Unique Kalash Culture
Ancient tribe with their own religion, festivals, and colorful traditions.
Chitral
Gateway to Hindukush
7 packages1 group tour0 rating
Being on the crossroads of Central Asia, China & western side of Indian sub-continent, Chitral has seen many civilisations, from 1st BC it was under Buddhist influence; served as a trade route & passageway for Buddhist pilgrimages to Swat until 8th century AD. Later to be briefly ruled by Tibetan, Kalasha in 11th century AD and finally united as an independent Kingdom by Rais Ruler in 14th AD, overthrown by Katurs in 16th century. From 16th - 18th century Islam flourished in the region due to era of Mughals in sub-continent. In mid 18th century it was under Chinese control but ruled by Katurs by paying tribute to Chinese. After the expansion of Russia in central asia, British supported Katurs to keep Russian influence out of the region. After independence of Pakistan, Chitral was a princely state later to be merged with KPK province in 1969. Local language is Khowar spoken by Kho people who lived originally along Torikho River; resemble their neighbours in north Pamirs and the ancient civilisation along Oxus river. Its a 300km valley separated by Hindukush Mountains from Afghanistan, river draining the valley rises from Borghil as Yarkhun river and after Chitral town is called Kunar River. Tirich Mir 7708m the highest mountain of Hindukush lies in backdrop of Chitral Town, i.e. a base town for expeditions to Tirich Mir, Booni Zom, Koyo Zom and trekking to Karombar Lake, Bashkorgal Lake & Wakhan Corridor.
Places within Chitral
26 spots to explore
Kalash
Pagans of Hindukush
Ayun
Gateway to Kalash
Bamburet
Main Kalash Valley
Birir
True Kalash
Broghil
A Pristine story of Wakhi’s
Buni
Under the Shadow of Buni Zom
Buni Zom
Gleaming Greys
Chitral Gol National Park
Birds Eye view of Chitral
Garam Chashma
Hot Springs
Gharel
A Surreal Wakhi Settlement
Karambar Lake
Highest Biologically Active Lake
Koyo Zom
Highest of Hinduraj
Mastuj
On many Crossroads
Qaqlasht
The Dry Meadow
Rumbur
Sacred Kalasha
Shahi Fort Chitral
The Orange Fort
Shahi Mosque Chitral
Amidst Chinar Trees
Shandur
The Roof of the World
Shandur Lake
Amidst the Plateau
Shandur Pass
On many Crossroads
Shandur Polo Ground
Highest Polo Ground of World
Shausar
Scene of Broghil Festival
Sor Laspur
Edge of the Tree Line
Tirich Mir
Highest Peak of Hindukush
Upper Chitral
Prologue of Wilderness
Yarkhun
'Yar' 'Khun' meaning 'Friends' 'Home'
Packages in Chitral
7 flexible packages — your dates, your tier
Where to Stay in Chitral
3 hotels & properties
Why here
Moments in Chitral
The small, specific reasons travellers keep coming back.
Chilam Joshi Festival
The famous spring festival with traditional dance, music, and celebrations.
Hindu Kush Scenery
Dramatic mountain landscapes with snow-capped peaks and rushing rivers.
Markhor in Chitral Gol
Spot Pakistan's national animal in the protected Chitral Gol National Park.
Chitral Fort
Historic Chitral Fort and the ornate Shahi Mosque.
Untouched Valleys
Valleys that remain largely untouched by tourism.
Traveller’s guide
Everything you need to know
Getting there, what to do, where to stay, and what to eat — the local ground truth.
How to get to Chitral
By road via Lowari Tunnel
Chitral is reached by road from Islamabad or Lahore, driving north through Nowshera and Timergara to Lower Dir, then through the 8.6 km Lowari Tunnel that keeps the road open year-round. Total drive is 10 to 12 hours from Islamabad, usually split with a night in Dir or on arrival in Chitral. Before the tunnel was completed, Chitral was cut off from December to April by heavy snow on the old Lowari Pass. Today the route is passable in every season, though winter driving can be slow after fresh snowfall.
