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Prior to the summer crowds, Naran Kaghan is what Kumrat Valley looks like. Kumrat Valley has a great mix of deodar and pine forests, clearing sites with camp spots and a lovely meadow, Jahaz Banda Meadow, and some great hiking to Katora Lake with elevation that climbs above 4,000 meters. Thal is the entry point for Kumrat Valley and the rough road extends to places with no existing infrastructure. The feeling you get in Kumrat is akin to a remote place that has yet to be developed and managed for tourism, and that is part of Kumrat's appeal.
Because of the remote accessibility of Kumrat Valley and the rewarding locations within, a good tour package is vital to Kumrat Valley, unlike tour packages for other valleys with greater access control on the tour booking end.
HospitalityTours.com.pk designs Kumrat Valley Tour Packages from Islamabad: confirmed valley camp, guide for Jahaz Banda, jeep for Thal to the upper valley, an itinerary with time for the forest and meadows, and a 4x4 from Islamabad. Send your preferred dates and the number of people in your group on WhatsApp Contact at the end.
Kumrat is located about 370 kilometers from Islamabad, and takes about 8-9 hours to get to via the Swat Motorway. The journey takes you through the Dir Road, via Chakdara and then through Timergara toward Upper Dir, and to the town of Thal, where the tarmac ends.
That last sentence is the practical one. At Thal, the highway ends, the jeep track begins, and everything past that into the valley requires a 4x4. From Thal to the upper Kumrat camp area is another twenty to thirty kilometers, one to two hours depending on the state of the road and how many times water has crossed the track.
The stretch of Thal has fuel, basic food and an ATM that may or may not work. Fuel up, buy supplies and cash up in Islamabad, you won't find any of these in the upper valley.
The thirty-five kilometers of valley between Thal and the upper trekking area forms the core of Kumrat. The Panjkora River accompanies the track, crystal clear and ice cold, with a canopy of pines and deodars above. Most of the camps are located in this portion and for the most part of the day, the forest light filters through the tall trees and is what attracted you to take those photos.
Riverside camping, camp fires, and the sound of the river from a camp bed is what the overnight stay in Kumrat is about. This is not a lodge with mountains as its backdrop. The camping is the main event.
This picturesque waterfall is easily accessible from main track, and is therefore a quick detour for travelers with a bit of time to spare. It is also a fun stop to make on the way to the higher camp.
Two separate natural springs, one cold and one hot, in the same area of the upper valley deserve a mention. They are unique enough to be a landmark of Kumrat, and it is worth placing it on your itinerary as a quick stop on the way to the Jahaz Banda Trek.
Jahaz Banda is the focal trek of the valley, and begins at the base camp at 3100 meters. The trek takes about eight to ten hours, and is roughly fourteen kilometers each way from the last available transport. The trail leads through the forests and passes through scrub areas before opening into a huge alpine meadow with snow-covered peaks at three sides of the meadow and an immense feeling of the other side of the frontier.
The trek is moderate, and is not a first time mountaineering experience, but requires a certain level of fitness. The fourteen kilometers at the high altitude Meas and 700 meters of elevation require solid preparation and the right footwear. The meadows have no place to buy food or water, so remember to bring a packed lunch.
Camping at the meadow at 3,100 meters and enjoying the only light source on your claim is one of the best things about extending your trip to five days. It's also the best reason to avoid the masses of day trekkers arriving at noon. The morning sun lighting up the meadow before the rest of the world gets there is also something not to be missed.
At the top of Jahaz Banda is a place called Katora Lake, some 4,000 meters high and reached via a tiring and difficult-to-find trail after 6 kilometers. The lake is frozen most of the time, but during the summer, a guide is required to venture on the trail and reach the lake. It is named Katora Lake, which in Pashto, translates to 'bowl' which describes the shape of the lake, and is one of the best mountain lake views in the region.
It takes two to three days to reach Katora Lake from the valley. It involves walking to Jahaz Banda, camping at the meadow, and then heading to Katora. It is no day trip. It requires a guide and camping equipment for two nights at over 3,000 meters.
At around the same height as Jahaz Banda, Badgoi Pass connects Upper Dir to Utror and Kalam in Swat. Crossing the Pass takes a day to get to the Swat Valley from Kumrat.
For a Kumrat to Swat combined package, the Badgoi crossing is both the shortest route and one of the more dramatic crossings in KPK. It's only open during the summer months, and the guide applies here: do not attempt Badgoi without someone who has crossed it recently in the current season.
Three nights, four days. Day one: jeep to Thal, then to Kumrat, camp. Day two: forest hike, visit Kumrat Waterfall, Do Kala Chashma. Day three: trek Jahaz Banda, return to camp by evening. Day four: Thal, jeep to Islamabad. Covers valley and Jahaz Banda with the bare minimum.
Four nights, five days. Same as above with a rest day added in the forest or an overnight on Jahaz Banda to be done on day three and returned on day four. Proper length for the overnight on Jahaz Banda.
Five nights, six days. Full Kumrat Package. Jahaz Banda overnight, Katora Lake, return. Or add Badgoi crossing as the return route, exiting to Swat and returning via Kalam and Mingora.
