Kalam Valley - The Valley of Lakes
Kalam valley is at a distance of 99 kilometres from Mingora. It is situated in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in the northern upper reaches of the Swat valley, along the bank of the Swat River. The area has grown in popularity as a tourist destination due to its mountains, forests, and lakes.
It is a Swat sub-valley, located at the height of about 2,000 m above sea level.
Beauty of Kalam Valley
There are numerous attractions and places to visit in Kalam, which spans a large area and is just waiting for you to discover! Perhaps the most well-known gem of a place to visit in Swat is Kalam Valley.
Kalam is home to breathtaking lakes, soaring mountains, picturesque valleys, green lush forests, and other natural wonders. These natural wonders make Kalam one of the most beautiful places to visit when visiting Swat.
Kalam valley, surrounded by verdant forests and tall mountains, then transforms into a snow-laden landscape, huge glaciers, thick forests with frozen lakes, and is known for its panoramic views.
Weather of Kalam Valley
The stunning landscape of Swat’s Kalam valley, with its burbling streams and rivers, thick alpine forests, rich green meadows, captivating glacial lakes, magical peaks, and roaring waterfalls, is a tourist’s dream in the summer.
The mesmerising valley, however, takes on a completely different appearance in the winter, when it is bathed in white and transformed into a snowy paradise for tourists.
Kalam has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) according to the Köppen climate classification, with a mild and generally warm and temperate climate. Kalam’s average temperature is 13.4 °C , and the annual precipitation totals 639 mm. The driest month is November, with an average precipitation of 15 mm , while the wettest month is April, with an average precipitation of 93 mm.
With an average temperature of 24.1 °C , July is the hottest month of the year. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Kalam Tourist Attractions
Kalam Bazar - The Downtown
The Kalam Bazaar is the main marketplace and commercial centre of the valley. Despite its small size, Kalam Bazaar has hotels, restaurants, cafes, medical stores, and a variety of general stores. This Bazaar serves as a high street or Downtown for Kalam residents and visitors alike.
Matiltan
It is a picturesque location located approximately 11 kilometres from Kalam, following Ushu Forest. It is famous for its massive glaciers, lofty mountain peaks, and dense forests. From here, you might be able to see the tallest peak of Falaksair and other massive mountains.
Ushu Forest
Ushu Forest Swat is a jewel of Kalam and Ushu valley, just neighbouring the Kalam Bazar. It is a well preserved thick rain forest of Deodar trees – Pakistan’s national tree – offering scenic views and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The tranquillity of the Ushu Forest, especially when the breeze blows through the pine trees, creating natural music. You’d enjoy it because it’s so relaxing and peaceful.
Utror
It is a lovely picnic spot located in Kalam valley, about 15 kilometres from Kalam. It’s one of the lovely valleys in the area, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and the nearby Kundol lake is worth seeing.
Gabral
It is a captivating hill station located 20 kilometres away from Kalam. It is famous for its brown Swati trout. In this area, you can see lush green hills and mountains.
Lakes in Kalam Valley
Kalam has a large number of alpine glacial lakes, the most popular of which are Mahodand and Kundol lakes due to their ease of access.
The valley provides every luxury for nature lovers and adventure seekers, but in order to explore its over 50 glacial lakes, visitors must trek through narrow bends and steep cliffs.
Mahodand Lake
Mahodand Lake is well-known for its cold water and abundance of trout. The lake is about 40 kilometres above Kalam in the Ushu Matiltan valley. Aside from a paradise-like setting, tourists can marvel at hundreds of large and small waterfalls.
Kandol Lake
Kundol Lake is another fascinating lake in Kalam valley, located 19 kilometres away from Kalam in the north of Utror. It is also located in the Hindu-Kush mountains and is accessible via the mesmerising valley of Ladu via a 5–6 hour trek.
Hotels in Kalam Valley
Kalam has a variety of hotels and other lodging options available 365 days a year for both short and long stays. Visitors can choose from motels, lodges, inns, B&Bs, and other accommodations in Kalam valley, in addition to hotels.
Some of the most well-known hotels are listed below.
- The Jungle Inn Resort Kalam
- Greens hotel Kalam
- Hotel Al-Khaleej Kalam
- Galaxy hotel Kalam
- Blue Ocean Hotel Kalam
- Walnut Heights hotel Kalam
- Golden Star Hotel Kalam
- Daryal Hotel Kalam
- Diamond Hills Hotel Kalam
The Natural Wonders of Swat Valley - Dream Vista Travel
[…] at a distance of 99 kilometers from Mingora in the northern upper reaches of Swat Valley, Kalam is the most favorite tourist destination that consists of majestic lakes and remarkable […]
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