Chitral is among the best sights to see in Pakistan. It is located 92 Km from upper Dir on N-45 in the northernmost of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is the part of famous Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It shares a border with Gilgit-Baltistan to the east, with Kunhar, Badakhshan, and Nuristan provinces of Afghanistan to the north and west, and with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa districts of Swat and Dir to the south. Chitral can also be accessed through the Gilgit-Gahkuch-Phander valley-Shandur route by a drive of 300 km. However, it is a tuff route.
Chitrāl is a beautiful tourist place and is very known due to its amazing Kalash Valley, Shandur Polo Ground, and snow-covered tops, especially Tirich Mir, Garam Cheshma, Trout fish, beautiful rivers, hanging bridges, minerals, and cheerful people. Chitral is the largest tourism district in Khyber Pakhtunkwa and the government is focusing on tourism by uplifting infrastructure, arranging events, and providing on-spot services under one roof of the Tourist Facilitation Hub Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 24/7 helpline. If any tourist needs help dial 1422 you will be immediately rescued. This helpline provides many tourists service for example medical services, security services, rescue services, or any other services you required if affected by any other natural calamity.
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| Mastuj in Chitral is a very sightseeing place |
The best months to visit Chitral are from April to October. Chitral has very cool weather, warm-hearted people, and amazing hilly terrain. Moreover, there is a domestic Chitral Airport (CJL) 3.7km north of the city, and flight operators PIA, Airblue, and Serene Air are locally operating flights for Chitrāl as well. You can book cheap airline tickets from www.booking.com or www.trip.com. You may also reserve the chap flights from the airport counters of the concerned airlines.
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| Amazing Landscape of Chitral Valley in Winter |
Chitral is known for its snowfall and dangerous snowslides, adventurous valleys, old Greek culture of Kalash, lovely dresses, conventional polo match-up, and high elevation Shandur Polo Festival. Chitral people are called Kho or Khowar or Chitrali. In addition, the valley is circled by the monstrous mountain scope of the Hindu Kush, which is raised at 7,709 meters above ocean level. Besides, every region of this incredible valley is brimming with regular shocks. Chitral is also famous for mineral localities like copper, lead, antimony, mica, beryl, and arsenic.
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| Amazing Mountains of Chitral Pakistan |
Chitral invited summers with different varieties in its valley, though all snow-covered mountains and, attractive snow blanket valleys. Chitral is among the best sights to see in Pakistan. You can travel to Chitral to make it a dream travel for you or with family travel.
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Best Places to visit in Chitral Valley
The top attractions for tourists in Chitral valley are visiting the best places and, architectural sites, enjoying food, and joining the cultural and sports events. Chitral is adorned with more than 35 valleys and 40 peaks with 6000 meters in height. However, due to several tourist destinations, Chitral is not feasible for one day trip. The Chitral region is very feasible for mountaineering, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, camping, experiencing a unique culture, dialects, and natural sightseeing. Following are the famous tourist places in Chitral and its events:
Shahi Masjid Chitral City
Beautiful and old Shahi Masjid is located near the Chitrāl river and next to the famous Chitral Fort. Shahi Mosque is built in 1924 during the Shuja ul Mulk regime of the State of Chitral. Shuja ul Mulk was the Mehtar of Chitral from 1895 to 1936.
Amazing Indo-Islamic Mughal architectural building built of sandstone and marble. It is an old and big Jamia Masjid of Chitral with a capacity of 20,000 worshippers. The architect of Shai Masjid، its interior decoration and ٰits tall brown minarets with a dome on top and five other big cupolas are looking awesome just in the middle of the valley.
The building of Shahi Masjid is very beautiful. And outside there is a large courtyard protected by a beautiful wall. There are three big beautiful brown domes on the roof of the mosque, which are richly decorated with carvings. On the right and left side of the front wall of the mosque are two large and tall brown minarets, on top of which bulbous roofs are built. Stairs are made to climb on the minarets. These roofs are also elaborately decorated. There are two other beautiful domes on the front fortified wall the size of the dome on the roof. The main gate of the mosque is very massive and beautiful. It reflects the testament of great carving and woodwork of artisans and their commitment.
Kalash Valleys وادی کیلاش
Kalasha Valley is surrounded by Hindu Kush mountains covered with snow caps around the year making the weather cold and beautiful. It is situated southwest of Chitral and can be approached via Ayun-Bamboret road at a drive of half an hour. It is a very famous and popular valley in Pakistan before the exposure of social media. Many books are being written on Kalash valley, its unique culture, beautiful and warm-hearted people, dresses, Kalash festivals, and Kalash cuisine. Kalash is the best tourist destination for family travel due to cool weather, easy travel, cheap hotels, and heritage destination.
