From Skardu to Swat: Searching for Heaven on Earth!
Written by: Ibrahim Younus
Sheosar Lake, Deosai
In his 1933 novel, ‘The Lost Horizon,’ James Hilton described Shangri-La as a long lost mystical and harmonious valley. Little did James know that his vision was not just a figment of his imagination, but a site visible to the naked eye. The magnificent resort of Shangri-La is located in the remote area of Kachura Village, Skardu and with its rich history and unique cultural practices, it is a travellers’ paradise. Although the village is a sight to behold in itself, it mainly acts as a hub branching out to various other historically significant villages and towns, which are equally admirable in terms of their beauty and culture.
Recently, I undertook a trip to confirm the rumours of the immense and breathtaking splendour of Shangri-La and its surrounding areas. Upon my arrival, I marvelled at the majesty of the mountains that surrounded me; beauty that cannot be described in words. I was further astounded by the incredible structure of the hotel I would be staying at: the Shangri-La Resort Hotel, which is located on the peripheries of the Lower Kachura Lake. With a variety of rooms which can be booked at economical rates, as well as free wifi and a sublime breakfast menu, my stay at the hotel was a delightful experience. Apart from having excellent room service, the hotel had a luxurious fine dining restaurant, situated atop the Lower Kachura Lake.
Moving northwards from the hotel, I went to visit the famous Kharpocho Fort, which was originally the residence of the Rajas of Skardu. Located atop a hill, the fort overlooks the Rock of Skardu, also known as the Manthal Buddha Rock. At the end of the sixteenth century, the king Ali Sher built the fort. Several enthusiastic guides were present at the site, eager to divulge information pertaining to the fort. Stories about its inauguration and its poignant fall, when it was razed to the ground in 1857, under the supervision of Ranbir Singh, kept me captivated for hours.
Approximately two hours away from the hotel was the town of Shigar, which famously houses the elegantly designed Shigar Fort (The “Fort on Rock”). Built in the seventeenth century by the Raja of Amacha Dynasty of Shigar, today the fort serves as a museum and a luxury hotel. It is currently under the stewardship of Serena Hotels, and was undergoing restoration from 1999 to 2005, which reportedly cost a king’s ransom of US $1.4 million. Judging from the presence of foreign tourists, and the employment opportunities generated for the locals, I would say it was money well spent.
At a mere sixty kilometres from the hotel was the serene Deosai National Park. The first eye-catching feature of this vast park was the Sheosai Lake, which stretched for an impressive 2.3 kilometres, with an average depth of 130 feet. As the world’s second highest alpine plain, the park boasts a variety of flora and fauna, as well as the endangered Himalayan Brown Bear. Other noteworthy sites of the park were the Shatong Nala Pull and the Barha Pani Deosai.
I had reserved a special visit for the last day of my trip. Other than being famous for plush green fields and fantastic weather, the Swat plains also boast a series of stunning waterfalls. The route to get there from Skardu is long and arduous, but because of the beauty of the pristine lakes and rugged mountains, the journey time seems to fly.
Upon arriving at Swat, I quickly made my way towards the waterfalls, since dusk was fast approaching. While chatting with Gul Khan, the local driver who had accompanied me, I learnt that almost 200-350 foreigners visit Swat waterfallsevery year, and he fondly remembers an American tourist saying, “By God! These are even better than the ones in Arizona.” Although, I cannot confirm whether the American was correct or not, I can certainly testify that it was the perfect finale to my trip, for I had confirmed that the rumours I had heard were true; this was indeed heaven on earth.
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