Still blue water of Mahodand Lake stretching toward snowy Ushu peaks

Family favourite

Swat, Kalam & Mahodand Lake

Pakistan's 'Switzerland' in five easy days — Malam Jabba chairlift, riverside Bahrain, the pines of Ushu Forest and a boat on Mahodand Lake.

Duration5 days · 4 nights
DifficultyEasy
Group size2 – 20
StartsIslamabad
Rating4.8 (174 reviews)

Overview

Pakistan's 'Switzerland' in five easy days — Malam Jabba chairlift, riverside Bahrain, the pines of Ushu Forest and a boat on Mahodand Lake. Best travelled April – October.

Islamabad
Malam Jabba
Bahrain
Kalam
Mahodand
Islamabad

Trip highlights

Malam Jabba
Pakistan's best-known ski resort, chairlift and zip line.
Swat
Kalam & Ushu Forest
Towering pines along the Swat river at 2,000 m.
Swat

Best months

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Islamabad → Malam Jabba
Swat Motorway to Mingora, then up to Malam Jabba for the chairlift and zip line.
Day 2Malam Jabba → Kalam
Via Fizagat and Bahrain to Kalam.
Day 3Ushu & Mahodand Lake
Jeep through Ushu Forest to Mahodand Lake for boating and trout lunch.
Day 4Kalam → Mingora
Swat Museum & Butkara stupa, evening in Mingora.
Day 5Return to Islamabad
Arrive Islamabad by afternoon.

What's included

Included

Air-conditioned private transport (Grand Cabin / Prado on mountain sections)
Hotel stays on twin / triple sharing
Daily breakfast & dinner
Experienced driver and local tour guide
All toll taxes, parking and fuel
Entry tickets mentioned in the itinerary
24/7 support line during your trip
4×4 jeep to Mahodand Lake

Not included

Lunch, snacks and personal shopping
Jeep rides, boating or activities marked as optional
Travel insurance
Anything not listed under 'included'

Photos

What travellers say

Every detail was handled — from the Attabad boat ride to the room with the Rakaposhi view. Our guide knew every family in Karimabad.

AAyesha R.Lahore

I travelled solo and hired a guide for eight days. Safe, flexible and genuinely fun. He changed the plan twice for better weather and light.

DDaniel M.Manchester, UK

Our honeymoon was perfect. Clean hotels, a punctual driver and a surprise bonfire dinner by Mahodand Lake. Highly recommended.

HHamza & SanaKarachi

Frequently asked

Where do your tours start?

Most departures start and end in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. We can also pick you up from Lahore, Peshawar or Gilgit/Chitral airport on request.

Is northern Pakistan safe for families and solo travellers?

Hunza, Gilgit, Swat, Chitral, Kumrat and the Galiyat welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. We monitor road and weather conditions daily, travel with experienced drivers and keep a 24/7 support line open throughout your trip.

What is the best time to visit the north?

April–May for blossom, June–August for high meadows and lakes (Kumrat, Kalam, Naltar), September–November for golden autumn in Hunza and Chitral, and December–February for snow in Murree, Nathia Gali and Malam Jabba.

Do foreigners need a special permit?

Most of our routes need only a valid Pakistani visa. A few border areas require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC); our team arranges it for you when your itinerary needs one.

How do I confirm a booking?

Send an enquiry or WhatsApp us. We confirm availability, share the final itinerary and invoice, and hold your seats with a 30% advance. The balance is paid before departure.