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| Well Come To Kalasha Valleys Board Near Karagal |
Chitral is more popular due to Kalash Valley, where the minority of Pakistan teaches its own Greek Culture and claims to be the descendant of the Alexdars the Great's army. Kalasha residents hold a predate Islam religion named Kalasha which is a unique small religion based on polytheist faith and claimed to be ancient Hinduism. The people of Kalash give the status of a god or goddess to Mahandeo or Mahadev.
The people of Kalash are
also called Siyah Posh or Black-Robed. The language of Kalash's residence is
Indo-Aryan called Kalasha or locally "Kal as amondr" being
spoken by almost 5000 people of Kalash. The festivals of Kalash Chitral are Chilam,
Choimus, and Uchal.
Its famous valleys are Bamburet which is a well-settled area and local people used to travel to Bumburet. Rumbur or Rumboor valley consists of small beautiful villages and is said to be the actual Kalasha valley. Rumbur is very popular among international tourists. The third one that is less trending among tourists is called Biriu or Biri valley. The other side valleys are Kunar Valley and Acholgah Valley. Another best place in Bumburet is Kalasha Dur Museum or Bumburet Museum. All collections reflect the history, traditions, and culture of the Kalasha people. There are two famous rivers in this region the Kalash river, the Acholgah river, and the Bamburet river.
Brun is a small village in Bumburet valley. Its top attractions are Jestakhan temple and Charso. The ladies of the village and young girls use where their cultural dresses to express their genuine attachments to the way of life they live with. There are old traditional houses, Dewa Dur (altar), Bashali (maternity home), and Mandawjaw (graveyard).
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| Brun village Bumuburet Kalash Valley |
Trout Fish in Chitral
Trout is also called freshwater fish. Trout Fish is tasty and famous around the globe like Tuna and Algae. It is rich in high nutritional
values like minerals, vitamins, and protein. It has only three percent of fat and contains Omega 3 of 581 mg per serving of 2.2 oz.
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| Rainbow Trout Fish in Northern areas of Pakistan |
It belongs to the Salmonidae family and resides
in fresh waters lakes. It is also called Char or Charr. It has main two types
Salmo belong to Oncorhynchus and Chars belong to the Salvelinus genera.
However, both genera are characterized by colors, spots on the body, fins, and
bones. The Trot with a black body having white small spots and a silver belly
in a cylindrical shape is a very common trout fish in Chitral as well as in
other northern parts of the country. , especially in Naran Valley, Swat valley, and
Gilgit-Baltistan. Other Types include rainbow trout and brown trout are also available in some places.
There are many farms of Trout fish in Chitral. It
is the best food for tourists in this region like Chapli Kabab. Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa government has made many farms of trout fish and also supports Trout
Fish Farming in northern zones. It is costly food at Rs 2000 per Kg uncooked, and tawa fried is about Rs 3000 per Kg.
Tirich Mir
Tirich Mir is a group of eleven Peaks in the famous Hindu Kush mountain range in Chitral. Each peak has a separate route to ascent. The highest summit of Tirich Mir is about 7,708 meters tall north of Chitral. The highest peak of Tirich Mir is the 40th tallest in the World and the 19th tallest in Pakistan. Its 54 km distance from Chitral town can be covered by the jeep drive of 7 to 8 hours.
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| Tirich Mir in the Hindu Kush Mountain range is located in the Chitral region Altitude is 7,708 meters; the 40th tallest in the World and 19th in Pakistan (courtesy Karakorum Expeditions) |
Tirich Mir is eponymous with Tirich village in Its foothills. Tirich Mir ascent by a Norwegian expedition in 1950. Climbers and trekkers thought that it is too dangerous to ascent due to the high risk of avalanches. According to locals, Tirich Mir is a realm of Djinns, pixies, wizards, and witches who wouldn't give an individual access to their area.
It is supposed to be the most dangerous and tough summit for trekkers and mountaineers. If someone wants to ascent with experienced expeditions then Karakoram Expedition is the best guy.
It can be easily seen from Chitral main Bazaar if the weather is clear, otherwise, it is mostly covered with clouds. When you are staying at Chitral you will be more astonished by the charismatic view of the first sun rays kissing the Tirich Mir at early in the morning. However, one can get the gigantic view of Tirich Mir from Mastuj and Buni.
