Chitral Valley

This 322 km.(200-mile) long mountain hideout, nesting high in the Hindu Kush range, is a place of fascinating scenic beauty and grandeur. Chitral's collection of rugged mountains, sulphur springs, rivers teeming with trout, orchard-dotted slopes, friendly people and annual festivals are enchanting beyond description.
For the modern day traveler this scenic region offers an exciting experience. It is easily accessible by air from historic city of Peshawar. Alexander of Greece marched through this valley in 327 B.C, and left behind traces of Greek heritage, which can still be seen.
Chitral District is bounded on the north, south and the west by Afghanistan and is separated from the Soviet Union by a narrow strip of Wakhan, a province of Afghanistan and from China by Hunza area. It lies between latitude 35 51 N and longitude 71 47'E.
AREA AND ELEVATION
-- Area: 14504 square meters (5,600 square miles).
-- Elevation:1278-7700 meters (3700-25264 feet).
CLIMATE:
Summers are generally pleasant but the winters are extremely cold. Chitral has unpredictable during spring with frequent rains and snowfall. Autumn is pleasant with mild temperatures.
TOURIST SEASON:
-- Ideal time for visiting Chitral is from June to September.
POPULATIOIN:
-- 1,59,230
-- Majority of the people are Muslims. The only non-Muslim ethnic minority in the Chitral valley are the Kafir Kalash. Numbering about 2,500 to 3,000 they inhabit Birir, Bumburet and Rambur valleys in the south of Chitral. Their life style is characterized by their own ancient and religion.
LANGUAGES:
-- The local dialect is 'Khowar' (Chitrali). Urdu is understood by a large number of people while Pushto is spoken and understood in Chitral and Drosh.
COSTUMES:
The women wear 'shalwar-kameez' (long shirts with baggy trousers) and 'dupattas' (flimsy scarves draped round the Shoulders).
In winter the man wear 'shuqa', loose ,long woolen gowns with long sleeves. The popular headdress is 'pakol' which is also of woolen material.
The Kalash men distinguish themselves from the non-Kalash by wearing Chitral woolen hats to which they add feathers or little metal bells. Traditional dress, reserved for blue, very simple with a hole cut out for the neck. The wear long woolen belts and their shoes are often of goat-skins, usually rigged directly to the feet and laced with woolen or leather thongs.
The Kalash women wear black gowns of coarse cotton in summer and handspun wool dyed black in winter. They also wear a picturesque headgear, which weighs between three and four pounds. It is made of woolen black material encrusted with cowry shells, buttons and crowned with a large coloured feather.
WHAT TO SEE:
-- (All distance are given from Chitral).
-- Chitral Valley
-- Elevation: 1518meters (4,980 feet).
The picturesque Chitral town lies on the Chitral River. Worth seeing is the Shahi Masjid (Grand Mosque) against the backdrop of Trichmir peak 7700 meters (25,264 feet), ex-ruler's fort and the local style of Khowar houses of the friendly locals. Also worth exploring is the fascinating bazaar, which offers a host of handcrafted treasures.
-- Chitral is famous for its polo tournaments, held from April to July and September to October.
-- Kalash Valley
-- Elevation: 1670-2309 meters (5,476-7,576 feet).
-- Distance: 32-36km. (20-22 miles) south of Chitral.
-- By jeep: 2 ? hours
These are a group of three small valleys: Brir, Bumburet and Rambur. Brir lies at the southern most tip of Chitral at a distance of 34 km (21 miles) and is easily accessible by jeep-able road via Ayun. It is especially ideal for those not used to trekking. Bumburet, the largest and the most picturesque valley of the Kafir Kalash, is 36 km.(22 miles) from Chitral and is connected by a jeep-able road.
Rambur is 32 km (20 miles) from Chitral, the road is jeep-able. Foreign tourists require permits for visiting the Kalash valleys. Permits are issued free of cost by the Deputy Commissioner, Chitral, Tel: 1. Foreign visitors have to pay a toll tax of Rs 10 per person while Re. 1.00 per person is charged from domestic tourists.
These valleys have an alpine climate. The people inhabiting these valleys are the primitive pagan tribes of Pakistan, who are known as Kafir Kalash, which means the wearers of the black robes. Their origin is cloaked in controversy. A legend says that soldiers from the legions of the Macedonian conqueror, Alexander, settled in Chitral and are the progenitors of the Kalash.
They live in small villages built on the hillsides near the banks of streams. Their houses are constructed of rough-hewn logs and are double storeyed because of the steepness of the slopes. Kalash are very lively people and are famous for their lively religious festivals namely: Chilimjusht (spring), Phool (September) and Chowas (from 21st December for a week). The Kalash love music and their instruments are drums and flutes. Their colorful dances impart a feeling of peace, joy and contentment.
If you join them in their dance, they interpret it as a sign friendship and will open their hearts to you and reveal some of their mysteries, their joys and sorrows. You depart with a sense of poignancy and nostalgia for these beautiful children of nature and nagging fear that all the sweetness and innocence may soon be swept away forever by the power and intolerance that often hide themselves under the banner of progress.
-- Garam Chashma (Hot Springs)
-- Elevation: 1859 meters (6,100) feet). Distance:45 km, (28 miles) north-west of Chitral. By jeep: hours.
