Chitral & Dir Valley

Chitral & Dir - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Famous for its natural grandeur, Chitral is an ancient and main mountainous town in northern Pakistan situated at a distance of 322 km from Peshawar. It is home to some of majestic mountains, . green valleys, glaciers and snow-capped peaks including 7706 m Tirichmir, the highest in the Hindukush mountain range. Chitral district has two sub divisions, Chitral and Mastuj. Lower Chitral has a near Alpine like climate, upper Chitral has arid lands though blessed with glaciers. Good trekking and trout fishing facilities are available along overflowing rivers and streams adding to the natural harm of this serene valley. Harsh winters (Dec. April) make it inaccessible by land when Shandur and Lowari Passes are closed due to heavy snowfall. During summers vehicular traffic( subject to weather conditions) resumes connecting Chitral with Rawalpindi and Peshawar. For travel between Chitral and Gilgit via thrilling Shandur Pass, special jeeps are available on rent at both the towns. PIA Fokker service operates between Peshawar and Chitral, depending on weather conditions. Located on the banks of a swiftly flowing river, Chitral is a fascinating place worth seeing. Its old Fort overlooking the main city adds to its historical grandeur with a beautiful palace inside and famous mosque outside. Foreign visitors are required to register with the police on their arrival. A permit from the District Administration is required before moving to the valleys of the Kafir Kalash having their own distinct culture and ways of life. Lowari Pass Famous Lowari Pass (3200m height) forms the boundary line between Dir and Chitral. The journey is full of adventure. This only land route to Chitral via Dir is closed between November and April due to heavy snowfall. A government plan is underway to build an all weather tunnel passing through this mighty Pass. Kalash Valley Kalash valley is inhabited by world-fame ancient Kalash tribe that over the centuries has retained its own religion, distinct customs. Kalash community is settled in three separate valleys, Birir, Bumburet and Rambur. The tribe regularly celebrates annual festivals during which men and women perform colorful dances and rejoice their favorite events with lot of fanfare. The Chilamjusht, Phool, Chawas and Utchal are the main festivals. Kalash Festivals Joshi or Chilimjusht: This festival is held from 14th to 15th May to mark spring when girls pick the first flowers of the season. Traditional dancing, visiting each other, exchanging flowers, milk and milk products are its features. Utchal: This colorful event is celebrated in mid-July to mark the harvest of wheat and barley. The two- day celebrations feature dances, singing and hosting feasts. Chowas: Chowas is a festival celebrated in winter from 18th to 21st December to welcome the New Year. Its significant feature is feasting and merriment that continue until the elders sitting on a hill top and watching the movement of the sun then declare the advent of the New Year. Later after coming down the hills, they light their torches, perform dances and sacrifice goats at the altar. Nauroze: It falls on 21th March and is celebrated in Itkuh, Mastuj, and Turikho Mulkho by Ismails, the faithful followers of His Highness Prince Karim Agha Khan. Great enthusiasm and warmth is shown by Ismailis on the occasion. Jashn-e-Chitral: Being main festival it is celebrated with great pomp and show. The date for this event is fixed every year. It has an unusual attraction for tourists who especially take a trip to Chitral to enjoy the event. The festivities include equestrian sports, wrestling, polo competitions, tug-of-war, colourful folk dances and music by the Kalash community. An exhibition of local handicrafts is part of this event.  Garam Chashma Garam Chashma (Hot Springs), also the name of a village where these springs exist, is about 45 km to the north-west of Chitral. These natural hot springs full of sulphur are famous for their healing affects on skin ailments. Great value is attached to them for recovery from headache, pains and gout. The village can be reached by jeep in one and half an hour. Its large market has precious stones and other items brought here since old times by caravans from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province. Traditional “Chitrali Patti”, a locally prepared typical woolen cloth, is usually found on display in outside markets.  Chitral Museum Depicting old history of Chitral, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is sited at Polo Ground, Chitral. It offers glimpses of ancient heritage and has collection of historical articles mainly the Kalash Valley antiquity. The Parwak excavation in 2003 has provided the first ever archaeological material of Aryan Graves dating back to 1800 to 600 B.C. The museum’s formal inauguration took place on 28th November 2003. The proposal for such an historical site came from Mr. Shakil Durrani, then serving as Deputy Commissioner of Chitral.  Mastuj Mastuj is an attractive scenic town in upper Chitral and serves as a gateway to Shandur and Boroghil Pass. A PTDC Motel provides good lodging and boarding to visitors. The beautiful town is famous for walnuts, apples and grapes found in abundance.  