Photo: Meryamnadeem · CC BY-SA 4.0Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Chitral / Madaklasht
Field guide · Nature
Chitral Lower
Chitral Lower District · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Madaklasht
A Persian-speaking village at the head of the Shishikoh valley, 40 km from Chitral, founded by Badakhshani ironsmiths.
Madaklasht lies at about 8,500 ft at the far north of the Shishikoh valley in Lower Chitral, about 40 km from Chitral. Its people speak a dialect of Persian: their ancestors came from Badakhshan in the late 18th century to make firearms for the Mehtar of Chitral.
Why go
- ✦A Persian-speaking village in Chitral
- ✦Descended from Badakhshani ironsmiths
- ✦The Andiveer Glacier and Kurdoodh waterfall
- ✦Treks towards Golen
About
The valley has the Andiveer Glacier, the Kurdoodh waterfall, the springs of Darbar Shahi and trekking routes north-west to Golen. It is off the grid, running on a small hydropower plant built with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, and the 40 km road from Drosh is unpaved. Most people here are Ismaili.
How to Reach
About 40 km from Drosh by an unpaved road up the Shishikoh valley.
Responsible Travel
Use Leave No Trace principles, carry out all rubbish, avoid disturbing wildlife and livestock, and respect private/community land.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, May to October.
Getting there, About 40 km from Drosh by an unpaved road up the Shishikoh valley.
Allow, A night; longer for treks.
What to Do
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Madaklasht, within 5 km.
Nothing else genuinely close by (within 5 km of Madaklasht) is published yet.
