Indus Kohistan

Indus or Abaseen Kohistan is a distant district of Pakistan’s province Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK). It is stretching over 34.40 to 30.35 longitude and 50.2 to 75.30 latitude. The district of Kohistan has an area of 7581 square kilometers.

Greek historians Herodotus and Ptolemy named Kohistani areas “Diokaie”. Naran Valley, Andrak, Chor’s mountains, Swat Valley, Nanga Parbat’s area Chilas, Tangir, and Darel set its natural boundary. The climate in the upper and central areas of Kohistan is pleasant in summer and extremely cold in winter.

There is heavy snowfall in the upper regions. The temperature here is below the freezing point. The lower areas that are near the River Indus are too hot and cold in summer and winter respectively. Jalkot, Harban, Palis, Pattan, Khandiya, and Dabir are central areas.

Details of District Indus Kohistan – KPK

Sites near Indus Kohistan

1- Pattan

The river Indus confluence with the river Chowadara and Palas in this fertile area which is 42km from Besham. One can reach Dabir, Kial Valley, Besham, and Komala via Pattan. There is an inscription in the memory of martyrs near the Petrol Pump. Please pray for the souls who sacrificed their lives for our future.

2- Dasu-Komala

Pattan is 36km forward to Komala. Two cities connect Karakoram Highway (Silk Route) between Besham and Chilas. In them, district Dasu is the central headquarter of Kohistan. There are government offices and rest houses. While Komala is the trade center. The river and mountains turn themselves from Dasu.

3- Seo Mosque

This mosque is located in Seo Village near the district capital Dasu. This 250-year-old historical mosque is constructed with wood pillars and beams. The beauty of the mosque is enhanced by engraving beautiful designs on the wood. It is a place of cultural representation in the district of Dasu. Its best trail is from Komala.

4- Shatial and the Indus rock carvings

Beyond Sazin, there are statements in Logrian, Kharoshti, and Barahmen languages inscribed on various stones. These statements belong from the third to the seventh A.D. and before Christ. Some places have engravings of wild animals, Hunn, Sogairin, Moon Idol, and Buddha Stupa.

You will have to cross the bridge on the left side of the river to see the pictures that are 1000 to 5000 years old before Christ. You can also buy local handicrafts from a nearby village.

To give these their proper name: this is one of the most important concentrations of
rock carvings and petroglyphs in South Asia. Tens of thousands of carvings
and inscriptions are cut into the boulders along this stretch of the Indus, left by
travellers, traders, pilgrims and invaders over roughly two thousand years, because this
gorge was the only practical route between the subcontinent and Central Asia.

The Shatial site is the best known, with Sazin and
Thor nearby, all of them strung along the
Karakoram Highway. The inscriptions are in Kharoshthi, Brahmi and
Sogdian, which is itself the evidence of who was passing through, and the images run from
ibex and hunting scenes to stupas and standing Buddhas.

They are also under threat. Road widening has already destroyed carvings, and the Diamer
Bhasha dam will submerge a large number of the remaining ones. If you are travelling the
Karakoram Highway and have any interest in this, see them now rather than later.

5- Darel Valley

This beautiful Valley is 82km northwest of Chilas Valley. A jeep track from Shatial Bridge will take you to Darel Valley. It is the administrative headquarter of Gumary Valley.

It is the biggest center of archaeological remains and therefore the archaeological department is there too. Manikal is its central area. The signs of Buddha University are a few distances from Mazot. Mahatma Buddha pictures are carved on large heavy stones.

There are archaeological traces in the Sonikot and Lolokot too. Gomaray has ancient traces and the rest houses. Chinese Tourists Faseen (430) and Yaun Xeng (630) have visited Darel Valley. One can book a PWD rest house from Chilas and Gilgit.

6- Harban

There are the names of Buddha Monks on the stones near Harban and in Menargah, Thor, Hod, and Getch on both sides of Karakoram Highway.

