The Chitral Valley at an elevation of 1128 meters (3,700 ft) is popular with
mountaineers, anglers, hunters, hikers, naturalists
and anthropologists. The 7,788 meters (25,550 ft) Trichmir, the highest peak
of the Hindukush mountain, dominates this
322km long exotic valley.
Chitral district has Afghanistan on its North, South and West. A narrow strip
of Afghan territory, Wakhan, separates it from
Tajikistan. The tourist season in Chitral is from June to September. The maximum
temperature in June is 35°C (95°F) and the
minimum is 20°C (67°F). In September, the maximum is 24°C (75°F)
and minimum 8°C (46°F).
Their ancestry is enveloped in mystery and is the subject of controversy. A
legend says that five soldiers of the legions of
Alexander of Macedon settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kafir-Kalash.
The 3,000 strong Kafir-Kalash live in the valley of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur
in the South. Bamburet, the largest and the
most picturesque valley of the Kafir-Kalash, is 40km from Chitral and is connected
by a jeepable road. Birir, 34km away is
accessible by a jeepable road. Rambur is 32km from Chitral, the road is jeepable
upto Ayun and the remaining 16km have to
be travelled on foot.
The Kalash women wear black gowns of coarse cloth in summer and hand-spun wool
dyed in black in winter. Their pictureque
headgear is made of woollen black material decked out with cowrie shells, buttons
and crowned with a large coloured feather.
In parts of Greece even today some women sport a similar headcovering.
The Kalash people love music and dancing particularly on occasions of their
religious festivals like Joshi Chilimjusht (14th &
15th May - spring), Phool (20th - 25th September) and Chowas (18th to 21st December).
Polo in Chitral is as popular as in Gilgit and Skardu. Polo matched are a great
attraction at festive occasions.
Foreign tourists require permits for visting the Kalash valleys, which are
issued free of cost by the Deputy Commissioner,
Chitral. Foreign visitors also have tp pay a nominal toll tax of less than one
dollar per person.
Apart from Trichmir 7788 meters reigning over Chitral Valley, other exciting
peaks are Istornal, Bunizem, Saraghrar, Noushaq,
Chosharso, Phal, Daser and Don, rising from 6096 to 7315 meters. Permission
for mountaineering is issued by the Tourism
Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Trekking and hiking in the enchanting valleys of Chitral is a dream come-true.
You can take your pick: go by jeep of just walk.
Some of the trekking courses are Drosh-Madaklasht-Golden-Kuguzi-Chitral 48km
(30miles) and
Chitral-Shighore-Sassum-Ovir-Mroi, through areas of magnificent scenic beauty
in the shadoq of the Trichmir. There are no
regular camping sites but you are always welcome by the friendly and hospitable
locals to camp on their lands or lawns
provided, of course, you obtain the owners permission.
The angling season is from April to September. The rivers in Chitral, specially
the Lutkuh River, are famous for brown trout.
Golenbol and Shishi Kuh Nallahs are also famous for trout. The Fisheries Department
at Chitral issues permits for a nominal
charges for every three fish at a time - never mind the ones that get away!
By air: PIA operates daily flights between Peshawar and Chitral, subject to
weather conditions. The flying time is 50 minutes
and the fare is very resonable.
By road: Chitral is accessible from Peshawar by the 227-mile jeepable road
which goes via Malakand, Dir and the 3200
meters high Lowari Pass. Chitral can also be reached from Gilgit via the 3719
meters high Shandur Pass. Distance 405km
(252miles). Time required will be 25 hours. Permits are required. Please contact
Deputy Commissioner, Chitral.
There are reasonably priced hotels, a PTDC motel and several rest-houses.