Travel Guide to Kumrat Valley
Kumrat is a small Valley in KPK. Only a few local tourists from KPK visit here. Tourists from the rest of Pakistan don’t know about this hidden gem. Foreigners are rarely seen here. The valley is described as heaven on Earth.
This article is a humble effort to guide future tourists on their journey to Kumrat. How to get there and where to spend the night once there.
The valley is located in the Dir district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. There is a town nearby called Thal. It is at a distance of about 45 km. you should be vary of Thall as it is considered to be very conservative. Most trips to Kumrat start right here at Thall. The valley itself is very beautiful with vibrant meadows and seraphic views. a river also flows through the valley called the Panjkora river. The river starts from somewhere in the Hindukash mountains.
Why Visit Kumrat
One of the most popular reasons among tourists to visit Kumrat is the local Deodar forest. The Deodar trees are considered to be very precious because of their unique heartwood. Their heartwood has special insect repellent compounds which make it perfect for construction as it is largely left untouched from damage by insects and especially termites. The heartwood is also said to have medicinal properties. It is sometimes used to treat ailments such as hemorrhoids, insomnia, fever and diabetes. It is also sometimes used as a diuretic to reduce blood pressure. It is also said to have anti cancer and anti inflammatory properties. No wonder the wood is considered very precious. It is actually the national tree of Pakistan but unfortunately due to deforestation the number of Deodar trees has been declining rapidly. The locals here primarily use Deodar wood as fuel for cooking purposes and also to keep warm as there is no natural gas here.
Kumrat Valley Travel Guide
This guide shows the quickest ways to get to Kumrat Valley from various places. Remember, road conditions can affect travel time and distance.
How to Reach Kumrat Valley?
We’ll provide the routes and distances needed for trips to Kumrat Valley from Islamabad, Lahore, or Swat.
Distance from Islamabad to Kumrat Valley
Kumrat Valley is 390 km from Islamabad. You can reach it by road in about 8 hours and 45 minutes through AH1 M-1. To get there, you need to go to Chakdara using the Swat motorway from Islamabad.
After leaving Chakdara toll plaza, go on the Dir and Chitral road. Drive for around 3 hours until you reach the Dir and Kumrat junction. Then, continue to Kumrat’s entrance, called Baab-e-Kumrat.
Lahore to Kumrat Valley
The valley is roughly 705 kilometers away from Lahore. You can reach it by a roughly 13-hour drive on the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway M2. From Islamabad, you continue on the Swat motorway to Upper Dir, and then to Kumrat Valley.
Swat to Kumrat Valley – Distance and Route
The trip from Swat to Kumrat Valley is 163 kilometers and requires off-road travel. You enter through Thal. It’s best to rent a Jeep from Utrar to Thal. The ride might be rough, but the views are amazing.
Kumrat Valley Weather
Visit in spring and summer when the weather is around 20 C. Winters are tough at 3100 meters above sea level, with temperatures falling to -4 C and lots of snow. The valley is usually cloudy and gets a lot of rain during the monsoon. Winters are cold with snow, so you need to dress warmly.
Best Hotels in Kumrat valley
Camping Pods in Kumrat valley
The government runs these new tourist pods. They have basic features and provide a special experience for staying overnight.
Panjkora Hotel & Resort
This luxury hotel is next to the Panjkora River, with beautiful mountain views. Even though it’s a bit expensive, it offers top-notch facilities in a stunning location.
Hotel Green Hills
This hotel is in Thal Bazar, Thal. It’s a bit away from the main road and the valley. You’ll need a jeep to get to Kumrat Valley.
Camping in Kumrat Valley
During the busy tourist season, many local tent camps provide accommodation, enhancing the real valley life experience.
How to Get to Kumrat from Kalam
Thall is a very small village with very basic resources, it is located at the entrance of Kumrat.
To get to Kalam your first stop is Utrar village. a small village one hour away from Kalam. From Kalam you have to take a taxi from the main bazar all the way to Utrar village. The fare depends upon how many people you share the taxi with.
In Utrar the main bazar has many local jeeps that can take you to Thall. The jeeps leave when full. If there are fewer passengers and the demand is limited you can ask the driver to go, however you will be charged extra to make up for the fewer number of passengers. The drive from Utrar to Thall is about 4 hours long. It is a rough but enjoyable ride. you will get an amazing view of beautiful mountains while passing through a 3000 m high mountain pass between the upper Dir district and Swat Valley. If you happen to travel during tourist season you might also find some small and temporary tea shops along the way that support the locals during this time of the year.
Where to Stay
Once you arrive in Thall you have two choices. either just spend the night to rest and re-organize yourself and also visit the local Bazar and collect some souvenirs or move on. It is possible to reach Kumrat on the same day but it might get a bit tiring if you are not used to traveling that much so it is generally preferred to stay there and spend a night recovering and getting ready for the Journey ahead. If you choose to spend the night then the Hotel Green Hills is the only official hotel near the Thall Bazaar off the main road.
From Thall to Kumrat
To get to your final destination Kumrat from Thall you will have to hire a jeep along with a driver. The fare may vary depending on how deep in the valley you want to go. You can also ask the driver to pick you up a few days later but it will cost you extra. It is recommended that you be clear about where you want to be dropped off to and picked up at. Also haggle your way down to a cheap price. you will also pass through an army checkpoint. It might take around 2 hours to pass through the narrow passage between the mountains.
Where to Spend the Night in Kumrat
There aren’t any local hotels where you can spend the night so you will have to make do with a tent. There are plenty of tents here both during off and on season. You will be charged based on your haggling skills. if you know how to haggle you might get quoted significantly less than someone who is not. It is also recommended that you bring your own food as there are few facilities here and everything costs extra.
To Dir and Chitral
If you also want to visit the Kalash Valley, Chitral then you can head there from Thall. To get to Dir you will again have to ride a shared taxi which also leaves from the main Thall Bazaar. The ride is about 8 hours long.
General Attitude Towards Women And Foreigners
As tourists aren’t very common in Kumrat the locals here are very sensitive towards foreigners and especially women in particular.
It is considered too dangerous for women to spend the night in Kumrat due to the attitude of locals towards non conservative women especially if you don’t wear a hijab. You can spend the night at the army guest house but it can cost a bit. You might want to consider the services of a local guide if you don’t want to encounter any sort of trouble.
