Getting There
The journey from Islamabad to Balakot is 144 km. You can use Hazara Motorway to reach Balakot.
BY Air: The nearest airport to Balakot is the Islamabad international airport.
By Road: There is a 144 km journey from Islamabad to Balakot on the Hazara Motorway which will take about 4 hours to reach Balakot. By Train: There is no train service to Balakot but you are traveling to Balakot from any part of the country. By train you can get off at Rawalpindi station and travel to Balakot by taxi or bus.
What to Expect
Balakot offers many various locations to hang out to welcome and amuse travelers from all over the world, such as restaurants, cafés, and roadside eateries, displaying the real charm of the local culture and culinary traditions.
There are also hotels and other types of accommodations that are ideal for short stays. It is also one of the busiest tourism centers, allowing visitors to see a variety of natural wonders in the north. Balakot is also close to the world-famous Kaghan Valley, one of the country’s most attractive tourist destinations
History
The town or village of Balakot is occupied mainly by members of the Awan, Gujar, Syed, Qureshi, Mughal, &Swati tribe and is on the banks of the River Kunhar before it enters the Kashmir Valley. The Sikhs tried to free Mansehra in 1818 but were met with resistance from the occupying army. As the Mansehra region fell under Sikh control, it was annexed to Punjab. The movement placed Waziristan, the Mohmand country beyond Kunhar, Chitral, and Yusufzai tribes within the control and responsibility of the Indian government. Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed, with the help of the Mujahadeen, including the 6 Swati tribes of Balakot and Syeds of Kaghan, led many revolts and attacks against the Sikhs. At last on 6 May 1831, during a fierce battle, Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed along with hundreds of their followers were killed.
The central mosque of Balakot is named after Syed Ahmed Shaheed. The areas include diverse groups, the predominantly spoken languages however are Hindko and Gojri. Pashto is being spoken by swatis of Balakot Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed, with hundreds of their supporters were killed. The central mosque in Balakot is named after Syed Ahmed Shaheed. Areas covered by different groups of languages are spoken in Hindko and Gojra.
Facilities Available
- Local guides are available
- People of Balakot are very hospitable
- PTDC, Serena, Cordillera Resort Pine, View Hotel And Restaurant ,Green Hills View
- Balakot can be accessible thought local transport and can book a car on rent.
- Wi-Fi service is available in Balakot
- Tourism Department helps the Tourist/ Visitors through providing broachers in both Urdu and English languages. The local Police and the local Guides can speak multi languages (i.e local languages, Urdu, English and some of them can speak Chinese also).
- There is a bus stand in Balakot for public transportation.
- Filling stations are available in Balakot which includes Petrol and Diesel.
- Taxis are available in Balakot on daily rent basis.
- Shops are available in Balakot
