Swaik Lake had been on my list for a long time but without much information available on the net I was a bit apprehensive. All this changed when I saw the post from Falcon Tours about a trip to Swaik Lake on the last Sunday of May. I called them up to confirm my place for the trip but was informed that there are not enough people who have signed up and trip might not happen (at least not from Islamabad). At this point my entrepreneurial skills kicked in and I proposed that I could take up to 3 people from Islamabad in my own car and we can share the fuel cost. After some deliberations the proposal was accepted and we were asked to meet up at the Falcon office in G-11/3 at 8:00 am on Sunday.
Getting up early on Sunday is not exactly my cup of tea but I managed to arrive at the Falcon office by around 8:15 am. There were 3 people who were waiting for the ride and after loading all the essentials required for the trip we were on our way. We reached Kallar Kahar in about 1 hour 30 minutes where we had a small break for tea. This also allowed the team from Lahore to join us. At around 11:30 am we were on our way towards Swaik via Choa Saidan Shah Road. After traveling for about half an our we were at the trail head that leads to the Swaik Lake.
The hike to the Swaik Lake is quite similar to the hike to Neela Wahan although the level of difficulty is a bit higher. The trail is quite wide for about 10 to 15 minutes after which it narrows down and steeply declines towards the gorge that encapsulates the lake. A further 30 minutes on this trail and we were down to the base and the lake was right in front. The lake has become quite a popular place in recent times and there were about 100 odd people enjoying the cool waters of this lake.
We spent about 3-4 hours at the lake swimming, cliff diving and enjoying the delicious BBQ that Falcon folks had prepared. Our guide Mr. Mehmood was quite a pleasant company and we enjoyed the stories he had to tell about his various trips. The group from Lahore as well as the 3 folks travelling with me were quite a friendly bunch and we bonded quite well. In between all these activities I had enough time to read one chapter of my book “Karachi – Our Stories”. After drying out our clothes and collecting the trash we decided to head back to where our cars were parked. The return journey was a bit more taxing as we now had to climb up and out of the gorge.
All in all it was a very memorable journey and I made a lot of friends. The only sore point was that the place was not as clean as I would have liked it to be. We plan to arrange a special trip in which we will go there equipped with garbage bags and clean up the place ourselves!
General Directions
For Detailed Directions Click Here
June 1, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Good write up
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June 1, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Its good that you have indicated the location? what’s the depth of lake? it seems that there would be a seasonal waterfall as well. Is it possible for a person to make plan on his own?
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June 1, 2015 at 7:32 pm
Depth is kinda unknown to me but its way past 6 feet. Im 6 feet and I tried touching the floor with my feet but I couldnt. I saw few locals diving from around 40 feet and they were coming out alive. Yes you can definitely make plans on your own but beware of the locals. Our group leader asked us not to get involved in any activities with them and keep to ourselves. I have detailed google coordinates of the trek and location with me if u contact me via e mail I can send them to you.
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June 2, 2015 at 4:05 am
I would guess that the lake would be around 20-25 feet deep at the center. I would recommend going there on a weekday to avoid the locals that were there in big numbers.
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June 2, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Thanks Onais Gul & Yasir. You can add me on facebookby name Naeem Shaharyar or can send private msg. Thanks again.
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May 20, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Is it too hot to visit swaik lake in may?
also is there any nice spot to eat?
is it easy route fo first timers?
is It safe for all girls?
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May 24, 2016 at 11:24 am
Swaik lake is located at the bottom of the mountain where sunlight is hardly able to reach…so its cooler…u will need to take your own food…first timers and girls are ok to go…but be prepared for a little hiking…
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July 23, 2016 at 3:56 am
Thankyou so much for that information. Plannin on visiting. Could you please send the hiking map if possible?
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July 25, 2016 at 5:55 am
OK I will
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July 23, 2016 at 3:57 am
Also do you get life jackets from there or should we take our own? And if you know how to swim is it ok to not have one?
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July 25, 2016 at 5:55 am
We got life jackets from Falcon travels…u can contact them on Facebook…
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July 25, 2016 at 5:58 am
Please check this link
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6FHay4T7jHqZkR5U2RKVW1Tc28/edit
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August 6, 2016 at 7:33 pm
@yasirahmed can u give the link for Falcon travels? Do they operate in Lahore?
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August 7, 2016 at 6:41 am
https://www.facebook.com/Falconadventureclub/?fref=ts
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August 7, 2016 at 6:41 am
yes the operate from Lahore
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September 8, 2016 at 5:31 am
Life jackets is available there on rent
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September 16, 2016 at 6:23 pm
Swaik lake isn’t actually a lake, it’s more of a pond. The place is often inundated with locals and isn’t actually a spot for families. Also you have to walk for at least an hour to reach the place. The track is dangerous and difficult to walk on. During my visit a local fell from the top of the track and another local drowned, both losing their life. The water is dirty and full of algae. It was a traumatizing experience and the place is not recommendable.
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July 24, 2017 at 7:38 am
Yes now a days the condition of water is quite poor full of algae and also due to heavy load of tourists it is getting a hectic place
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September 22, 2017 at 12:34 pm
if this is the best time to go there ? like in end of September????
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September 24, 2017 at 5:49 am
Yes it is a good season…the place would be quite cool…but even in summer its not that bad since it is naturally protected from the sun…
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April 24, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Reblogged this on My Liked Blogs.
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April 24, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Excellent, will add this in my itinerary. Great post, and stunning pictures.
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