Mohsin Khawar Photography
Photographer / Architect / Creative Director / Travel Blogger
KALAM VALLEY PAKISTAN
Posted on September 1, 2020
Hello Friends!
I recently visited Kalam Valley which is located in Swat district of Pakistan for the first time and what a visual treat it was. Thankfully there is an expressway to Swat and the new road from Bahrain to Kalam is also built, which makes your travel super easy. But the major highlight on this trip for me was extremely hospitable and friendly people, who will offer you tea, food and free stay. They are extremely helpful in guiding you and will even stop their vehicles for tourists. I was traveling with my family and had no issues whatsoever.
Since tourism is actually booming in Pakistan, i experienced some good hotels in Swat (Mingora) and Kalam. One can stop by at Mingora, a fully developed city, for a break if needed before heading towards Kalam. On your way, do not miss stopping by all river side chai (tea) dhaabas.
You can make a base at Kalam and then take jeep tours to places like Shahi Bagh and Kumrat. I will advise not to take your own car to such places even if its a 4×4 because the tracks are rocky, but worth it. You can easily get jeeps with drivers from Kalam. One important thing is to keep some cash because there is no ATM in Kalam. Last ATM you can get is at Madyen on your way. I hope the government or banks will work on it because i foresee a lot of tourism happening in this region. I would also like to request the authorities to place as many dustbins as they can to keep Kalam clean and ask the restaurants not to litter the rivers.
Over all, what a wonderful experience to explore these scenic places full of kind people, amazing food (don’t miss the river fresh trout) and breathtaking visuals. I hope you will enjoy the photographs that i took!
Long Live Pakistan!
Love,
Mohsin Khawar
Writing from Pakistan (Sept 2020)
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Naples – Italy
Posted on January 31, 2020
Naples, Italy – Travel photographs by Mohsin Khawar
Available on Shutterstock and Istock by Getty Images for purchase.
Links in the About section of this website.
Venice, Italy – The City Of Canals
Posted on December 17, 2019
Venice, Italy – Travel photographs by Mohsin Khawar
PAKISTAN – Best Holiday Destination For 2020 says Condé Nast Traveller
Posted on December 15, 2019
Best Holiday Destination For 2020 says Conde Nast Traveller
“The adventure traveller’s must-visit goes from strength to strength
Thwarted by tales of terrorism and Taliban rule, Pakistan’s tourism industry has been stymied for the past two decades. But ancient valleys, relaxed visa restrictions and a high-profile royal visit in the offing mean this remarkable country is finally getting the focus it deserves.
Because this is a place of exquisite landscapes, where green spaces are overlooked by towering mountains. In fact, Pakistan has more peaks taller than 22,965ft than China and Nepal combined, making it an almost magnetic spot for adventure travellers and intrepid hikers. Visitors can follow in Michael Palin’s steps while traversing the 12,250ft Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo field, or meet with the Kalash people of the Hindu Kush, famed for their cowrie-shell headdresses and brighter-than-bright embroidery. In Lahore, the sight of 100,000 worshippers crammed into the sandstone 17th-century Badshahi Mosque will leave you breathless, while Mughal-era architectural masterpieces stand resplendent on bustling street corners.
‘Having operated tours in Pakistan since the late 1990s, I’ve had a ringside seat to its troubled tourism industry, but finally it seems to be improving,’ says Jonny Bealby, founder and CEO of adventure-tour operator Wild Frontiers. ‘A focus on security measures, which saw the British FCO lift its advice against travel to large parts of the north, and the election of Imran Khan, who has vowed to increase international tourist numbers, has already had an impact,’ he says.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are also due to visit this Autumn to witness the magic of the mountains first-hand, while many of the frustrating permits previously required to travel here have been dropped. Hardy visitors will find that little has changed since Mughal times – with the peaks’ gemstone mines, fairy meadows and winding trails worn into the ground by heavy-laden yaks – while the Karokoram, stretching upwards from the north-west frontier and carved into the ancient bedrock, is one of the world’s most astonishing highways.”
Source: http://www.cntraveller.com
Florence, Italy.
Posted on October 27, 2019
Florence, Italy. – Travel photographs of Mohsin Khawar.
Available on Shutterstock and Istock by Getty Images for purchase.
Links in the About section of this website.
Praha
Posted on June 9, 2019
Prague, Czech Republic.
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and at https://www.shutterstock.com/g/mohsinkhawar
Kalash Girl
Posted on May 29, 2019
When i first started photography as a hobby in 2006 during my architecture school, my first travel destination was Kalash Valley KPK, Pakistan. I had an analog camera on which i was practicing variants of shutter speed and aperture values. This photograph was one of my first shots and i named it ‘Kalash Girl‘ (inspired by Steve McCurry’s Afghan Girl).
This was exposed on a film and then scanned to make a digital copy. The quality of this photograph might not be great but it’s close to my heart as it did kickstart an endless journey of passion and joy for me. From that day, i haven’t stopped or looked back. Still trying to learn and improve my skill of capturing ‘photo’, which we also know as ‘light’!
Pakistan Tourism
Posted on January 28, 2019
Scenic and cultural beauty of Pakistan is no doubt a treat for any tourist!
Visit Pakistan this year to enjoy mountains and plains of Gilgit/Hunza and KPK, ancient civilization and deserts of Sindh, historical culture and food of Punjab and not to forget the virgin beaches of beautiful Gawadar!
- Excellent hotels everywhere for an average USD 100-200 per night
- Base cities can be Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Hunza and Peshawar
- Best food you will get in this region be it Pakistani, Thai, Chinese, Continental or Fast Food
- History includes centuries old Forts, Mosques, Shrines and architecture
- Uber/Careem services all over Pakistan
- Domestic flights operating from Hunza till Gawadar
- Oldest Kalasha tribe in Chitral is a major tourist attraction along with scenic beauty of Hunza/Skardu
- Helpful and courteous locals
- Also welcoming religious tourism for Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus
- One of the finest cloth and handicrafts markets on cheap rates
- E-Visa and Visa on Arrival for many foreigners
So this summer, choose Pakistan and enjoy nature to the utmost!
Mohsin Khawar Photography 