Swat Valley is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Swat Valley is known as the “Switzerland” of Pakistan. Swat is famous for its tremendous natural beauty like waterfalls, pine forests, snow covered peaks, lush green fields, glacier, and streams. Swat is no doubt the most beautiful destination in the northern areas of Pakistan.
People of Swat are very caring, hospitable and friendly. Swat Valley is a place for nature lovers,archeologist and nature photographers.Summer is the popular season to visit Swat valley.The language that is spoken by people of Swat is “Pashto”.Swat is famous for its handicrafts.
Wood carving, stone carving, handicrafts and embroidery of Swat are very famous and represent the Swat culture and heritage. Woolen blankets, shawls, and rugs are very beautiful and women of Swat can weave them with their hands. Panhey is the old fashioned shoes used by old persons in Swat.
Swat is popular for carved wooden furniture like tables, chairs, dressing tables, and cradles of more advanced types.Swat cuisine is very delicious and you can enjoy foods like charsi tikka, chapli kebab, lamb karahi, kabuli pulao, sajji, and shinwari chickenin every hotel of Swat valley.
The first-ever Swat food festival “Zayega Swat Ka” attracts many people across the country. “Varjaley”is the traditional rice dish of Swat valley and it is cooked on special occasions. Honey, mushroom and butter oil of Swat valley is famous all over the country.
Saidu Sharif is the capital of Swat district. Swat museum, Saidu Baba, Saidu Stupa and much more are the tourist attraction in Saidu Sharif.Italian Ambassador Mr. Adriano Chiodi said that Swat had very rich historical sites.
Swat Museum has a Buddha Statue,a footprint which is 3 times bigger than the size of an average human being, old antiques, andancient jewelry.Saidu baba is the shrine of Akhund Abdul Ghaffur.
People across the country visit the shrine of Saidu Baba. Visitors offered prayers around Saidu Sharif Stupa.The government of Pakistan has decidedto establish an airport in Saidu Sharifand it is operational to promote tourism in Pakistan.
Many famous hotels are located near Saidu Sharif like Swat Serena hotel, Shelton’s Rezidor Swat, Swat continental hotel, Burj Al Swat and others.
Marghuzar is a small hill station of Swat. White Palace is situated in Marghuzar. It’s a residence of the Royal family of Swat. White Palace is sometimes known as Safaid Mahal. There are 24 huge rooms and two big conference halls. Now the palace is used as a hotel.Many old historical photos are hanged on the white palace.
The beautiful marble chairs and table are placed in the garden.It is located at 13 kilometers away from Saidu Sharif. The white palace was built by the first king of Swat Miangul Abdul Wadud. The material that is used in the construction of the White Palace was imported from Jaipur India.Queen Elizabeth II also visited the white palace and stayed here for three days.
Through a car, you can reach to White palace from Islamabad in 5 hours. The distance of White palace from Islamabad is 261 km.In snow, the white palace looks marvelous. The white palace is surrounded by lush green plants and beautiful mountains.
Kalam is a small town of Swat. Kalam is one of the favorite spot for tourists.There are many waterfalls and streams in Kalam. Kalam is the best place for hiking. Through jeep, you can easily reach to Mahodand Lake form Kalam.
There is a waterfall between Kalam and Mahodand Lake where people enjoy and relax.Kundol Lake and Kharkharai Lake are other attractive lakes in Kalam.Many tourists’ spotsnear Kalam like Utror, Gabral and Matiltan.Utror is a charming hill station and it is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and waterfalls.
It is located at 116 km away from Saidu Sharif and 16 km from Kalam valley. Gabral is an exquisite village in Swat and it is located at 5 km from Utror and 20 km from Kalam valley. Matiltan is a lovely valley and it is 11 km away from Kalam. Matiltan valley has glaciers, forests and mountains.
The highest mountain Falak Sar can be seen from Matiltan valley. Through a car, you can reach to Kalam from Islamabad in 12 hours. The distance of Kalam from Islamabad is 420 km.
Mahodand Lake is located in the upper Usho valley at a 40 km distance from Kalam valley. Tourists enjoy fishing, camping, horse riding and boating in Mahodand Lake. In winters, the lake becomes frozen and covered by dense snowfall. During summers, the lake is surrounded by alpine flowers like blue poppy, geum, gentian and potentilla.
Trout fish is very popular of Mahodand Lake but catching is only allowed to licensed anglers. The lake is the heaven for nature lovers. Mahodand Lake is surrounded by lush greenery, pink and yellow flowers. Local inhabitants of the valley have tents to serve tourists.
The beauty of the lake is indescribable because it looks ravishing, and charming.Jeeps are used to reach Mahodand Lake. A ten-minute walk from Mahodand Lake there is another amazing and small lake known as the Saifullah Lake.
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Kundol Lake aka Kundol Dandis situated in the north of Utror Valley at a distance of 21 km from Kalam valley. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush green tall trees. During winters the roads are closed due to heavy snowfall and in summers the lake is accessible.
Jeeps are used to reach Kundol Lake. A two hours hike of the Lake and you can reach to beautiful valley Ladu. Many refreshments huts are in Ladu valley where you can buy tea or snacks. Through a car, you can reach to Kundol Lake from Islamabad in 12 hours.
The distance of Kundol Lake from Islamabad is 509.4 km.The story behind this lake is that every night in a month a golden bowl appears in the lake and shines like a moon and nobody has touched due to its magical powers. Kundol Lake attracts many travelers and visitors due to its lovely and charming beauty.
You can easily travel to different places from Swat Valley.
Cities |
Distance in Km |
Travel Time |
|---|---|---|
| Swat Valley to Kalam | 270 | 5 hrs 30 min |
| Swat Valley to Hunza Valley | 290 | 3 hrs 30 min |
| Swat Valley to Chitral | 75 | 1 hr 15 min |
| Swat Valley to Islamabad | 250 | 3 hrs |
| Swat Valley to Murree | 240 | 3 hrs |
| Swat Valley to Abbottabad | 200 | 2 hrs 30 min |
| Swat Valley to Nathia Gali | 200 | 3 hrs |
| Swat Valley to Skardu | 380 | 4 hr 45 min |
If you spend holidays and relax your mind then Swat is the best place.Swat Valley has beautiful lakes, lush green mountains and much more. Plan Swat Valley tour with customized needs
