Kalam Travel Guide

  Kalam, Swat valley..
by imranthetrekker
 
  • Kalam, Swat valley..
      Kalam, Swat valley..
    by imranthetrekker
  •   Kalam
    by virgomani
  •   Kalam
    by virgomani
  •   Kalam
    by virgomani
  •   Kalam
    by miansaab
 

Pro

TOOCOOL profile photo

 Very beautiful mountains, trees and lakes. 


Con

creative_souls profile photo

 If you are going to Kalam for a night life, fugheddabbateet :) 


In a nutshell

adeel_ahmed profile photo

 A welcome break! 

 

Explore Kalam

Things to Do  

Move around!

Move around!, Kalam

 adeel_ahmed Says:  ** Have snacks at the "Charpoy Restaurants" while dipping your feet in the Swat river.** Buy fruit (mangoes, cherries, plums, apples). Find a nice spot by the river. Dip fruit in river for 15 min. Enjoy!** Ride up to Utrot, Ushu, Dhamaka Lake, Mahodand Lake. Most of the... 

Trek to Ellum Valley

Trek to Ellum Valley, Kalam

 Kalashtravels Says:  The trek to the Ellum valley is 6 hours both way from Hotel White palace. It is lush green and high steps with sparkling streams and waterfalls. Very nice view and picnic spot at the top, nearby the Pir baba's Ziarat( Grave yards). 

Enjoy the magnificent rivers

Enjoy the magnificent rivers, Kalam

 creative_souls Says:  The rivers of Kalam are formed by snow melting on the mountains. This water is magnificent...and the local folk lore claims it to have healing properties (don't know about that really)...You can only truly understand the significance of this tip, if you were boiling in 40C... 

Restaurants  

PTDC Restaurant: Excellent Pakistani food!

PTDC Restaurant: Excellent Pakistani food!, Kalam

 adeel_ahmed Says:  You name a Pakistani dish, and they'll arrange it for you. Just let them know well in advance so they can arrange fresh ingredients. Also tell them just how spicy you want it. You will not be disappointed!However, if it is western food you want, please try elsewhere, though... 

Saidu Sharif, River side Inn: Trout Fish

Saidu Sharif, River side Inn: Trout Fish, Kalam

 Kalashtravels Says:  If you like to eat or do a picnic outside or nearby the river, Saidu Sharif is a good place for fried fish. Only fried fish can be served, it is the best place for picnic and to enjoy the weather. 

Transportation  

By Car

By Car, Kalam

 2 Reviews  The route to the Swat Valley is from Islamabad to Nowshera and then taking the turn to Mardan and after crossing Mardan you have to negotiate the Malakand Pass and land safely in Mingora in the Swat Valley. Sounds tough? Well, it really isn't that tough. The journey from Islamabad to Nowshera is... 

By Jeeps

By Jeeps, Kalam

 2 Reviews  Always rent a jeep or another heavy duty car to go to Lake Mahodand or Ushu or Utrot. Never think of driving yourself. An elderly experienced driver is more useful in these areas than a Micheal Schumacher! 

Driving to Kalam from Islamabad

Driving to Kalam from Islamabad, Kalam

 adeel_ahmed Says:  We (7 adults and 3 children) wanted to travel together so we rented a 12-seater Toyota van. Must say we got a decent deal: PKR 2,500 per day with driver; you pay for fuel. Here are a few tips for would-be travelers:** Select a diesel vehicle. Diesel is cheaper and more... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Be safe!

Be safe!, Kalam

 adeel_ahmed Says:  ** Drive slowly and carefully. There is a lot of loose gravel and mud and the vehicle can slide very easily. This can be very dangerous, as there are no guard rails along the edge of the road.** The water of Swat river is very cold and very fast flowing. The rocks in the... 

What to Pack  

What to bring to Kalam

What to bring to Kalam, Kalam

 adeel_ahmed Says:  Fewer and lighter the luggage the better! ** While it is quite pleasant (bordering on warm) during the day, it gets chilly at night, even in summers. Therefore bring some warm clothing. A light jacket or sweater would do.** Bring sturdy (but comfortable) walking shoes.**... 

Stuff to bring to Kalam

Stuff to bring to Kalam, Kalam

 creative_souls Says:   Although it may be intensely hot in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi, it may be quite chilly up in Kalam, especially at night. You will be happy that you brought some warmer clothes. Bring some lightweight jackets. Good walking shoes are an absolute necessity. Although you... 

Off The Beaten Path  

The road to Mahodand lake

The road to Mahodand lake, Kalam

 whostolemyid Says:  This is a village about halfway, on the route. We couldn't find any jeeps at Ushu, so I took my car. This village is as far as you should go if you ever have to take your own car, there are large rocks on the road ahead.I left my car here at the mercy of the villagers and... 

The road to Mahodand lake

The road to Mahodand lake, Kalam

 whostolemyid Says:  Mahodand Lake is about 30kms from Kalam. It's about an hour and a half's jeep ride from Ushu. The lake is famous for its trout. Fishing is allowed but only with a permit.You need to hire a jeep from Ushu glacier to get to Mahodand because the track ahead is full of boulders.... 

MACP board crying for attention

MACP board crying for attention, Kalam

 whostolemyid Says:  Mountain Areas Conservancy Project signboard on the road to Ushu.These are the good people who are going to conserve our forests, but first they need to conserve their own signboard. 

Forest just outside Kalam

Forest just outside Kalam, Kalam

 whostolemyid Says:  There's also a big open ground with a few small shops. However, they were all closed, during the off season. 

Forest just outside Kalam

Forest just outside Kalam, Kalam

 whostolemyid Says:  The road takes you to Ushu glacier from Kalam. On the way, it meanders through a beautiful forest. You must stop here and take a stroll through the forest. It is unbelievably quiet and serene. 

Swat river at Ushu

Swat river at Ushu, Kalam

 whostolemyid Says:  You can stop by the bridge at Ushu and walk down towards the river. There are some small hotels too where you can stay, however they are nowhere near to the kinds of Hotels found at Kalam. 

Sports & Outdoors  

Boating at Mahodand

Boating at Mahodand, Kalam

 TOOCOOL Says:  Boating is possible at Lake Mahodand (along with fishing). There are mostly motor-boats taking 300 Rs for the whole trip of the Lake. Get something warm to wear. The wind is really blowing in these areas and it is absolutely freezing here. The boat ride takes about 40... 

Favorites  

Swat valley

Swat valley, Kalam

 imranthetrekker Says:  Bonjour from Islamabad,Just back from Mazeno la 5400 m, Herlingkoffer base camp, Chitral and Swat valley.It is absolutely safe to travel to Swat valley, life is normal, security is tight, I was traveling with s German friend.Kalam, lovely weather, I stayed 1 night at Saidu... 

kalam

kalam, Kalam

 waseem11 Says:  in july 2010 i visited kalam a second biggest tourist resort of pakistan and i was detained due to flood in sawat and at last actress anjilina juili visited kalam and i was able to come back to home .kalam is a very beautifull place and here a tourist can enjoy lakes ,fores,... 

Comments

Map of Kalam