Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) is Pakistan's north-western province, running from the old bazaars of Peshawar to the green valleys of Swat, the Kalash villages of Chitral and the alpine lakes of Naran. Adventure Planners plans guided tours across the province with local drivers and hand-picked stays.
Why visit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Few regions pack this much variety into a short drive. In one trip you can walk through Peshawar, one of the oldest living cities in South Asia, see the Buddhist stupas and monasteries of ancient Gandhara, and sleep beside a glacier-fed river in Swat or Naran. KPK is also home to the Kalash, a small community in the Chitral valleys with its own language, festivals and traditions.
Best time to visit
- April to June: orchards in bloom in Swat and the Kalash valleys, and the Chilam Joshi spring festival in Kalash in mid-May.
- July to September: the best months for Naran, Lake Saif-ul-Malook and the Babusar Pass road, which is closed by snow for much of the year.
- October to March: the right season for Peshawar and the Gandhara sites, when the plains are cool. Upper Swat turns into a winter destination, with skiing at Malam Jabba.
How to get there
Most trips start in Islamabad. Peshawar is about two hours away by motorway, Swat about four hours, and Naran seven to eight hours through the Kaghan Valley. Chitral and the Kalash valleys are a full day's drive through the Lowari Tunnel, or a short flight from Islamabad when the weather allows.
Things to do
- Walk the Qissa Khwani Bazaar and the old city of Peshawar
- Visit Takht-i-Bahi, a Buddhist monastery listed by UNESCO
- Drive up the Swat Valley to Kalam and Mahodand Lake
- Stay with local families in the Kalash valleys of Bumburet and Rumbur
- Hike to Lake Saif-ul-Malook from Naran
Where to stay in KPK
Peshawar has modern city hotels close to the old town. In Swat, most travellers stay in Mingora or further up the valley in Kalam, where riverside hotels open for the summer. Naran's hotels line the main bazaar and most close between November and April. In the Kalash valleys, small family-run guesthouses in Bumburet and Rumbur give you a direct view of village life.
Plan your trip with us
Choose a destination above to see our tours, or tell us your dates and we will put together a private itinerary with a driver, guide and stays that suit you.