Swat Valley & Kalash Valley (Chilam Joshi festival) trip - May 2014

[Xoofi]

well that girl is stunningly beautiful. No makeup, Nothing artificial all natural. May Allah grant me one like her..... lol

Aameen.. Wese aap ki ID dekh kar aapka tareekhi embarrassing moment yaad aa jata hai

[Xoofi]

We woke up really early at around 6 AM. Last night, we were talking to hotel owner, Qari Sahab, about Lowari Tunnel and Lowari Pass road and he was so sure that it will be a piece of cake for this car. So we decided to proceed on our own car.

When we came down to start the journey, we found that one of the tyre was punctured. It was a major turn off. We changed it and then left. Soon after Dir, the paved road was gone, we continued and tried to find a puncture wala but all shops were closed. After about 30 mins, we stopped at a restaurant for breakfast.

At that time, two coasters were also stopped there en route to Chitral but all people traveling seemed locals. Couldn't spot any tourist who were possibly going to Kalash valley for festival. Anyway, we ordered Kabli Pulao. Yes Kabli Pulao in breakfast, the Pashto style.. It was just ok.

After breakfast, once again asked the restaurant owner about the road and he was also sure that it will be a piece of cake. But he gave us correct info about Lowari Tunnel that it is closed due to work in progress and we must have to chose the Lowari Pass.

Soon we were on road again..

[Xoofi]

At about 8 AM (1.5 hours traveling from DIR), we reached near the Lowari Tunnel. It was closed due to work in progress as told by the restaurant owner. There was too much activity going on in and out the tunnel with engineers, labor and trucks to be seen. I hope this project completes soon.

Till now we had reached this spot without much trouble. But soon we were going to have the most adventurous journey of our life which would be the mixture of agony and joy.

[Xoofi]

Now the road got many swirls and was gaining height, the whole road was muddy because of melting glaciers. Bashir was driving and he was an expert driver but still the car would touch from bottom every now and then. Sometimes he had to stop and check if everything was ok. We had no option but to continue. But little did we know that it was just the starting.

[Xoofi]

The swirling road was creating many problems as our car was fully loaded with luggage and that too with 5 passengers, it was getting hard time to climb the steepness. Sometimes we had to leave the car to reduce the weight. The swirling road soon brought up active glaciers which were cut through to make the path.. Although it was bright sunny, but still it was getting so cold.

[Xoofi]

Now there were snow everywhere, the mountain tops were looking pure white indicating that they had received fresh snowfall. Soon the roadside ice also confirmed that. On top of mud mixed snow, there was clean layer of white snow which was telling that it happened only hours before.

This journey was a mixture of agony and joy. At the same time, we were stunned by the beauty of Lowari Pass and on the other hand, we were having hard time navigating through this terrain.

At a point, we could see some sort of signal tower in a distance which seemed to be top.

[Xoofi]

At one point, we parked our car. Forgot all our worries and started to enjoy the fresh snow. We made snow balls and hit each other. My friend probably had no idea how hard the snow ball gets, so he made a big one and hurled towards me. There was very little time to react so the ball came straight and hit my manhood. It was the time of agony. I uttered each and every swear word I knew to him. I was in pain but everyone else was getting amused.. lol.. Soon the pain subsided and I joined the fun.

We had coke bottle too so decided to try fresh coke golas. We only did it because the snow was fresh. Spent about 15 minutes there and then moved. Little did we know that the worries are not over yet..

[ifoo_786]

Woooow.. Awesome trip with Great Pics Well done (Y)
Waiting for more pics

[Xoofi]

Woooow.. Awesome trip with Great Pics Well done (Y)
Waiting for more pics

Thanks brother. Good to see u here.

More pics coming

[Xoofi]

The Lowari top seemed too near as the tower was visible but still it was pretty far. One point came where there was a long queue of cars and trucks. It was a big glacier and there was fast running water on the track. There was no road at all, just the rocks. Sensing that, we all got out of car. I thought that I would cross this glacier by foot. I crossed it and while crossing, happened to meet the people from Chitral side. Asked them about road condition on other side of the pass and they assured that its better than this side. This gave me a little courage.

