Top Tour Places in Swat Valley
The vast Swat Valley is a panoramic hub of natural beauty in the KPK province of Pakistan. Along the Swat River, it remained center of Buddhism for centuries and thus it was a center of Gandhara culture and civilization. Valley of Swat remained a British princely state under the rule of Waalis of Swat who were tribal heads of the Yusafzai Pathan tribes, the major population of the valley. The separate status of the state of Swat remained continuous from 1947 up to 1969 when the state was merged in Pakistani administration. The region was undertook by Tehrike Taliban Pakistan in 2007 which was the regained by Pakistani forces in 2009. The old valley of Swat has been divided in three districts of Swat, Buneer and Shangla. The present district of Swat spreads over an area of 5337 square kilometers with the population of 2.31 million as per the statistics of 2017 census.
Gorgeous valley of Swat is a famous for its exceptional beauty core of nature. The valley was titled as “Switzerland of the East” by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the region in the 1960. Average altitude of Swat is 3,200 feet, ensuing in a significantly cooler and humid climate due to floating clouds and lush green plains or hills. With evergreen forests, lush alpine meadows, and snowy mountains, Swat is considered to be the paradise on land. It has a number of tourist places visited continuously by local and foreign tourists throughout the year. The beauty of Swat contains in its waterfalls, lakes, gardens, river sides and many of such traits of natural grace gleams. Tour facilities of every kind have been provided in Swat by government and private investors. There are many hotels in Swat. There are good conditioned roads, well furnished markets, luxury hotels and panoramic parks entertaining the visitors at their satisfaction. Almost all the spots in Swat are presented on the Swat tour packages. The most memorable tour places of Swat region have been portrayed in the following texts.
1. Bahrain
Bahrain is a hill station in Swat valley at a farness of 60 kilometers in the right North of Mangora. It is situated at a height of 4700 feet from sea levels with global coordinates of 35°12′ 45″ N and 72°32′56″ E. The station is reached with a drive of 305 km from Rawalpindi on N-45 and then on N-95 roads. Bahrain keeps its name from its location at the junction of two rivers Swat and Dral. It is the base camp for the travel of famous touristic lakes of Daral and Sadagai. The place has a charming scenes and space for visitors in spring and summer seasons. The climate here is pleasant and cool with maximum temperature of 27°C in July and 4°C in January. It is a popular tour resort with markets of traditional handicrafts offered frequently on the Swat tour packages. The surrounding places are worthy for hiking purposes. It is the best place of its kind for sightseers.
2. Mangora
Mingora is a commercial center of Swat Valley at an altitude of 3230 feet. Global positioning of the city is 34°46′16″ N and 72°21′36″ E. here is mild climate with average yearly temperature of 19°C and the annual averages rainfall of 900mm. The city of Mingora is at a driving distance of 245 km from Rawalpindi on National Highway of N-45. It is one of the big cities of KPK province of Pakistan with grand hotels and magnificent bazaars. Many of the hotels in Swat are in Mingora. It is a historic point for archeology and Many Buddhist remains and carvings have been exposed near Mingora in the Jambil River Valley. Green Square Mingora is the famous market cross of the place. It is a famous tourist place with parks, museum and archeological discoveries. Mingora is frequently visited by tourists from Pakistan and abroad following the Swat tour packages. The touristic importance of the city is reaches at peak during spring and summer seasons. In fact, it is like a heaven on the earth.
3. Malam Jabba
Malam Jabba is an ideal visiting place in the skirts of Swat Valley at a distance of 40 km from Saidu Sharif. It is located at a steep height of 9000 feet from the sea level. The global measures of the area are 34°47′59″ N and 72°34′18″ E. The picnic spot is considered as being the touristic paradise in the regions around there. Many shops of common used articles and hotels in Swat of diverse natures are found there. There are hiking paths for the visitors and also the icy slopes for the snow thrillers. There is a snow slope for skiing game. There is a ski resort in Malam Jabba which is the second ski resort in Pakistan. The first ski resort is in Naltar, Baltistan. Many ski players from all over the world come here to participate in the ski competitions under the superb supervision of International Ski Foundation. The location is a healthy spot for recreation and entertainment activities during summer season on the Swat tour packages. It is really a tour crown of Swat Valley.
