Chitral valley is situated in the erstwhile North-West Frontier Province, now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), in northern Pakistan. It is the largest district of the province and is flanked on the western and northern sides by Afghanistan and to the east lies the famed Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
Chitral is well-known for its culture, hospitality, wildlife and lush green valleys amidst towering mountains. It is home to the mighty Hindu Kush range and hosts towering peaks such as Tirich Mir, Istor o Nal, Saraghrar and Buni Zom, amongst many others.
Kalash Valleys
Perhaps the most well-known and famous valleys within Chitral are the Kalash or Kalasha valleys. They are three different valleys: Bamburate, Rumbur and Birir, collectively known as the Kalash valleys.
These valleys are home to the Kalasha people, an indigenous group of people that are said to be the descendants of Alexander the Great’s army. However, the origins of the Kalasha people are still contested, with some scholars suggesting that they migrated to the region even before Alexander the Great traversed the sub-continent, and are thus the descendants of Indo-Aryans. They have their own distinct language, religion and traditions that are markedly different from the rest of the country.
DBP offers the its clients the opportunity to spend time with the locals of these valleys and witness their age-old customs, festivals and traditions in their true form.
Madaklasht
Madaklasht is situated roughly 40 km east of Chitral city. It is a beautiful, lush green valley filled with cedar and pine trees and is surrounded by high mountains such as Ghochhar Sar.
Chitral Gol National Park
Chitral Gol National Park (CGNP) is renowned for its scenic views and wildlife. Markhors are a common sight in the CGNP, while snow leopards are also known to visit the area. There are golden eagles, Himalayan vultures, peregrine falcons, Himalayan Monals and other wildlife species that inhabit the park.
It is roughly an hour and a half’s drive from Chitral town and can be reached via jeeps. The park is a haven of wildlife and offers an eagle eye view of the city below.
DBP offers camping, bonfire and musical nights in the park. We take particular care of keeping the environment clean, and are strictly against littering in the national park.
Qaqlasht
Qaqlasht or Qaqlasht meadows are about 80 km north of Chitral town, and are opposite the town of Booni in upper Chitral. Every year, the meadows turn lush green when spring arrives. Jashan-e-Qaqlasht is a 2000-year-old festival that takes place in Qaqlasht every year upon the arrival of spring. Various sports competitions including horse riding, paragliding, cricket matches, and traditional polo matches brace the festival. It also includes a musical night and local food delicacies.
Garam Chashma
Garam Chashma literally means ‘hot spring’, and that is where the name of the place comes. Sulphur deposits cause the water’s temperature to rise above the boiling point, with many people coming to the spring for its healing properties. It is said to cure skin issues. Garam Chashma is also known for its trouts, and fishing is a common activity in this area. At an altitude of roughly 8,300 feet, the area experiences cold winters and warm summers, with the climate described as being pleasant during the summer months.
Sor Laspur/Shandur
Sor Laspur is the last village of Chitral. There are lush green fields surrounded by snow-clad mountains. The best time to visit the area is summers, when the snows melt. The majority of the people of Sor Laspur adhere to the Ismaili sect of Islam, and are known for their hospitality. Fishing is also a common activity in the area.
Shandur top is a high-altitude pass that connects Sor Laspur (Chitral) with Langar (Gilgit-Baltistan). It is a plateau famous for being the highest polo ground in the world, with an elevation of 3,700 meters above sea level. The Shandur Festival is a sight to behold, as thousands of tourists from across the globe visit these icy mountains to enjoy local polo matches, traditional foods and other celebrations during the second week of July every year.
Broghil
Broghil valley is best described by the words wild and unexplored. It is the north-westernmost extreme of Pakistan, and is scarcely populated, with only seven small villages. There are vast meadows and steep mountains in Broghil, with an elevation range of 3000 m to 4300 m. Broghil is inaccessible during most of the year, but come summers and it turns into a lush green valley filled with wildlife.
The people of the valley are pastoralists and speak Dari. Owing to its close proximity to the Wakhan corridor, the culture of the people is greatlyfluenced by Afghanistan and central Asia.
The jewel in the crown of Broghil valley is undoubtedly the Karambar lake. It can be approached via a jeep ride from Mastuj, and then a moderate but lengthy trek from Lashkargaz. Broghil valley is also a declared national park in order to protect the wildlife of the valley.
