This six-day premium itinerary explores the best of Swat Valley in comfort: the historic Marghazar White Palace, the ski slopes and ziplines of Malam Jabba, the riverside plateau town of Kalam, a full-day 4WD jeep excursion to Mahodand Lake in Upper Swat, and the green side valley of Miandam β with stays at Swat Serena, the PC Hotel Malam Jabba and Walnut Heights Kalam.
Itinerary
- 1
Day 1 β Islamabad to Saidu Sharif
Early morning meet and greet in Islamabad, then depart for Swat Valley via the M-1 Motorway and Swat Expressway. Arrive at Saidu Sharif and transfer to the hotel. After some rest, proceed to visit the Marghazar White Palace. Night stay at Serena, Saidu Sharif.
- 2
Day 2 β Malam Jabba
After breakfast, depart for Malam Jabba (48 km, about 2 hours), the winter skiing resort with an 800-metre ski slope whose highest point sits at 9,200 ft above sea level. Drive through Manglor, explore the nearby valley and enjoy the zipline and chairlift rides. Night stay at the PC Hotel, Malam Jabba.
- 3
Day 3 β Malam Jabba to Kalam
After breakfast, depart for Kalam (100 km, about 4 hours 15 minutes), set at 2,070 metres on a small fertile plateau above the Swat River, where the Ushu and Utror rivers join to form the Swat River. En route, visit Madiyan, the Chalyana trout fishing farm and Bahrain. Arrive in Kalam and transfer to Walnut Heights for the night.
- 4
Day 4 β Upper Swat and Mahodand Lake by 4WD
After breakfast, head into Upper Swat by 4WD jeep for a full-day excursion to Mahodand Lake, the Mataltan waterfall, glaciers and dense forest. From Mataltan there are breathtaking views of the snow-capped Falaksair (19,145 ft) and a neighbouring unnamed peak of around 20,000 ft. Return to Walnut Heights, Kalam in the evening.
- 5
Day 5 β Miandam and back to Saidu Sharif
After breakfast, drive out for a full-day excursion to Miandam, then return toward Saidu Sharif via the same route and transfer to the Serena Hotel for the night.
- 6
Day 6 β Mingora and return to Islamabad
After breakfast, visit Mingora city and its bazaar for shopping, then drive back to Islamabad in the afternoon via the Swat Expressway and Motorway, with drop-off at a designated place.
What's Included
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms with breakfast: Swat Serena, Saidu Sharif (Mingora); PC Hotel, Malam Jabba; Walnut Heights, Kalam
- Luxury air-conditioned transport sized to the group
- Fuel, toll taxes and parking fees
- Dedicated driver and driver expenses
- White Palace Marghazar entry tickets
- 4WD jeeps for Mahodand Lake (Upper Swat)
- Malam Jabba entry fee
What's Not Included
- Porters for carrying personal equipment or luggage
- Extra expenses due to landslides or road blocks
- Extra expenses due to acts of nature, or religious and political reasons
- Lunch, dinner, side orders, laundry, telephone calls or any service beyond complimentary hotel services
- Any other service or entry fee/tickets not listed in the inclusions
Important Notes
- Any change in the tour plan may change the cost, reflected in the invoice accordingly; delays of a few hours can occur in hilly areas.
- Standard hotel check-in is 14:00 and check-out 12:00; late check-out is free until 14:00, then 50% of the room rate applies until 18:00 and a full night thereafter.
- Accommodation and vehicles are booked only after confirmation, and rates are subject to availability.
- In peak season, accommodation and vehicles may differ from those mentioned, with equivalent arrangements made.
- Late confirmation can be subject to changes and revisions in the quote and plan.
- Prices change if the quoted itinerary changes; fuel is priced at the latest rate and adjustments follow any government change or route change.
- Unutilized services or inclusions are not refundable.
- The driver's decision is final on the roads; drivers are trained for hilly areas and do not drive after sunset for safety.
- It is advised that the group appoint a tour leader so that, where opinions differ, the tour leader and driver decide together or the driver makes the final call.
Payments & Cancellation Policy
- Reservation is confirmed on receipt of 50% advance payment.
- The remaining 50% must be cleared one week before departure.
- Cancellations not intimated at least 72 hours before departure are charged 75% of the quoted package.
- Cancellations 4β7 days before departure are charged 50% of the confirmed package.
- Cancellations 7 or more days before departure are charged 25% of the confirmed package.
- Refunds are processed within 7 working days of written intimation; refunds outside the country are subject to State Bank regulation and charges.
Things to Bring
- Day bag
- Rain coat
- Sunglasses
- Warm clothes
- Joggers
- Sunblock cream