It is a mountainous valley and the perfect destination for anyone who would like to get away from it all. The area is rich in culture and history, making it a must-visit place if you are ever in Pakistan.
Whether you want to hike the mountains or trek through the valleys, there is something for everyone here. Let’s explore the valley of Kalam in our Swat Tour Packages
Kalam is a popular tourist destination in Upper Swat, with many attractions worth seeing. The town and hill station lie at an elevation of about 2,000 meters (6,600 ft), yet there are higher mountains nearby where visitors can go hiking or enjoy views up to 20,000 feet.
The majestic Kalam Valley is a place of outstanding natural beauty and historical significance. The altitude here reaches up to 2,001 meters, making it perfect for hiking or camping trips with friends.
The temperature in Kalam Valley is always cold, but it is the perfect getaway for anyone who needs some time away from their busy life.
The following are the times you will like to visit Kalam:
After Pakistan’s Independence Day on 14 August, vacationing families and Pakistani travelers make the summer months one of the most popular times to visit Swat Valley.
Many locals leave their homes in cities during this time while tourism is high. However, it can feel less crowded than usual since many visitors come from afar.
However, tourism is not at its peak during March-May and September-October, but visitors can still enjoy Swat Valley during milder times.
The springtime, when flowers bloom, and the fall, when Central Park’s trees turn colors, make these two seasons ideal for exploring on foot with breathtaking views of nature.
Kalam Valley’s calm waters and cold temperatures make it an excellent destination for those looking to spend their winter break.
The swathes of green that line the valley offer much-needed relief from cold, wintry weather in this harsh environment, making Kalam synonymous with peace throughout most parts of Swat.
The best time to visit is during January and March when hotel occupancy rates hover between 90% and 95%. Restaurants book up months in advance because people are eager for holiday getaways.
So this is how you can reach Kalam from Islamabad, Lahore, and Swat:
The fastest way to get from Islamabad to Swat is by taxi, which takes 4 hours and costs $95 -120. How far are you traveling?
The distance between the two cities can range from 201 km for those with an average vehicle with little cargo space or only one person per seat, to over 340 km if your car has enough room for passengers and their luggage.
Kalam is a difficult place to reach for those without connections. Luckily, there are many ways to get here, including taxis.
You can take the first leg from Lahore up through Peshawar before finally arriving at Kalam or fly into Gilgit, where another set of cars await just outside city limits.
Ready to take passengers wherever they need to go in this region so long as their destination lies within what’s called Pakistan.
The most convenient way to reach Kalam by road is via the N-95 route, which runs from Mingora. The journey crosses a river on the way, then finally reaches Khwazakhela and Madyan near Bahrain after an hour or so of driving through beautiful scenery.
The Swat Valley in Pakistan is considered one of the safest places for tourists. The local police force, along with other law enforcement agencies, encourages visitors to come here with confidence, citing improvements in safety and security in recent years, primarily due to their efforts.
The road to Kalam used to be a horrible experience, especially from Bahrain. The journey would take hours, and there were many obstacles to navigate, such as rocks or deep ditches with no bridges over them, and fording rivers that could flood at any time, making it difficult, if not impossible, sometimes.
The new highway has taken much of this stress away, though, because travelers now spend only an hour and thirty minutes getting from Bahrain to Kalam.
The following are some of the best places to stay in Kalam:
Tourists staying in camping pods or glamping rigs enjoy the picturesque beauty of Kalam Valley while saving money on accommodation.
As these campsites are often off-grid, they are found near riversides with lakeside views. Deep into forests where you can hear crickets chirping at night while gazing up at thousands of stars through an open tent ceiling. High atop mountains that offer breathtaking panoramas like no other place else.
If you are looking for some peace and tranquility, then Forest Valley Cottages is the place. The cottages sit atop a hill, with great views all around, making it easy to forget your troubles as you sit by one of their outdoor fire pits at nightfall.
