Kalash Communities of the Hindu Kush Region

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E-mail: camatchitral@yahoo.com
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Communities

Kalash Communities of the Hindu Kush Region

Who they are

The Kalash are indigenous people of the Hindu Kush mountain range, residing in the Chitral district of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalash language, from the Dardic family of the Indo-Iranian languages, and many still hold a polytheistic non-Muslim belief system. There are two theories surrounding the origin of the Kalash communities of the Chitral district. The first one is that they are they were part of the army of Alexander the Great who passed through the region in 323BC on his way to conquer Central Asia. The cultural practices of the Kalash communities such as wooden tigs and burial ceremonies lend support to this idea.

However, some believe that they are part of the Asian tribes who came to Chitral long before the advent of Islam. Whatever their origin might be, the Kalash are well known for their unique cultural practices, beautiful traditional dress, and a range of amazing festivals throughout the year, such as Chilimjosht, Chitirmas, Phoo and Rut Nut.

What they offer

- Participation in Chilimjosht in May
- Participation in Chitirmas in December
- Participation in Rut Nut in June
- Participation in Phoo in September
- Trekking from Birir to Burmborate
- Trekking from Bumborate to Rumbor
- Trekking from Rumbor to Chitral Gol Natural Park
- Visiting Kalash families
- Visiting the Kalasha altar
- Studying the natural environment and flora and fauna
- Visiting the Sheikh or newly converted people at the end of the Kalash valleys
- Visit Broghil, the Eastern Pamir Region

Location

Chitral is in the northernmost district of NWF Province of Pakistan. By road you can start your travel from Peshawar or Rawalpindi. Whilst travelling by air, you have to catch a flight either from Peshawar or Islamabad to Chitral. It takes 50 to 35 minutes respectively to reach Chitral. The flight is really sensational through the snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Great photographic opportunities.

From Chitral town it takes one hour to get to the Kalash valleys of Bumborate, Rumbor and Birir.

View on Google Maps

What you need

- Sleeping bag
- Torch
- hiking boots
- Warm clothing

Accommodation & Amenities

There are a variety of options: Village guesthouses, family homestay and camping.
When staying at hotels and the guest houses their are good bathing facilities with showers. There are also nice places for outdoor bathing. There are both Indian squat toilets and European toilets.
There is electricity
There is a choice of traditional, international, vegetarian and Indian food.
Guest house: PKR 1,000.00 per night (US$11.80); Food: PKR 300.00 per meal (US$3.50). Transportation costs will vary from PKR 4,000.00 (US$47.00) to PKR 22,000 (US$260.00) depending on the place.

Check out the current exchange rate PKR to USD

More information

Find out more about Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT), an NGO that works with the Kalash Communities of Broghil of the Hindu Kush Region.