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Wednesday, July 11, 2012


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Swat-Kalam Trip

Though I missed Shandur festival 2012 yet I have planned another trip to Swat-Kalam commencing from 12 July-15 July. Why SWAT?
Swat, the land of romance and beauty, is celebrated throughout the world as the holy land of Buddhist learning and piety. Swat acquired fame as a place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Buddhist tradition holds that the Buddha himself came to Swat during his last reincarnation as the Guatama Buddha and preached to the people here. It is said that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred imposing and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There are now more than 400 Buddhist sites covering and area of 160 Km in Swat valley only. Among the important Buddhist excavation in swat an important one is Butkarha-I, containing the original relics of the Buddha.
Around SwatMiandam
Madyan & Bahrain
Kalam: The most popular tourist spot in Swat Valley
Ushu, Matiltan and Mahodand Lake: This is the most spectacular area of upper Swat Valley. While staying overnight at Kalam, you can enjoy a day trip by jeep to these beautiful tourist spots. Distance is just 13-16 km from Kalam.
Utrot-Gabral: Another scenic valley of upper Swat, located 21-29 km from Kalam. The road is jeepable and jeeps can be hired from Kalam. A day trip with picnic lunch is recommended.

We have hired 5 cars; every car needs 2 expert drivers. Its 15-16 hours drive if we stop only for one meal and 1 short driving break.
What to wear?
It is July, a tshirt at day with shorts, but an upper at night because Monsoon is expected and wind after rain makes quite chilled. If you are smoker, try a good quality Cigar. Take your camera and never miss any scene, best part is bridges of wood logs. DONOT forget your National Identity card because there are many many Police check posts.
Probable Schedule as below:
12/7       Dinner: Kalar Kahar (Motorway) 8:30 PM
13/7       Break Fast: 7:00 am at Mangora
13/7       Lunch and Jummah Prayer: Behrain
13/7       Hotel Stay: Kalam
13/7       Dinner: Kalam
14/7       Break Fast: Kalam
14/7       Lunch: Oshu
14/7       Dinner Kalam:
14/7       Hotel Stay: Kalam
15/7       Kalam to Faisalabad Journey Start date: 15th July
15/7       Commencement Time: 5:00 AM
15/7       Break Fast: Behrain
15/7       Lunch:  Mardan (As Appropriate)
15/7       Dinner (Motor Way)

16/7       Journey end point Faisalabad 1:00 AM