Peshawar

From Mardan To Kumrat Valley - Beauty Of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa ,Pakistan

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• published: 10 Jan 2017
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Kumrat is a valley in the Upper Dir District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, of Pakistan. It is one of the scenic valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and a picturesque spot for travelers. Every summer season thousands of tourists from different areas of the country visit to Kumrat valley and enjoy the greenery and cool weather.[1] Geography & Climate[edit] Katora lake, upper reaches of Kumrat valley Kumrat valley is located in the foothills of Hindu Kush mouantains range, surrounded by Chitral to the north, Kalam Swat valley to the east, Ayun valley Chitral to the west & Lower Dir to the south. The landscape of the valley is featured by hilly terrain, green meadows, snow clad mountains and streams cut through the region. The weather of Kumrat valley is alpine climatic in nature and mild cool summers are common throughout the area, with an average temperature ranges from 20 °C to 25 °C. While in winter the temperature is very low due to heavy snow fall i.e. is 3 to 11 feet and the temperature ranges from -4 °C to -10 °C. The maximum rain fall is 255 mm and minimum is 100 mm. In comparison with other plain parts of Khyber Paktunkhwa, Kumrat valley enjoys a more moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable in monsoon season & winter due to which movement is restricted to it. Access[edit] Kumrat valley upper Dir Kumrat Valley is located in the upper reaches of Dir Kohistan and can be accessed through four-wheel drive due to lack of proper metalled road beyond Sheringal. After crossing the Kalkot region, the commercial center and gateway of the valley comes up which is known as Thall.[3] Camping[edit] Kumrat is a picnic spot and relatively undeveloped. So, the region is popular spot for camping and most of the people bring their own tents and pitch for lodging. The valley provides options for mountaineering, trekking and rock climbing. Similarly, it provides a base camp for a hike to an alpine glacial Katora Lake which is located at an elevation of 11,500 ft on a trek of 3-4 hrs from the main valley. Jahaz Banda, Patrak, Kalkot, Lamutai, Seri and Thal are popular areas.[4] Flora & Fauna[edit] Kumrat valley Diverse species of grasses and trees are found in Kumrat valley. In trees Deodar, Cheer, Kail, Fir Spruce, Chalghoza, Pines, Oak, and Alpine pastures are covering huge area of the land in the form of forest. The valley has green grasses, most common species are Polygonum spp, Saxifrages spp, Potentilla spp etc. In case of shrub vibrmum, cotton ester (khawra) etc. and in grass Agropyron, Canalicilatum, epoasoides etc. are common. Many of the medicinal plants are also found here, they are Atropa Belladroma, Artemisa Martima, Saxifrage spp etc. in case of fruit tree the most abundant are walnuts (Juglans Regia), Amluke (Diosphyeslotus), Mulberries, Chalghoza, toots, Cherry (Prunus Padus) etc. while in fauna, Brown Bears, Snow Leopards, Monkeys, Porcupines, Ibex, Markhor, Musk, Deer, Jackals, Chakores and Monal Pheasants etc. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is located in the north-west region of Pakistan. It is known as the tourist hotspot for adventurers and explorers. The province has a varied landscape ranging from rugged mountains, valleys, hills and dense agricultural farms. The region is well known for its ancestral roots. There are a number of Buddhist archaeological sites from the Gandhara civilisation such as Takht Bhai and Pushkalavati. There are a number of other Buddhist and Hindu archaeological sites including Bala Hisar Fort, Butkara Stupa, Kanishka stupa, Chakdara, Panjkora Valley and Sehri Bahlol. Peshawar is the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The city is home to a number of sites including Bala Hisar Fort, Peshawar Museum, archaeological site of Gor Khuttree, Mohabbat Khan Mosque, old city of Sethi Mohallah, Jamrud Fort, the Sphola Stupa and the most famous market of Qissa Khawani. The city of Dera Ismail Khan is known to be the entrance into the province from Punjab and Balochistan. The city is famour for its Hindu ruins at Kafir Kot. The Buddhist ruins at Shahbaz Garhi are also famous in the city of Mardan. Heading towards North, the region of Swat valley comes, which is a lush green paradise for the travelers, full of charming and picturesque spots like Marghazar, Miandam, Malam Jabba, Gabina Jabba, Jarogo waterfall and Kalam sub valley are worth seen areas.