SWAT Valley
Swat is a district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province that is located near Afghan-Pakistan border. Saidu Sharif is the capital of Swat valley and its main town is Mingora. The people living in this beautiful valley are ethnically Afghans or also known as Pashtuns. Swat is also entitled as “Switzerland of Pakistan”. This place got fame as “Buddhist pilgrimage”. The valley of Swat was filled with 1400 awesome monasteries and stupas. The ancient names for Swat valley include “Suvastu” and “Udyana”. Swat valley is located in North of Pakistan in mountain range of Hindukush. The fame of Swat valley lies in its fauna and flora, fascinating lakes, mesmerizing landscapes, ancient relics, hospitality etc.
Main Attractions/Points to Visit:
Swat is full of such places that can attract the attention of tourists. Some of them are named as Malam Jabba, Miandam, Swat Museum, Behrain, Kalam, Madyan, Utror, Usho, Ghabral, Mahudan, Kundol Lake, Pari or Khapiro lake, Bashigram Lake, White Stream or Spin Khwar Lake and Daral Lake.
Access to Swat Valley:
Swat is connected both by air and by road with Islamabad and Peshawar. There is a facility of regular van or bus service between Mingora and Rawalpindi.
What to Shop:
Swat valley is famous for its industries which include handicrafts, shawl, woolen blankets, tribal jewellery, silverware, carved wood work, rugs, panhey or panrae, shkor, embroidery and furniture. The swat handicrafts can be given to your friends and family as gifts. Woolen blankets are woven in Kala Kalay, Puran, Dewlai and Salampur. Rugs are prepared by villagers after pressing wool with the help of water spray. The pot in which “chapattis” or bread are kept is known as Shkor. Panhey is old fashioned shoes of Swat.
Sports to Enjoy/Activities for tourists:
As far as the wildlife of Swat is concerned, it includes monkeys and birds such as falcons, hawks, eagles, hoopoes, pheasants, sparrows, larks, doves, quails, starling, swallows, crows, nightingales, vultures, kites, owls, and bats. Madyan contain a large fishery. Swat river is also full of fishes.
Where to Stay:
You can easily get access to moderately charged hotels, rest houses and motels in Kalam, Mingora, Saidu Sharif, Ushu, Bahrain, Madyan etc.

Swat Valley Wallpapers

Takht-i-Bhai
In Sanskrit, the meaning of the word Takht-i-bhai is “well on a high surface”. The ruins of this Buddhist monastic complex are located almost 15 km away from “Mardan”, a place in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The nearby area of this place is well-known for sugar cane cultivation.
Points to visit/Main Attractions:
The other historical places that are located in vicinity of Takht-i-bhai include the villages of Charsadda, Takkar, Sher Garh, Lund Khwar and Sehri-Bahlol. The Sehri-Bahlol is located on Malakand road. The famous Pashtu singer “ Sardar Ali Takkar” was born in the village of Takkar.
Activities for Tourists:
This awesome and unique place can attract the attention of archaeologists and antiquities lovers. The people who want to study Buddhist religion should visit this place to get a lot of useful information. In 1980, Takht-i-bhai was listed as UNESCO world heritage site.
Access to Takht-i-Bhai:
Takht-i-Bhai is located in Mardan. It is 80 kilometers away from city of Peshawer.
Takht-i-bhai alternative names:
The other historical or alternative names of “Takht-i-bhai” includes “Takht bhai”, “Takhat bai” etc. The most amazing feature of this historical place is the arrangement and design of small shrines.
Structure of Takht-i-Bhai:
The Takht-i-Bhai complex consists of four areas named as The Stupa court, the monastic chambers, a temple complex and tantric monastic complex. The meaning of word “stupa” is a mound like structure. The pieces of Gandhara sculpture that are present in Europe museums now, were basically recovered from Takht-i-Bhai. This place is full of ancient Buddhist remains.

