The stunning Swat Valley, frequently referred to as the “Switzerland of the East,” is located in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. Swat Valley attracts visitors from all over the world with its stunning landscapes, lush valleys, cascading rivers, and snow-capped peaks.
It can take three to seven days to fully explore Swat Valley, depending on your speed of travel, your interests, and the amount of sites you want to see.

The history of Swat Valley is extensive and dates back thousands of years. It was formerly a component of the Gandhara civilization and afterwards the hub of the local Buddhist culture.
The Swat Valley is easily accessible by road from large towns like Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar. The valley’s vast network of roads and highways makes it simple for visitors to arrive and explore.

Malam Jabba

Seeing Malam Jabba is the primary reason visitors come to Swat. There is a chairlift at Malam Jabba, where visitors may experience the mountains. There are other routes that branch out from Fazagat and Mingora, so you can begin your adventure from either place. Malam Jabba is well-known for its chairlift and is a year-round tourist destination because to its mild weather.

A 1.5 to 2 hour trip will get you from Mingora to Malam Jabba. Additionally, driving from Murree to Malam Jabba takes about 7 to 8 hours. Malam Jabba is accessible via a well-maintained road that passes through a verdant area. After you get there, there are a number of things you may do, each requiring a separate ticket. The chairlift offers breathtaking views of the surrounding lush jungle and mountains, and there are restrooms and canteens scattered along the route.

Travelers can choose from a wide variety of guesthouses, restaurants, and hotels. Malam Jabba is only accessible via road. There isn’t an alternative. It doesn’t have a flight. The best months to see snow in Malam Jabba are December through March, though this depends on the season and weather.

Ice skating is the main draw. Bring your own skiing equipment, such as snowboards, ski boots, ski poles, helmets, and skis, or rent it all on location.

The following list of average hotels, with an approximate price range, is located around three kilometers from Malam Jabba.

Hotels Near Malam Jabba

Hotel Name	Price Range (PKR)
Green Valley Hotel	Starting from 3,500 per night
Alpine Hotel Malam Jabba	Starting from 4,000 per night
Honey Moon Hotel	3,000 to 5,000 per night
Malam Jabba Continental Hotel	Starting from 2,500 per night
Pine Park Hotel	Starting from 2,000 per night

Swat Kalam valley

Kalam valley is in the upper swat.The simplest way to get to Kalam Valley by car is to travel to Mingora via the N-95 motorway. The primary city of SWAT is Mingora; from there, take the expressway to Kalam. 8 to 10 hours, depending on the weather and traffic.

You can also enjoy Mahodand Lake in Kalam valley. Mahodand Lake is a popular destination for tourists visiting Kalam Valley, 

To reach Mahodand Lake from Kalam, it takes around 2.5 to 3 hours by jeep, which is the recommended mode of transportation. Along the way, you can visit several places such as Swat River, Alpine Lakes, Traditional Villages,  Ushu Village, Kalam Forest, Wildlife, Lush green meadows, Falak Sher Viewpoint, and Matiltan Waterfall.

As you journey along, you’ll come across Kalam Bazaar, offering delightful traditional dishes like chapli kabab. You can also find various traditional clothes for sale here. Once you pass through Kalam Bazaar, you’ll reach Kalam Forest (ushu forest), where camping is allowed. Remember, an entry fee is necessary to enter the forest. 

In winter, this place is covered in such enchanting snow that it attracts separate visitors just to witness it. After that, you’ll reach Ushu Valley, which you’ll encounter along the way. There’s a market here where you can grab some snacks for the rest of your journey. Then, you’ll pass through the Falak Sher Mountain, and next, you’ll encounter the Matiltan Waterfall. Many people often stop here to enjoy the scenery. If you’re up for it, you can also go trekking.

Then you’ll reach Mahodad Lake. The appearance of Mahodad Lake varies with each season. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach Mahodad Lake from Kalam. Here, you’ll find quiet and peace of mind. In addition to enjoying activities like boating and horseback riding, camping is an option. You can order food to eat by the lake, or there are food stands near by. Going a little further will take you to Saifullah Lake, further ahead, you’ll also come across Kundol Shahi Lake.

 who come to enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and picnicking in the picturesque surroundings.