By air
There are currently no scheduled commercial flights to Chitral. The route has been discontinued and no operator is running it at the time of writing. If a domestic carrier restarts the service in the future, we will list it here. For now, plan on driving in via Lowari Tunnel.
Things to do in Chitral
Kalash valleys
The three Kalash valleys, Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, sit an hour south of Chitral town via Ayun and a narrow jeep road. Bumburet is the main and largest valley with most homestays. Rumbur is the most religiously observant and quietest. Birir is the smallest and most traditional. The four annual festivals, Chilam Joshi in May, Uchal in August, Phool in October and Choumus in December, are the best times to see Kalasha music, dance and dress, though the valleys are worth a visit any month.
Chitral Gol National Park
A jeep track climbs from Chitral town to Chitral Gol National Park, a markhor sanctuary with a birds-eye view over the valley and Tirich Mir. Best visited in the morning when markhor come out to graze. A ranger escort is required and can be arranged through the Wildlife Department office in Chitral.
Shahi Fort and Shahi Mosque
The Shahi Fort, also called the Orange Fort for its ochre walls, sits on the bank of the Chitral River in the old town. It was the seat of the Katur Mehtars and is still owned by the family. The neighbouring Shahi Mosque, framed by chinar trees, is one of the finest 19th-century mosques in the region.
Garam Chashma hot springs
Garam Chashma, 45 km northwest of Chitral, is a natural sulphur hot-spring village at 1,859 m near the Afghan border. Bathhouses are basic but the mineral water is genuinely therapeutic. A full-day trip from Chitral.
Upper Chitral, Shandur and Qaqlasht
Upper Chitral opens out to the wide Yarkhun and Mastuj valleys, ending at Shandur (3,700 m), the world's highest polo ground and home to the annual Shandur Polo Festival in early July. The Qaqlasht Meadows above Booni are Chitral's answer to Deosai, a wide alpine tableland that turns green in June and gold in September. A trip into Upper Chitral is a 2 to 3 day extension from Chitral town.
Tirich Mir viewpoint
Tirich Mir at 7,708 m is the highest mountain in the Hindukush and dominates the skyline south of Chitral town. Some of the best clear-day views are from Ayun, from the Chitral Gol viewpoint, and from Kalash Bumburet in the late afternoon.
Where to stay
Chitral town
Hindukush Heights is the flagship luxury property, perched on a ridge above town with a wraparound Tirich Mir view, run by a member of the former Chitral royal family. Pamir Riverside Inn is the reliable deluxe option in town, next to the river and walking distance to the fort.
Ayun and Kalash valleys
For an early start into Kalash, stay at Ayun Fort Inn in Ayun village, at the mouth of the Kalash valley road. Inside the Kalash valleys themselves, guesthouses are simple family-run homestays. Book through your operator, standards vary and running hot water is rare.
Food and culture
Chitral speaks Khowar, an Indo-Aryan language of the Dardic group, distinct from Pashto and unrelated to Balti. The Kho people trace their origins to the Pamir corridor and their music, most famously the sitar-and-daf ensemble, is closer to Central Asian than South Asian styles. The signature dish is chapshuro, a hot meat-filled flatbread cooked on a griddle. The Chitrali cap, or pakol, is the wool cap that has become the visual signature of the northwest. Kalasha culture is entirely distinct from the Muslim Kho majority, with its own language, religion, festivals and dress that make the valley visits the cultural highlight of any Chitral trip.
Four chapters
Best Time to Visit
spring
Mid-March – Mid-April
Best timeApricot and cherry blossoms carpet the orchards along the Chitral River — the valley's most photographed weeks.
summer
Mid-April – Mid-October
Best timeLong light and warm 15–28°C days — clear Tirich Mir views and full access to Kalash valleys, Garam Chashma and Bumburet.
autumn
Mid-October – Mid-November
Best timePoplars, apricot and cherry trees turn yellow, orange and merlot red — dry, still air and sharp peak lines.
winter
Mid-November – Mid-March
ShoulderLowari Tunnel keeps the road open year-round — Chitral snow-dressed, warm homestays, upper valleys and Shandur side closed.