Forest Valley Cottages’ serene location makes it perfect as both an escape from city life and a place of residency during weekends. The surrounding area offers breathtaking valley views, which make up its stunning scenery, while those who prefer shopping at marketplaces will find them less than 1 km away.
If you are visiting the Kalam Valley, it will be a journey of adventure and exploration. The views from where we stand in this valley look over endless green fields to snow-capped mountains on all sides.
Visit the following areas if you ever visit the beautiful Kalam Valley;
Kalam Bazaar is the leading marketplace and commercial center for locals in Kalam Valley. Despite its small size, it has hotels with restaurants serving delicious food to travelers passing through or visiting family members. There are also cafes where you can get your caffeine fix! The bazaar also houses medical stores.
Matiltan is approximately 13km (8 miles) from Kalam, a drive of roughly 50 minutes by car. However, if you want a more scenic and adventurous journey along the Ushu Road alongside the Swat River, these hiking trails will be perfect for you.
Matiltan Village is a beautiful village in Swat, KPK, on the way to Mahodand Lake. The hike can take anywhere between 3-4 hours, depending on how fast or slow-minded you choose to go with nature.
A 6-hour trek from Kalam to Matiltan is the perfect day out in this picturesque town for adventurous travelers.
You will have ample time to sightsee and relax on your way there or at your destination; that’s what makes it worth every penny.
Ushu is a beautiful spot to visit if traveling from Kalam. The journey takes around 60 to 80 minutes on the same road in the same direction towards Matiltan, after which it is another 7 km (4 miles) along Mahodand Lake Rd alongside the Ushu River.
It has lush green scenery with clear water flowing through its banks, making for some great pictures.
The trail to Ushu is a beautiful and challenging four-hour hike. With an elevation change of nearly, you will be able to reach some spectacular views along this leg of your journey that can’t wait for it all.
One of the most visited tourist spots in Pakistan, Mahodand Lake, is located nearly 32 km from Kalam.
The lake can be easily accessed by four-wheel-drive vehicles and has a surface area of up to 2 kilometers, with widths ranging from 10 to 50 meters, depending on water levels.
It is easy for anyone who likes scenic drives through nature.
If you are looking for a scenic drive with breathtaking views, then this is where it is at. The Blue Water Valley, located 40 minutes away from Mall Road, Kalam, will make your eyes feel like they’re on vacation as well.
The reason it is called Blue Water is its unique turquoise color, which flows into an area surrounded by thick alpine forests. There is also a lovely stream winding across endless acres in this picturesque scenery.
The five-finger peaks of the alpine wonderland, Kalam boasts a landscape that is both enchanting and captivating. The mountains rise from rolling green meadows, towering over paths winding through this picturesque region.
Making it an excellent spot for adventurers seeking some quiet time away from crowds but who also want access to all that Kalam has to offer.
The village of Boyun is 45 minutes from the main city, located at an altitude where you can enjoy pristine nature. The people here are hospitable and welcoming to visitors who usually plan their whole day before arriving to take it all in.
The Saifullah Lake is a 15-minute drive from Mahodand and offers epic views. Tourists can enjoy boating and fishing here in the summers as well.
The recent popularity of the area has made it one of the most visited locations for tourists across Pakistan, who flock to see its natural beauty, including large bodies of water like this one, with stunning scenery around every corner.
But also smaller ones like our famous blue lagoon, which is home to an abundance of aquatic life, including carp and rohu.
From Kalam Bazar to this lake, a three-hour drive is followed by 2 km of rough terrain, after which you have to trek through these rugged hillsides and take out your camera before the view finally becomes visible.
The glistening surface appears as if from nowhere when one drives up close enough to take it all.
The huge Kundol lake is located in the north of Uthror valley, 19 kilometers away from Kalam. Alongside this famous myth, locals have another story about how, every month on moonless nights, you can see a big golden bowl appear out of nowhere and shine like pale moonlight across its surface before disappearing just as quickly.
