Family
Swat & Kalam — 5 Days (By Road)
Swat 5 Days / 4 Nights 4.7
PKR 199,500for the group
about $718
Mahodand Lake Tour
The Lake of Fishes above Kalam — alpine waters, pine forest and Ushu valley meadows.
Published June 18, 2026 Pakistan Travellers Team 5 min read
Quick answer
How do you get to Mahodand Lake and when is it open?
Mahodand Lake, the Lake of Fishes, sits at about 2,865 m in the Ushu valley above Kalam, ringed by pine forest. Reach Kalam in 8-9 hours from Islamabad, then a 1.5-2 hour 4x4 jeep ride up the rough valley track. Pakistan Travellers includes the jeep transfer on 3-4 day Swat tours.
- Open roughly May to September; winter snow closes the upper valley.
- Wooden boat rides and trout fishing are popular at the lake.
- Usually combined with Kalam, Bahrain and Malam Jabba on a 3-4 day tour.
Mahodand Lake — the 'Lake of Fishes' — is the star of upper Swat, a clear alpine lake at around 2,865 m in the Ushu valley above Kalam, ringed by pine forest and snow peaks. Famous for trout, boating and its mirror-calm mornings, it is reached by a scenic (and bumpy) jeep track from Kalam. Our tours arrange the jeep transfer, Kalam hotels and the wider Swat itinerary so you enjoy the lake without the logistics.
Mahodand Lake tour packages: starting prices
- Swat & Kalam — 5 Days (By Road)5 days · By RoadFrom PKR 199,500 for a group of 5
| Tour | Days | Travel | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swat & Kalam — 5 Days (By Road) | 5 | By Road | PKR 199,500 for a group of 5 |
Prices are for the whole group, not per person. Air tickets on fly-in trips are quoted per seat.
About Mahodand Lake
Set at about 2,865 m in the Ushu valley, Mahodand is fed by glacial streams and surrounded by pine forest and meadows. It is a favourite for wooden-boat rides, trout fishing and picnics, with the water at its clearest and calmest early in the day. The drive up the Ushu valley is itself a highlight, passing forests and small waterfalls.
How to get there
You reach Kalam first — about 8–9 hours from Islamabad via the Swat Motorway and Bahrain. From Kalam it is a 1.5–2 hour jeep ride up the rough Ushu valley track to the lake; a 4x4 is essential. Our packages include the Swat transport and the local jeep transfer.
Best time to visit
The lake and its jeep track are open in summer, roughly May to September, when the road is clear and the meadows green. July–August is warmest; June and September are quieter. Winter snow closes the upper valley, so this is a summer trip.
Tour packages
Mahodand is usually part of a 3–4 day Swat and Kalam tour, often with Malam Jabba, Bahrain and the Swat river valley. Cost depends on group size, hotels and season; the jeep transfer is included. Share your dates and group for an all-in quote.
What's included
- Private transport with a trained mountain driver (Coaster/van for larger groups)
- Handpicked hotels — Standard, Executive, Luxury or Premium on request
- Daily breakfast
- Fuel, toll taxes & driver allowance
- Expert local guide & 24/7 on-trip support
Not included
- Lunch & dinner
- Personal expenses (shopping, tips, etc.)
- Extra activities (boating, jet ski, chairlifts)
- Travel insurance & air tickets (unless a by-air package)
BUILT AROUND YOU
Most Mahodand Lake trips are fully customised
We rarely sell a fixed, off-the-shelf tour. Instead we build each itinerary around your dates, group size, pace and budget — and confirm hotels based on live availability for your travel window. Your total package cost comes down to just two choices:
1 · Your vehicle
A private 4×4 with a trained mountain driver, sized to your group. For a smooth, comfortable mountain journey we usually recommend the Toyota Prado TZ, though the full range — from sedans to Land Cruisers, Grand Cabins and Coasters — is available depending on your group size.
2 · Your hotel standard
Choose from four tiers — Standard, Executive, Luxury and Premium. Same route, elevated comfort at each step. Premium and 5★ stays such as Shangrila, Broqand other resorts deliver the best locations and views; these raise the total but are worth it for a special trip.
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Why Pakistan Travellers
Pakistan's Most Trusted Mountain Tour Operator
From your first WhatsApp message to final drop-off, we handle every detail so you can focus on the experience of a lifetime.
13+ Years in Business
Operating Northern Pakistan tours since 2013. One of the most experienced GB operators.
1,000+ Travellers Hosted
Families, couples and corporate groups guided across the Karakoram since 2013.
FBR Registered
A registered business invoicing under a company account. Travel insurance is not included — every package lists it under exclusions, and we recommend you arrange your own.
On-Ground Teams in GB
Resident teams in Hunza and Skardu give you real-time road updates and same-day pivots.
24/7 On-Trip Support
While you are travelling, the WhatsApp line is answered around the clock — usually inside five minutes.
Drivers Who Live These Roads
Gilgit-Baltistan locals who run the Karakoram Highway, the Deosai crossing and the Raikot jeep track year-round.
Women & Family-Friendly
Every trip is private — your own vehicle and driver, never a shared coach. Child-friendly hotels, and the pace is planned around the youngest and oldest in the group.
30-Min WhatsApp Confirmation
Book online and receive your confirmed itinerary on WhatsApp within 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the Ushu valley above Kalam in upper Swat, at about 2,865 m — reached by jeep from Kalam.
Reach Kalam (8–9 hours from Islamabad), then take a 1.5–2 hour 4x4 jeep up the rough Ushu valley track. We include the jeep transfer.
Summer, roughly May to September, when the track is open and the valley green. Winter snow closes access.
Yes — wooden boat rides and trout fishing are popular. We can arrange both in season.
Yes. Most trips pair Mahodand with Kalam, Bahrain and Malam Jabba on a 3–4 day Swat tour.
Our Mahodand Lake trip is PKR 199,500 for a group of 5 (Swat & Kalam — 5 Days (By Road), 5 days). Prices are for the whole group, not per person, and change with the season, hotel tier and group size. Air tickets, where a trip flies, are quoted per seat.