Ubaid ur rehman khanLahore · 08-Oct-20265/5

My 5-Day Chitral Adventure with 3 Musafir – Part 1 My name is Ubaid, and my trip to Chitral was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was a 5-day adventure filled with unforgettable memories, incredible people, breathtaking landscapes, and countless moments of laughter.Our journey began on Tuesday at 10:15 PM when we departed from Lahore. There were 14 people on our bus. Soon after the trip started, our captain, Zain, asked everyone to introduce themselves. Each person shared their name, one good thing about themselves, and one thing they wanted to improve. It was a wonderful icebreaker that helped us get to know each other and made everyone feel comfortable.As the journey continued, people started sharing stories about their professions, life experiences, and personal adventures. The conversations never stopped, and before we knew it, everyone had become so comfortable with each other that we didn’t even feel the need to play music. It already felt like we had known each other for years.About an hour before reaching Islamabad, we played a game called Mafia. We were having so much fun that none of us even realized when we arrived at I-8 Markaz, Islamabad.At I-8 Markaz, more travelers from Islamabad joined our group. They arrived in separate cars, and some of them shifted to our bus while others stayed in their own vehicles. Everyone introduced themselves, exchanged greetings, and soon became part of the family. We played another fun game called Can or Cannot, where everyone shared interesting words and answers. After that, we played another hilarious game called Ghora Bhagao. It was one of the funniest moments of the trip. The game itself was simple, but understanding its hidden logic took us almost three hours! We laughed nonstop while trying to figure it out.Later, we stopped for a short break. Everyone freshened up, and I offered my missed (Qaza) prayers. We chatted for a while before continuing our journey.By then, even the Islamabad group had become completely comfortable with everyone else. We talked, laughed, made new friends, and eventually started playing songs. The atmosphere inside the bus was full of energy and happiness.Our next stop was a place called Rabat, where we had breakfast. The restaurant was beautiful, and there was a window air conditioner that created such a cool and relaxing atmosphere. Sitting there and enjoying breakfast felt incredibly peaceful. The dining hall was arranged with sofas and tables in such a way that it reminded me of a wedding reception. Everyone was sitting separately on comfortable sofas, enjoying the food and each other’s company. It honestly looked like a Walima event, which made us laugh.After breakfast, some people went for a walk, some had a cigarette, and then we continued our journey towards Chitral.The road ahead was absolutely breathtaking. We passed through magnificent mountains, stunning valleys, and endless beautiful scenery. One of the highlights was driving through a tunnel that stretched almost 10 kilometers. Cold air rushed through the windows, and I leaned out, shouted at the top of my lungs, and listened to my voice echo throughout the tunnel. It was such a fun and unforgettable experience.Finally, at around 4:00 PM, we arrived in Chitral.We checked into our hotel, and honestly, everything exceeded my expectations. The rooms were spacious, clean, air-conditioned, and very comfortable. The washrooms were modern and spotless. Everything about the accommodation was perfect.After checking in, everyone freshened up. I offered the rest of my Qaza prayers while enjoying the breathtaking mountain views outside. The peaceful surroundings made the experience even more special.Later, everyone went outside to take pictures and record videos of the beautiful scenery. During that time, Captain Zain brought a young local boy who was selling momos, so we all enjoyed fresh momos together.At around 8:00 PM, dinner was served. It was much better than I had expected. The dining hall had a warm, cozy atmosphere, and the food was delicious.After dinner, we spent some time together playing board games, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company before finally going to bed.Our wake-up call for the next morning was at 7:30 AM. Breakfast was scheduled for 8:00 AM, and by 9:00 AM we were ready to begin exploring the beautiful city of Chitral. My 5-Day Chitral Adventure with 3 Musafir – Part 2 The next morning, everyone woke up on time, had breakfast together, and at 9:00 AM we left the hotel to explore Chitral.Our first stop was the Chitral Museum. We explored the museum, learned about the rich history and culture of Chitral, and took several group photos.From there, we walked through the famous Chitral Bazaar. The market was lively and full of local culture. While exploring, we enjoyed