Travel Guide 2023 to Kumrat Valley
Kumrat Valley is an incredibly beautiful but lesser-known valley. To reach Kumrat Valley, you first need to reach the Timergara. From there, a well-built road leads to the upper area of the valley. Half a kilometer before the Headquarter of Dir, a highway heads towards this beautiful and fascinating valley. The road from here to Sharingal is the best. It is a very scenic road that passes through the mountains. The first stop on this road is a beautiful valley called Sharingal. There is a beautiful market and a small town here, and the unique Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University is also located here. The university is built along the Panjkora River. From Sharingal, you have to pass through Patrak, Biyar, Barikot, Kalkot, and Thall. Only cars and other vehicles can take you to Thall. Thall is the base camp of Kumrat Valley. People here have set up their own power houses and generate plenty electricity, and there is a 150-year-old Jamia Masjid (Grand Mosque) in Thall. It is essential to have your transportation to go from Thall to Kumrat Valley as there is no public transport available. Most tourists prefer to travel to Kumrat Valley by motorcycle, which is beneficial for them as motorcycles can easily travel on damaged roads. Two roads lead from Thall, one of which goes to Kumrat Valley, where step-by-step, nature invites humans to witness its beauty, while on the other side, there is Jehaz Banda aka Jahaz Banal. Banal is a place in the mountains where there are 5 to 10 houses on the hills and people live with their livestock in summers."
Along with the river, the Thall region guides towards a valley that
is serene and peaceful. Whether it's a short recreational trip or a detailed
camping journey, the valley of Kumrat is a paradise. The large waterfalls surrounding
Kumrat add to its uniqueness and beauty. Compared to other mountainous places
in Pakistan such as Swat, Kaghan Valley, Murree, and Gilgit, the number of
people traveling to Kumrat is very low, with many not even aware of its name.
One reason for this is its location in a remote and distant area. Additionally,
the lack of travel facilities and accommodation availability are factors that
have prevented it from gaining the fame that some of the less beautiful areas
have. A route to Kumrat is also possible from the Swat district via Badgoi Pass.
This route, passing through Kalam and Utror, is difficult, extremely steep, but
passes through dense forests. The journey to Kumrat through this route is an
extremely unique experience. It is essential to have a small jeep and an experienced
driver for this journey. The forests of Kumrat are also rich in wildlife, where
monkeys, deer, and leopards can be found. The monkeys, in particular, are
easily visible.
The people of Dir Kohistan are loving, hospitable, and welcoming. Upon seeing a foreigner, they instinctively raise their hands with greetings and shake hands. Whether you are in a car or on foot, young or old, everyone will greet you with "Assalamu Alaikum". The people are generous and sincere hosts. The people of Kohistan who adhere to religious tendencies and local traditions consider hospitality as the highest virtue in their moral values. To the extent that they do not even care about their business and work in order to guide their guests. Additionally, they do not accept any exchange of services in return for this kind of hospitality. The peaceful valley of Dir Kohistan, situated near the luxuriant River Panjkora, still has the simplicity and sincerity that has remained in the form of an idea in the distant past. If you want to go to Kumrat Valley, keep the following points in mind: Bring camping equipment with you during the journey.
Keep warm clothes, shawls, etc. with you at all times. If you are a woman, take care to wear a veil during your travels and be mindful of Pashtun traditions. If your group consists of both men and women, avoid creating chaos and disturbance among the locals. Do not give gifts to children as cash gifts are not a tradition among the local people. The people of the Kohistani tribe are hospitable, and they take great pride in welcoming guests, so do not reject their invitations and avoid causing them any discomfort. Take pictures only of natural scenery, and never take pictures of women as it is inappropriate in this region. Only two private mobile companies and telecommunication services are available in the area i.e. Jazz and Telenor, so try to keep their numbers on hand to maintain communication with the outside world. Use your mobile phone and camera with caution as charging may be an issue.
