Kumrat Valley and Katora Lake a Travelogue

Road Trips / Vacations / Hiking / Trekking

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-27 16:23:35 +0500 #201

We visited primary and secondary schools of Jandrai. Few students, but at least students and teachers were there. I saw much more activity in the schools of the villages of Swat compared to this area.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-27 16:52:50 +0500 #202

Stopping by and chatting with every local who met us on the way, we slowly reached the famous Museum of Jandrai.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-28 12:44:41 +0500 #203

Inside the museum, he has a good collection of antique guns and other items from the history of Dir Kohistan. It was all very interesting to listen details of these items from Taj Muhammad.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-28 13:04:30 +0500 #204

The services of Raja Taj Muhammad to promote tourism in the area are acknowledged all over the country, as was evident from the souvenirs and pictures he has kept in the museum.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-28 13:10:45 +0500 #205

A group photo with the elders of the area in front of the museum.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-28 13:27:42 +0500 #206

A mosque at Jandrai.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-28 13:53:16 +0500 #207

As I have told earlier, there was a marriage ceremony today in the family of Raja Taj. When we reached back home, the preparations were underway for the meal and the guests had started gathering.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 14:27:24 +0500 #208

After eating rice at about 11:30, we disengaged our self from marriage ceremony and headed for Thall. Raja and some other locals accompanied. Program was to take dinner of famous Chappli Kababs at Thall and then go to inner Kumrat for trout fishing and sight seeing.

Road to Thall is jeep able but as bad as it can be. I was lost in the views of the valley along the way.

Here are some clicks.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 14:45:39 +0500 #209

No house on the way was without an apple garden.

Shahbazzain (Shahbazzain) 2014-09-29 15:03:57 +0500 #210

Simply Awesome

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 15:06:26 +0500 #211

Here is the Kabab wala. Its drive-in hotel is near the mosque. I forgot his name.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 15:07:44 +0500 #212

Thanks Shehbaz bhai, your comments are a great encouragement.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 15:15:27 +0500 #213

And those kababs, with crispy tandori bread (a specialty of kohistan area) was a real treat.

Just have a look, It"s mouthwatering.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 15:32:30 +0500 #214

There are only some driver hotel type places to stay in Thall. But a new hotel was being constructed and it was functional. At least had larger rooms with attached baths. It was a better guzara. It"s name is Green Hills Hotel. Situated at the end of thall bazar.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 15:50:38 +0500 #215

From Thall our jeep entered in to the magnificent upper Kumrat valley.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-29 16:35:31 +0500 #216

The valley opens up and there is no large human settlement beyond Thall.

nishat12 (nishat12) 2014-09-30 05:19:11 +0500 #217

What a beauty and nice captured by you, Please I want to ask few questions:

I want to visit from Swat to Dir including Kumrat valley with the family. (please define the route and fare / vehicle) Is it possible with the family?
Which areas are safe / facilitate for traveling / visiting with the family?
Can Mr. Raja Taj Muhammad accommodate us and provide the facilities there for family?

Your kind suggestions / assistants needed for further action please.

Thanks & Best regards,
Ali Imran

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-30 05:56:05 +0500 #218

Few minutes after Thall we stopped at Shringel University rest house which is under construction. It is almost complete and may be functional by next year. It will be a good place to stay.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-30 06:20:45 +0500 #219

From Swat (mingora) main bus stop, local transport (van) goes to Timergara. It is a large city, with good hotels. Fare per person Rs. 120 and it takes 2.5 - 3 hours.

From Timergara local vans go to Dir. 2.5-3 hours and 130 per person. I did not stay in Dir. But some good hotels must be there,

From Dir to Thall is jeep track. 2-3 Local jeeps go daily with about 400 per person in about 5 hours. You can book a jeep in 6000-8000 perhaps.

At Thall only a bit better hotel is green hills. Not very good but has spacious rooms with attached baths. I did not stay here.

From Thall go to upper Kumrat by jeep and come back for night stay at Thall.

Raja is very helpful person. contact him he will help what ever he could. His contact no is in earlier pages of the thread.

Good luck, Family visit is certainly possible. I don't think of any danger if you don't stay in forest of kumrat with family at night.

lastsoul (lastsoul) 2014-09-30 06:29:20 +0500 #220

Another beautiful view of Upper Kumrat.