Jahaz Banda & Kumrat Valley Tour – Islamabad to Jahaz Banda | Episode 1

Pakistan’s northern mountains are home to some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, and Jahaz Banda in Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of those places where the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.

In this first episode of our Jahaz Banda kund banda & Kumrat Valley Tour, we begin a five-day journey from Islamabad and travel towards Thall, Kumrat Valley and Jahaz Banda.

From the long overnight road journey to the rugged mountain tracks, river crossings, forests, trekking trails and beautiful alpine meadows, this episode captures the first part of our journey into the mountains of Upper Dir.

🎥 Watch Episode 1

Jahaz Banda & Kumrat Valley Tour | Islamabad to Jahaz Banda

🚐 Starting Our Journey from Islamabad

Our journey started from Islamabad in the evening, at around 6:00 PM.

We travelled through the Islamabad–Peshawar Motorway and then continued towards the northern areas via the Swat Motorway.

Our route continued towards Chakdara Interchange, followed by Upper Dir, and eventually towards Thall and Kumrat Valley.

Because much of this part of the journey took place during the night, there was limited opportunity to capture the surrounding scenery on camera.

By the time daylight arrived, we had reached Thall Bazaar in Upper Dir, where the next part of our adventure was about to begin.

🌄 From Thall Bazaar Towards Jahaz Banda

Our group consisted of around 20 people, travelling together from Islamabad.

From Thall Bazaar, we prepared to continue towards Jahaz Banda.

Three Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles were ready for the mountain journey. After the previous night’s rain, the weather was relatively clear and the mountain environment looked fresh and beautiful.

The road ahead was completely different from the highways we had travelled on during the night.

The paved roads gradually gave way to rough mountain tracks, streams, mud and rocky terrain.

This was where the real adventure began.

🌊 Crossing the Panjkora River

After leaving Thall Bazaar, we reached the area where we crossed the Panjkora River.

The sound of flowing water, surrounding mountains and rugged landscape created a completely different atmosphere.

From here, we continued towards Jahaz Banda on a rough mountain road.

The recent rainfall had brought water into several streams crossing the route, and mud had accumulated on parts of the road.

The journey became slower and more adventurous as we moved deeper into the mountains.

🚙 The Adventure Mountain Road

The road towards Jahaz Banda is not like a normal city road.

After rainfall, some sections can become muddy and difficult to travel through.

During our journey, we experienced some of these conditions ourselves.

As we continued towards Taki Top, the surrounding scenery became increasingly beautiful.

Mountain slopes, forests, streams and fresh greenery appeared along the route.

The difficult road was becoming part of the adventure.

🥾 Starting the Trekking Journey

We eventually reached Gamsir village, before the Taki Top area.

Because of the rain and muddy conditions ahead, continuing by vehicle became difficult.

There was a risk of vehicles slipping in the mud, so we decided to continue the remaining section on foot.

This was the beginning of our trekking journey towards Jahaz Banda.

Our group members started walking uphill together, surrounded by forests, mountains and beautiful natural scenery.

Fortunately, most of our group members were young and energetic, which made the trekking pace comfortable.

🌲 Trekking Through the Forests of Upper Dir

As we climbed higher, the landscape continued to change.

The trail passed through beautiful forests and mountain slopes.

The fresh air, tall trees and natural surroundings made the difficult climb more enjoyable.

After crossing the first major uphill section, we had completed a significant part of the route.

At different points along the trail, local horses are also available for visitors who may need assistance.

However, because of the rain and muddy conditions, we decided to continue walking rather than take horses.

🌿 Beautiful Meadows Along the Trail

As we approached around 60% of the trekking route, we reached a small settlement followed by a beautiful green meadow.

After a long uphill walk, the sight of this open green landscape was a refreshing experience.

The meadow provides a peaceful place where trekkers can take a short break.

You can often see livestock such as cows and goats grazing in these mountain pastures.

There are also small local restaurants where visitors can stop for refreshments and take a short rest before continuing their journey.

After our break, we continued towards Jahaz Banda.

🌲 From Meadows Back Into the Forest

After crossing the small meadow, the trail once again entered the forest.

Tall deodar and other mountain trees surrounded the path, creating a peaceful trekking environment.

The combination of forests, fresh mountain air and beautiful landscapes made the journey increasingly enjoyable.

We were now getting very close to Jahaz Banda.

Along the way, we also talked with some members of our group about their trekking experience and how they were feeling after the long journey.

🏔️ Finally Reaching Jahaz Banda Meadows

After a long trek, we finally reached the upper area of Jahaz Banda Meadows.

The landscape suddenly opened into a vast green meadow surrounded by spectacular mountains.

This was one of the most beautiful moments of the first day.

The green meadow, mountain peaks, forests and peaceful surroundings created an unforgettable view.

Jahaz Banda is also known for its local accommodation, with several hotels and restaurants around the meadow.

Visitors can stay overnight and enjoy the peaceful mountain environment.

🏡 Our Stay Near Jahaz Banda

For our overnight stay, we chose accommodation in a quieter area near Jahaz Banda.

The location was peaceful and offered beautiful surroundings without the same level of activity found in the main meadow.

From this area, visitors can also explore places such as Katora Lake and Kund Banda during their wider Upper Dir adventure.

The local hospitality added another memorable part to our journey.

After completing the long trek, it was time to relax and enjoy the peaceful mountain atmosphere.

🌄 Exploring Raja Banda

During this episode, we also explored the beautiful surroundings of Raja Banda.

The name Raja Banda is associated with a local person who played a role in promoting tourism in the area.

The quiet surroundings, green landscapes and mountain scenery make this area a beautiful place to experience the natural side of Upper Dir.

After a long day of travelling and trekking, the peaceful atmosphere of Raja Banda was the perfect place to spend the night.

🎬 The Journey Continues

This was only Episode 1 of our five-day journey.

We started from Islamabad, travelled through the northern routes towards Upper Dir, reached Thall Bazaar, crossed the Panjkora River, travelled through challenging mountain roads and finally trekked towards Jahaz Banda.

But the adventure does not end here.

In the next episode, we will continue exploring the Jahaz Banda area, including the journey towards Katora Lake and Kund Banda.

We will also continue our journey into the beautiful Kumrat Valley.

📍 Places Featured in Episode 1

Islamabad
Peshawar Motorway
Swat Motorway
Chakdara
Upper Dir
Thall Bazaar
Panjkora River
Taki Top
Gamsir Village
Jahaz Banda Trekking Trail
Jahaz Banda Meadows
Raja Banda
Upper Dir Mountains

🏔️ Why Visit Jahaz Banda?

Jahaz Banda is an excellent destination for travellers who enjoy:

Mountain trekking
Alpine meadows
Forest trails
Mountain landscapes
Fresh air
Camping and local stays
Adventure travel
Photography
Exploring northern Pakistan

The journey can be challenging, particularly after rainfall, but the landscapes along the route make the experience memorable.

📺 Watch the Next Episode

Our Jahaz Banda & Kumrat Valley journey continues in the next episode.

We will explore more of Jahaz Banda, including the routes towards Katora Lake and Kund Banda, before continuing our wider journey through Kumrat Valley, Upper Dir.

Stay connected and watch the complete series as we explore the mountains of northern Pakistan. 🇵🇰