Chitral Fort or Shahi Qila شاہی قلعہ
Chitral Museum
Ayun Village
Garam Chashma
Shandur Polo Ground
Winter Snow Games and Festivals
Hindu Kush Culture and Chitral
In September 2022 4th International Hindukshu Cultural conference has been held in Chitral Inn to tribute to and promote the unique Hindukush culture. This conference was held by FLI Islamabad. The local and International speakers presented more than 60 research papers on different aspects of Hindukush Culture. It ought to be noted that the first Hindukush Cultural Conference was started in 1970 in the city of Moesgaard in Denmark, while the 2nd and 3rd were held in 1995 and 1999 respectively in Chitral. The papers presented at these conferences were also published in book form by Oxford University Press.
Chitral Gol National Park
The Chitral National Park is located alongside the Chitral river at a drive of 2 hours from Chitral town in the northwest. The road to Chitral Gol National Park is a little narrower and tough to reach. It was the property of Chitral's Mehtar till 1995.
The top attractions of Chitral National Park are Ceder Trees, Cold Water Springs, Glaciers, and biodiversities like the large Capra markhor the national animal of Pakistan, Ibex, and the snow leopard. the red fox and the Himalayas bear. The summer camp or fort of Chitral's Mehtar is located in Chitral Gol Park called Birmoghlasht. Where Mehtar and his family used to visit during the summer season.
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| Markhor National Animal of Pakistan is available in Chitral Gol Park It is the genus of Capra |
Drosh Beautiful Tourist Place
Drosh is a tehsil and big town of Chitral. It is situated 31 km south of Chitral and 60 km from Dir Khas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a beautiful town at the confluence of the Bashgal and Kunar rivers. Drosh is a 20,000 densely populated city of Chitral with Pashtun dominance. Pashtuns are here since 1915 as their ancestors came for trade and used to live here due to the hospitality of Chitrali natives. However, Khos people are the 2nd largest population in Darosh. Pashto and Khowar are two major languages spoken in Darosh. Drosh has very fertile land for agricultural purposes.
It is a warm climate region of Chitral with an average high of 37 degrees Celsius and an average low of -0.1 degrees Celsius. Drosh is also famous for its natural beauty, simple people, and rare culture like other parts of the Chitral region.
The top tourist attractions in Drosh are Drosh Fort, Kunar or Chitral river, Shishi river bridge, Osiak bridge, Shishi Azad Dam, Sheshikoh valley, Trout fish farms, and Pashtun Style Cuisine.
The other tourist destinations are joining spots of six different rivers flowing from the hills around Drosh and joining the river Chitral. These meeting points are eye-catching for tourists. These rivers or Gol include the Shishi river, Lawi Gol, Kaldam Gol, Joshbal Gol, Drosh Gol, Kao Gol, and Purigal Gol.
Qaqlasht Meadows and Its Beautiful Hills
Qaqlasht is an exotic sight to see in Upper Chitral at 2231 meters altitude. The stretched flat terrain and small hills are beautifully arranged together which is mesmerizing for nature lovers. Qaqlasht valley is situated in the northeast of Chitral at 90 Km. It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Hindu Kush range, Mulkho, and Beyar Valleys. There are two small wet hills near Qaqlasht meadows one is long with broad peaks and the other looks like a mount of clay.
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| Beautiful Hills of Qaqlasht Meadows Upper Chitral |
To approach the Qaqlasht meadows follow the Chitral-Mastuj road there are two further routes to reach Kuragh-Bumbag-Qaqlasht and the other is the Booni-Qaqlasht route. There is the wide grassy natural ground where Jashn e Qaqlasht is celebrated each year at the arrival of spring. The Qaqlasht spring festival is very big and popular like the Shandur festival. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and local visitors use to come to Qaqlasht to witness and enjoy the Qaqlasht festival activities. Traditional games, other sports events, and musical concerts are the main attractions of the Qaqlasht spring festival. Be sure to check Qaqlasht during your trip to Chitral.
Madaklasht
Lowari Pass
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| Beautiful Snow-Covered Lawari Top Upper Dir-Chitral KPK, Pakistan |
Shandur Pass
The Shandur Top is the eastern route to enter the Chitral valley. It is the highest crossing spot between Gupis Gilgit and the Chitral region at an altitude of 3,810 meters. It also has very scenic views for tourists. It also remains under a snow blanket most of the time in a year. It is also a Top tourist place for local and international tourists due to its weather, amazing terrain, beautiful valleys, meadows, Shandur polo ground, and Shandur lake.
