Upper Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Upper Dir (ضلع دیر بالا )

Upper Dir (ضلع دیر بالا ) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan is the region of the Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The height of Upper Dir is 4,660 ft. This region is full of fascinating natural man-made, and heritage objects which attract tourists. The Upper Dir is also called Dir Bala.

Swat is located East and Chitral Northwest of Upper Dir. Dir was a princely state during the independence of Pakistan and was ruled by Prince Shah Jehan Khan. The unification of the Dir region took place in 1969 and later became the KPK region in 1970. In 1996 the Dir region was divided into two districts, Lower Dir and Upper Dir. Actually, Dir was a princely state until 1948. However, Dir Khas is also a city and district headquarter of Upper Dir.

The Terrain of Upper Dir is mostly comprised of high mountains of the Hindu Kush range, which are towering on the northern border of the Chitral region. All the mountains sleep under a blanket of snow-white from October to April. However, from May to September the ice melts and produces more water for the plains of KPK and there are other areas near the Panjkora River. The Upper Dir Mountains are located in the wettest region which is a major cause of vegetation and forestry in this area. The other important thing is that Pakistan has only four regions famous for Alpine Forest and Dir is one of them. The other Alpine forest regions are Chitral, Swat, and Gilgit.

"Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit Upper Dir to see a natural beauty and to celebrate their holidays."

The Sub-Divisions (Tehsils) of District Upper Dir

Upper Dir is divided into 6 Tehsils consisting of 32 Union councils. The Upper Dir is a constituency of NA-5 of the National Assembly of Pakistan. In addition, the 03 Provinces' constituencies are PK-91, PK-92, and PK-93.

• Khas Dir

• Wari

• Sheringal

• Kalkot

• Barawal Bandi

• Khal

River Panjkora In Kumrat Valley

Thick Alpine Forest near Thal

Mesmerizing Kumrat Valley, Katora Lake, Kumrat Waterfall and the famous Lowari Pass with its tunnel are also located in the northern part of the Upper Dir region.

The Lowari Tunnel Upper Dir region connects the beautiful Chitral region with KPK. It is worth mentioning that Chitral is very famous for the Shandur Polo Festival with its amazing beauty and rich culture. The Panjkora River also flows in the region from the Hindu Kush mountains. likewise, many other beautiful valleys, high peaks, lakes, waterfalls, dense forests, and orchards are located in the Upper Dir.

"High-quality Walnut Trees are cultivated in large amounts in Upper Dir. Walnut is an Iconic Dry Fruit of Upper Dir"

"Dir region is also very famous for delicious and tasty "Red Blood Oranges" and almost five types of oranges are produced in Rabat (now in Lower Dir) and Khal of Upper Dir"

Shrubs and Bushes grew up along the banks of the River Panjkora tributary

in a forest just below Badgoi Pass along Thal-Utror Road

Top Attractions for Tourists in Upper Dir

• Kumrat Valley

• Kumrat Waterfall

• Kala Chashma Kumrat Valley

• Tory Oba Kumrat Valley

• Katora Lake

• Panjkora River

• Lowari Pass

• Dojanga

• Saidgai Danda

• Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal

How to reach Upper Dir

The 1st shortest, easiest, and most enjoyable route to Upper Dir from Islamabad is through M1, M16, and N45. The total distance is about 305 Km and it takes almost six hours to reach Upper Dir.

Major cities on the route from Islamabad to Upper Dir are Taxila, Hasana abdal, Swabi, Mardan, Batkhela, Timergara, Wari, Sahibabad, Darora, Gandigar, and Chukiatan. You will see the fascinating Panjkora River and its zig-zag along the N45 highway behind the village of Ziarat Talash in the Lower Dir region.

The 2nd approach to Upper Dir is from the Kalam by crossing the Badgoi Pass. The main towns on this route are Gabral and Utror. You will get tired because the road is difficult, but the beautiful scenery along the way, the towering mountains, the roaring river, and the thundering pine trees will take away all your tiredness.

"Shahi Bagh Kalam is also located near Gabral in 10 km North West. Beautiful streams of water attract the trail."

Badgoi Pass which is also located on this route at a height of 11,558 feet and after passing it you will enter into district Upper Dir.

A Photo Trailer review of Upper Dir

Badgoi Pass and Meadows are a chill Place

The Badgoi pass is the border between the Swat district and the Upper Dir District. It has many grasslands, beautiful hills, and small valleys. It has been covered with snow all year long.

The distance from Kalam to Dir Bala is 119 Kilometers and it takes about 5 hours to reach Dir Bala. Major towns along this 2nd route are Utror or Utrar, Gabral, Thal or Tall, Biar, Kalkot, and Sheringal.

