The valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa each have their own character. In Swat, the road climbs from the market town of Mingora past orchards and river camps to Kalam, where two rivers meet to form the Swat. The Kaghan valley follows the Kunhar river up to Naran, a summer town of hotels and jeep stands. The Galiyat, a chain of hill stations such as Nathia Gali, sits on forested ridges a few hours from Islamabad. Far to the north, the three Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir lie south of Chitral town, home to a people with their own language and faith.
What you can do
From Naran, local jeeps climb to Lake Saiful Muluk at about 3,200 metres, and a longer day follows the valley past Lulusar Lake to Babusar Top. Above Kalam, a rough jeep track through the Ushu forest reaches Mahodand Lake, where you can walk the meadows or take a boat out. Malam Jabba, above Mingora, has ski lifts and snow in winter. In the Galiyat, the Pipeline Track is a flat forest walk of about four kilometres from Dunga Gali to Ayubia, and a steeper hiking trail climbs Mushkpuri for wide views on a clear day. The Kalash valleys have walks between villages of carved wooden houses, and the Chilam Joshi festival in mid-May fills them with music and dancing.
Booking on adventuro
Summer weekends in Naran and Swat get busy, so it's worth booking early for July and August. Use the Book here tab to see live dates and prices from local centres.
