Kumrat is a forested valley in Upper Dir that became popular almost overnight, and the road has not entirely caught up. The drive is long and the last section is rough.
The route
From Islamabad take the Swat Motorway to Chakdara, continue to Dir, and turn up the valley through Sheringal to Thal. From Thal into the valley itself the track is unpaved; most visitors switch to a local jeep for the final stretch, or travel in a high-clearance 4x4.
When to go
June to September. Outside these months snow and mud make the upper valley difficult, and many camps close.
Which car
A Prado, Land Cruiser or Fortuner to Thal. Your driver arranges a local jeep where the track demands it.
