Swat is a scenic valley in North Pakistan. It has been famous for millenium as Uddyana, 'Garden'.

Cultivation of a wide range of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish are evidenced everywhere.

Pic: Hotel White Palace - our hotel in Swat

Hotel White Palace - our hotel in Swat

Camels are reasonably common in Swat. This one was resting by the road. Camels are generally used to carry loads.

Pic: Camel at rest

Camel and cannabis

Very few visitors to the Sub-Continent go west of the Indus, the river after which India is named, but which is nearly entirely in Pakistan!

Here is the gateway to Kohistan, 'The Land of Mountains'.

Pic: Indus River

Indus River

Kalam is a tourist centre in Indus Kohistan. It is known as 'Switzerland of the East'.

Pic: Restaurant in Kalam

Restaurant in Kalam

The town of Kalam is perched above the Kalam River. There is a small bazaar that cater to tourists, and a wide range of choice in hotels.

Pic: Kalam River, Indus Kohistan

Kalam River, Indus Kohistan

Most of the population live in scattered settlements up the steep mountainsides.

They raise maize, rice, goats, sheep and cattle.

Despite their hard life, the farmers looked healthy.

Pic: Smoke from village cooking fires

Smoke from village fires