Kumrat Valley and Katora Lake a Travelogue

[lastsoul]

Another magnificent view of the Atror side from heights of the pass.

It takes about 3.5 hours to cross Badgoi pass from Thall to Atror on a good day by jeep.

[akj073]

Very nice Sir, beauty does not require any narration, Excellent job.

[lastsoul]

A view of Atror from height of the pass.

[tariqzaidi]

@lastsoul, Very impressive photography mashallah. All pics have a kind of dreamy look. kindly tell me about your camera, lens and software for post processing the pics.

[lastsoul]

More views of Aror area. The road rapidly spirals down to Atror from the top.

[lastsoul]

@lastsoul, Very impressive photography mashallah. All pics have a kind of dreamy look. kindly tell me about your camera, lens and software for post processing the pics.

Thank you Zaidi Brother.

Cameras I have used to document the travel.

1. Canon Powershot SX40 HS.
2. Canon Powershot A495.
3. Panasonic Lumix TZ15.

Most of these pictures are HDR images.

Briefly speaking, HDR is a high dynamic range image. Usually 3 or more images are taken at different EV (exposure value), 0.5 to 2 EV apart without moving the camera, hand held on on a stand. These are combined in a software to give a high dynamic range image.

I use Photomatix Pro to create HDR image and further post processing (not much needed) is done in Photoshop.

Of these cameras I have used, Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic Lumix TZ15 have the capability of exposure bracketing which is necessary to create HDRs.

[lastsoul]

By mid noon we were taking lunch at a road side hotel of Atror.

Here is the driver Ali with his Cruiser at the Atror wagon stand.

[tariqzaidi]

Thank you Zaidi Brother.

Cameras I have used to document the travel.

1. Canon Powershot SX40 HS.
2. Canon Powershot A495.
3. Panasonic Lumix TZ15.

Most of these pictures are HDR images.

Briefly speaking, HDR is a high dynamic range image. Usually 3 or more images are taken at different EV (exposure value), 0.5 to 2 EV apart without moving the camera, hand held on on a stand. These are combined in a software to give a high dynamic range image.

I use Photomatix Pro to create HDR image and further post processing (not much needed) is done in Photoshop.

Of these cameras I have used, Canon SX40 HS and Panasonic Lumix TZ15 have the capability of exposure bracketing which is necessary to create HDRs.

Thank you sir for this detailed answer. I was doubted on HDR effect or some blurry type of filter used in post process but now it's clear. Good camera you have Canon Powershot SX40 HS with massive zoom 35X. Good creativity. I could feel the coolness of the weather and looks were like a painting or fairy land.

[lastsoul]

It took about one hour from Atror to Kalam on a local passenger jeep.

I was in Kalam after many years. Super flood had changed it physically. Some of the hotels were not there. Road was like moth-eaten on the side of the river. New construction of hotels, residences and bridges was going on.

Soon I was in the comfortable and hospitable environment of Holiday Resort hotel of Kalam. The hotel manager, Afreen Khan has been in hosteling business all his life and is a very co-operative person. As usual I asked him for a room on the river side.

[lastsoul]

It was a good feeling to coming back to a cozy room of a clean and comfortable hotel.

My room.

[lastsoul]

View from the room.

[Shahbazzain]

very nice sir, Eid Mubarik.

[lastsoul]

Thank you Shahbaz, Eid Greetings to you too.

Enjoyed evening shades from hotel room.

[lastsoul]

A wooden bridge on the stream coming from Ushu valley. It joins here with swat river.

[lastsoul]

I told Mr. Afreen Khan that tomorrow morning I want to visit Boyun village. He promised to get the jeep ready in the morning.

So, next day, {05-09-2014} after breakfast at 8:30 Jeep driver Rahmat gul was ready. Boyun village is situated high above the Kalam on the opposite side of river. It is a large flat area with many old styled houses, some brightly colored and decorated. It looks like a very old settlement. Snow covered Mankiyal peaks turn it in to a perfect landscape.

[lastsoul]

I think the best time to visit Boyun village is in the evening (3 to 5 pm) in june - july.

Here is a detailed view with Mankial peaks in the background.

[aghaabbas]

Dear Sir,

Eid Mubarik & your tread is superb !!!

What Fair of Thall to Attror Valley ?.

[lastsoul]

Thanks Agha sahib,

Eid Greetings to you;

I remember the fare is 600 or 700, In fact I had to negotiate and pay for all the vacant seats to get him on the road. So, I paid total of 3000 for that. I had the liberty to stop the jeep any where along the road and get some snaps. On booking a jeep may cost 7 to 8 thousand perhaps.

[lastsoul]

Another view of Boyun Village area, in the morning sunshine.

[lastsoul]

Rahmat gul, my guide At Boyun Village, a very friendly, co-operative and cheerful person, been tour guide of this area all his life.