Tour la kumrate ....... a heavenly heaven on earth

[asattar1995]

Assalamualaikum Pakweelers !!
Here I am with a travelogue of most amazing valley in Pakistan.........THE KUMRAT !!
I have started the thread now BUT will post all the details very soon. One thing to say that we all enjoyed every minute of the trip and hope that you will do the same with me through this long long thread.

[asattar1995]

KUMRAT was in my wish list since long and I shared the idea with my friend Saleem and he discussed it with Col.Zia. We all agreed upon the visit to heaven and the only thing remained was the opportunity window. Long weekend on 1st May proved to be that opportunity window.
Once dates were decided, then ca,me the logistics arrangement. We decided to go by our own ride till Dir and then we were on disposal of our great Pak Army friends.
Me, Saleem, Col.Zia, Shiraz and Rashid were the first finalized members of the journey. Shiraz and Rashid dropped out, so at eleventh hour, Professor Fiaz was inducted in.
The final team was then ......
1. Saleem Shehzad
2. Col. Zia
3. Professor Fiaz @ Raju
4. Me, Abdul Sattar
Time for departure set was at 6 PM on 28.04.2017.
Our ride till Dir was Crolla XLi.
Cameras used were Canon 1200D, Samsung S7 Mobile Camera and Oppo A57 Mobile Camera.

[asattar1995]

DAY-1 28.04.2017

As planned, we started at 6 PM and went straight to a workshop.......
To fix the trunk cover of our ride as the overloading caused some issue there.
As the problem solved, we headed straight to M-3 via Sahianwala Expressway, Faisalabad.
at 7:15 pm, we stopped for Maghrib Prayer at Sial Rest area on M-2.
Saleem was the pilot and Col.Zia was Navigator till Indus River Rest area on M-1.
It was a complete bachelors environment in the car and excitement of a dream coming true was on its peek. At Chakri, rain started and the weather conditions ahead promised to add a crispy flavor to our trip.

[asattar1995]

[asattar1995]

It was raining and raining and we reached Indus River Rest area on M-1 at 10 pm. We moved into the rest area for a Tea Break. When we came out from the car, a strong pleasent wind welcomed us along with mild rain. We sat on a wooden takht and ordered karak chai. Atmosphere was very tempting and we enjoyed every sip of tea to its depth.

[asattar1995]

[asattar1995]

[asattar1995]

Introduction of the team.... from right to left.
1. Me
2. Raju
3. Saleem
4. Col.Zia

[maazasim]

Sir - Definitely it will be a good & valuable thread exploring to beauty of Kumrat. Eager to read and view pictures - Speed par zoor dain sir jee.

[asattar1995]

Indeed it will be. I am arranging the pictures at the moment according to the happenings. Will speed up by the the weekend. Stay tuned brother.

[tariqrana70]

waiting

[asattar1995]

ALL IN HAPPY SHAPPY MOOD

[asattar1995]

ZIA TRYING SELFEE MODE

[asattar1995]

ME & RAJU RELAXING....... I WAS RELAXING AS I HAD TO DRIVE ONWARDS..

[asattar1995]

Saleem was happy as he had finished his quota of driving.

[asattar1995]

After a jubilant rest, we started again at 10:30 pm. Me the pilot and Raju the navigator.At 11:00 pm we left M-1 at Rashkai Interchange and headed toeards Mardan. Roads were empty and I was on booster mode. At 12:00 midnight, we were ascending Malakand hill. Technically, Day-1 is over. But I will take it till our dinner break at Chakdara.
We were aiming for Khowrak Mahal, as described by Saleem, the best in town. But it was closed when we reached there. A few kilometers ahead, we found a hotel named Sheen Ghar BBQ open. We were lucky to have food in this area at this time.
Hotel is well maintained with lawns for families and roof top also available. From roof top you can also witness roaring Sawat River. But due to darkness, we could only hear it.

[talhabinomar]

Look like a promising thread with alot of good pictures and information. Keep it up

[asattar1995]

[asattar1995]

Indeed it will be. Stay tuned bro.

[asattar1995]