I am very thankful to Kamran Memon kamranmemon123 & Saqib Nadeem black88
as the information they have shared on PakWheels was quite useful and it has helped and motivated me to plan a family trip to Swat/Kalam. I am sharing my plan and looking forward to have the feedback on it and especially answers to the questions I have related to different things.
Team (5 persons); Me, My Wife, Daughter (9 years), Daughter (8 years), Son (4 years)
Transport; Toyota Vitz 2004 (Petrol)
Duration; Sunday, 26th July 2015 to Saturday, 1st August 2015 (7 days, 6 nights)
Requirements; Original CNIC of adults
Question 1; Is this good season to visit Swat/Kalam - there are rains these days and also news about floods?
Question 2; I have planned my trip after one week of Eid-ul-Fitr keeping in view the rush and price hike situations. Will the rush and price hike situation be better in these days as compared to Eid holidays?
Question 3; Is Toyota Vitz 2004 good enough to visit Mingora/Saidu Sharif and surroundings e.g. Malam Jabba, Miandam etc?
Question 4; I have a plan to book local taxi/jeep for Bahrain-Kalam travel as well as for rest of Kalam attractions keeping in view the road conditions - any comments or suggestions in this regard would be appreciated?
Sunday, 26th July 2015
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08;00 AM; Departure from Lahore via Motorway
12;00 PM; Lunch at somewhere on Motorway (any good suggestions?)
02;00 PM; Exit Motorway at Mardan
05;00 PM; Reach Mingora (via Mardan, Takht Bhai, Shergarh, Dargai, Malakand Pass, Batkhela, Chakdara, Shamozo Bridge, Mingora).
06;00 PM and onwards; Take a hotel, have dinner and take rest for rest of the day.
Question 5; Are the above time lines realistic?
Question 6; Should I pass from within Mardan city or take bypass?
Question 7; To make it a smoother experience, any guidance for travelling from Mardan to Mingora would be highly appreciated?
Question 8; Any good suggestions for a safe, clean and nice family hotel in Mingora/Saidu Sharif or surroundings for at least 2 nights? Budget is +/- 2000 PKR/night.
Question 9; What about staying in White Palace in Marghzar? how is the experience? what are their per night rates?
Monday, 27th July 2015
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08;00 AM; Breakfast at hotel
09;30 AM; Swat Museum
11;30 AM; Leave for Malam Jabba (via Manglor)
02;00 PM; Reach Malam Jabba, have lunch and sight seeing
05;00 PM; Travel back to Mingora
07;00 PM and onwards; Reach hotel, have dinner and take rest
Question 10; Is there any good place to visit while travelling from Mingora to Malam Jabba?
Question 11; I read somewhere that there is small Malam Jabba Meadows after some walk/hike from Malam Jabba resort? any idea about this place and can I reach there with kids?
Tuesday, 28th July 2015
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08;00 AM; Breakfast at hotel
09;00 AM; Checkout from hotel
10;00 AM; Visit White Palace at Marghzar
12;00 AM; Visit Fiza Ghat Park
02;30 PM; Visit Madyen Trout Form or Chail Trout Park and have fresh trout fish in lunch
04;00 PM; Visit Miandam
05;30 PM; Visit Madyen
07;00 PM; Reach Bahrain
07;30 PM onwards; Take a hotel at Bahrain, have dinner and take rest
Question 12; Is it easy to visit and spend some good time at White Palace, Fiza Ghat, a Trout Form, Miandam and Madyen in same day?
Question 13; Should I visit Madyen Trout Form or Chail Trout Park? which is more good place and which offer better trout for eating?
Question 14; Any good suggestion for a safe, clean and nice family hotel in Bahrain? Budget is +/- 2000 PKR/night. I would need to leave my car in the same hotel for next 2-3 days while I will be visiting Kalam and surroundings so a safe place is extremely desirable.
Wednesday, 29th July 2015
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08;00 AM; Breakfast at hotel
09;00 AM; Checkout from hotel while leaving my car parked at same hotel
10;00 AM; Sight seeing at Bahrain
11;00 AM; Take a taxi/jeep for Kalam
02;00 PM; Reach Kalam
03;00 PM; Visit Bayun Village & Bayun Meadows
05;00 PM and onwards; Take a hotel in Kalam, have dinner and take rest
Question 15; What would be fare for Bahrain-Kalam taxi/jeep?
Question 16; Is it a good idea to book the same taxi/jeep for Bahrain-Kalam-Bayun Village? will it be little cheaper and convenient or should I book a separate taxi/jeep from Kalam for Bayun Village? What would be different fares Bahrain-Kalam-Bayun Village and Kalam-Bayun Village?
Question 17; Is the Bayun Meadows easily accessible from Bayun Village by walking/tracking with family?
Question 18; There is not much activity this day and I seem to have some time so can I add some nearer place to visit the same day?
Question 19; Any good suggestion for a safe, clean and nice family hotel in Kalam for at least two nights? Budget is +/- 2000 PKR/night.
Thursday, 30th July 2015
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08;00 AM; Breakfast at hotel
09;00 AM; Book a taxi/jeep for Kalam Forest, Matiltan, Usho Forest, Aabshar, Mahodand Lake, Saif-ullah Lake visit
10;00 AM; Leave for the day trip and visit mentioned places one by one
05;00 PM; Leave for Kalam
07;00 PM and onwards; Reach Kalam, have dinner and take rest
Question 20; What would be the fare for taxi/jeep for the Kalam Forest, Usho Forest, Aabshar, Mahodand Lake, Saif-ullah Lake trip?
Question 21; Correct/suggest anything in this day plan to make it enjoyable and memorable trip with family?
Friday, 31st July 2015
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08;00 AM; Breakfast at hotel
09;00 AM; Checkout hotel and book a taxi/jeep for Utror Village, Gabral Village, Ladu Valley visit
10;00 AM; Leave for the day trip and visit mentioned places one by one
04;00 PM; Leave for Kalam
06;00 PM; Reach Kalam and continue for Bahrain
09;00 PM; Reach Bahrain and check-in to the same hotel where my car is parked. Have dinner and take rest
Question 22; What would be the fare for taxi/jeep for Utror, Gabral, Ladu Valley?
Question 23; Is it a good idea to book same taxi/jeep to actually drop at Bahrain on return? What would be the fare in this case?
Question 24; Is it possible to visit Kundol Lake or Khakhari Lakes via jeeps?
Question 25; Would it be a good idea to leave Kalam the same day and reach Bahrain to make next day less hectic? or its better to stay at Kalam and leave for Bahrain next morning? Any issues while travelling from Kalam to Bahrain in dark at night time?
Saturday, 1st August 2015
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08;00 AM; Breakfast at hotel
09;00 AM; Checkout hotel at Bahrain and leave for Lahore
02;00 PM; Lunch at Motorway (any good suggestions?)
06;00 PM; Reach Lahore
Feel free to suggest any corrections/improvements/suggestion to improve the overall experience of this trip. Thanks!