Chitral Travel Bureau

17/07/2025

Hidden in the far north of Chitral 🇵🇰

16/07/2025

The Kalash Uchal Festival is one of the most vibrant cultural events of the Kalash community in Chitral, celebrated every year in mid-August. This traditional festival marks the harvest season, where the Kalasha people express gratitude to their gods for a fruitful yield. With joyful dances, colorful attire, and unique rituals held in the scenic valleys of Rumbur and Bumburet, Uchal offers a rare and enriching glimpse into one of the world’s oldest surviving cultures.

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📱 WhatsApp: +92 348 9163100 | +92 340 2074634
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.chitraltravel.com

15/07/2025

Chitrali dance lighting up Shandur.

11/07/2025

Strengthening Institutional Capacity for regularization of Responsible Tourism in KP

For the information of all concerned, it is to state that KP Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), in collaboration with key partner organization, successfully developed and launched an online portal along with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for foreign tourists last year. A designated Focal Person has been positioned to operationalize the system at KPCTA for over a year, ensuring the smooth facilitation to tour operators and tourists visiting KP.

We appreciate the proactive engagement of members of the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), who have effectively utilizing this facility to promote responsible tourism and coordination the movements of tourists with concerned security agencies throughout KP. It is important to note, however, that access to this portal remains restricted to authorized tour operators and licensed tour guides only. Unauthorized or unregistered entities or facebooker operators do not have access to this facility, in line with our commitment to regulated, legal, and secure tourism operations in the province.

The primary objective of establishing this system is to institutionalize a responsible and lawful tourism framework and to enhance regulatory and operational efficiency across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While some progress has been made, it is unfortunate that the critical follow-up component — capacity building of tour operators, guides and security agencies has not been fully engaged and trained to handle the mechanism in a targeted and strategic manner.

Although numerous training activities were conducted over the past year, many lacked relevance and failed to address core sector needs.
A key challenge remains the internal administrative dynamics and traditional approaches/practices within the organization, which continue to hinder effective policy ex*****on and sectoral advancement.

We strongly recommend a timely and transparent review of internal processes to realign institutional focus with KPCTA’s mandate and the broader provincial tourism vision.

We sincerely acknowledge and commend the efforts of those individuals and partner organizations who have contributed to the strengthening of KPCTA’s technical and operational capacities. Their collaboration remains vital to ensuring a resilient, responsive, and professional tourism management system in the province.
Syed Harir Shah

10/07/2025

We extend our appreciation to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) for initiating adventure tourism activities in Chitral, including the Terichmir Expedition and a three-phased trekking initiative involving 60 participants in the Hindukush region during 2025. The investment of public funds of over 400 million rupees in exploration and a proposed summit attempt on Terichmir represents a significant commitment, and we trust it is guided by a thoughtful and strategic vision.

However, it is important to clarify that the original concept—commemorating the 75th Platinum Jubilee of the first ascent of Terichmir in 1950—was never intended to be limited to adventure activities alone. It was conceived as a globally significant and scientifically grounded initiative. The core vision centered on organizing an international, multidisciplinary expedition comprising international Universities, environmental scientists, researchers, and mountaineers to study the dramatic changes in ecosystems, glaciers, water resources, and the livelihoods of highland communities since 1950.
The goal was to produce a comprehensive outlook and strategic recommendations for the next 75 years, while preserving both the ecological integrity and cultural legacy of the Hindukush mountains, which under serious threats of multiple risks relating to climate change, GLOF, could outburst and desertification.

The broader framework also envisioned collaboration with global research institution and collaboration with mountaineering and trekking organizations—including Alpine Clubs—to nominate 20 experts for intensive training programs aimed at building the capacity of local youth in the changing phenomenon of climate change.
The plan targeted five routes leading to base camps of major Seven-thousanders in the region, specially the Oveer community, preparing local guides, porters, and high-altitude service providers through certified programs. This would not only commemorate the legacy of Terichmir but also create lasting socioeconomic and tourism development opportunities in one of Pakistan’s most remote and ecologically sensitive regions.

Unfortunately, it appears that this broader and more meaningful vision has been misconstrued and, at some levels, set aside. While the current activities may generate interest and momentum, they do not appear to reflect the core purpose and commemorative essence of the 75 Years of Terichmir milestone.

We remain unaware of the clear objectives, success indicators, or long-term impact frameworks (particularly SMART indicators) that would justify and evaluate the outcomes of these high-budget interventions. In the absence of transparent planning and accountability mechanisms, concerns around performance and sustainability—particularly based on past experiences with KPCTA and STC—remain valid and unresolved.

That said, we remain optimistic that these initiatives could still evolve into more impactful and community-driven models. We strongly urge KPCTA to consider aligning the current programs with the comprehensive, inclusive, and globally relevant strategy we have carefully developed over the past three years.

There is still time to realign efforts with a legacy-focused approach—one that prioritizes ecological resilience, cultural heritage, local capacity building, and meaningful youth engagement in the highlands of Pakistan.

Syed Harir Shah

10/07/2025

The vibrant Kalash Uchal Festival is just around the corner, and this is your chance to experience one of Pakistan's most unique culural event in the heart of Kalash Valley. Join us for musice, dance, heritage, culture and inforgettable landscape.

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📞 WhatsApp us: +92 348 9163100
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.chitraltravel.com

Video Credit: onlykalash00 (tiktok)

10/07/2025

Real stories. Real experiences. Hear what our amazing customer has to say about their journey with us! 🎥✨

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📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.chitraltravel.com

10/07/2025

09/07/2025

Glaciers in Chitral 🇵🇰