"Kumrat valley and Katora Lake of Upper Dir District were the most visited locations in 2019-2020"

Panjkora River near Thal Town

The eye-catching view of Kumrat Valley from Thal

Beautiful Mountains of Kumrat Valley at the rear of Thal

Other Top Famous Places To visit in Upper Dir

• Khas Dir

• Laram Top

• Sheringal

• Kumrat Valley

• Kalkot

• Wari

• Ben Shahi

• Usheri

• Barawal

• Darora

• Gandigar

• Chumra

• Katan

• Toormang

• Thal (Tall)

• Qashkaray

• Shahi Koto

• Ganori

• Khaal or Khall

• Nowra

• Sahib Abad

The Famous A-framed huts of Said Nawab in the Camping area of the Wadi Kumrat or Kumrat Valley nearby Panjkora River are very attractive to tourists. This location is feasible for photography due to the hut's shape and color. (Average fare of Said Nawab Huts is 1000 per person per night).

Stretched Beauty of Panjkora River In Kumrat Valley

The thick Deodar Forest In Kumrat Valley is a major attraction

Hotels, Resorts, and Food in Upper Dir

There are state-of-the-art and cheap restaurants, hotels, resorts, fast restaurants, local restaurants, barbecue, and grill points spread across the length and breadth of the region, especially along the river Panjkora. Prominent food of this region is Tikka, Bar B Que, Grill Fish, Seekh Kabab, Chapali Kabab, Chicken Karahi, Mutton Karahi, Biryani, Kabli Pulao, Green Tea, Herbal Tea, Chai Paratha, Halwa, Milk Tea and Lassi (a yogurt made drink flavored with salt or sugar).

Moreover, some other special local stuff like Samosa, Pakora, Jalebi, and Boiled or Fried Corn on the Cob (چھلی) are also very delicious food served to guests. One night stay fare for a single bedroom in the Restaurants / Resorts ranges from 1000 to 8000 PKR. Three-star grading hotels are also available. Online reservation is also available for many restaurants and resorts. However, hotels and Resorts are not over-packed in a season like other tourists spot of KPK like, Swat valley, Kaghan Valley, Murree, and Skardu.

List of Top 10 Hotels & Resorts in Upper Dir

• Panjkora Hotel and Resort Kumrat Valley

• Waterfall Resort Kumrat valley

• Dhaleez Resort Kumrat

• Four Season Hotel and Restaurant Sheringal

• Dir Continental Hotel and Restaurant Dir

• Lowari Gateway Hotel Dir

• Sindh Hotel Dir

• Hotel Al Manzar Dir

• River Beach hotel and Restaurant Dir

• Zam Zam Hotel and Restaurant Gandigar

• Marhaba Hotel Barawal Bandi

• Shalimar Hotel and Restaurant Wari Dir Bala

Important Information about Dir

• Another name for Dir Valley: Kashkar

• Area: 5,282 Km Square

• What is Dir Famous for Alpine Forest, Walnut, and Oranges

• Population: Upper Dir 946, 421, Lower Dir 1.43 Million

• Postal Code: 18000

• Nawab of Dir : Nawab Shah Jehan (1925-1960)

Top Qualities of Upper Dir's People

The people of Dir are very simple, cordial, and hospitable. They are a hard worker. Especially the poor, despite poverty being the biggest problem in the region, are still loyal, loving, and resilient. They wore Shalwar, Qameez, and chadar, and in some places, men wore a local turban as a hat. The main profession of people is farming. Maize and wheat are the two main crops and local rice is the third crop grown in other parts of the Dir region.

However, the other main income source is the construction industry and people also work on daily wages as labor. A large part of the population works abroad like in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait. The literacy, rate of Upper Dir is 21.60% which stands at 22nd out of 24 districts of KPK.

Finally, I can say that Upper Dir is a place you should not pass over to visit. Prior to visiting the whole Dir, you may see some of the most famous places. One of the most important places is the Dir Museum located in Chakdara also. Known as the Chakdara Museum, is designed to preserve the ancient Dir heritage which was the home of the famous Gandharan civilization. The second is the historic Churchill's Picket, also found in Malakand at the mouth of the Dir Valley. It reminds me of the conflict between the British Army and the Pashtun Tribes in 1898.

Your Experience would be true, "UNFORGETTABLE"

Note: W.S Churchill has worked as a writer and chief of staff in the controversy. All aspects of the conflict of 1898 are described in his book "The Story of the Malakand Field Force (1897)".

The region of Upper Dir is home to numerous hidden gems, much like the stunning Machai Sar Meadows, which offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and trekkers alike. You can learn about best all-time tourists practices before starting your tour. When planning a trip, knowing the safest destinations is essential. Several cities in Pakistan have been recognized for their security and hospitality, as discussed in Top Safest Cities for Tourists in Pakistan, making them ideal choices for travelers.