Shoulder: Siran Valley is situated in the district of Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Its name comes from the Siran River, which flows through the valley.
Blurb: Siran Valley can be approached through the Hazara Expressway, and Dadar can be considered as the base camp for the trip. You can exit from Shinkiari and move to Siran Valley via Dadar.
Blurb: Investors are attracted to Siran Valley, and they have bought thousands of acres of canal land in this valley to build tourist resorts. This investment would bring bounties for the local community as tourism boosts local economic activity.
By Quratul Ain
Mountain regions and hilly areas of Pakistan are great attractions for nature lovers. In the summer vacations, tourists across the country flow into these areas. Some of such destinations lure tourists more than the capacity they bear to host such tourists properly. The young frequent travelers satiate their thirst for new landscapes by exploring new destinations in the remote regions of Pakistan. Later on, investment in infrastructure is attracted.
There is a dire need to explore, develop, and promote new mountain destinations for sustainable tourism. The proper planning of new tourist destinations would not only regulate tourists but also generate economic activities for the marginalized communities who are unable to benefit from urban employment opportunities. Ganga Choti, Toli Peer, Lasdana, and Kumrat are some of examples of the increasing flow of tourists day by day but little planned infrastructure development is witnessed. However, reasonable tourist facilities are developed to accommodate tourists visiting across the country.
Siran Valley is one such emerging tourist destination. It is situated in the district of Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Siran Valley’s name comes from the Siran River, which flows through the valley. The older name of this beautiful valley was Dara Bhogarmang, after the name of Bhogarmang village, located in the center of the valley.
In this valley, one may enjoy the most serene experience of life; surrounded by lush green hills and mountains. The climate of this valley remains mild and pleasant throughout the year, but due to its higher altitude, winter becomes pretty cold here, with temperatures falling below the freezing level.
Siran Valley can be approached through the Hazara Expressway, and Dadar can be considered the base camp for the trip. You can exit from Shinkiari and move to Siran Valley via Dadar. Dadar is about 180 kilometers from Islamabad via the Hazara Motorway. It is the best place to stay, as reasonable and affordable hotels are available here. You can walk or hike around the areas in lush green forests, fields, or banks of the river Siran. You can explore the ancient villages and take in the culture of this majestic place.
There is a Siran Lake Resort where zip lines, boats, swings, and other recreational activities can be enjoyed. A lot of local tourists are witnessed visiting this Park. We also saw reasonable domestic tourists flow pouring into the valley by their own vehicles and even through public transport. The public transport runs from Shinkiari to Mudaghucha and charges Rs. 200/-.
It is a perfect tourist spot for those who enjoy nature; one can explore a lot and enjoy the best time in this valley. The valley is considered one of the most charming places, with famous spots like Chukro Peaks, Baleja Meadows, Aram Gali, and much more. Siran Valley offers many activities that can keep you busy during your visit. You can go trekking to explore the rich forests, hike through the meadows, and camp in nature’s lap.
If you are looking for comfortable accommodation here, there are several hotels in nearby towns. About 9 km from KKH, Dadar has reasonable accommodation facilities. It can be considered the gateway to this valley. I stayed in the Al-Shola Tourist Hotel (0341-0253336), which has recently been built. A good place, especially for families. It has large family rooms from 3 to 5 beds with a lobby, kitchen, lawn, and wide parking facilities. They do not charge for additional mattresses. The staff is cooperative. A serviceman is available. During the off-season, it charges Rs. 5000/- and during season upto R.8000/- per night. It is an excellent place to stay. We enjoyed our stay here. Nearby hotels are Lahore Guest House (0349-6016929), and Summer Land Hotel (0315-4145473). These hotels charge between Rs. 5000 and Rs. 6000 for standard rooms with twin or double beds. When compared to the Al-Shola Tourist Hotel, these two hotels have better furnishings, but their rooms, lobby, and lawn areas are smaller. There is a Rest House of the Forest Department, available for tourists, as well (0341-9221420). Their fees range from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4500. As you move forward, you will find Pine Valley View Hotel in Bhogarbang village (0300-5870333). They price also ranges from Rs.3000/- to Rs.4500/- per night.
On the way to Munda Guchah, the metaled road, you can witness awesome views. About a 45-minute drive from Dadar, you will reach Munda Guchah. There are three small guest houses, namely Ali, Gill, and Basara, with small rooms and common washrooms. Usually, trekkers stay while going to trek Musa Ka Musla and explore more beautiful valleys. These hotels charge around Rs. 1500/- for a room and discount if the group is of bigger size.
In short, Siran Valley is a good place for tourists to visit in the summer season. Investors are also being attracted and they have bought thousands of kanals land in this valley to build tourist resorts. This investment would bring bounties for the local community as tourism boosts local economic activity. However, the planned development of tourism infrastructure will ensure sustainability and will attract more tourists. I strongly recommend families to visit this valley. Youth found of hiking, trekking and adventure will also find a lot of valleys and treks to be explored and enjoyed. So plan your trip to Siran Valley this summer season.
