In this Post:
Location of Khanpur Dam, KPK
Places to Stay Near Khanpur Dam
Key Attractions
Available Travel Packages
Tourist Attractions in KPK
From breathtaking natural sites to man-made historical marvels, our homeland is certainly a tourist haven in every aspect. It proudly hosts some of the most amazing under-the-radar travel destinations on earth. So, to promote tourism in Pakistan, the government authorities around the country are putting in serious efforts to improvise the local travel industry.
Road links are being upgraded for easier accessibility to multiple tourist attractions in Pakistan. Moreover, the development of tourist resorts in different regions is also in progress to facilitate both local and international travellers.
One of the best examples in this regard is Khanpur Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. After the recent upgrades, it has become one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Boasting incredible views of mountains and peaceful, greenish-blue waters of Khanpur lake, the place now offers many features to tourists including different types of watersports and other adventure activities.
So, if you’re also a fan of tourism in Pakistan and like exploring new places, then this travel guide is for you. In this post, we’ll discover some amazing facts about Khanpur Dam, KPK, and detail some noteworthy features it offers to adventure-seekers.
So, let’s begin with our travel guide to one of the coolest places to visit in KPK!
More About Khanpur Dam, KPK
Khanpur Dam is constructed on Haro River, which runs along the edges of the Potohar plateau. It is a man-made reservoir that has resulted in the formation of the Khanpur lake.
Counted among major dams in Pakistan, Khanpur Dam is 167 feet in height and can store up to 98,650,000 cubic-metre of water. It was a large-scale project that was completed in almost 15-years. The dam was inaugurated in 1983.
It is one of the most popular dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which supplies potable water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. This reservoir also supports the local irrigation system in the region and provides water supply to many local agricultural and industrial areas.
Quick Fact: Khanpur Dam is not to be mistaken for the city of Khanpur. This city is found in Punjab’s Rahim Yar Khan district in an entirely different region of the country. The weather around Khanpur Dam stays pleasant all the year round.
After giving you a brief overview of one of the biggest dams in KPK, we’ll discuss its location in the next section of our blog. So, stick around!
Location of Khanpur Dam in KPK
The location of Khanpur Dam makes it one of the most beautiful places to visit in KPK. As discussed, the dam is surrounded by majestic mountains of the Potohar plateau. It also hosts a beautiful man-made lake.
It is one of the most remotely located dams in Pakistan. Putting it in numbers, the dam is situated 50 kilometres north-west of the twin cities. The travelling time is around 1.5 hours, if you’re taking a visit to Khanpur Dam from Islamabad via the route of N-5 and N-125 National Highways.
The distance is a bit longer if you are travelling from the city of Peshawar. It is 170 kilometres from the city if you take the route of Islamabad-Peshawar M1 Motorway, which is around 2.5 hours drive. Similarly from Lahore, it will take you around 5-6 hours to get to this popular tourist attraction in KPK.
Places to Stay Near Khanpur Dam
Since it is among many popular tourist attractions in Pakistan located within a distance of 48 kilometres from the capital city, you can easily pick one of the guest houses and hotels in Islamabad for your stay.
Some popular places to stay in this regard include Mabali Island Resort, Gandhara Castle Resort, Royal Galaxy Guest, and Executive Residency. You can book a room in one of these establishments for as low as around PKR 1,800. The rates may vary, depending on the season you’re planning your trip.
Key Features of Khanpur Dam
Inspired by the beauty of the place, thousands of local and international tourists visit Khanpur Dam in KPK every week during the peak season. Along with stunning mountainous views, the visitors here are also greeted by dozens of adventure activities.
So, if you’re also one of the adventure-seekers, here’s what you can expect from your visit to Khanpur Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
- Gazing at stunning mountainous views while enjoying the weather around Khanpur Dam
- Taking part in different types of watersports activities near Khanpur Dam
- Boating and swimming in the peaceful waters of Khanpur Lake
- Cliff jumping, jet skiing, fishing, kayaking, and camping
- You can also visit some popular archeological sites near Khanpur Dam
As discussed above, there are many famous archaeological sites near Khanpur Dam. Some of the most noteworthy ones among them include Bhamala Buddhist Complex and Rajgan Mosque.
Bhamala Buddhist Complex dates back to the fifth century AD. It is also recognised as one of the national heritage sites due to its ancient history.
On the other hand, Rajgan Mosque, locally known as “Rajon ki Masjid,” is a remotely located mosque in the region. It is believed to be over 100 years old. The mosque remains deserted all throughout the year except for the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Eid prayers are organised at Rajgan Mosque during these festive occasions.
Travel Packages for Khanpur Dam
There are many private travel organisations in the country that are offering travel packages for Khanpur Dam these days. These tour packages may include transportation, and food as well as the aforementioned adventure activities.
Starting for as low as PKR 3,500 for a one-day trip, the prices of these travel packages may vary according to the location and time duration. It may also depend on the season you’ve chosen for your visit to this popular tourist attraction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tourist Attractions in KPK
With the intention to promote tourism in KPK, the provincial government has decided to create a new authority to oversee the travel industry. Known as the K-P Culture and Tourism Authority, this newly-formed institution will be responsible to manage and upgrade tourist spots in the region. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in KPK have been listed below. Have a look:
- Saif-ul-Maluk Lake
- Swat Valley
- Malam Jabba
- Lulusar Lake
- Kumrat Valley
- Shandur Pass
- Khyber Pass
On a side note, you can now also book a camping pod in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to make your trip even more memorable to the above-listed natural sites.
Here we wrap our detailed travel guide to Khanpur Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We hope it has given you all the useful information to help you with your visit to this tourist attraction in KPK. If you have any questions or feedback related to our blog, feel free to let us know about it at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, if you want to enhance your travel experience, then don’t forget to follow these useful tips to be a responsible tourist on your trip.
To read more of our informative travel pieces, head over to Zameen Blog, the country’s best lifestyle and travel blog. Make sure you have also subscribed to our e-newsletters if you want to keep a track of all our latest posts. To do so, simply fill up the subscription box on your screen.
*Cover Credits: Official Facebook Page of Khanpur Dam