4. Kalam Valley
At a far fledged distance of 99 km from Mingora, Kalam Valley has a wide spread of scenes and splendor along the banks of River Swat. It is located at the altitude of 6605 feet from the seashores. The global coordinates of the area are 35°28′33″ N and 72°33′41″ E. The peculiar natural characteristics of the area are lush green hills, thick forests, transparent lakes and waterfalls make the place an imaginary hub for tourism orientations on Swat tour packages. Kundol an Mahodand lakes are the best picnic sketches around the region. Kalam is an open small valley of Swat providing space for a small but productive plateau above the river for farming purposes. Here is a metalized road leading further to the Usho and Utror valleys. From Kalam, some snow-capped mountains are observable counting the Mount Falaksar at a height of 19,416 feet. There are a lot of hotels in Kalam, where one can stay for night and enjoy the cool breeze of Swat River both at the cheapest as well as the most costly rates.
5. Fizzaghat
Fizzagat or Hayatabad is a perfect visiting spot in the touristic worthy region of Swat Valley. It is situated at a height of 4222 feet from the sea level. The global measures of the area are 34°47′33″ N and 72°22′41″ E. This picnic spot of model measures is at a short distance of 6 km from Mingora. Fizzagat Recreation Park is the specialty of the place. This park was established here in 1984 on the shores of River Swat. Fizagat Park is an entertainment park in the environs of Mingora. It is a popular intention for tourists touring through the valley of Swat. It is situated on the bank of the Swat River at Fizagat. Its main feature is the stream of freshwater from the river Swat flowing at the steady speeds. The famous park of Fizagat provides the tourists with the modern entertainment facilities in this tour loving location. Hotel Hills City Fizagat is one of the chosen sites from the hotels in Swat on the offerings of Swat tour packages.
6. Miandam
Miandam is a tour worthy place in the widths of Swat Valley. It is located at a height of 6195 feet from the sea stretches. The global references of the place are 35°03′14″ N and 72°33′53″ E. This is the most charming hill station of Swat Valley. Medicinal herbs are found here in abundance. Due to the plenty of the medicinal plants, this area has been turned to be a site of World Wide Fund for Nature. Miandam is at a distance of 55 km from Mingora. Amongst many small hotels in Miandam, there are two great restaurants in the names of PTDC Motel and Miandam Guest House. These are the best restaurants from the hotels in Swat. The touristic facilities are in plenty there for enchanting the sightseers from all over the local and the foreign lands. The chief economy of the area is based on tourism and agriculture. The agricultural goods are typically centered on corn and potatoes. The site is a typical place on the Swat tour packages.
7. Saidu Sharif
At an altitude 3181 feet from sea level, the district headquarter of Swat is located with the famous name of Saidu Sharif. The global coordinates of the location are 34°45′ 03″ N and 72°21′25″ E. Saidū Sharīf is at a driving distance of 245 km from Rawalpindi on National Highway of N-45. It is the official center of Swat Valley in KPK province of Pakistan. The city is named after Saidu Baba, a well-known leader of Yusufzai State of Swat. It is one of the largest cities of Swat district. Saidu Sharif has several administrative buildings and archeological places such as the Swat Museum, the Tomb of Saidu Baba, Royal Palace of Wali-e-Swat and the archaeological ruins of the Batkara Buddhist Stupa. The climate remains moderate here throughout the year. The mean temperature of the area is 19°C an the annual rainfall of the city is 895mm. The city of Saidu Sharif is a center of tourism activities in the region. There are plenty of touristic activities like hotels, motels, roads, parks, markets and historical prominences. That’s why it is considered as the best place on Swat tour packages.
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8. Shingari Waterfall
At the base of Dwasaray peak, there is situated Shingrai waterfall with a slime height of 36 feet. This waterfall is at about 20 km from main city of Mangora in north of it. It is a magic measured fall with its transparent hydro-drops and serene beauty. People of the area and from far and wide of the country visit this beautiful masterpiece of nature. The vapor spread in the surrounding areas to create cool and captivating climate. The gigantic waterfall produces a roaring sound amid high hills overlooking it for enthralling the onlookers. It is an amazing place suspended amongst high green mountains. At half an hour’s drive from Mingora, it is a perfect family site where people can get pleasure from tranquil nature and be revitalized. Whilst the waterfall provides panoramic view, it captivates visitors with its boisterous noise interrupted by tweeting of the birds. Shingrai Waterfall is also named as Shingro Dand by the people of the area.
9. Marghazar
At an altitude of 3375 feet from sea level, hill station of Marghazar is situated in Swat Valley. The coordinates of the place are 34°48′11″N and 72°26′31″E on the global reference system. It is 13 kilometers far from Saidu Sharif. Locally, Marghazar, means “green land” which holds green valleys, cool springs, and steward hills including the Elum Ghar peak. In 1940, the then Wali of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud determined to construct a summer residence for himself. This residence became the then summer center of Swat. The palace was named Sufaid Mahal or White Palace. After the mergence of Swat, the palace has been transformed into a restaurant. There is a 200 years old massive Chinar Tree that serves as a sunshade for visitors. The place is at an easy approach from Saidu Sharif or Mingora. The visitors can find a lot of tourist attractions there. The serene scenes of the area in Summer season enchant the sightseers from far and wide.
