MANSEHRA: The scenic Phulviar valley, which is home to the high-altitude Dudipatsar and Sirah lakes, is largely an unexplored tourist destination.

“Phulviar in Balakot tehsil has exotic landscape and is completely free from pollution as only trekkers and nature lovers go there and that, too, on horses or by foot,” Sahibzada Jawad Alfaizi told Dawn on Tuesday after a visit to the valley.

He said the valley stood in the Himalaya mountainous range at an altitude of 15,700 feet above the sea, bordered Kaghan valley and was known for exotics flora and fauna species.

“I trekked six to seven hours continuously to reach Dudipatsar Lake from Bassal area on Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road near Babusar Top,” he said.

Mr Alfaizi said the people went to the Phulviar valley to see lush green meadows and streams originating from the glaciers.

He said the tourists hired horse groomers for the entire trip, which was mostly of two days from Bassal area and took rest or spent night at Mulla Di Basti, where nomads offered them tents and traditional food.

“Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif visited Phulviar valley’s lakes by helicopter along with family whenever he came to Kaghan. He loved their soothing environment and beauty,” said Hussain Deen, the chairman of the Kaghan Hoteliers Association.

He said nomads, who moved to the valley in the summer, welcomed tourists with tents and delicious saag (greens), lassi (buttermilk) and chutney in Mulla Di Basti area.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2021