How the district is organised

One point of confusion worth clearing up. What this guide calls Indus Kohistan was a single
district that has since been split into three: Upper Kohistan
with its headquarters at Dasu, Lower Kohistan with its headquarters at Pattan,
and Kolai-Palas. Older sources, road signs and most travel writing still refer
to the whole area simply as Kohistan, and it remains a single place in every practical sense,
but the district names you will see on official maps have changed.

The languages reflect how isolated the side valleys are. Indus Kohistani is
the main one, spoken in Pattan, Ranolia, Jijal, Duber, Kandia, Seo, Komila and Bankad, with
Shina and Pashto alongside it. Several of these valleys have
their own distinct speech, which is unusual even by the standards of northern Pakistan.

Getting there and when to go

Kohistan is not a destination you detour to. It is the stretch of the
Karakoram Highway that everyone heading to Gilgit, Hunza or Skardu drives
through, running up the Indus gorge between Besham and Chilas. Dasu and Pattan
are both on the highway, and almost everything in this guide is within sight of it.

The practical consequence is that you do not organise transport to Kohistan; you organise it
through Kohistan. Coaches between Rawalpindi and Gilgit stop at the main towns, and a hired car
is the sensible option if you want to stop at the carving sites, which buses will not do.

The season runs roughly April to October. The gorge is low enough to stay open
in winter, but the risk changes rather than disappearing: this stretch of the highway is one of
the most landslide-prone in Pakistan, and rockfall after rain closes it
regularly for hours or days. In the monsoon, between July and September, treat any schedule
that depends on crossing Kohistan on a fixed day as optimistic. Travel this section in
daylight, which is the standard advice for the whole highway and applies here more than
anywhere.

See our month by month seasonal guide for how this fits a wider trip, and
our guide to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the province around it.

FAQs

1. Where is District Indus Kohistan located in Pakistan?

District Indus Kohistan is situated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province in the northern areas of Pakistan.

2. What is the geography of Indus Kohistan?

The district is characterized by mountainous terrain and is traversed by the Indus River, which adds to its picturesque natural beauty.

3. What is the population of District Indus Kohistan?

The district had an approximate population of 200,000 residents.

4. What are the major languages spoken in Indus Kohistan?

The primary languages are Pashto and Hindko, with regional dialects like Shina also being spoken by some communities.

5. Are there any notable tourist attractions in Indus Kohistan?

While not a major tourist destination, Indus Kohistan offers natural beauty, serene rivers, valleys, and breathtaking landscapes for those seeking a quieter, off-the-beaten-path experience.

6. What is the climate like in the district?

The region experiences a cold and temperate climate with heavy snowfall during the winter months, making it particularly challenging to access in those times.

7. Are there educational institutions and healthcare facilities in Indus Kohistan?

Educational institutions are limited in the district, and basic healthcare facilities can be found in major towns. However, it’s important to be aware of the limited resources available.

8. What are the local dishes or cuisine specialties in Indus Kohistan?

The cuisine in Indus Kohistan typically features dishes with a focus on lamb and rice, reflecting the local culinary traditions.

9. Can tourists explore the cultural heritage of Indus Kohistan?

Yes, the district has a rich cultural heritage, and you can experience local festivals and traditions that reflect the Pashtun culture.

10. How can one reach Indus Kohistan, and is it easily accessible?

The district has a limited road network, and there are no airports. Traveling to Indus Kohistan can be a bit challenging, and it’s advisable to plan your journey accordingly.

Last Thoughts on Indus Kohistan

Almost everyone who sees Kohistan sees it through a car window on the way somewhere else, and
that is a shame, because the boulders beside the road carry two thousand years of graffiti left
by everyone who ever used this route. The Buddhist pilgrims, the Sogdian traders and the
armies all stopped in the same gorge and cut something into the same rock.

Break the drive at Dasu or Pattan rather than pushing through to Chilas, give an afternoon to
the carvings at Shatial, and travel the section in daylight. For the wider route north, see our
guides to the Karakoram Highway and to
planning a trip to Pakistan.

In short

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is enriched with historical sites, ancient archaeological remains, splendid landmarks, and high mountains. Indus Kohistan is one of the historical towns of KPK. Dasu, Komala, Darel Valley and Seo Mosque, are beautiful historical spots.