10. Jarogo Waterfall
Valley of Swat has plenty of visiting spots of diverse types and one serene natural attraction among these is Jarogo Waterfall amid Chatekal valley located in Matta Tehsil of district Swat. The waterfall is situated at about 54 kilometers from city cross of Mangora in the northwest dimensions. It signifies the mystical quietude of wild loveliness of the high mountains and the bulky forests. With a prominent merge of unusual flora and fauna, the area is concealed in the mountains. All the persons who come here, the beauty of the place spells bound them for the future fantasy. Paradoxically, very few residents of the place know much about the waterfall. This is one of the best waterfalls in the world. Such a big waterfall has never been spotted before in the region. Tourists across Pakistan and foreigners should visit this particular place.
The word Jarogo means broom in Pashto language which depicts the wide spread of its water. The water falling down here covers more than 120 meters area which provides the visitors with a paradise like scene to enjoy and absorb.
11. Pari Lake
In the mountain skirts of Uror Swat Valley, there is a famous and fascinating lake commonly known as Pari Lake. Pari Lake has English parallel of Fairy Lake. The lake keeps a high altitude of 14445 feet from the sea level. It is the most gigantic lake of the region. It is a source lake for another famous Kundol Lake which is at the foot of the hill. Local name of the lake is Khapiro Dand. The lake has an area of 1600 square feet but a greater part of it remains covered under the slabs of frost for long times during a year. The lake is triangular in contour and is bounded by high mountains with western visage open. Several white garrulous waterfalls from the nearby peaks and glaciers supply the lake with transparent water. The bright green water of the lake, the emerald highlands, the sky-scrapping mountains and the tranquil environment round about has strange potentials for tourism tactics and entertainments.
12. Swat Museum
The gigantic museum of Swat is wide in its constituents and rich in structure. It is situated as a vivid site on the way from Saidu Sharif to Mangora. The museum contains a large variety of the goods and memoirs relating to Buddhist Era of Swat. The presenting styles of the museum reflect the best perfections of Buddhist manners. As per the historical sides of the museum, it was built in phases in different time periods. The founding stone of the museum was laid down in 1962 in collaboration of Italian mission and the Wali (leader) of Swat. Among the collection items of the museum, the major portions comprise of Utensils, Beads, Figurines, Stones and Coins. There are so many other ornaments and royal or spiritual Buddhist things of the ancient times. The museum has a great attraction for the visitors and peculiar importance for the researchers and students of Archeology. It is a touristic spot of entertainment and fun in the culturally rich Swat Valley on Swat tour packages.
13. Shangla Top
At a high attitude of 7010 feet from sea level, Shangla Top is mountain pass which connects Shangla district to Swat Valley. The global coordinates of Shangla top are 34°52′51″ N and 72°35′27″ E. It is the shortest road in between the two districts of Swat and Shangla. It has very panoramic sights of Himalaya mountain peaks enclosed with snow, glaciers and the forests of Pine and cedar trees. Shangla top gets profound snowfall throughout the winter season. Shangla Top is included in the boundaries of District Shangla. It is the best place of touristic importance from March to September when there is no snowfall and the season is adequate for the tourism activities. On National Highway N-90, Shangla Top is at a distance of 45 km from Mingora. The view of the beauty of this top fascinated the tourists a lot. There is a wide scope of tourism development on this high touristic spot. Shangla Top Hotel is a blessing there for the tourists to stay and enjoy their trips and it is also a specific entity from the hotels in Swat.
14. Besham
At an elevation of 2015 feet from sea shores, Besham is lacated as being the leading town and market centre of the Shangla District of KPK. It was previously a part of Swat Valley due to which it is often appeared on the Swat tour packages. The global coordinates of Besham Valley are 34°56′15″N and 72°52′45″E. Most people of the area are Pashto speakers.Since the valley of Besham is on the famous Karakoram Highway so the shops and hotels remain open here all the times. The hotels here are the best branded hotels in Swat. The shops in the markets of Besham are renowned for the availability of China goods there. In summer this small town is filled up with foreign and domestic tourists due to its pleasant weather and splendid scenic charms. There is a Tehsil Headquarter Hospital and the town is the base of Indus Social and Development Organization (ISDO) which has been working for the development and welfare of the people of Shangla and Kohistan regions since 2001. The average temperature in Besham is 20.7 °C; while the annual mean rainfall is 845 mm. June is the hottest month of the year with a normal temperature of 30°C and the coldest month is January with an average temperature of 9°C. The area is hub of tourism for entertainment and recreation.