I waited for the remaining people and car on the other side of glacier after crossing it on foot. It took about 20 minutes but still they were no where to be seen so I decided to go back as it was only fair because I was doing nothing at this side except photography.

[Xoofi]

So I traveled back to the point where car was stuck. What I saw was of big concern.

The car was still stuck and was finding it hard to cross that section. My remaining friends and few other people (whose vehicles got trapped behind) were setting up rocks underneath the tyres to make a safe passage. While one part of glacier was almost on the verge of collapsing. If it would have crashed then surely it was going to create a big damage.

Thanks to the friends and people, the car finally got out of this pothole after about 30 minutes of struggle. This particular point was such a demotivator that at one moment, we almost decided to head back. But thank god, our will was strong and we continued the journey.

[Xoofi]

Finally we reached Lowari Top, there was Chitral scouts check post which did our entry and let us go.

The other side of Lowari Pass was much better than the side we came from. Although it was muddy but still there were no potholes. Also the glaciers were less on this side. We continued the journey slow and steady. The swirls came once again.

[Xoofi]

Now there comes a point where traffic was jammed and cars, trucks were all lined up. We also parked our car and went ahead to see what is wrong. There was this big rocket truck fully loaded with scrap stuck in middle of the road. It was weirdly stuck that its one front wheel was in the air.

It was being pulled by a tractor which was even finding it hard to get it through. There was a 90 chance that the truck would overturn. When tractor was pulling the truck, many people try to push the truck body back and forth which seemed really dangerous. God forbids if it overturned, all these people would bury under the truck.

But by the grace of Allah, finally after effort of 30 minutes, the tractor successfully pulled the truck and then the road was cleared.

[shegg4]

bhai buhhhhtttt aalaw sorry im late was busy a bit
aik hafta to lagjana hay ab muje thread pura dekhne me

[Xoofi]

Finally we reached near the Chitral end of Lowari tunnel. Just before the tunnel, we could see several women walking fast (almost running). No idea why..

When we reached tunnel end, I got off the car to take some snaps. There was lot of police and Chitral scouts presence. Also saw an ambulance. I asked one of the scout that what is it all about. He said that there was an accident inside the tunnel where a man had died. He got hit by excavator machine due to miscalculation of operator and his own fault also.

Now we got an idea that why the women were running on the road. They were probably the relatives of deceased person. It was not proper to snap the pictures in this situation so I didn't carry out my camera and left the place. This scene made us sad. We said a prayer for departed soul and continued the journey.

A bit ahead, there were shops from where we bought snacks, water bottles and dry fruits..

[shegg4]

As soon as we were leaving the limits of Mardan, we spotted many roadside vendors of Strawberries. Seeing the bright red strawberries, we couldn't control our taste buds and had to brake to purchase some.

strawberries are looking tasty and juicy <3

[Mohd.Waqas]

Very well going brother - like your lowary pass adventure and thinking ke mein apni cultus ko even with family wahan aram sey niqal laita

waiting for further details my next plan with family could be this route - from lahore is it the only route to go chitral side ?

[shegg4]

Thanks brother. InshaALLAH speed 3G balkay 4G kee koshish hai

Thanks Aks.. Tu narrations to parhta nahi.. pics hee dekh lena.. wese agar time milay to zaroor read karna narrations. I'm writing these with a lot of "mehnat"

wese ye sari narrations hum live b sun chukey hain

[Xoofi]

As we moved ahead, there were number of fast flowing streams on the road. However, locals have made bridges over them and charge 20 Rs for each vehicle that use it. We used these bridges where ever these were available.

As we lost height, the road got better while the temperature also got increased. It was scorching hot when we were nearing the city of Darosh. The first big city after the Lowari Pass.

[Xoofi]

bhai buhhhhtttt aalaw sorry im late was busy a bit
aik hafta to lagjana hay ab muje thread pura dekhne me

strawberries are looking tasty and juicy <3

wese ye sari narrations hum live b sun chukey hain

Thanks bhai.. Dayr ayad durust ayad