Islamabad to Sawat in 5 days

Type of Attraction: Sightseeing, Landmarks, Adventure, Nature 

Activities: Bonfire, Camping, Jeep ride, Hiking, Trekking, Boating, Fishing, Skiing, Ice Skating, Ice Hockey, Snowboarding, Chairlift 

Location: Swat Valley is a mountainous tourist destination located in the northwest of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. The stunning swat valley is situated on the swat river (35°12′N 72°29′E). It is located between the foothills of the Hindukush Mountain range. The location of Swat valley has major strategic importance as it lies in the region where South Asia, Central Asia, and China meet. 

Importance: Swat Valley is famous for its natural wonders which include its breathtaking diverse landscape and natural wildlife. Swat has numerous scenic countryside, lush forests, and impressive high-peak mountains. This all provides a suitable natural habitat for wildlife as well as attracts tourists. Tourist activities in summer and winter are also well-known features of swat. Swat in summer is popular for hiking, trekking, camping, ziplining, chairlift/ cable car riding, general holiday making, and honeymoon trips. In winter sports activities in Swat make it the most famous and enjoyable tour destination in Pakistan. National and international tourists visit swat valley in winter to enjoy skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice hockey, bandy, snowboarding, speed skating, curling, etc. 

In the past Swat was geographically isolated by mountains from the Peshawar plains. Despite the isolation from the mainland in the past, the valley has been the main interacting place for the important civilizations of the world. Throughout swat history, the valley linked China with Central Asia and Europe. Alexander the Great, Mahmood of Ghazni, and Mughal king Babar entered India via the lower part of the Swat valley. They described swat valley as fertile land, having an abundance, and a variety of produce. Also, they talk about its temperate climate, the beauty of its scenery, and the sacred Buddhist sites when they visited Swat through the difficult passes of the Hindukush mountains on their way down to the Indian subcontinent. 

The Swat Valley’s archaeology is consisting of spectacular ancient remains of the valleys such as stupas, monasteries, viharas, forts, castles, petroglyphs, carvings, rock inscriptions, painted shelters, and, stele scattered across the swat valley. The archaeological materials excavated from several hundred archaeological sites bear testimony of Swat’s cultural relations with the East and West spanning over the 5000 years of its history. 

The British Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Swat in 1961 called Swat “Switzerland of the east (Pakistan/Asia)” due to its landscape similarities and likeness in scenic beauty with Switzerland. Additionally, Swat Valley has pleasant weather and for that reason, locals and tourists call it “a paradise on earth”. 

Climate: The swat climate has four seasons: a cool winter from November through February; a mild spring from March through May; the summer season, from June through September; and the retreating monsoon period of October and November in autumn. 

Distance: It takes 3 hr. 16 min (225 km) via Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway/AH1/M-1 and M-16 to reach Sawat.