Kumrat Valley and Katora Lake, A Travelogue.
Assalam O Alaikum
Kumrat, a side valley of Upper Dir, is located in Khyber Pakhtunkwa province of Pakistani. It is parallel to Upper Swat and connected to Kalam through a jeepable high pass.
The valley is famous for its old pine forest, sparkling blue, trout filled waters of Panjkora river. The snow clad mountain peaks have many large and small, named and un-named lakes and streams, all are a treat to watch but need a daring heart to reach these.
The places I visited (or passed through) during my ten days travel are as follows.
1. Mingora.
2. Timergara.
3. Upper Dir.
4. Jandrai village.
5. Jaz Banda.
6. Jaz Dand (Katora Lake).
7. Tall.
8. Utror (Swat)
9. Kalam.
10. Boyun village.
11. Matiltan village.
12. Kharkhari lake.
My first stop was Mingora, where I reached by Daiwoo from Lahore. From there I went to Jandrai village travelling through Timergara and Dir. From here, with the help of Raja Taj Muhammad, I went to Katora Lake. Upon return from Lake, I came to Thal, crossed a pass connecting it to Swat valley and reached Kalam by jeep. After spending two days in Kalam and visiting some surrounding areas, I came back to Mingora and travelled to Lahore again enjoying the hospitality of Daiwoo .
During this trip, I trekked,
From Jandrai to Jaz Banda, took 5.5 hours.
From Jaz Banda to Katora Lake, took 3 hours.
Back from Lake to banda and Jandrai, took 6 hours total.
From Jabba, the last jeep stop beyond Gabral (Swat) to Kharkhari Lake, took half an hour.
Cameras I have used to document the travel.
- Canon Powershot SX40 HS.
- Canon Powershot A495.
- Panasonic Lumix TZ15.
As I was alone during this trip, so my only company was myself or local folks. It gave me a better chance to mix with them and understand them and I can say that they are very hospitable people, especially Raja Taj Muhammad of Jandrai is a very helpful man.
Pictures will tell the story better, I hope you will enjoy this trip with me.
