Kalam Valley

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Kalam
Valley
کالام
Kalam Valley
Kalam Kalam Valley Kalam Kalam (Pakistan) Show map of Khyber PakhtunkhwaShow map of PakistanShow all
Coordinates: 35°28′48″N 72°35′15″E / 35.4801°N 72.5874°E / 35.4801; 72.5874Coordinates: 35°28′48″N 72°35′15″E / 35.4801°N 72.5874°E / 35.4801; 72.5874
Country	Pakistan
Province	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
District	Swat
Elevation	2,001 m (6,565 ft)
Population  (2017)[1]
• Total	23,170
Time zone	UTC+5 (PST)

Kalam (Kalami, Pashto, & Urdu: کالام‎) is a valley located at distance of 99 kilometres (62 mi) from Mingora in the northern upper reaches of Swat valley along the bank of Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.^[2][3] The area has become a popular tourist attraction, known for its mountains, forests and lakes.^[4] It is the birthplace of Swat river, which forms with confluence of two major tributaries of Gabral river and Ushu river.^[5]

It is a sub-valley of Swat, at an elevation of about 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level, and providing rooms for a small but fertile plateau above the river for farming.^[6] From Kalam, the metaled road ends and shingle road leads to the Usho and Utror valleys. From Matiltan, some snow-capped mountains are visible including Mount Falaksar 5,918 meters (19,416 feet), and another unnamed peak 6,096 meters (20,000 feet) high.^[7]

There are several hotels in Kalam providing accommodation for tourists to the valley.^[8]

Climate[]

With a mild and generally warm and temperate climate, Kalam features a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) under the Köppen climate classification. The average temperature in Kalam is 13.4 °C (56.1 °F), while the annual precipitation averages 639 mm (25.16 in). November is the driest month with 15 mm (0.59 in) of precipitation, while April, the wettest month, has an average precipitation of 93 mm (3.66 in).

July is the hottest month of the year with an average temperature of 24.1 °C (75.4 °F). The coldest month, January, has an average temperature of 1.5 °C (34.7 °F).

Tourist Spots[]

Usho (also spelled Ushu) is a hill station in the north east of Kalam valley. It is situated at a distance of 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) from Kalam and 123 kilometers (76 mi) km from Saidu Sharif at the height of 2,300 metres (7,550 feet). It is accessible through a non metalled road from Kalam by jeeps only.

Usho Forest in Kalam

Matiltan

Matiltan is located about 11 km away from Kalam. It is the location of large glaciers, thick forests and lofty mountain peaks. The tallest peak of Falaksair mountain can be seen from here.^{[citation needed]}

Utror

Utror hill station is also located in Kalam Valley which is located 16 km away from Kalam. It is surrounded by snow clad mountains and Kundol Lake.

Gabral

Gabral is a hill station, comes at a distance of 20 km away from Kalam. It is known for brown swati trout fish, green forests, medicinal springs, snow clad peaks and lakes, among them Shahi Bagh lake located to north west of Sazgul region at about three hours of trekking.^{[citation needed]}

Lakes[]

Kundol lake, Utror Kalam Swat

Kalam has large number of alpine glacial lakes, among them Mahodand lake and Kundol lake are very popular due to ease of accessibility. But others like Izmis lake, which is located in close proximity with Kundol lake is one of the spectacular one in the region. Most of these lakes are accessible through tedious trekking over lush green trails across the way.

Mahodand Lake is one of the largest & scenic lake in the Swat valley, located at a distance of about 40 km from Kalam, in the Usho Sub-valley of Kalam which is laid out in the foothills of Hindu Kush mountains. It is accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, and is a good resort for fishing, boating and camping. It is surrounded by snow clad mountains, lush green meadows and thick forests which hypnotise one to its center.

Kundol Lake is another charming lake in Kalam valley which is located in the north of Utror region at a distance of 19 km away from kalam. It also lies in the foothills of Hindu Kush mountains and accessible via the mesmeric valley of Ladu through a trek of 4–6 hours.^[10]

Gallery[]

See also[]

• Bahrain, Swat
• Kumrat Valley
• Mahodand Lake
• Swat Valley
• Kalam summer festival

References[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalam Valley.