Swat:
Swat a peaceful and fascinating tract in the lap of vegetative sky high mountains, with eternal snow on their lofty crest is an everlasting source of attraction for the visitors. Its beauty attracts tourists from all over the world to enjoy scenes and reiendly behavior of its inhabitants. A visitor entered in Pakistan would never be contended without roaming about swat.

Colonization:
Due to its fertile soil and favorable climate condition, Swat has been the X of various nations. Though this valley has an ancient history but in the light of historical documents its recorded history begins with alexander, who conquered swat in 326 BC. Alexander defeated Persia in 326 BC, Budhism was in full bloom here. The budhist ruler fought the freek invader, but was defeated. The well known general of Alexender Salukis gave Swat to Chandra Gupta back in 304 BC. Another Budhist king Kanishka shifted his capital from Peshawar to Swat so that he may be peaceful enough to worship his duties with full satisfaction. Raja Gira was the last buddhist ruler of Swat who was defeated by Mehmood Ghazni. After conquring Swat Mehmood settled two tribes of afghan here i.e. Swati and Dalazak and went back. both these tribes were living a happy life till they were driven away by the Yousafzai, tribe of Pathans.having no ruling authority, swat was subjected to lawlessness and disorder. For this purpose syed akbar shah was called as the ruler but he died after ruling for five years. The next personality came was syed Abdul Jabbar Shah a good scholar and statesman but he also left Swat. In this connection the other man was Mian Gul Abdul Wadood, the grand son of Mian Abdul Ghafoor (Sahib-e-Swat). the people contented Mian Gul Abdul Wadood with power in 1915 but was formally crowned in 1916 by a Jirga of the chiefs of swat. Mian Gul Abdul Wadood expanded the boarder of Swat upto Gilgit, later on he retired and his elder son, Mian Gul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb was crowned as the "Wali of Swat". his elder son, Mian Gul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb was crowned as the "Wali of Swat".
Ruling time of Jahanzeb is considered as the golden period in the history of Swat. All of his reforms i.e. schools, colleges, hospitals, roads and other communication systems were matchless. There was a complete peace and order in swat but having the foresight of the future politics and the reaction of the nation, he gave up the ruling power in 1969, to governmant of Pakistan.

Saidu Sharif/Mingora:
Headquarter of Swat Valley, Saidu Sharif has the Swat Museum which contains some of the finest collection of Gandhara Art in the world. Saidu Sharif is a developed area with all the facilities provided in big citied.
Mingora 3 Km from saidu sharif is a commercial area having big shops, markets, hotels, resturents and above all Mingora has yielded magnificient pieces of Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of Great Stopas.

Getting here:
Swat is linked by road and air to Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Regular coach service for Mingora is run by private transporters from all the big cities like Peshawar, islamabad, lahore, and karachi. with your own vehicle it takes 3 hours from peshawar and 6 hours from Islamabad/Rawalpindi to get to mingora.

Airport:
Flighs each from Islamabad and Peshawar are operated to Saidu Airport twice a week. The airport is situated a few minutes away from Mingora city.

Currency:
Pakistani Rupee is the basic currency used. Some big shops and marts also accept credit cards. (visa,master and american express).
Approximately exchange rate is
1 US$ = 60 Pak Rupees

Banking hours:
09:00-14:30 Monday to friday
09:00-12:00 saturday/friday

Clothing:
Light weight cotton and linen clothing is advisable during the summer months i.e. (May-September) while heavy weight clothes and rainwear are required for the winters. Woolen clothing is required in the mountainious regions where it can get very cold even in summers.

Climate:
Swat is lying in the temperature zone in the northern mountainour ranges of the Indo-Pak sub continent therefore, here weather is affected by all the climatic factors "latitude, altitude and rain bearing winds".
The highest of Swat varies from 2500 ft to approximately 10000 ft therefore this is colder zone. January is the coldest month of the year, temperature generally remains between 2*C in the plains but in mountain areas it is lower.

Personal arrangements:
If you wish to make your own arrangements for part of your itinerary please provide Malik Express with your own contact details as precaution.

Travellers with special needs:
For travelers with special needs facilities such as wheel chair and ambulance services are available.

Getting around:
Taxis and private coaches run between all the villages and tourist spots. Private coaches charge less but it's a share-fare sharing basis if one want privacy he can hire taxi. Malik Express provides you with the type of vehicle you want.

