Swat valley is named as Switzerland of Pakistan due to its snow caped mountains and beautiful sceneries. Let me clear one thing, Swat valley is far more in sky high mountains than Switzerland and we know that higher the altitude the serener is the area. Swat valley lacks in tourism opportunities and infrastructure. That’s dark side of Pakistan’s governments from the very start.
From December to February, the valley receives substantial #snowfall, especially in the places like Malam Jabba, #Kalam, Gabeen Jabba, Bluewater and Palugah valley. There are several other points but I’m writing these particular names because these points are accessible through cars and jeeps. Kalam is the birth place of river Swat and offers multiple tourism spots with some excellent hotels to reside. The good point that it remains open throughout the year. The whole city, nearby Ushu forest and the mountains turn white in December and temperature drops to as low as -10OC.
Malam Jabba is the only point in Swat that offers Ski, chair lift, zip line and five star hoteling. I can say, the only well developed tourism spot in the whole valley is Malam Jabba. On the other hand, Gabeen Jabba is far more in serene views but lacks development. Gabeen Jabba receives 5~6 ft snowfall in Dec and Jan.
We observed the best scenes during winter in Gabeen Jabba and Palugah valley. If you get a chance to visit Gabeen Jabba in Jan, keep a trekking hr in your mind after a drive of 1 hr from (Kalakot) the main road of Swat valley. Jeeps can be hired throughout the year from Kalam to visit Palugah valley, blue water heaven and Mahudand lake.