Broghil Pass
The Broghil Top is a northern pass or route to enter the Chitral valley from Afghanistan at an altitude of 3,798 meters. In my opinion, it is an easy approach to Chitral valley in summer. Its borders are in the north with the famous Wakhan corridor of Badakhshan province Afghanistan. The Broghol was a route from western Europe to enter Europe. Broghol remains the less congested way to enter Chitral along the Durand line due to its less height and less snowfall. The top tourist attractions of Broghil are Broghil National Park, Lashkarghaz lakes, and Koyo Zom peak. Koyo Zom is the highest mountain peak 6,872 meters in the Hindu Raj range standing between Broghil Valley Chitral and Yaseen valley Gilgit Baltistan.
Karamber Pass
Darkot Pass
Darkut is a beautiful pass between Broghil Valley Chitral and Rawat Valley Ghizer Gilgit Baltistan at an altitude of 4.703 meters. The best places at Darkot Pass are Darkot village, Darkot River, Chilamabad village, an eye-catching view of Koyo Zom, green meadows, and the beautiful Darkut Glacier.
Important Languages of Chitral
- Ghawar Bati
- Kalash
- Gojri
- Pashto
- Urdu
- Persian
- Wakhi
- Nuristani
- Phalura
- Dameli
- Yidgha
Administration of Chitral Region
There are two districts in the Chitral region Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral. Upper Chitral has one Tehsil named Mastuj with 39 village councils and no neighborhood council. Whereas Lower Chitral also has one Tehsil Chitral with 56 village councils and 5 neighborhood councils.
- The area is 14, 850 sq km
- Population is 447,362
- Police stations are 18
- 24 Union Councils and 523 Villages
- One seat in both assemblies
List of famous villages, towns, and other places to visit in Chitral
Chitral is a very wide region of Hindukush. It takes months to explore each corner of this exciting region. There are several tourist attractions to sight with unique features. However, below is the list of some top places to visit near Chitral.
- Koh Ghazi and Goleen
- Governor Cottage
- Darosh
- Kalkatak
- Ayun
- Anish
- Brun
- Batrik
- Bumburet
- Rumbur
- Broghil
- Chilmarabad
- Kaghozi
- Darband
- Susoom
- Barenis
- Reshun
- Booni
- Sherndur
- Harchin
- Mastuj
- Chinar
- Chuinj
- Khouzh
- Istach
- Zhupu
- Rayan
- Muligram
- Ujnu
- Morich
- Tirich
- Lasht
- Yarkhun Lasht
- Lasur
- Sor Lasur
- Kuragh
- Bumagh
- Charun
- Gahirat
- Golain Jungle
- Morilasht
- Mirkhani
- Kalkatak
- Ashret
- Lowari Pass
- Shandur Pass
- Broghil Pass
List of famous Rivers in Chitral
- Chitral Kunar River
- Rich Gol river
- Mastuj river
- Bamburet River
- Rumbur River
- Acholgah river
- Yarkhun River
- Bashgal River
- Shishi River
- Shushur Gol
- Khushrao Gol
- Trialigo Gol
- Srapet Gol
- Golen Gol
- Drosh Gol
List of Lakes in the Chitral region
- Lashkargaz Lakes Yarkhun river Lasht at 3658 meters altitude.
- Karambar Lake Broghil Valley at 4272 meters altitude.
- Shandur Lake at Shandur Pass at 3800 meters altitude.
- Bashkargol Lake Laspur Valley Upper Chitral at 3,652 meters altitude.
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| Beautiful Lake in Chitral |
Best Hotel in Chitral
Below is the list of cheap restaurants and the best hotel in Chitral. You can then book cheap hotels in Chitral City and also can find Chitral Hotels' contact number at www.booking.com. There are several cheap hotels in Chitral and you can also find on-spot fine hotels and resorts. The Chitral region is comparatively less expensive than other tourist destinations in Pakistan as for travel and tourism is concerned. It's easy to explore cheap rooms or family deals hotels, especially on holidays as well.
- Chitral Inn Resort Kalash Valley
- Hotel Chitral Continental
- Chitral View Guest House
- Legend Hotel Chitral
- Tourists Guest House
- Roomy Hindukush Sarai Chitral
- PTDC Motel Chitral
- Mountain Inn
- Qashqar Heights
- Hotel Dream Land Chitral
- River View Guest House Chitral
- Hotel Innjigaan
- Tirich Mir View Chitral
- Chitral View Guest House
- Ayun Fort Inn
- Ayun River Inn Hotel and Motel
- Kalash Resorts
- Chiral Inn Hotel
- Hindukush Heights Chitral
- Kalash Continental Hotel and Restaurant
- Kalash Guest House
- Darosh Resort
- Fokker Friendship Restaurant
- Tirichmir View Restaurant
- Conflux Fast Food
- Taste Me Restaurant Chitral
- River Breeze Restaurant