Trip to Swat and Kumrat valley - Info required

[ahmed.haider]

Hi guys,
Assalam o Alekum

I have plan to go to Swat valley and Kumrat Valley in 3rd and 4rth week of JULY 2016. My planned itinerary is copied below....please give your suggestions or improvements to plan:

Day 1: Pindi -> Mingora = by Daewoo bus
- Night stay at Mingora
Day 2: Mingora -> Kalaam = by local car (3-4 hours depend on road condition)
Kalaam -> Matiltan = by local OR hired jeep
Matiltan -> Mahodand Lake = by local OR hired jeep
- Night stay at Matiltan OR Kalaam (can stay at Bagheecha hotel Matiltan)
Day 3: Day spend explore Matiltan
Matiltan -> Utror = Hired jeep (2-3 hours)
- Night stay at Utror
Day 4: Utror -> Kandol Lake = Trek (3-4 hours)
Kandol Lake -> Izmis banda = Trek (2-3 hours) / IF possible
Kandol lake/Izmis banda -> Utror (Trek 3 hours)
- Night stay at Utror
Day 5: Utror to Thall (Kumrat valley) - Hired jeep
Thall -> Kumrat valley camp
- Night stay at Kumrat
Day 6: Day to explore Kumrat valley
- Night stay at Kumrat
Day 7: Thall -> Jandrai = by local OR hired jeep
Jandrai -> Jahaz banda = Trek (4-5 hours)
- Night stay camping at Jahaz banda (or if possible we can stay at rest house)
Day 8: Jahaz Banda -> katora Lake = Trek (2-3 hours)
Katora lake -> Jahaz banda = Trek (2-3 hours)
- Night stay camping at Jahaz banda (or if possible we can stay at rest house)
Day 9: Free day to explore Jahaz banda and surrounding areas
- Night stay camping at Jahaz Banda (or if possible we can stay at rest house)
Day 10: Jahaz banda -> Jandrai = Trek (4-5 hours)
Jandrai -> Thall -> Dir = Local jeep (5-6 hours)
- Night stay at Dir
Day 11: Dir -> Rawalpindi = Local bus

So now for questions:
- Are there any hotels in Matiltan? I know of one hotel....bagheecha hotel, can anyone provide contact details for this hotel
- Is it a good option to hire jeep for the whole trip from Kalam? Any idea how much per day rent jeep wala will charge
- Will the pass between Utror and Thall be open in mid July? As per info from Rana sherdil sahib from 2012 he was charged 3500 Rs. i'm sure the rate must be higher now
- Is it possible to go from Utror to Kundol lake and Izmis banda in single day? Should I camp and go to Izmis next day? Any suggestions are welcome
- I want to explore Kumrat valley....any great places? (apart from Jahaz banda and Katora/Jahaz dand lake, i plan to go there already)
- Are there jeeps available in Thall?

Any other suggestions please go ahead....Pakwheels is the best place to get expert advice

Thanks in advance guys

[sameerspot]

What will be the best way to reach Kumrat valley ? i am working on 3 options

option1: ISb to chitral by air...Than to dir and kumrat
option 2:Mengora to klam / Ator / Tall
OPtion3: Mengora to Dir/ Tall

We are planning to travel on 15 july, please advice on the best possible way to reach there

Regards

[Musafir366]

Hi I have recently visited Kumrat. About the trip i wrote in my blog.
A Beautiful Journey To Kumrat Valley – My Scrapbook Chronicle
might be helpful to to you and to those who are planning to visit there first time this year or next year.

[pwuser149795034815]

kumrat se kalam tak paidal ketna raasra hoga ????