Who or Why, or Which or What,
is the Akhund of Swat?
Is he tall or short, or dark, or fair,
Does he sit on a stool or sofa, or chair
or squat
The Akhund of Swat?
Is he wise or foolish young or old?
Does he drink his soup and his coffee cold,
or Hot,
The Akhun of Swat?
Some one, or no body knows Iwot,
Who or which or, why or what
is The Akhund of Swat?
( Written By Edward Lear 1862 . Akhund of Swat was the
king of Swat before English He was a sufi who led his nation. Later after
the English conquest English made His Son Jehanzeb the Wali (Owner) of Swat and in 1969
Swat came in full control of Government of Pakistan.
Swat is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. The river
Swat is a clear water river starting from the Ushu rage of mountains to the spread of the
valley of Swat. It is on of the most green valleys of the Northern Pakistan and is well
connected to the rest of Pakistan. There are regular flights from Islamabad to Swat and
back. One can also get here either from Peshawar (160 KMs) or Islamabad.(250 KMs) The
valley of Swat is located in the middle of foothills of Hindukush mountain range. The main
town of the valley is Mingora and Saidu Sharief.
Swat is a place for leisure Lover , Hikers , and archeologist. There are
many comfortable hotels where one can stay a while to relax. In Kalam upper Swat there are
some very pleasant walks since weather is pretty pleasant one can easily walk over the
hills for hours and enjoy the unspoiled nature. The Swat is garden of Ashoka and was a
prosperous land in the Buddhist times (2nd BC to 5 AD) There are at least over 100
archeological sites in the valley less then 10% of the are excavated. One can explore some
of those sites in a half day tour of Swat.
Hotels In Swat
There are many hotels in different towns of the valley.
Rockcity Resort Swat Swat
Swat Continental Hotel Swat
Hotel White Palace Swat Swat
PTDC Malam Jabba Ski Resort Swat
PTDC Motel Miandam Swat
Swat Serena Hotel Swat
PTDC Malam Jabba Ski Resort Swat
PTDC Motel Miandam Swat
PTDC Motel Saidu Sharief Swat
PTDC Motel (Saidu) 3*
Hotel White Palace (Marghazar) 2*
PTDC Motel Miandam 2*
Grace Hotel (Madyan) 2*
PTDC Motel (Kalam) 2*
Transfers to & From Swat Valley
Islamabad or Peshawar to Swat
250 KMs 5- 6 Hours. Drive in the morning from Islamabad stop at the confluence of
Kabul & Indus rivers later continue to Swat via Charsadha, stop at different village
bazaars and pass the Malakand pass. One can have Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.
After Malakand pass you enter the valley of Swat. View the Churchill's picket and
Shingardar Stupa on the way. Takht e Bhai most well preserved Buddhist monastery is on the
way before Malakand pass time permitting can visit this archeological site too. (This will
make the trip about 7- 8 Hours )
Swat - Besham
110 KMs 3 Hours. Leave Saidu Sharief via the upper Swat road at Khwaza khela we
will take a right turn to the Shangla pass (7000 Ft) Road is lush green with numerous
kinds of flora and pine trees. Have a local Pakistan tea at the pass and continue to
Besham . Besham is the first main town as you come from Swat on the Karakorum Highway.
Tours
Half day Saidu Sharief
Visit the Swat museum, Butkara archeological site ( Where there are 215 Votive
stupas and one main Stupa from 2nd century BC - 5th Century AD ) Also have a detailed walk
in Mingora bazaar and shop some of the best shawls and handicrafts of the region.
Half Day Archeological Sites
Visit Butkara1 Butkara 2 , Udegaram , and Shingardar Stupa all sites of the Kushans Period. Later a detailed lecture in Swat museum
on the chronology of Swat.
Full Day upper Swat valley.
Drive upto Kalam visit the bazaars of Madyan & Bahrain. At Kalam have a short
walk in the hills. Late Afternoon return to Saidu.
Full day walk Kalam to Ushu
A dream of a hiker. Great scenic walk through the green mountains to the glacier
of Ushu have picnic on the way return to Kalam coach or walk back.
Full day Malam Jaba & Miandam
Visit these magnificent points above 7000 ft. Have a stroll in the villages and
enjoy the green scenery.Evening visit Marghazar White palace Hotel .
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