Waiting for snow, finding joy in Galiyat

News Desk 

Nathiagali: As clouds gathered over the pine-clad hills of Abbottabad and a winter chill settled in, the promise of snowfall drew thousands of visitors to the Galiyat region over the weekend, transforming northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into a lively winter tourism hub.

From the winding roads of Nathiagali and Donga Gali to the higher reaches of Ayubia and Thandiani, families, young adventurers and nature lovers poured in from across Pakistan—particularly Punjab and KP—hoping to witness the season’s first snow.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast of weekend snowfall was enough to trigger a fresh wave of winter tourism, filling hotels, cafes and trails across the region.

For many visitors, Nathiagali remains the heart of the winter experience. Nestled in the western Himalayan range, the hill station welcomed tourists strolling through misty forests, sipping hot tea at roadside cafés and pausing to admire the snow-dusted peaks of Mukshpuri and Miranjani rising above them.

“Nathiagali is my favourite winter destination,” said Nasir Khan, a visitor from Nowshera, as he watched clouds drift across the mountains. “It has everything—easy access, clean air, cool weather and even trout fish. Enjoying trout during snowfall doubles the joy.”

Recalling an earlier visit five years ago, he noted that travelling through the area once required car tyre chains. “This time the journey was smooth,” he said, crediting improved road management and effective arrangements by the Galiyat Development Authority and the district administration.

Along the Ayubia–Nathiagali Road, Mukshpuri Top and the scenic trails connecting Donga Gali with Ayubia, local guides, photographers and horse riders found steady business as tourists queued for short treks and scenic rides.

Children played in the cold drizzle while elders wrapped themselves in shawls, soaking in the mountain calm broken only by the whisper of wind through towering deodar trees.

However, visitors also pointed out that high hotel charges during peak seasons could discourage families from returning. Authorities hope this concern will ease with new investments, including a planned five-star hotel in Nathiagali, estimated to cost around USD 25 million.

According to the KP Tourism Department, the provincial government is pursuing an ambitious, pro-tourism agenda to expand capacity and improve visitor experience.

Four Integrated Tourism Zones—at Thandiani (Abbottabad), Ganol (Mansehra), Mankial (Swat) and Madaklasht (Lower Chitral)—are being developed with World Bank support. These zones will feature modern hotels, resorts and upgraded infrastructure aimed at reducing pressure on traditional destinations.

Officials said last winter alone saw record tourist inflows to Swat, Chitral, Nathiagali, Kaghan and Naran, generating significant economic activity across the province.

To further support local communities, the government has launched the “Stay Home” project, offering interest-free loans to residents of tourist areas to build quality guest rooms and help curb overcharging by hotels.

New camping pods in Kalash Valley, Allai, Buner and Battagram have already begun attracting visitors, while additional sites—from Kumrat and Kalam to Samana Top and Dir—are planned in the coming months.

Colonial-era walking tracks are being restored, ski resorts are in the pipeline, and new hill stations are proposed to distribute tourist flow more evenly across the province.

Major connectivity projects, including extensions of the Swat Motorway and new expressways, are also underway. Among the most ambitious initiatives is a proposed 14-kilometre cable car linking Kumrat Valley with Madaklasht—expected to be one of the world’s longest and highest—and projected to attract nearly one million tourists annually once completed.

Back in Nathiagali, as evening descended and temperatures dipped further, tourists gathered around heaters and fireplaces, sharing stories and waiting for snow.

Whether it falls lightly or blankets the northern hills of the Hazara and Malakand divisions, the winter rush has already begun—bringing joy to visitors and renewed hope for livelihoods across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mountain communities.