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 Chitral
located in the North west of Pakistan is a beautiful valley in the
Hindukush range of Mountains. It has always been a very important
route for many invaders to south east Asia, Including Alexander
the great Scythians, Mangol Changez Khan and numerous others. Chitral
is a small town with a one single street bazaar and a few tourist
class hotels. At the end of Bazaar on the right (River side) there
is the Chitral fort and Palace of Mehtar (Mir Or King) In front
of the Fort is the Jami Mosque of Chitral an impressive architecture
with beautiful inlays and decorations. You can get to Chitral from
Swat via Dir drive to Dir on your Car where there are Jeeps available
at Al Manzar Hotel which will take you via Lowari pass to the town
of Chitral. There are also Hiaces (Vans) leaving from Swat but Jeeps
are much safer. From Gilgit you can get a Jeep to take you to Phander
(Below Shandur Pass ) You must overnight at a camp site and later
continue to Chitral next day.
Hotels :
 PTDC
Chitral is the best choice has a beautiful garden and very good
service Single
Mountain View Hotel is located in Shahi Bazaar second best
good clean rooms with hot shower. There are few other smaller hotels
along the bazaar and in front of PTDC Motel.
Transfers
Chitral - Dir:
Drive
by jeep to Dir via Lowari pass only possible in July August &
September. The road is very rough but very scenic. Mountains are
rugged and turn green with pines and Junipers as you come closer
to the pass and later at Dir or Pannakot.
Dir/ Pannakot to Swat :
At Dir there is one Small Hotel. called Almanzar hotel and there
is a small PTDC Motel at Pannakot so it is best to continue to Swat
which is only 3 Hours. You will drive through a green region with
scenes of villages and nomads on the way.
Chitral to Mastuj
This is same as the excursion to Shandur. You can stop on your way
to Gilgit on a Jeep Safari and camp at a famous camp site known
as the Subedars village/ Camp site. There is plenty of water and
a good shaded grass to put your camps on.
Mastuj to Phandar
From Mastuj pass the Shandur pass and descend to the Phandar Lake
and camp any where on the river / Lake side the whole area is meadows
and safe to camp.
Phandar to Gilgit.
Drive to Gilgit via Gakuch & Gupis and overnight at Gilgit.
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Tours
:
Half day walking in the town. Visit the Mosque, The Bazaar and polo
Ground at Chitral.
Full Day Kafir Kalash Valleys:
One
needs a permit from the political agents office in the town to Go
to Kafir Kalash valleys. Obtain your permit from the office and
drive By Jeep to Banburat valley one of the most interesting of
the Kalash valleys. Kalash is a mountain tribe of the Hindukush
Living isolated from the rest of the world since ages. Though very
few of them remain so still area can be called one of the remotest
of the land in Pakistan. Kalash or Kafirs are very colorful people
with their own traditions and a polyethiest religion. As you reach
the valley you get a very unique feeling of being in a very different
culture. The women of the valley wear a black gown with beautiful
embroidery and a Cap which hangs till the Back, embrioded with shells.
You may witness a Kalash dance which made some people relate them
to the armies of the Alexander the great.
There are few restaurants, and camp sites in the valley. you can
spend an Afternoon or eve a few leisure days in this valley.
Half Day Garam Chashma:
A village about 30 KMs from Chitral. The drive is very scenic and
breathtaking at the village there is a hot spring pool and a few
houses.
Full day Shandur Pass:
Drive by Jeep through some of the remotest mountain villages to
Shandur pass 12000 feet. Spend some time at the pass and stop bye
at some villages later drive back to Chitral.
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