Here are some average hotels located within approximately 3 kilometers of Kalam, along with their approximate pricing:

Hotels Near Kalam

Hotel Name	Price Range (PKR)
Pine Hills Hotel	Starting from 3,000 per night
Riverwood Resort Kalam	Starting from 4,000 per night
Swiss Wood Cottages	3,500 to 5,000 per night
Hotel River Side Kalam	Starting from 2,500 per night
Swat Valley Guest House	Starting from 2,000 per night

Kundol Lake

Kundol Lake is situated In the Swat Valley. Hindu Kush mountains surround the area. 

You’ll begin your journey from Kalam, where you’ll encounter a river flowing alongside, adding to the scenic beauty. The true charm of Kalam will unfold here. As you pass through Ladu Valley, you’ll come across a checkpoint where a fee of 100-200 rupees is usually charged for vehicles. From here, you can start a 2-hour pedal trekking adventure, or you can also opt to use a jeep to reach your destination.

Bring a blanket if you plan to go camping because the nights can get cold even in the summer.

Kundol Lake resembles to the lake in Gilgit called Saiful Muluk. While there are some similarities, such as mountains and shape, the main difference is that most people are aware of Saiful Muluk rather than Kundol. It resembles an undiscovered location in Pakistan.

Very few people visit this area; mostly, they pass through it coming from Mahodad Lake. This place is in Utror Valley. Along the way, you’ll also come across a small lake known as Dhaamaka Lake. You can also find food options here.

Swat museum

Swat Museum is located in Saidu Sharif, which is the capital of Swat.  You will need six to eight hours to travel from Islambad by car or bus. You also have the option of traveling by plane.

You can view Buddha sculptures in the museum showcasing Gandhara art. You will witness old-fashioned cultural artifacts because the museum is home to multiple Buddhist relics, including votive stupas, clay potteries, and stucco panels. 

Mingora 

Mingora is the largest city of swat valley. It is roughly three to four hours away from Islamabad. This is a large city with government buildings, restaurants, retail stores, and other establishments. There is a Mingora bazar too. From Mingora, you can access various destinations offering diverse experiences. Here are some options:

Fizagat Road: This road connects Mingora to well-known tourist locations including Kalam Valley and Malam Jabba. A beautiful route with views of the mountains and abundant flora, it’s ideal for family outings.
Marghzar Road: This alternative route from Mingora leads to quiet locations such as Marghzar, a beautiful garden perfect for leisurely strolls and family get-togethers.
Saidu Sharif Road: This route links Mingora with Saidu Sharif, the Swat district’s administrative center. Along the trip, families can visit locations like the White Palace and Swat Museum, which provide insights into Swat’s history and culture.

There are traditional foods and displays of Pushtun culture. As was already indicated, you can explore the nearby lakes, valleys, and mountains.

The center of activity and the primary attraction for tourists in Swat Valley is Mingora.

The beauty of Swat Valley is like a attraction for tourists as there are bazars, crystal clear lakes, friendly peoples

Here are some average hotels located within approximately 3 kilometers of Mingora city, along with their approximate pricing in PKR:

Hotels Near Swat

Hotel Name	Price Range (PKR)
Swat View Hotel	Starting from 3,500 per night
Swat Serena Hotel	Starting from 6,000 per night
Pine Park Hotel	3,000 to 5,000 per night
Swat Continental Hotel	Starting from 3,000 per night
White Palace Hotel	Starting from 2,500 per night

Gabin Jabba

It takes between 5 to 6 hours to travel the 270 kilometers by road from Islamabad to Rahat Chowk in Swat, depending on the route used and traffic conditions. It is preferable to spend the night in Mingora and move on to Gabin Jabba the following morning. You can get to Rahat Chowk in about thirty minutes this way. Take the straight road that goes uphill from Rahat Chowk. Lush green hills will surround you on this route. There is a parking space set out for you here. It’s imperative to have the required hiking gear with you because you’ll need to start your trekking trip after parking.

Rahat Chowk and Gabin Jabba are about thirty kilometers apart. Depending on the condition of the roads, it would take you one to two hours to get there if you were traveling by jeep. If you choose to hike after that, it might take you an extra hour or two to get the distance. Anyone who wants to spend the night can also camp here.
You can also go by horse or vehicle if you don’t want to hike for 1.5 hours.