey can find emerald mines in hills northward of the city famous worldwide for their expensive and valuable emeralds.

Swat Museum


Swat Museum is located on main Mingora-Saidu Sharif road. This museum has a huge collection of Gandhara sculptures from the Buddhist sites in Swat. The original museum was constructed by the Department of Archaeology and Museums in 1958, when a twin museum was inaugurated in Rome.

The building was severely damaged by the 2005 earthquake as well as a bomb blast in 2009. The Italian archaeological mission in Pakistan has beautifully restored the museum and it is open for public again.

Bahrain


This riverside small town, at a distance of 66 km from Saidu Sharif and just 10 km from Madyan, is most frequently visited resort because of its location on the road leading to other beautiful resorts. A humming bazaar with shops. Eateries and hotels make it a popular place.

Household traditional decoration items are available at shops, eateries and hotels make it a popular place. Architectural beauty is fully evident in wooden-made pillars and fixtures of mosques and buildings arousing interest of visitors. Nearby valleys, full of lush green thick jungles offer hiking on narrow mountainous paths.

Kalaam


Being home town of Kohistani inhabitants, Kalam is like an earthly paradise in Swat Valley. Located at a distance of 40 km from Bahrain, Kalam is the main town of this region presenting one of the most panoramic natural beauties. The people known as Kohistani are its original inhabitants proud of their own language and still unchanged traditions. A fascinating view of Falaksair Peak with its melting snow even during summers is breathtaking. The journey is incomplete without seeing and going to Mahodand, a famous lake, about 23 km beyond Matiltan.

 

The picturesque Kalam provides road access to reach magnificent valleys of Ushu, Utrot and Gabral, where journey through green forests and beautiful view of landscape is mesmerizing. Rivers and lakes at Kalam offer good trout fishing as well.

Bashigram


Bashigram Lake is situated to the east of Bashigram valley near Madyan The road to this valley is partly metaled for vehicles. It takes almost forty to fifty minutes to reach this picturesque valley inhibited by simple and hospitable folk. From here. Trekking of four to five hours. Depending on professionalism and enthusiasm of the trekkers lands you in the realm of a serene and enchanting lake of Bashigram.

The above mentioned are the most visited places in Swat Valley, but it is home to a lot of other hidden gems too that need to be explored. Plan a trip of around a week to ten days if you want to fully explore the region.