Getting There
The distance of Falak sar (Kalam)from Islamabad is 420 km. From Peshawar, you can reach Falak Sar ( Kalam) at a distance of 152 kilometers.
By Air: The nearest airport that can be used for air travel Falak Sar (Kalam) is Saidu Sharif Airport
By Train: If you want to go to Falak Sar (Kalam) by train from any part of the country, there is no train available to go to Falak Sar (Kalam) and village. So you can get off at Nowshera Railway station or Peshawar station and go Falak Sar (Kalam) by car, bus, and Jeep
By Road: Through a car, you can reach Falak Sar (Kalam) from Islamabad in Seven hours. The distance of Falak Sar (Kalam) from Islamabad is 420 km. From Peshawar, you can reach Falak Sar (Kalam) at a distance of 152 kilometers.
What to Expect
Kalam Valley is situated in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, almost a Seven hour drive away from the federal capital of Pakistan. The road that leads to Kalam from Bahrain—a town in Swat, 60 km north of Mingora—is mostly rocky, running next to the Swat River. Bahrain-Kalam Road is currently open.
One of the distinctive features of Kalam Valley is the abundance of watercourses. No matter where you stay in the valley, you will be surrounded by beautiful streams or waterfalls. Moreover, the local people of the region are widely known for their hospitality, vibrant culture, and unique traditions. International tourists and people from nearby regions flock to this valley to witness the many wonders of nature.
There are also dense forests on the outskirts of the valley; around 40 kilometers from Kalam you can get to the famous Lake Mahodand. Usho, Matiltan and Utror valleys are also nearby. The most noticeable and visited peak in this region is “Falak Sar,” in Ushu Valley, which is about 6,000 meters in height.
History
This mountain was climbed for the first time by W.K.A Berry and C.H. Tyndale-Biscoe of New Zealand in 1957 from its North ridge. The second ascent was made by Dr. Wolf Gang Stephen who also climbed Distaghil Sar and Malika Parbat Carlo Pinelli attempted another peak in the Hindu Raj which is the only 6000 of this part of Hindu Kush. They named it Maingol Sar.
Similarly, another ascent was made by a Japanese expedition from Yamaguchi University was composed of Yoshiyuki Nagahiro and Toshiyuki Akiyama. After traveling by car from Peshawar through Saidu Sharif, capital of Swat, to Matiltan, they continued on and headed up the Falak Sar valley, where at 11,000 feet on August 15 they established Base Camp. On August 20 they climbed Falak Sar (19,417 feet), which has had numerous previous ascents.
After returning to Matiltan, they went through Kalam to the Amagal valley to an advanced base at 12,000 feet. They ascended the east side above their advanced base and reached a small peak which was called Maga Sar by the natives. They found no Miangul Sar (19,554 feet) but there was a peak called Par (c. 18,000 feet) in the position assigned the former peak.
On August 17th, 2020 Hamza Anees along with his team members Ahmed Mujtaba and Adnan Saleem became first Pakistani to reach the summit of Falak Sar via north ridge.
Facilities Available
- Local guides are available
- People of Kalam Area and Falak Sar are very hospitable
- Hotel and Guest House are available near to Kalam
- Kalam can be accessible thought local transport and can book a car on rent.
- One thing that is very famous in Kalam is trout fish. It’s a very delicious and famous fish, so don’t forget to try this amazing taste. This is the fish that goes against the flow of water. The fruit found here has its taste, High-quality apple, peach, pear, and olive groves are in abundance here.
- 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 Kalam for public transportation.
- Filling stations are available in Kalam which includes Petrol and Diesel.
- Taxis are available in Kalam,on daily rent basis.
- Shops are available in main bazar Kalam
- Gujar nomads with their cattle
- Honey sellers