Shandur Pass Lying midway between Chitral and Gilgit, the mighty Shandur Pass is about 12250ft above sea level. In winter the Pass is blanketed by heavy snow, which melts during summer making it a lushgreen place. Shandur Lake with its serene waters is on the top of the Pass that can be reached by jeep from either side. Famous Shandur Polo Tournament is the most popular festival during summer. It is regularly held on July (7-9) between Chitral and Gilgit teams at this highest polo ground. Outdoor entertainment and cultural events being part of the sports gala attract tourists. It also provides an opportunity to the locals to display items of their cottage industry. Food and beverages stalls are set up. The Sarhad Tourism Corporation (STC) regularly participates in this annual event and is the co-organizer of this festival in collaboration with district administration Chitral since 1995. The STC’s tentage village and Tourism Information Center serve as good source of providing accommodation facilities and tourism-related information to domestic and foreign tourists. Climate In a sharp contrast to an extremely cold winter Chitral has a pleasant weather in summer. Though spring brings incessant rain and snowfall, the autumn is usually mild and pleasant. Languages Chitral or Khowar is the local language whereas Urdu and English are also spoken. How To Reach There PIA operates daily flight, subject to weather conditions between Peshawar and Chitral. The flying time is 50 minutes. To reach Chitral from Peshawar by the 365 km long partly metalled, partly gravel topped roads, takes 12 hours. The route goes via Malakand, Dir and the 3200 m high Lowari Pass, open duringthe summer from May till the end of November, which may close earlier in case of snowfall. Chitral can also be reached from Gilgit by jeep via Shandur Pass. Permits are required by foreigners from the D.C.O Office Chitral to visits Kalash Valleys. There are many private jeeps, cabs and mini buses playing between Dir and Peshawar. Main Glaciers Of The Region The main glaciers are: Udren Darband : 30km; Atahk: 24km; Roshgol: 12 km; Ziwar: 14 km; Unu-Gol:13 km; Chiantar:30 km; Zindikharom:14 km. There are many other glaciers with less than 10 km. The glaciers still lying unexplored are : Lower Tirich Glacier Prechu Glacier Upper Darband Glacier Ano-gol Glacier which is a more difficult trekking route starting from Tirich Concordia. For tourists with craze for adventures of rock climbing there are some ideal sites. One is at about 22km from Chitral town at Shasha, on the route to Garam Chashma. The other mighty rock climb is the west face of Mt. Saraghrar, about 3000m high and one of the biggest among the Hindukush Peaks in the Roshgol Valley. There are beautiful lakes and water falls in these valleys awaiting their fond guests.  Dir Dir is an old town with an area of 2040 sq. km, comprising Upper and Lower Dir and administratively further sub divided into zones-sub divisions and tehsils. Panjkora river passes through this transit town for taking road journey towards scenic Chitral. With incessant rains, Upper Dir is mountainous having huge green forests. Lower Dir consists of arid fertile valley. Until 1962 before its merger into NWFP , it remained under the rule of Nawab, traditional ruler. Historical sites in the vicinity of Chakdara are archaeologically rich. Its special knives are famous. Kumrat Valley At a distance of 5 hours from the district headquarter of Upper Dir town, Kumrat is a scenic valley of much tourist attraction, with a noisy river raising its natural charm. It is situated at a height of 8100 feet above sea level in Dir-Kohistan valley. A metalle droad goes from Dir to Sheringal while the remaining portion of 50 km onward from Sheringal upto Kumrat is rusty. Local pine forests are habitations of a variety of birds including Monal Pheasant, Himalayan Snow cock. Wildlife such as Markhoor Deer and Leopard are also found here. For adventurists the area offers for mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing. Among the strikingly beautiful spots in Dir-Kohistan valley are Thall, Lamutai, Seri, Kalkot, Jandrai, Jankai, Pathrak. Barawal Valley Being closest to Afghanistan Barawal valley, at a distance of 40km from Upper Dir, is situated north west of Dir town. This scenic place is comprised of sub valleys, Shingara Dara, Sunai Dara and Nasrat Dara. The whole area is hub of wild life with sprawling oak forests adoring the mountains. Fresh apples, grapes, walnut, peaches, plums, pears, cherries and honey are favorite locally produced items. Shahi Beautifully sited and being an attractive tourist spot, Shahi is a worth seeing place( About 2300m above sea level) sitting atop the mountains of Samarbagh and Barawal. In summer season it unveils its natural attraction. Here one can view its plain area of nearly 1 km long encircled by towering mountains i.e. Soorgulo Sar, that brings forth the natural magic of Samarbagh, Kambat and Mayar. Places like Skhokas, Rokhna, Shalkandi and Samarbagh present an ecstatic sense of natural beauty. Distance to Shahi from Peshawar via Samarbagh is around about 234 km and via Barawal-Dir about 276km. Binshahi Just 20-25 km from Shahi, one comes across the scenic small valley of Binshahi ( About 2500 m above sea level). The place, inhabited by its original Mishwani tribe, can be reached from Shahi on a sharply bending upward going metalled road snaking through mountains. Shalkhokas Danda, a famous lake adorns it. The visitors can relish mountain climbing and trekking. Dense conifer forests are found on the mountains. The area is adjacent to its proximity with Kunar province of Afghanistan. Laram Sar Laram Sar (About 6000 to 7000 above sea level) is a lush green scenic spot in Lower Dir. The important surrounding hamlets include Danda, Tangobagh, Segay, Babakhwar, Kasso, Gudyakhwar etc. Situated at a distance of 21 km from Ouch and about 30 km from Chakdara, Lram Sar is close to Ouch and Rabat. Timergara, the main town of Dir, is laying on its western side with famous modern tourist resort of Malam Jaba being on its eastern side. On its south western side is the famous historical Talash Valley. Laram Sar can be reached from different areas like Rabat, Talash, Ocuh and Timergara. It is also accessible by two roads, one from Ouch, about 21 km long and metalled for about 5 km up to the base of Laram Mountain, and then an unmetalled portion of about 17km to the top of Laram. The second road goes from Rabat Bazaar. From Peshawar to Laram Top via Ouch the total distance is about 178 km. The mountaintop has a radar system and TV booster. Andan Dheri Journeying from Chakdara towards Dir, a route turns to the old village of Uchh. It is around 8 to 10 kms from Chakdara. One suddenly finds the glimpses of a Buddhist stupa of Andan Dheri welcoming visitors just before they step into Uchh. The architectural grace of the main and other small stupas is found in the art of stone-masonry of which they had been made up in ancient times. The sculptures of once flourishing Gandhara Art, dating back to Christian era, were found through excavation here at this small town. Map