delicious momos and drank fresh apricot (Qubani) juice, which was one of the local specialties.After the bazaar, our tour guide invited us to visit his home. It was one of the most beautiful houses I had ever seen. Surrounded by majestic mountains, the house had a lovely garden filled with blueberries, strawberries, and many other fruit trees. Our guide warmly welcomed us and even allowed us to taste the fresh fruits straight from the garden.We also went up to the rooftop, where the views were simply breathtaking. Everyone took photos and enjoyed the peaceful scenery before saying goodbye to our guide and continuing our journey.Next, we returned to the market for some shopping. Many of us bought traditional Chitrali caps, Pashmina shawls, and souvenirs to take home for our families and friends.After shopping, we visited the famous Chitral Mosque, followed by Chitral Fort. We explored the historic fort, admired its architecture, and captured plenty of pictures.Around lunchtime, we headed to a beautiful riverside restaurant called Bechaan Fast Food. Earlier, Captain Zain had shared the menu with everyone, and we had already placed our individual orders before arriving. As a result, when we reached the restaurant, all of our food was ready.The restaurant overlooked the river, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. We enjoyed our lunch while listening to the sound of flowing water, took lots of photos by the riverside, and spent quality time together.After lunch, we continued towards Markhor View Point.The road leading there was rough and unsuitable for our coaster bus. The driver decided it would be safer to stop and arrange local transport. Some people sat inside the local bus, while others even sat on its roof, making the journey even more adventurous and memorable.When we reached the viewpoint, we finally saw Pakistan’s national animal, the Markhor, in its natural habitat. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Everyone enjoyed the cool weather, beautiful mountains, and the peaceful surroundings while taking photos and creating unforgettable memories.After leaving Markhor View Point, we visited the famous Friendship Restaurant, also known for the historic plane crash site nearby. We explored the restaurant, listened to the fascinating story behind the crashed aircraft, and even had the chance to see parts of the plane from the inside. Before leaving, almost everyone enjoyed an ice cream while relaxing.By around 9:00 PM, we returned to our hotel.At 9:40 PM, Captain Zain announced that dinner was ready and asked everyone to freshen up before coming to the dining hall. He also informed us that a Chitrali Cultural Music Night would take place in the basement immediately after dinner.Unfortunately, Ruhma and I arrived late for dinner, around 10:30 PM. To our surprise, all the food had already finished. We were both extremely hungry, and honestly, I felt frustrated because there were 34 people on the trip, so there should have been enough food for everyone.By that time, all the nearby shops had also closed, so we had no idea what we were going to eat.Captain Zain noticed the situation immediately. He questioned the hotel staff about how the food had finished before everyone had eaten. Without hesitation, he arranged for a fresh meal to be prepared specifically for the two of us.Although we had to wait for about an hour and a half, we spent that time enjoying the Cultural Music Night with the rest of the group.Finally, our meal arrived: freshly made boneless chicken handi, hot rotis, and fresh salad. After waiting so long, the food tasted even better, and we really appreciated Captain Zain’s efforts to make sure we didn’t go to bed hungry.After dinner, everyone was tired from the day’s adventures, so we went back to our rooms and slept.Before sleeping, Captain Zain and Haider announced the plan for the next day. Wake-up call would be at 5:30 AM, breakfast from 6:00 to 6:30 AM, and departure for the beautiful Kalash Valley at 7:00 AM sharp.We all went to bed excited because the next day was going to be one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip.My 5-Day Chitral Adventure with 3 Musafir – Part 3 The next morning, we woke up early, had breakfast, and at around 8:00 AM we boarded two local vans for our journey to Kalash Valley. Our coaster bus couldn’t travel there because the roads were too narrow and rough, so local transport was the safest option for our group of 34 people.Even though the vans didn’t have Bluetooth or sound systems, that didn’t stop us from having fun. We connected our own portable speakers, played music, sang songs together, and enjoyed every moment of the drive.As we continued, the roads became much rougher. We crossed several security checkpoints, and at some places a few passengers even sat on the roofs of the vans to create more space inside. It