Badgoi crossing combined package. Six to eight days. Enter via Dir and Thal, exit via Badgoi to Kalam, Swat, and Islamabad. Itinerary covers two different valleys without returning. Requires a guide for crossing, and transport arranged on the Kalam side.
Photography package. Light oriented rather than summit oriented. Forest mornings, waterfalls in the afternoon, sunrises at Jahaz Banda, campfire nights. Three nights is enough, make it four for Jahaz Banda. The trekking guide will not have any impact on thePACKAGE coordinator. The best light in the forests is there in the early mornings and the coordinator must know the timing for the same.
Family package. From Islamabad to Kumrat camp, two nights in the forest with the river and waterfalls as the only activities. Jahaz Banda is not a good option for families with kids less than 10 years as the long trek of 14 km and the elevation are a concern. The river and forest are the only activities available on such a family trip.
A 4x4 from Islamabad/Thal. A saloon car is not a good substitute here. The track from Thal into the valley is rough and weather-dependent.
A jeep from Thal into the valley if the main transport is not a 4x4. A lot of packages quote the Islamabad vehicle, but do not confirm the jeep into the valley as a part of the package. Confirm this in advance.
A licensed guide for Jahaz Banda and Katora Lake. The trails are not marked and the routes have changed in recent years due to landslides and erosion. A guide with recent knowledge of the trails, and not general mountain experience, is the correct standard.
The confirmed camp with facilities stated: number of beds, type of tents, arrangement of toilets, meal plan, generator operation hours and what occurs in case of heavy downpours.
For the Badgoi crossing: the guide credentials for the pass specifically and confirmed transport on the Kalam side before the crossing day.
Swat and Naran have good accessibility and therefore have a lot of crowds in the summer. Kumrat, although closer to Islamabad and relatively easy to access, lacks good surface access and therefore deters day visits. People who visit Grabian come to experience the forest and calmness the roadside destinations of the Nothern Areas tend to lose in the summer. July and August are the peak months of the whole Kalam Valley, and Kumrat Valley is the least crowded of all the three valleys.
The Badgoi Pass connection with Kalam means Kumrat can be a contrasting new Valley addition to the KPK trip, along with the already existing destinations of the Kalam Valley, without a return trip to Islamabad.
Kumrat’s group trips are a corporate offsite that engages with a unique environment away from mainstream options like Murree or Naran. Kumrat’s program includes a shared camp, a bonfire, a river, and a trek to Jahaz Banda.
Around 15 to 20 people need 2 to 3 jeeps from Thal, a confirmed group camp, a cook, and a guide capable of organizing the Jahaz Banda day for the whole group. This is not something to be left until arrival.
Please ensure the camp is open for business before confirming dates. Things can change in Kumrat, especially among the providers of camping services in a given year. A great camp the year before can change hands.
Don’t be afraid to ask for details of the bathroom and toilet facilities. Are they covered? Is there water? Is there hot water in the morning?
Don’t try to do the Thal to Kumrat drive in a standard sedan. You’ll either be stuck or you’ll damage your car.
Make sure you ask your guide to assess the condition of the Jahaz Banda trek. In the last few years, landslides have affected the trail.
Please carry cash from Islamabad as there are no functional ATMs in Thal and there is nothing in the valley.
Don’t skip the Jahaz Banda overnight when visiting Katora Lake. You can’t make it from the valley camp in one day.
If you are planning to go into the valley in late October or later, check to make sure the season is definitely closed. The first snowfall is on the high altitude areas.
What is the distance from Islamabad to Kumrat Valley? It’s approximately 370 km, and should take you around 8 to 9 hours, with breaks, of course. First, you take the Swat Motorway and go through Dir. Then it’s another 1 to 2 hours by jeep to the upper valley, beyond Thal.
How long should one expect to spend on a package to Kumrat? 3 days for the forest and Jahaz Banda day trek. For an overnight stay on Jahaz Banda, plan for 4 days. 5 days to do Katora Lake or the Badgoi Pass crossing.
Is a 4x4 really necessary? Absolutely, beyond Thal going into the valley. For the rest of the trip, a standard car should be fine.
Would you consider this location family friendly? Definitely for the forest and river. Jahaz Banda trek experience is best for older families. It's a good 2 - 3 night family camp in the forest.
What is Badgoi Pass? It’s a route at around 3,500 meters elevation through the Kumrat Valley in Upper Dir that connects to Utror and Kalam Valley in Swat. It’s only accessible in the summer with a local guide.
When do the gates open to Kumrat? Around May to October, including peak season during July and August. The rest of the year, closed.
Could Kumrat be added to Swat? No problem! With a crossing of Badgoi Pass. One package could enter via Dir and Thal and then exit via Kalam and Swat, thereby covering both valleys in one trip without any backtracking.
Send us your dates and the size of your group. Then, select from the forest camp and Jahaz Banda and full Katora Lake or Badgoi Pass crossing and Swat combined. We will finalize your booking after confirming camp, the jeep from Thal, the guide, and the crossing arrangements.
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