IN THIS POST
About Kalam Valley
Tourist Attraction at Kalam Valley
Latest Updates on Bahrain-Kalam Road
2019 proved to be a highly successful year for Pakistan’s tourism sector. The South Asian country witnessed a slew of reforms and important events that helped lure travellers from across the world. Plus, Pakistan’s ranking as the best holiday destination for 2020 in December was indeed a cherry on top of a fantastic year. As part of the many measures taken by the government to revamp tourist sites, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has reportedly completed “over 90 percent of construction” on the 32-kilometre long Bahrain-Kalam Road. Reconstruction of the road began in May 2017 and it’s expected it will be completed before the end of this year.
The bumpy, broken road, however, hasn’t been successful in deterring courageous travellers from exploring the valley.
In this blog, we are going to discuss key details of the project and what kind of effect it will have on the region’s tourism sector once it is delivered.
Let’s begin!
About Kalam Valley
Kalam—a true gem of nature with spectacular views of pristine waterfalls and lush greenery—will soon reclaim its status as one of the top tourist destinations in Pakistan after the completion of Bahrain-Kalam Road.
The valley, coupled with a rich cultural legacy, is surrounded by tall mountains, as far as the eye can see. The views from Kalam are majestic, quite literally, as it is situated at an altitude of about 6,600 feet.
The rocky tracks are perfect for hiking or trekking and serve as the perfect backdrop for Instagram and Snapchat images. Whether you’re a travel blogger or someone who is tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, Kalam Valley has something for everyone.
Granted, construction work on Bahrain-Kalam Road has become a source of inconvenience for travellers and it takes quite a lot of time—and patience—to get to Kalam Valley. But it’s all worth the wait and effort.
Tourist Attractions near Kalam Valley
Kalam Valley is situated in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, almost a 13-hour drive away from the federal capital of Pakistan. The road that leads to Kalam from Bahrain—a town in Swat, 60 km north of Mingora—is mostly rocky, running next to the Swat River. Bahrain-Kalam Road is currently open to all auto-mobiles but tourists are often forewarned about the potential issues, mostly concerning traffic, they can face on the bumpy stretch. Overall, the distance from Bahrain to Kalam is almost 38 kilometres, which, as of January 2020, is covered within a non-stop drive of around 5 hours due to the bumpiness on the road. However, once the Bahrain-Kalam Road project is completed, the distance from Bahrain to Kalam will easily be covered within 2 hours.
One of the distinctive features of Kalam Valley is the abundance of watercourses. No matter where you stay in the valley, you will be surrounded by beautiful streams or waterfalls.
Moreover, the local people of the region are widely known for their hospitality, vibrant culture and unique traditions. International tourists and people from nearby regions flock to this valley to witness the many wonders of nature. And, once the road is completed, the site is expected to make it to the list of best places to see snowfall in Pakistan.
There are also dense forests on the outskirts of the valley; around 40 kilometres from Kalam you can get to the famous Lake Mahodand. Usho, Matiltan and Utror valleys are also nearby. The most noticeable and visited peak in this region is “Falak Sar,” in Ushu Valley, which is about 6,000 metres in height.
Travellers apprehensive about security don’t have to worry as the region is pretty safe and secure. You will find army check-posts around every corner while surveillance is carried out by military personnel on a regular basis.
On a side note, if you want to know how to apply for a Pakistani tourist visa, head over to our recently published blog now. Also, check out the reviews of international travellers and their experience in Pakistan.
Latest Updates on Bahrain-Kalam Road
As part of boosting tourism in the province and a gift to the picturesque valley of Kalam, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has vowed to complete Bahrain-Kalam Road, which was devastated in the floods of 2010, before the end of 2020. It is, however, open to travellers. It’s best if you take a jeep on this route.
The road connects Bahrain to Kedam, Mankiyal, Kalam, Gabral, Utror, Ushu, Mataltan and Maho Dandh Lake.
We’ll keep updating this blog with the latest information, so it is best to bookmark this page to visit often. For more tourism posts, subscribe to Zameen Blog. If you have been to Kalam Valley, share your experience with us at blog@zameen.com.
