Our university’s adventure society arranged a Skiing trip to malam Jabba(one o fthe seven valleys in Swat). We stayed there for almost three days (25-27 Feb) and departed on 28th morning first thing. Some of the events are aided with pictures and awesome sceneries. But alas, my camera was not present or charged on some occassions and there is so much a camera can capture, somethings are better off seen with the naked eye.
We were supposed to get together on 24th feb at noon, pay our remaning dues and get on buses but being pakistanis this procedure took more than expected and we finally took off at 3:30. There were total 96 individuals and 5 buses. We reached islamabad at about 10-ish, had to pick some ppl from there and then move forward. According to our university tradition, we stopped on a dhaba near Hassan Abdaal and ate chanay ki daal and qeema matar. It was a treat to watch, some 90-odd urban ppl sitting in a dhaba eating daal and qaeema , too bad i could not take any picture. Anyways after the dinner, we resumed our journey. We played many games along the way plus the songs and jokes and stuff set the tone for rest of the trip. We reached malam jabba at around 6 am on 25t Feb and the scnes alogn the way were pretty awesome, I immediately took a picture of the unforgettable scenes.
Later on we checked in the hotel, had yummy breakfast. I took a shower and hurriedly went on the ski shop to book the equipment (as equipment was short and students were too many. Then i went to skiing.
Me all ready with the skiing shoes on
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Too bad i coudlnt take the pictures while i was skiing, i asked someone but they didnt come out clear enough to post, but those were horrible scenes, i fell like 10-odd times, in plain words, i sucked big time!! Anyways then i alognwith some friends went on to explore the area, rode chair lifts to top of the mountains and i kept taking pictures along the way.
The top was the mountains was a different story altogether, yes whole malam jabba is beautiful and you cant see enough but those were some awesome scenes. There was a trekking path on the left of this top that lead to inviting peaks but my friends were too scared to go there this soon and i was not gonna go alone either so i decided to make use of my camera skills for the time being.
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*Me posing and hoping that picturesque background will make me look better *
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** Looking at our motel from chairlift on my way back**
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Closing in
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*Then i decided to take the tube-slide or whatever is it called, it was wowowowow, thouroughly enjoyed it. *
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though the full range of snaps is available on Travel forum but for the lazy guppies who wont go there, i will post a few here So Enjoy the brilliant sceneries.
Splendid pictures saby. It brings back very fond memories of the time I was in Swat a few years ago, and how we went way, way up the mountains after our stay at Malam Jabba. It became colder as we made ourselves up the mountains by one hell of a sharp driver that our guide was, but it got even more prettier the higher we went. What amazed me is that people actually live in little communities way up in the icy mountain ranges. Truly amazing. :k:
Saby. Thanks for sharing the pics. I've been there in July of 1989. here is some info about malam Jaba:
Malam Jaba is located in the Swat Valley. The valley has an airport in Saidu Sharif. Foker Flights go from Islamabad and Lahore although they may not be open all year round.
The nearest airport otherwise is not Islamabad but Peshawer. The valley just around a 2 hour drive from Peshawer.
There are other places to visit in the Valley apart form Malam Jaba. All are located short distances from Saidu Sharif. THese include Madyan, Bahrain, Marghazar, Kalam. A small town located a few kilometers ahead of Kalam is Matiltan. This is a quite serence place near the Swat river for those who want to escape the crowds. However, there are not many hotel, maybe just one or two. Electricity is only available at night. A 2 hour jeep ride from Matiltan takes you to the beautiful lake Mahu Dand (Mahu meaning Fish and Dand meaning Lake in Pashtu). This lake is located kind of divides the Swat Valley from the famous Chitral valley. The mountains that you see across the lake divide the two valleys. If you are lucky you can find local guides who can take you across the mountains on a weeks trek to Chitral. Chitral is famous for its famous Kalasha people - a small pagan tribe of around 4000 people that have survived for thousands of years side by side with the muslims.
Malam Jaba is the most promising hill resort of Swat and is being developed rapidly. Arnoderr four star hotel and a chairlift have already been constructed there but not yet operational. A mini golf course and ski run are also part of the complex situated about 2743m above sea level. It presents a beautiful view of snow-clad mountains, forested valleys and wildlife.
Mursalin-- Thank you sir jee, and yes i will post my understanding and knowledge of Malam jabba in a few hours, though Amir has basically said it all but still some thigns to be added.
SaadiaB-- You dont see any females because i wont post thier pictures without asking them, guys ki tu khair hoti haina, and secodnly skiing was already very fmalous an dyou will be surprised that last year pakistan came 17th in world skiing competitions out of 100 countries in its only second appearance.
Malik73-- yeah on second day i visited one of teh villages at the mountains and it was an awesome experience, and yes higher you go prettier it gets, sometimes you jsut feel liek living here all your remaining life.
So Enjoy the brilliant sceneries.