Had a short visit to Chitral, following are some quick notes for fellow readers and future travelers. Time breakdown of journey is given as Km’s can be tracked also from google maps.
Chitral is a fantastic place to visit, much more to offer to cater wide variety of tourists. It’s a complete different world from cities like Islamabad, Lahore etc. Amazed by the hospitality of each individual Chitrali to which I interacted, and thankful to them for their support that made my trip memorable.
Day-01, 14 June-2019
Left Islamabad 00:30 hrs
Rashakai Interchange 01:30 hrs
Faced some traffic block at dargai 02:20-02:40 hrs
Lower Dir 03:10 hrs
Timergira bypass 04:00 hrs
Tea at Upper Dir: 05:00 hrs
Crossed Lawari tunnel: 07:30hrs
Arrived at Nagar fort Resort :0930 hrs
Had breakfast, and then rest till evening. There is a garden nearby owned by Nagar Fort Resorts. Spent evening there. Very well maintained and lot of trees fulled completely of Prunes. Some trees of Apples are there as well.
Nagar fort is not a professional hotel, owned by Mehtr of Nagar, a portion of it is converted to resort. Had a conversation with the prince Faisal and his brother, and indeed both of them are humble and very nice. He brought us some apricots, though I have been to Hunza and tasted various varieties of apricots there and at home town, but the apricots from the hosts are simply out of the world, extremely sweet and delicious. From the appearance those apricots does’nt look good but best in taste.
Day-02 15-June-2019
09:30 hrs Left Nagar Fort Resorts 09:30 hrs
10:30 hrs Chitral Bazar
12:00 hrs Went to Pamir Inn hotel,
It was completely booked. I should have booked in advance, There is a Shahi fort closeby Pamir inn. Shahi fort is private residence, a portion of it is open to guests of Pamir inn to visit. As unable to get room in Pamir inn, so missed the chance to visit a portion of Shahi fort.
Then moved to Tirich Mir View hotel and got a room there. Then moved to Golen Gol Hydropower project. There is a trout fish farm there. Once we reached there farm was locked and felt disappointed. One local boy told there is another trout fish farm nearby, so went there and had delicious trout for lunch. On the way back stopped at Golen gol water fall. Back to hotel around 17:00 hrs.
Had a stroll at the Shahi bazar, it’s a big market and have a mix variety of shops e.g a hardware shop next to women dress shop. Which is not very common in Islamabad.
Tirich mir is visible from balcony of hotel. When asked from local person which one is Tirich mir he said the snow capped mountain is Tirch mir. But real Tirich mir is invisible behind the clouds and to me some other snow capped peaks that were visible are the Tirich mir.
Day-03 16-June-2019
Next morning when peek outside the window, a strange view of actual Tirch mir was there. The clouds were not there and magnificent Tirich mir standing there.
Had breakfast, get ready and went the Chitral Muesum. Small but well maintainted and Guide informed about the history and culture of Chitral in detailed manner. Then from the main market bought fruits as the plan is to go to Chitral Gol National Park, and as per info there is nothing available (to eat).
It is about 1.5-1.75 hrs (16km) journey to the top, in the beginning the mountains are barren but then it leads to green meadows and then ends up at cedar tree jungle. There is a track that leads to summer palace, could’nt tracked to palace as accompanying small kids. Stayed at top for 1.5 hrs and then back to chitral hotel
Day-04
09:30 Started our journey back to Islamabad around 09:30 hrs,
Before leaving paid a quick visit to Shahi mosque, very closeby to Tirich mir view hotel. It was built by H.E Shuja ul mulk Mehtar of Chiral in year 1919.
11:50 Stopped at Chamurkun for 20mins for quick car wash. Then went to Nagar Fort again, had tea there and bought fresh prunes from their garden.
12:45 left Nagar fort.
01:30 Crossed Ist lawari tunnel
02:15 Crossed 2nd lawari tunnel.
If someone have reached lawari tunnel before 09:00 hrs in morning, tunnel can be crossed without any que. After 9 o clock, cars cross from one side first and then from second side, in such a case, waiting of 30-45 minutes is expected. Though tunnel is two-way, but crossing in form of convoy from each side is done as some drivers do overtaking in tunnel which is unsafe for upcoming traffic according to local policeman. Also tunnel is closed from 12:00-14:00hrs. After 17:30hrs, tunnel is again open to two-way traffic.
18:00 hrs Chakdara.
From there followed newly built Swat motor way and reached back home 21:30hrs.
