Kailash Valley, Chitral

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From Chitral different trekking itineraries could be followed which’re at some hours distance from the main town but here I’d let you know about a famous and one of the most exciting itineraries in Chitral which starts from one of the Kalash valleys and comes to an end in the last valley, furthermore, it’s abundant in lush green pine forests, white waters, and there’re some pints where from one can easily take the photographs of some of the famous peaks in Hindukush (Terichmir 7778 m).

Day 1: Excursion to Birir (3rd Kalash valley), 2 hrs drive from Chitral town, on a bumpy road, overnight stay at guest house,

Day2: Trek to Bamborate (2nd Kalash valley), over Gumbak Pass (3010 m), 6 to 8 hrs walk,

Day3: Trek to Achulgah valley, 5 to 7 hrs, over Donson Pass (2900 m), overnight camping,

Day3: Trek to Romboor Valley (3rd Kalash Valley), over Kundayak Pass ( 2080 m), 6 to 8 hrs, overnight sat at guest house,

Day 4: Drive back to Chitral.

The itinerary’s cheap, neither you need porters nor a lot of stuff for cooking but a guide’s highly recommended because the trails’re dodgy inside the forests and it’s also a restricted zone due to its close location to Nooristan ( Province of Afghanisatan).

Enjoy the marvels of Pakistan,

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The Kalash People are found in 3 valleys the Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. The Kalash are not Muslims but follow their own Religion which is made up of single creator called ‘Dezau’ with 12 male and female gods the major God is Mahandeo and some folks say this is the same god as Ares is known as Mars by the Romans. Most Kalasha are Mediterranean looking. The men wear largely traded traditional goat-skin tunics and the women wear black reaching to the ankles. They have beautiful embroidery. Here is the official position of the Pan Macedonia Society of the USA -- 13. The Kalash of the northern Himalayan region of the Hindu Kush Mountains of Pakistan are Hellenic descendants of the armies of Alexander the Great. The Kalash Indigenous people have sustained their ancient culture and traditions since the 4th century B.C.

Good overview video of this area and the Kalash

How to visit the Kalash first you need a permit from the office in Chitral that overseas foreigners travel in this part of Pakistan or at the Pakistan tourist development office the one in Chitral is at the PTDC Motel, Main Bazaar, Chitral (NWFP) Tel:(0943) 412683. But I would recommend that you go with a guide. There is one that posts on Virtual Tourist imranthetrekker his e-mail is below and you can read his page -- he might be a good person to ask. But arrangements can be made easily via your hotel I would strongly recommend that you ask for a guide form the Kalash culture itself. I found a student by the name of Afiyat but was working as a guide during her vacation. This made it very nice as I had a built in access to her family. I located here by asking in three or four place but finally from the concierge at the Hindukush Heights hotel. The trip up the Valley is about 30 Kilometer and you really need to have a 4 wheel drive. They also sell tour group excursion type engagements with 4 wheel drive in groups of 8 to 30 again your hotel will know.

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Kelash is actually a very old greek civilization. The people beloning to this civilization are called 'The Kelash'. And the place, the kelash valley. There are actually about three valleys here. I have been to one of them - Bamboret. The people are just so different from the rest of us. They have their own very distinct culture. But its not just the people, but the amazingly beautiful scenery that makes this place a must visit for everyone having a chance. The mountain is lush green with lots of streams. The valley is full of apple and appricot trees.

Tucked into three picturesque valleys , two hours drive from Chitral town, live the Kalash tribe. They worship nature and their ancestors and are quite different from the rest of the population of Chitral. They have been the interest of anthropologists and tourists alike. The Greeks take great interest in the Kalash because they have traced them to Alexanders Army who got lost here in 320BC.

Mid may 2012. The weather so cold at nite and so refreshing in the morning. Wear your flat shoes or sport shoes thats the best and just go out and explore the beautiful scenery and people too..