Swat & Kalam Valley

Swat is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty. It was a major center of early Buddhist thought as part of the Gandhara kingdom, and today is littered with ruins from that era. Swat was home to the last isolated pockets of Gandharan Buddhism, which lasted until the 11th century, well after most of the area had converted to Islam Until 1969, Swat was part of the Yusafzai State of Swat, a self-governing princely state.

The beautiful valley popularly known as the Switzerland of the East is holiday-makers delight and a hallmark of magnificent scenic beauty and rich historical past. With its roaring rivers, waterfalls, meandering streams, glacier-fed lakes, pine forests, alpine meadows, snow-covered peaks of Mankial and Flaksair, fruit-laden orchards, lush green fields, flower-filled mountain slopes and above all the friendly Swati people who are famous for their traditional hospitality, Swat is without doubt one of the most beautiful tourist destination in the northern valleys of Pakistan. Swat has got something more unique in the shape of archaeological monuments and history which makes it a comparatively better place in the world. This is amazing to see so many things together at one place, the beautiful landscape, rich cultural heritage, history, and very good people. The excellent combination of all these makes Swat valley different and attractive for international tourism.

The Valley of Swat sprawls over 10,350 sq. kilometers. Summer temperature is maximum 22C and a minimum 7 C. Saidu Sharif is the capital of Swat and its twin city Mingora is the largest and oldest market town. Madyan, Bahrain, Miandam, Kalam and Malam Jabba are its main tourist spots. The elevation ranges from 991 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level at Saidu Sharif to the top its highest mountain Flaksair which is 6,257 meters (20,528 feet) high.