Takht-i-Bhai Wallpapers & Pictures

CHITRAL VALLEY
Sulphur springs, orchard-dotted slopes, rivers full with trout and the rugged mountains of Chitral valley make it fascinating and grandeur. The majority people of Chitral valley are Muslims while non- Muslim minority is also present there who are known as “Kafir Kalash.” Pashtu language is spoken in Chitral while Chitrali people also understand urdu.
Tourist Season:
Ideal season for visiting this awesome valley is from June to September.
Temperature:
Winters of Chitral valley are extremely cold while summer season is pleasant one.
Sports to Enjoy/Activities for Tourists:
Chitral is well-known for its “Polo Tournaments” that held from April to July and from September to October. The most played game there is “soccer.” Shandur Polo Tournament is held at highest Polo ground of the world.
Points to Visit/ Main attractions:
Shahi Masjid against the background of Trichmir peak is worth watching. You can also explore the fascinating bazaars of this inspiring valley that are famous for their handicraft treasures.
Access to Chitral valley:
Chitral valley can be accessed by air from the city of Peshawar.

Chitral Valley Wallpapers & Pictures

GILGIT BALTISTAN:
Pakistan is having a lot of magnificent, razzle-dazzle and miraculous places. The Gilgit-Baltistan is that prodigious region of Pakistan where the world’s four well-known mountain ranges meet i.e. the Karakorams, the Pamirs, the Himalayas and the Hindukush. It is the most fascinating place for hikers, climbers, mountaineers and trekkers. The Gilgit valley lies at an elevation of 1454 meters. The best tourist season to visit this scenic beauty is from April to October.
Points to Visit/Main Attractions:
You can visit here a lot of breathtaking places which include Gilgit Bridge, Kargah Buddha, Monument of Taj Mughal, Singal, Sher Qilla, Gahkuch, and Naltar valley. The largest suspension bridge of Asia is the bridge that is over the fast flowing Gilgit River. 10 Km away from Gilgit town is a spectacular rock known as Kargah Buddha.
Sports to Enjoy/Activities for Tourists:
Trout fishing can be rejoiced at Sher Qilla. Gahkuch is the wondrous place for fishing sport and trekking. The lakes and streams of Gilgit valley are loaded with trout fishes.
Access to Gilgit Valley:
This stupendous place can be accessed both by road and by air. Three daily flights have been operated by PIA between Gilgit and Islamabad. The flying time is approximately one hour. To visit Gilgit by road, you can use Karakoram Highway.
Temperature:
The maximum temperature of this amazing valley is 10 C and the minimum one is 40 C.
Guidance for Tourists/Important Phone Numbers:
For guidance you can contact, Tourist Information Centre, PTDC Motel, Chinnar Inn. (Tel: 05811 – 54262, 52562). Important telephone numbers for tourist are:

• Chief Secretary, Northern Areas Tel: (92-0572) 2501
• PIA Booking Tel: (92-0572) 3390
• Airport Manager Tel: (92-0572) 2333
• Habib Bank Tel: (92-0572) 3884
• Muslim Commercial Bank Tel: (92-0572) 2349
• Soneri Bank Tel: (92-0572) 3650
• National Bank Tel (92-0572) 2556

Gilgit Baltistan Pictures

GARAM CHASHMA (HOT SPRINGS):
It is located at an elevation of 1859 meters. Boiling Sulphur springs of Garam Chashma are well-known for their healing effect for diseases such as gout, chronic headaches, rheumatism and skin diseases. Human baths have been constructed near the springs for tourist people.
Points to Visit/ Main attractions:
Birmoghalasht palace of this place is worth-watching. It offers you an awesome view of panoramic vistas of valleys below and Trichmir.
Sports to Enjoy/Activities for visitors:
This place is full of a lot of attractions for tourists which include hiking, mountaineering, trekking, fishing, camping and shooting. Flora and fauna are also found here. The valley is enriched with apricots, pears, pomegranate, melons, grapes, apples and mulberries. Shooting of snow-leopard, musk deer and Murgh Zarreen is banned here. Limited shooting is allowed in this valley. Lotkuh river is abounds in trout fishes but for fishing permits are required which are issued by Fisheries Department.
What to Shop:
Chitral is well-known for its soft hand-woven woolen cloth which is called as “Shu.”
Access to Garam Chashma:
Daily flights are being operated by PIA between Chitral and Peshawar. The flying time is almost 50 minutes. It is also access able by road.

15 hours by jeep 250 km.
Gilgit-Chitral 406km. (155 miles) from Gilgit to
(252 miles) Shandur + 5 hours on horse- back or on foot.

Peshawar-Chitral 3651/4 km. By jeep-12 hours.
(via Malakand-Director- (227 miles)
Lowari Pass)

40 ¼ km.(25 miles) from Shandur to Mastuj+7 hours
by jeep 116 km (72 miiles
from Mastuj to Chitral.

Garam Chashma Pictures