Spring festival in Kalash valley
Replies: 40 - Last Post: May 12, 2012 11:17 AM Last Post By: chitralguyimran
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15
Bonjour from Islamabad,You might have come across some ignorant people who don't know anything about that route dear mina, the restrictions on travel to Chitral from Islamabad/Peshawar were put last year.
In the meanwhile, a fellow TTer " igitur " from Australia was also sent back Last September while making it from Peshawar and then next day he took the flight to Chitral.
There is no chance to sneak out from that check post because there are Police, Malakand Levies and Pakistan army search the people and check the documents.
Au contraire, Malakand Agency falls into PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas) any misadventure in that region could send one behind the bars for some unknown period as well as deportation from the country, so please beware of that, always follow the instructions of your guide book and the updates of genuine travelers.
Have a nice and safe journey ..
16
i will go via gilgit, there is no other choice with the restrictions needed! there is one thing more i would need to know before getting there, is it possible to stay in bumburet or rumbure valley, i have been told that last year was not possible for foreigners to stay in the kalash valley and was neccesary to stay in chitral, but unfortunately that means that i should travel to the valley everyday and wouldnt get on time for the celebrations i guess...if it is possible, do you know of any guesthouses in the valley?17
Bonjour mon ami,That is a better and safer option to go to Chitral.
Last year, in July I stayed there with a German friend for a week along with my escorts,I was pretty rejoiced with that hospitality of local Police chief : - )
Then in September, October & November , I was not allowed to stay in Rumbur & Bamborateat different occasions but in December when I gave the Police chief assurance that the passes that open into Nooristan (Afghanistan) have been closed because of heavy snowfall so I was allowed to stay for a few nights in Rumbur valley along with a British Bro.
I've trekked to these high passes in Bamborate and Rumbur back in 2000 so I know the area very well.
In Rumbur my favorite Kalash family and guest house
Munir Kalash Guest House
Grome village.
But Saifullah Guest House
Balanguru
Ingineer Khan Kalash Guest House
Bhatet are also very nice options.
I usually skip Bamborate because of too much tourism, hotels and population though it's a beautiful valley.
Budgeted options are
Frontier Hotel
Broon
Foreigners' Tourist Inn
Broon.
Bhutto Guest House
Broon
Birir
Irfan Kalash Guest House
Guru.
NATCO bus leaves for Mastuj from Gilgit in the morning , 12 hrs across Shandoor pass, stay with Mr. Jaffar at
Tourist Garden (Recommended by LP guide book).
Chitral Town
Hotel Al-Farooq
Enjoy the marvels of Hindu Kush ..
23
The festivity in Rumboor and Bamburat, in both places is very enjoyable. In the festival time last year the authorities were allowing foreigners to stay in both valleys as there were lots of security presence due to the festival in order to make sure everything is cool. In Rumboor I would highly recommend to stay in Ingineer Khan's Kalash home made guest house which is located at village Groome and in this guest house you witness the Kalasha culture plus it has very nice views of the valley and the food is also wonderful there.24
While planning my trip, I found this very helpful:http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/72f52/6fb/3/
This is from a solo female Malay who traveled extensively in Pakistan and beyond back in 2009
29
Well the authorities in Chitral are not allowing foreigners to stay overnight in Kalash valleys, so better to keep this fact in mind while making your travel plans to there.
