Travelling to Chitral From Gilgit | Views of Phander Lake on the way | Sherin Zada | Part 1

Part 1} The NATCO runs bus service from Gilgit to Chitral which takes about 12 hrs over Shandur pass .
The winding road from Gilgit to Chitral is traversed by many, but savored by few. Poplar-lined pathways, brilliant turquoise waters, hospitable Ismaili people; these are but a few of the reasons you should take your time along the road.
A plethora of villages line the way from Shandur Pass to Gilgit, but none are so picturesque as Phander (pronounced “fun-der”), a small village in the eponymous Phander Valley.
I meant to visit Phander for two or three days… and what began as two days turned into five nights! Every day, there was another reason to stay: new people coming to say hello and speak with me for hours, fishing excursions along Phander’s famous trout-filled waterways, motorbike adventures to nearby villages. I could’ve easily whiled away a few more days if my time wasn’t limited, and I know I’ll be back one day.
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to put up your feet in Gilgit Baltistan, Phander is the place. Here’s a quick Phander Valley travel guide to make your trip as smooth as possible.
visiting Phander is limited to April – October. Hotels will not be open outside of that window of time.
If you want to enjoy Phander without losing a few fingers, July/August is the best time to visit. Cherries, apricots, and mulberries will be in season, and the fishing season will be in full swing.
The downside: June-August is high season for domestic tourists. Though Phander isn’t as popular as other locations in Gilgit Baltistan, the reach of Pakistani tourists grows with each passing year, and Phander will only become more popular with time.
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