Oshneer view guest house parwak

Getting to Chitral

Chitral Airport lies about 4.2 km in a straight line from the centre of Chitral town, and the small airport handles flights from Peshawar and Islamabad when weather allows. Flights are often cancelled in cloud or wind, so it is sensible to allow spare days in any plan built around flying in or out.

By road, arrivals usually continue on the mountain roads that serve the district. A tunnel now runs under the pass and shortens the journey, though the road can still close in winter. From the south, another road comes up the Chitral River from the direction of Timergara and Dir. Conditions on either approach can change with the season, so it is worth checking before setting out.

Around Chitral

In Chitral, the town stands on the Chitral River at roughly 1,500 m, in the far north-west of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the administrative centre of Chitral district and the main base for the valleys around it: a low river town in a high mountain district, where people come in from side valleys to trade and use the hospital and schools. Chitral is known for polo, and the game is played in the town and in the valleys.

Around Chitral, the Kalash Valleys lie in the south of the district. Within the town itself, a morning can start at the bazaar, then continue up to the fort and the mosque. In the afternoon, a walk along the river or a visit to the polo ground, where matches are played in season, fills the rest of the day.

Chitral through the year

In Chitral, the best months to visit are May, June, July, August and September, with April and October good and March and November possible. January, February and December are the off season. Winters are cold, with snow on the surrounding slopes, and the town is quiet. The road can still close in winter, so conditions are worth checking before travelling.

Places to stay in Chitral: what to expect

Guest houses in Chitral are also listed in a fair number, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking, most list a garden and a 24-hour front desk, and many list free Wi-Fi and a restaurant. Some list breakfast, family rooms and a shuttle service, and a few list a kitchen, room service or a swimming pool. The family rooms and gardens suit families, while the parking and front desk help those arriving by road.

Hotels in Chitral are listed in a fair number, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, many list a restaurant and a shuttle service, and some list free Wi-Fi and breakfast. A few list a garden or a swimming pool. The parking and front desk suit drivers and families who want a restaurant on hand and a desk that stays open through the night.

Resorts and lodges in Chitral form a small group, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, many list breakfast, a shuttle service and a garden. They suit travellers who want a garden setting and parking, with breakfast commonly available and a front desk that stays open through the night.

Staying in Chitral: questions