Kalam is a land of many rivers, and it is no surprise that they have healing properties. The water from these streams runs through miles upon kilometers of mountains before merging to create their distinctive sounds, which can be heard by everyone living here in Kalam Valley.
Kundal Lake is a gorgeous sight, especially with its pristine views and the surrounding mountains.
To get there, you will need at least 3 hours from Kalam, as it takes time for your party of tourists/guides to reach the destination after following the Swat River Branch towards this scenic area.
Bahrain, located about 40-50 kilometers south of Kalam, is another popular riverside resort. This place has bazaars worth exploring for their handicrafts, and it is also an excellent spot to spend your evening while traveling through the region.
Another excellent, peaceful place to stay in the Swat Valley is Miandam. The town will feel like a different world, with its beautiful trees lining all around you as soon as you reach its edge.
It can get cold here, so remember that when planning your trip or packing clothes for someone else who might end up joining along on their adventure through Pakistan.
The distance from Kalam to Kumrat is 4 hrs 6 min (62.8 km) via Utrar Road and Utrar-Dir Road, which also offers a more accessible option if you are looking for a shorter travel time.
The scenic drive on this route will take travelers through beautiful scenery, with trees decorated in autumn colors and snowcapped mountains in the background, all while passing near villages that make up part of the agricultural land.
Swat was an ancient and peaceful valley in Pakistan. It was first known as Udyana before it was renamed Suvasthi in the 11th century (approx.). The history of Swat continues back 2000 years, when this land was settled by people who lived here until the 11th century.
The game of power led to Mahmud of Ghazni’s conquest of Swat Valley. The ritual for acquiring land continued, and it was then taken over by Yusufzai tribesmen in the 10th century. The economy of Swat Valley thrived during the 19th century due to agriculture and trade.
Akhund Sahib, who believed in Muslim law, made it one of the significant areas for business because many goods were traded, such as livestock and carpets.
The population of Swat Valley is around 1,257,602, and it is home to several cultural groups, the most prominent of which are the Pakhtuns.
Yusufzais live here as well, with their language that can’t be understood by everyone else but has its roots in ancient Sanskrit. Kohistanis reside on this land too.
The Swat Valley is known as a mini Switzerland for its natural beauty. It was one of Pakistan’s most visited areas and had a vital tourism industry that supported many local jobs.
Still, it faced some troubles when Taliban attacks led to conflicts between them and army troops at different parts of the valley, which diminished visitor numbers, causing a decline in the income generated by this source alone.
The conflict between Sufi Muhammad and his son-in-law started in the 1990s when they tried to impose sharia law on Swat Valley. This led to many people’s resistance, which resulted in a war in Swat, with the Pakistani army taking control in 2008.
The Kalam festival is a month-long event held in July or August. The Kalam Valley and Mahodand are two scenic areas that people visit for this celebration, with tourism among its many attractions.
It is also an important cultural tradition, with folk singing performances featured throughout the night at different stages of the festivities. In contrast, others wear traditional clothes made from brightly colored fabrics designed specifically for these types of events.
The people of Kalam Valley are called the forgotten people. They have been through much in their history, but they never gave up hope or stopped fighting for what was right.
The People of Kalam Valley, Swat, Pakistan, have faced many challenges throughout history despite being among those considered ‘forgotten’.
Living under the Taliban’s regime, these brave souls still showed resilience, perseverance, and determination even if it meant imprisonment.
This did not stop them from speaking out against human rights violations committed by fundamentalists when no one else would listen to them anymore than before.
The Kalam Valley is a picturesque region of Pakistan with an array of stunning natural and manufactured attractions. If you are looking to explore this beautiful valley, Naran or Hunza, we have got all the information you need. From religious sites to scenic landscapes, here is what makes Kalam Swat Valley one of our favorite places in Pakistan.
To be honest, being on this means a lot to me. We never thought that it could be a valuable tour. We wish we could visit this place again.
