visit of Swat Valley (pakistan)

visit of  Swat Valley (pakistan)

Swat Valley is a high-altitude tourist destination located in the northwest mountains of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. The Swat Valley is situated on the swat river, at the coordinates of 35°12′N 72°29′E, which is at about 247 Km (153 Miles) distance from the capital city Islamabad in Pakistan.

Although swat valley has a reputation for its spectacular natural beauty, yet many of its tourist attractions spread across its area of 5,337 km2 (2,061 sq. mi.) are relatively undiscovered.

Until 1969 Swat Valley remained an affluent independent self-governing state called “the Yusafzai State of Swat” before it became a part of Pakistan.

The History of Swat

Although Swat is geographically isolated by mountains from the Peshawar plains. The valley has been the main interacting place for the important civilizations of the world. Throughout the swat history, the valley linked China with Central Asia and Europe. Alexander the Great, Mahmood of Ghazni, and Mughal king Babar entered India via the lower part of Swat valley.

Swat the Switzerland of Asia

The British Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Swat in 1961 called Swat “Switzerland of the east (Pakistan/Asia)” due to its landscape similarities and alikeness in scenic beauty with Switzerland. Additionally, Swat Valley has pleasant weather and for that reason, locals and tourists call it “a paradise on the earth”.

Virtual Tour of Swat Valley

The swat virtual tour is an illustration of information intended for the prospective tourist audience. The purpose of the virtual tour is to provide you information about swat including weather, accommodation, hospitality, famous tourist locations. This guide aims to provide you free and accurate information so that you enjoy your travel and stay safe.

Let’s enjoy a free virtual tour of the breathtaking swat valley. We will explore its history, heritage, culture, people, food, and tourist attractions.

Saidu Sharif (The Capital)

Saidu Sharif served as the political headquarter and administrative capital of the Swat district since the inception of the State and maintained that status till the merger of the State. Being the capital city, Saidu Sharif hosts the swat central government offices, professional educational institutes, healthcare facilities, etc.

The Saidu Sharif Stupa (excavations in 1963 – 1982) is a reminder of Buddhist presence in swat. This is evidence of Buddhist in the swat valley between 25 BCE and the end of the 1st century. Another important tourist attraction in Saidu Sharif is the Swat Museum which displays thousands of objects of the Buddha era as well as historic artifacts of the pre-Buddhist era.

Mingora Bazar (The Business Centre)

Mingora Bazar is the central business hub of swat which is adjacent to Saidu Sharif on 2.6 km (1.6 miles) distance. People around the valley come to the downtown of Mingora bazaar (Market) for shopping and other business activities.

The hustle and bustle of the Mingora market continue until late at night. In the city centre the locals alongside the tourists enjoy shopping and dining until late at night.

Mingora Bazar is a convenient place for tourists to say or get prepare and do the last minute shopping while they are on the move to the more adventurous areas of swat. There are thousands of shops in Mingora city that all day long offer merchandise for sale.

Mingora has a variety of hotels, restaurants, takeaways, cafes, and western food outlets offering both local as well as fast-food.

The Mountain of Swat Valley

Swat is also famous for its majestic mountains located among the foothills of the Hindukush mountain range where you can go hiking, trekking, walking, and even meditating. The elevation of the Swat river valley, at the southern boundaries of the district, is over 600 m and rises rapidly towards the north.

There are several mountain peaks ranging from 4500 to over 6000 m above sea level. The Swat region, containing the meandering Swat River, is also home to lush green valleys, snow-covered glaciers, forests, meadows, and plains. The district has varying geology.

The Lakes of Swat Valley

Swat is blessed with nature’s beautiful lakes. Its mesmerizing lakes not only add to the scenic beauty but are also popular attractions among visitors and locals for fishing, hiking, water sports or simply relaxing in the beauty of nature. Lakes in Swat carry a rich history with them, and great tales of myths add to the magic of their landscapes.

The breathtaking views of the beauty of lakes in Swat and it’s freshwaters make them a perfect stop. The swat valley has numerous ponds and many majestic large freshwater lakes. The valley has nearly 35 famous lakes, each of them being unique with its lure and sparkling landscapes. These lakes are home to numerous species of plants and wildlife.

Weather & Climate of Swat

The Swat weather actually tends to be quite moderate and changeable but is rarely extremely hot. Despite being a relatively small valley, one of the most surprising things about the Swat climate is just how much it varies from one region to another. You might experience ‘four seasons in one day’, but travel 20-30 minutes in any direction and the weather is generally completely different!

When it is Spring season in Swat, you can expect average maximum temperatures to range from approximately 7°C (45°F) to 13 °C (55°F) during the months of March, April, and May.

Summer months in Swat i.e. June, July and August are normally the warmest months, with average maximum temperatures ranging from approximately 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63 °F). In the Autumn (or Fall), Swat is likely to experience temperatures ranging from around 8°C (46°F) to 14°C (57°F) from September to November.

December, January, and February are generally the coldest months in Swat, with the average maximum temperature usually around 5°C (41°F).

When is the Best Time to Visit Swat

Considering the 365 days a year, from the mid of March till the end of May is the best time to visit Swat when the weather is mostly mild. From June till the end of August is generally a more suitable time to visit swat when the lower regions of Pakistan are under intense heatwaves and shelter in this refreshingly cool valley is needed the most. The best time for skiing and other winter sports is from December till the end of February when especially the upper regions of swat are under a good snow cover and make it ideal for skiing and winter sports activities.

In conclusion, March to November is a more ideal time to visit swat for family tours with children, school holidays, city breaks, and shot & weekend breaks, etc. December till February is the best time to visit swat valley for winter sports or for winter holidays and adventures.

Camping in Swat Valley

The wide array of free caravan and campsites in swat makes it a perfect fun place for both family breaks and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking for somewhere packed with on-site activities, an off-the-grid site with a little more peace and quiet, or a camping pod in swat where you can have campfires in the woods – Swat is a safe place to pitch and accommodate your tent in harmony with both people and nature.

Wild camping is a great way to discover the most remote parts of Swat, whilst helping you get away from it all. Although wild camping is legal in Swat Valley, it’s important to keep in mind this simple formula:

Respect the countryside + be safe = happy wild camping!

Winter Sports in Swat

Swat’s passion for snow sports makes it a superb winter holiday destination. The Malam Jabba Ski Resort in the Hindu Kush mountain range has all that a sportsperson would like to climb or travel at the elevation of 2,804 meters (9,199 ft) for perfect winter sports. The beautiful Malam Jabba Ski Resort is nearly 48 Km (29 miles) to the east of Saidu Sharif Swat and about 275 km (170 miles) to the northwest of Islamabad. The Ski Resort has two 800 meter ski runs, Ice skating rink, and adequate accommodation facilities for visitors.