Emergency Telephone Numbers:
Medical services:
Hospital telephone numbers:

Time zone:
summer: +5 GMT
winter: +5 GMT

Accomodation:
As Swat is a tourist place, here one can find lots of hotels, motels, resorts and guest houses.
Malik Express will make all the arrangements prior to your arrival in Swat according to the budget specified by the tourist.

Serina Hotel	Hotel Room	View from Rockcity Hotel

General info:
A handshake is the normal form of greeting. Smoking is generally acceptable unless otherwise specified respect should be shown for religious beliefs and costums. Swat is a moderate society where both conservative as well as fashionable clothing is accepted.

Languages:
Pashto is widely spoken although english and urdu are also a mode of communication.

Electricity:
220 volts.

Safety tips:
Swat is a safe destination. However it is advisable to keep valuables in the hotel safety deposit boxes.

Where to find us?

Malik Express
Pameer Squire G.T Road
Mingora Swat.

Ph: 0946-712445-7
Fax: 0946-721381

Marghazar
It is an elevation of 4200’ and 15 Km south east of Saidu Sharif. It is famous for its greenery, healthy weather and for White palace. This palace was a summer residence of the wali of swat (ruler) now serves as hotel. On the 2745 meters high plateau behind lies the temple of Ram takht. Believed by hindus to be the throne of Ramachandra.

Malam jabba
Malam jabba is Pakistan’s only major summer cum ski resort in Swat. The place gets 4 to7 feet of average snowfall annually lies 8700 feet above the sea level. The idea of ski resort was put forward by the govt. of Austria in 1962.
Malam jabba ski resort stands on top of Hindu Kush mountains. Malam Jabba is more than just a ski resort. It is a family resort that provides the facilities of skiing platforms, chair lifts, roller/ice skating, restaurant offering both local and international menu, modern communication etc.
The main attractions of the resort are ski and chair lift. Chair lift can carry 56 persons to the height of 10500 feet the top of mountain separate lift is also available for skiing trainers/ beginners.

Miandam
Miandam lies 6000’ above the sea level and 57- Km from Saidu Sharif. This is quite peaceful with refreshing fine air, having scenic beauty the terrace field is step up to the hill top. A dozen of hotels of different categories are available according to your choice. This is a good place for walkers. You can enjoy some time in refreshing water by moving up along the Miandam stream just near the brighe.

Madyan
It is a popular riverside tourist resort at elevation of 4335’ and 57 km from Saidu Sharif. It is a beautiful spot located on the left bank of river Swat. Madyan afforded excellent hiking and camping trips. Important to the tourist is the trout fish, you can get it from fisheries department and can be fried there.

Bahrain
Offers a superb view of the countryside and has excellent hiking and camping sites, a wonderful view of natural waterfalls and gushing river Daral. Bahrain lies 4500 feet and 66 km from Saidu Sharif.

Kalam
This is the most visited summer town and well-known summer resort of the valley. The spot is located 90 km from Saidu Sharif and 6800 feet above the sea level. This is further at the north of Bahrain where the valley widens and breaks into a small plateau. This is the joining point of river ushu and river utror and the place of origin of the river suwastu (river swat). This is open place surrounded by mountains and back by morine. The mountain having thick forest where one sees an abundance walnut, apple and pine trees with the green meadows at the foot of forest.

Ushu and mitaltan
The sub valley of Ushu lays 7200 feet high located a few km north east of Kalam. This is a greener and accessible than Utror, here at the view of the highest peak of Swat mount Falaksir 20528 feet high further north is mitaltan and the glacier which the snow is jumped up to the road shoulder.

Mahodand
Mahodand is also called, as Angle Heaven lies further north of Ushu is beautiful, majestic terrain. Fairy palace with calm and peaceful environment for lovers. Mahodand having green meadows a glacial lake with abundance of trout fish. Hiking, angling , boating in the lake or riding on the horse can be enjoyed there. This site has two months summer visiting period after mid August. Monsoon rainfall starts, which block after sliding.

Utror and Gabral
The green beautiful villages are at a 7300 feet high lie north west of Kalam. The area of natural beauty, attractive forests and landscapes, excellent for fishing. Further north the road is unmetalled and goes to Gabral and onward to Shahibagh.

Panr / Kokari / Jambil
These sub valley is famous for Buddhist archaeological sites but this has green beautiful landscapes, with abundance of persimmons and oranges orchards. This lies in south east of Mingora but having no hotel and restaurants. Local transport is available, the road is metalled to Jambil and this is in short cut connected with district Buner but the partially completed.