Terich Valley
Terich valley is populated with several small villages separated by groves of apricot and apple trees. The valley is very fertile and the resulting verdant floor is in breathtaking contrasts to orange and yellow apricots and apples, especially in late summer.
Terich valley- the main route to high Hindu Kush peaks and center of adventure tour activities- also has other good potential such as mineral deposits of yellow arsenic, serpentine, quartz, talc, calcite, antimony, gold dust etc. but mining is not yet in progress hence people have few jobs to earn their livelihood. Mostly people depend on subsistence farming and get food supply from government stores. Local sources of income are almost nil. In the past decades the people of this valley used to get good summer jobs on the arrival of mountaineering expeditions, trekkers, hikers and got handsome income. There used to be around a dozen or more adventure parties to climb the high peaks approaching through this valley. Evidently they needed porters; guides, high altitude porters, cooks etc and the local people got jobs for many weeks on good wages and had a coveted source of income beside other benefits on the return of those parties such as good tips, awards, surplus food items, kits etc. But now unfortunately the number of foreign trekking, hiking, climbing teams has declined as a result of Afghan war and also that Tour operators from Chitral have failed to enter Tourism markets to spread information and motivate adventure lovers, using various means of technology for promotion of trekking and climbing and other adventure activities in the Hindukush, this channel of summer income has declined and the local people face financial burden.
Terich valley a gateway to the major Mountaineering, Trekking and Hiking routes, which lead to the highest peaks and longest glaciers of the central Hindukush. Terich, which is one of Pakistan’s highest and remote valleys, the last human settlement before the actual march to Terich Glacier and Terich Concordia, Udren and Roshgol Glaciers. Its real attraction is being a gateway to the most spectacular sights of the region to Terich Concordia and Roshgol the amphitheatre of 7 highest massifs of Hindukush and the longest glaciers and peaks, including, Tirich Mir Main 7708m, Tirich Mir East 7690m, Noshaq Main 7492mm, Noshaq East 7480m, Istor o Nal 7403m, Saraghrar 7349m and Shingeik Zom 7290m.
Booni
Booni is now a Town and administration centre of the upper Chitral since 1969. It is a big fan shaped flat and big village, perhaps one of the largest villages of the area. It is famous for its fruits like; apples, pears, grapes, apricots, peaches etc. It lies at 72 km from Chitral Town on the Shandur-Gilgit road.
Garam Chashma
At a distance of 2 hours, is located the famous valley of Injigan, now called Garam Chashma, and could be approached by jeep, car etc. but better to be inside an open jeep to enjoy the scenic beauty enroute to the area while visiting the challenging and breath taking rocky spires of Shoghore and if one has the guts then some rock climbing could be done in the area, as it has become one of the favorite sport for rock climbing after the training camps of Adventure Foundation Pakistan for a couple of year ago. Garam Chashma, famous for its hot springs and the water is considered for centuries, as a natural medication to cure the skin disorders and maladies; therefore the valley is visited by local tourists as well as foreign during the season. Overnight stay at the valley could be one of the most amazing experiences while enjoying the serenity and peacefulness of the area, especially the beauty of the mountains and landscape may enchanter you. Don’t forget to obtain a permit from the fisheries department of Chitral before leaving for the valley, if you are interested in doing some angling in the Garam Chashma River and want to taste the trout.
Chitral Gol National Park
Chitral Gol National Park is one of the national parks of Pakistan. It is located in Chitral District in the NWFP of Pakistan beside the Chitral River, at a distance of two hours drive from Chitral city. The park is also known as Chitral Gol National Park. The word Gol in the local language means 'the valley'.
The way leading to the park is quite narrow and dangerous, yet more risky during the rainy days. It is located between 1450 metres and about 5000 metres above sea level. It has an area of 77.5 square kilometers.
This park includes three valleys. Several Glaciers also lie in the park through which several springs make their way and ultimately form a stream of 18 metres. The cold water of this stream falls towards the east into the Chitral River. The park is rich in trees particularly Cedar trees. Chitral Gol National Park is surrounded by high Hindukush peaks and is a habitat of a number of wildlife like: Kashmir Markhor, Ibex, Snow Leopard, Lynx, Chakor, Ram Chakor, Pheasant, Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal Pheasants, and a large variety of birds and wild animals. National bird of Pakistan, Chakor, National animal, Markhor and National Tree, Diyar are also found in Chitral Gol National Park.
The annual rainfall in its region is estimated to be 462 ml. In September it rains more on the spectacular peaks surrounding the park. However, in November the rainfall is more in the valleys and on the lower peaks .There is also a session of snowfall during the winter season. The snow covered white peaks also enhance the beauty till June. After which it starts melting. The general weather is cold and dry. The temperature ranges from -12.2 to 43.3 °C.
Bunni in Summer
Terich Mir
Bunni in Summer
Terich Mir
