After a gap of around one and half years from my last trip to Naran (https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/222223-naran-trip) i decided to take another trip, and this time it was sawat valley. Last time i visited swat was way back in 2004 and that trip was with my university friend. This time around my companions are my spouse and my child. Reason of this trip was my a promise with the kid to take him to some place where he can play with Ice :).
Trip detail as follows
12th May 2015: Left Karachi for Lahore via Karachi Express in AC Sleeper. Fare was 3,800 for adult and 1,900 for the child. Train left on time, but by the time it reach Hyderabad it was half an hour late and when we reach rohri it was an hour late
13th May: Reacih Lahore an hour late, stay with my relatives.
14th May: Left for Islamabad @ 9:00 Hrs via Bilal Daewoo, Fare was 1,000/- per person being a "Premium Bus". Reach Isb in the afternoon and stay in Hotel heaven Heights (G-7 Sitara Market) for 3,000 per night. In the evening visited Zoo (before visting the zoo i was of the opinion that Karachi zoo is the worst but after the visit i have to change my mind). After a dreadful visit to zoo we went to Lake View park. In Lake view park their is a bird aviary; last when we visited this place it was under construction but this time around it was open for public, entry fees is Rs 100/- per person. But it is a place to visit, thoroughly enjoy hours spent their
15th May: Left for Mingora via Daewoo @ 10:15 Hrs.(fare was 750/- per head) with so many military check posts and bad roads it took around 5 hrs to reach Mingora. Stay in Hotel hills City near Fiza Ghat for 2,500/- per night. In the evening visited Swat River. In the mean while arrange a private car for Rs 20,000/- for 4 days. Car was Toyota Town Ace.
16th May: Left for Kalam @ 10:00 Hrs in the morning but at the check post of Khawaza Khela Military stops all from moving forward. Had to come back and take the route via Matta. Visited Madyan trout Farm, Lunch at Behrain and then three and a half hour long drive to Kalam. It was totally boring and enough commit yourself that i will never visit Kalam again. Reach Kalam at 19:00 Hrs. Stay in Hotel Holiday Resort for 1,250/- per night.
17th May: Left for Mahodand Lake at 10:00 Hrs in a jeep arranged by my driver. On the way stop at Kalam Forest, Ushu, Waterfalls, Glaciers and reach Mahodand at 13:30 Hrs. Spent some good time their.
18th May: Left for Miandam at 10:30 Hrs. And reach Miandam at 15:00 Hrs stay in hotel Miandam Palace for 1,700/- per night.
19th May: Left for Malam Jabba at 09:00 Hrs and reach the destination after 14:00 Hrs, in between this journey there are some apricot farms and they are kind enough to offer some when we ask for the same. left for Mingora in the evening and stay at the same hotel but this time it was 2,000 per night.
20th May: left for Islamabad via Daewoo at 09:15 Hrs (fare was 750 per head), reach isb in the afternoon, stay in the same hotel and same rate, visited Centaurus mall in the evening.
21st May: Left for Karachi via Shaheen Air. Fare was 23,840 for 2 Adult and 1 Child.
Total Expense for this trip was around Rs 100,000/- with major portion being the travelling expense (around 60,000)
Before the start of any journey you have to discuss it with some experience traveler and i specially thank PW @xoofi and other PW for providing the support whenever required.
Overall trip was good but Naran trip was far better reason first being fully metaled roads, second the distance from one station to another was small.
Next trip Inshallah will be of Giligit and Hunza Valley
Pics will be uploaded shortly.