This un-spoilt enchanting valley of orchards, verdant fields and snow clad peaks is renowned for its boiling sulphur springs which are famous for healing effect on skin diseases, gout, rheumatism and chronic headaches. For the convenience of tourists "humans" (baths) have been constructed near the springs. Foreign tourists are requested to pay a toll tax of Rs 5.00 per person.
BIRMOGHALASHT:
-- Elevation: 2743 meters (9,000 feet). Distance: 15 km (9 miles). Worth visiting is the fairy-tale summer palace of the Ex-Ruler perched at a height of 2743 meters (9,000) feet. It offers awe-inspiring views of Trichmir and Panoramic vistas of valleys below. The fort is approachable on foot only.
WHAT TO DO:
Chitral is the dream-come true for lovers of mountaineering, trekking, hiking, camping, fishing and shooting. There are no facilities for hiring sports gear: tourist are advised to bring their own.
MOUTAINEERING:
The majestic Hindu Kush reigns supreme over the valley. The highest peak is the famous Trichmir, which soars 7700 meters (25,264 feet) high, and is a challenge to mountaineers. There are a number of other exciting peaks too-Isltornal, Banizom, Saraghar, Naushaq, Ghocharsor, Phal, Daspar and Don rising from 6096 meters to 7315 meters (20,000 to 24,000 feet). Only experienced mountaineering. In order to avoid disappointment, foreign tourists are advised to apply well in advance for permission from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
TREKKING AND HIKING:
Trekking and hiking are visitor's favourite pastime. You can take your pick-You can either go by Jeep or Walk.
CAMPING:
There are no regular camping sites, but tourists are always welcome by the hospitable locals to camp for short durations on their lands and lawns. Before camping, tourists are requested to please get the owner's prior permission.
FISHING:
The rivers in Chitral are teeming with fish, especially the Lotkuh River that is famous for trout. There are also trout hatcheries in Chitral and Bumburet.
Angling is allowed during the season only ie from April to September. Fishing permits are required, please contact the Fisheries Department.
FLORA AND FAUNA:
The hills in the south are covered with pine, 'deodar' and fir forests, while the valleys are rich in mulberries, apricots, apples pears, grapes, pomegranates and melons. There are also Chinar and walnut trees in this area. Big game including the world renowned snow leopard (panthers) markhor, deer, ibex, urial, wolves, black bear and many more are found in the mountains, which are protected by the wildlife branch of the Forest Department. Among the famous birds are Chikor, ram Chikor and murgh Zarreen.

SHOOTING:
There is an abundance of wildlife. In order to curb extinction, limited shooting is allowed during the specified season. Shooting of world famous snow leopard (panther), Murgh Zarreen (golden peasant) and musk deer is banned. Chitral Gol (stream) has been declared a wild life sanctuary and therefore no shooting is allowed in the area. Permits for limited shooting are required, please contact: District Forest Officer, Chitral.
HOW TO GET THERE:
-- By Air
-- P.I.A. operates daily flights (subject to weather conditions) between Peshawar and Chitral. The flying time is 50 minutes. Peshawar can be reached by air, rail and road form all the major cities of Pakistan. For enquiries in Chitral, please contact the PIA Booking office, Main Bazaar, Chitral.
By Road
Chitral is accessible from Peshawar by the 365 km (227) miles) long partly metalled and partly gravel-top jeep-able road, which goes via Malakand, Director and the 3118 meters (10,230 feet) high Lowari Pass which is open during the summer months only, ie from June to the end of October and may even close earlier due to an early snowfall. Chitral can also be reached from Gilgit via 3810 meters (12,500 feet) high Shandur Pass.
COMMUNICATION:
-- Telegraph, Telephone and Postal service
-- Telegraph, telephone and postal services contact Chitral with the rest of Pakistan.
WHERE TO STAY:
There are two modest hotels, namely Chitral Mountain Inn and Trichmir View Hotel and a PTDC Motel in Chitral. The average room rent ranges between Rs 100-400. in Chitral, Dorsh , Gahiret, Ayun, Brire, Bumburet and Garam Chashma, the rest-houses are furnished and equipped with crockery, cutlery and cooking facilities. Tourists are advised to carry their own supply of canned foods and other provisions.
The 'chowkidar' (watchman) will do the cooking on payment. Visitors must also have there is no electricity except in Chitral and Dorsh. The remaining of the rest-houses are unfurnished and visitors must carry in addition to the above, their own sleeping bags or folding beds. To avoid disappointment it is advisable to reserve accommodation well in advance.
WHAT TO EAT:
Pakistani and continental dishes are served in the hotels in Chitral. These are plenty of fruits, especially from June to October, apricots, plums, mulberries, apples, figs, pears, watermelons and pomegranates etc.
WHAT TO BUY:
Chitral is famous for its soft hand-woven woolen material known as 'Shu", which is available in white black, gray and neutral colours. The best variety is made in Mogh in Lotkuh. The price ranges from Rs 20.00 to Rs 60.00 per meter.
Intricately embroidered woolen gowns known as 'chughas' are also very popular. Visitor's favourite bargains also include colorful woolen rugs, exquisite embroidered household linen, bags, belts, eatch straps, shirt collars, musical instruments such as sitars, antique weapons, string bows and precious gems.