I posted a thread here on pakwheels regarding travelling during Muharram Holidays. Eventually visited Swat.
Will post a detailed description again Again because I wrote so much but all vanished when I posted and only pictures appeared. Anyway will write again tomorrow.
UPDATE:
I decided to travel somewhere during Moharram holidays. The destination was not decided since it was dependent on my seven months old daughter. I decided if nothing else then I will stay for 2 days in Galiyat and return.
I took off from work early on Saturday 8[SUP]th[/SUP] October at 12 30 PM and went home to pack my stuff for the trip. Left home at 3:30 PM for Islamabad via M2. I reached my relative’s home in Islamabad at 6:45 PM.
I asked my little angel if we should proceed further and she smiled and indicated yes we should. Swat valley was chosen as our destination and we decided to leave early morning the next day.
Next day left Islamabad at 8 30 AM via M1 and took Rashakai interchange and moved towards Mardan.
I had planned to stay in Mingora the first day and then see which areas to explore.
I took Mardan bypass and travelled on N45 via TakhtBhai. There was traffic there but apart from that did not find any major hurdle on our way.
Did not stop for lunch anywhere but refueled at Mingora. I reached Mingora at 2 PM. It was hot in Mingora and I was only carrying one T-shirt assuming that it will be cold after checking weather updates. Also I had plenty of time before sunset so decided to move ahead as far as I can go before sunset.
Went past Fiza Ghat while briefly getting out of the car but not exploring the park. I did not go to Malam Jabba and planned to visit it on my return if time permits.
I went to Miandam instead of Bahrain and reached there at 4 PM. Explored the small and peaceful hill station. It was cold up there. We were also hungry going up and down the roads and ordered food at 6 which we got by 7 PM. Ordered chicken karahi and daal. Karahi was not appetizing so called it a day and went to sleep. Metalled road ends at Bahrain and I was told that you can take your car to Kalam although the road is not good. I still decided to hire a taxi from Miandam to Kalam and then back to Miandam the next day. The car was corolla and the driver was a nice chap.
The road till Bahrain is like motorway but then the road vanishes. It is 26Km from Miandam. It was a good decision not to take my car as it is not advisable at all to take your car there even if you don’t love your car. The road is full of stones and to cover 35 KM it took us 3 hours from Bahrain to reach Kalam.
I left Miandam at 8 30 Am and reached Kalam at 1Pm briefly stopping in between for drinks. After getting a room in Kalam I booked a jeep for Mohdand Lake. I was in hurry because I wanted to return from Mohadand before sunset.
We reached Mohdand Lake at 4:30 PM. After a short stay of 30 mins started the return journey to Kalam. It was very cold at Mohdand. It got dark after 5:30 and covered half distance in night. The road again is not dangerous since it is wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other. I reached Kalam at around 7. Ordered food from the hotel which was delicious. Went to explore the bazar and bought some handicrafts. Returned back and slept early at around 9.
Woke up early morning at 5 Am and left Kalam at 6:30 AM. Ate breakfast at Bahrain then went to Trout Fish Farm in Madyan. Bought dry fruits from Madyan Bazar and reached Miandam at 10 30 AM. Shifted stuff in my car and left for Islamabad at 11 AM. Took Matta Road this time and joined highway from Shamozai Bridge. I reached home at Islamabad at 4 PM. There was no traffic due to 9[SUP]th[/SUP] Moharram. This road was in excellent condition. Stayed overnight and left for Lahore next morning at 7 30 AM. Stopped briefly at Kallar Kahar Lake and then Bhera Services and then reached Lahore at 11 45 AM.
All the pictures are taken from mobile so they are not comparable to what senior pakwheelers usually upload, but still let the pics talk now.