Kumrat Valley and Katora Lake a Travelogue

[lastsoul]

It went back on main road for few kilometers, then turned left for Jandrai.

[Shahbazzain]

Sir: due to very hectic routine in office- i was away from pak wheels since a couple of days, after absence got a very pleasant thread from you & now am subscribed & anxiously waiting for details & pics...

[lastsoul]

You r always here Shahbaz Bhai, coz its you who inspired me and gave me courage to enjoy the experience of this travel.

Yes:... reaching Jandrai, staying there, mixing with locals, then the tiresome trek of that millions of years old pine forest, beautiful open wilderness of Jaz Banda, that stone laden trek from some ancient world to the Lake, and that awesome lake which fills your heart with happiness. All this was not just a journey, it was an experience, and all this happened to me coz of inspiration from YOU.

[lastsoul]

Road to Jandrai is just a bumpy, dirty jeep track, with countless hair pin bends one after the other.

The driver was a middle aged local man. He was driving like as if in a desert jeep rally. He liked music, and always tried to change the song on a hair pin bend without reducing the speed.

In spite of stopping by road side hotels twice, we reached jandrai in four and a half hour instead of five.

This is the start of road to Jandrai.

[lastsoul]

Stopped here for Pakoras and tea.

[lastsoul]

We had some rain on the way. It was getting dark, but the journey continued and at about 7:30, in almost complete darkness we reached Jandrai.

[lastsoul]

Shringel is a large town about midway between Dir and Jandrai. Close to Jandrai, we passed through Derwazo and Lamooti villages. Jandrai was the last stop. Jeep charges are Rs. 400 per person.

I was welcomed by Taj Muhammad at Jandrai. As his museum/hotel was closed, I was taken to guest room (Hujra) of his home.
After tea and chatting about tomorrows plans with him, I took dinner and slept comfortably in that room.

Upon waking up in the morning, I opened the door and this was the first sight which feasted my eyes. A small garden of apples, a whitish blue clear water stream and green hills with thick pine forest.

[emmaar]

A good show and detailed travelogue. Well done Dear.
Why not you attempted Kalam Banda from Jahaz Banda
Keep it up your narrative style of writing (Y)

[lastsoul]

A good show and detailed travelogue. Well done Dear.
Why not you attempted Kalam Banda from Jahaz Banda
Keep it up your narrative style of writing (Y)

Thank you Emmar,
It is a very good track, but it was not part of initial plan, so, I left my tent and sleeping bag home. It can be done without these, but either you have to trek very fast, or stay with the locals in their huts (if they permit). May be next time,,,,

[lastsoul]

Jandrai is a sweet little village with houses scattered in between the corn fields and apple gardens. Two streams meet here, on the right is waters from Sher Darra and one on the left in the pic is from peaks towards Kalam banda and Atror. Jeep trek coming from Thall ends here.
There are one or two shops in bazaar where you can hardly get any thing.

RTH placemark is the house of Raja Taj.

[lastsoul]

The apple orchids of Jandrai.

[Shahbazzain]

You r always here Shahbaz Bhai, coz its you who inspired me and gave me courage to enjoy the experience of this travel.

Yes:... reaching Jandrai, staying there, mixing with locals, then the tiresome trek of that millions of years old pine forest, beautiful open wilderness of Jaz Banda, that stone laden trek from some ancient world to the Lake, and that awesome lake which fills your heart with happiness. All this was not just a journey, it was an experience, and all this happened to me coz of inspiration from YOU.

Bohat shukria sir, aap to sharminda ker rahay hain

[lastsoul]

02-09-14.

Today was the day to trek to jaz banda.

Raja sahib told that his son Shaukat Ali will go with me. He also arranged some freshly cut chicken, some eggs, etc to carry to the banda. He told me that at banda there is a person to take care of rest house who will take care of cooking.

I took my smaller back pack, with cameras, tripod, raincoats some handy food, shaving kit, etc. Shaukat Ali placed, some of his and mostly mine things in his bag. After breakfast we were ready to go at about 8:30.

There are three routes to go to Banda. Common route taken by locals and also by us is shown in red. It is steepest and shortest.

Other one goes parallel to it on left side of same streamis bit longer and so bit less steep.

A more longer and least steeply ascending route goes from around right side of the hill. then tuns left for rest house at banda. Actually this trek goes to Sher Darra. I was told that this trek has some dangerous patches, but can be taken with care.

[hamidpanu]

Nice independent trip, I think a lot of people here would be inspired to do solo after going through this thread. I am anxiously waiting for more details. Though pictures are lovely but I am equally enjoying your narration as well. Thanks for sharing.

[lastsoul]

Thank you very much Hamid brother,

It is my pleasure to share my feelings during this trek, terrain, facilities, problems, all good and not so good about the area, with all of you Nature Lovers, Courageous people.
I will try to complete it as soon as possible.

[lastsoul]

So, This is Shaukat Ali, my guide and company for this track.

We went along the Stream, Passed between many houses and fields, then crossed it and started ascending along a side stream, towards the forest.

[lastsoul]

Shaukat Ali had two good habits. He walked too slow and talked too less. I liked both.

We took frequent short rests. Initial part of the track was easy. We met many locals on our way and every body greeted us warmly.
It was a good start on a bright sunny day.

[aghaabbas]

Nice Shoots, Keep it up.... What charges you paid to Raja Sb for Guest House rent, Guide, Eating?....

@ Agha Abbas

[lastsoul]

Thank you Agha,

In fact, it was not tourist season, and there were no visitors. Even in the jeep in which I traveled from Dir to Jandrai, all passengers were local except me. Perhaps due to this, I was treated as a guest by every body. Even the Driver of this jeep was reluctant to take charges from me. He said you are a guest, but I forced him to take jeep charges. Reluctantly he said, OK. give 350. Then I gave him 450. (usual charge per person is about rs 400). So Raja never asked for any thing and treated me as a guest. In the end when I was leaving for Atror, I gave him some amount (enough I think), which he very very reluctantly accepted.

[smileb4u]

Good sole trip sir with immense details and pictures.