made the journey even more adventurous.After a while, everyone became quiet and the atmosphere settled down. I was sitting behind a guy named Rafay, who had several facial piercings. Out of curiosity, I politely asked him if I could ask a personal question. He smiled and said, “Of course, you’re my brother. Go ahead.I asked him how much all the piercings had cost because they looked expensive. He told me he had 11 piercings in his ears and 18 on his face, with each one costing around 4,000 PKR.Curious, I then asked how people reacted to his appearance and whether they judged him because of it. Rafay honestly replied that many people judged him because of his piercings and tattoos.When he mentioned tattoos, I asked if he really had them. He lifted his shirt slightly and showed me tattoos on his chest and shoulders. I was genuinely surprised.Since he had already told me he wouldn’t mind my questions, I respectfully shared my personal belief as a Muslim. I told him that while it was his own choice and I wasn’t trying to offend him, Islam teaches us to avoid permanently changing our bodies because Allah created us in the best form. I made it clear that I wasn’t judging him—only sharing my understanding of my faith because he had encouraged an open conversation.At that point, another participant named Taimoor, who was sitting behind us, joined the discussion. He felt that my questions were unnecessary. I immediately apologized and explained that I had asked only after getting Rafay’s permission and had no intention of hurting anyone.The conversation unexpectedly turned into a long discussion about Islam. Rafay and Taimoor began asking many questions related to religion. I answered them as best as I could according to my understanding. Eventually, the discussion became intense, and some statements about the Qur’an deeply upset me. The atmosphere inside the van became awkward, and many people fell silent.Thankfully, one of the senior members of our group, Abdur Rehman Bhai, had been listening to the conversation. He wisely changed the topic and started a game so everyone could focus on something else. His decision helped ease the tension.By the time we reached Kalash Valley, I was still emotionally disturbed by the conversation. It took me almost an hour to calm myself down. Several people noticed that I looked unusually quiet and kept asking me if I was okay. I simply smiled and said I was fine because I didn’t want to spoil anyone else’s mood.After washing my face and taking a few moments to relax, I finally felt better.Soon afterward, Captain Zain introduced us to our local Kalash guide, who explained the history, traditions, and culture of the Kalash people before taking us through the village.Our first stop was the Kalash cemetery.Personally, this was one of the most emotional parts of the trip for me. Seeing the traditional Kalash burial practices and open wooden coffins felt very unfamiliar and unsettling. At the same time, one of our group members, Hiba, slipped and injured herself, and a young girl named Maryam also fell nearby. A donkey kept braying continuously, which added to the strange atmosphere. I found myself quietly reciting prayers and seeking Allah’s protection because I personally felt uncomfortable in that environment.After a short while, I decided to step outside the cemetery and spent some time visiting nearby shops until the rest of the group returned.Since it was Friday, I then left to offer Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer at the local mosque.When I came back, almost everyone had already moved ahead. Only Captain Zain and Ruhma had stayed behind waiting for me. Together, we caught up with the group.We then climbed to a beautiful open field surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Some people sat on the grass, others lay down to relax, and everyone simply enjoyed the cool breeze and peaceful surroundings.Someone started singing, then another joined in, and before long the entire group was enjoying an informal jamming session. It was one of those simple moments that became unforgettable because everyone was genuinely happy.After spending nearly two hours there, we walked back down into the village.Our guide then took us inside traditional Kalash homes, where we met local families, learned about their culture and lifestyle, and took many memorable photographs.Instead of waiting for the vans immediately, many of us decided to walk through the village. By the time we reached the pickup point, we had walked almost 5,000 steps, enjoying every corner of the beautiful valley.The vans eventually caught up with us, and we continued to another stop where there was a small museum and several restaurants.Captain Zain and Haider told everyone that if they wanted to eat, they were free to choose any restaurant. Different groups selected different places. Our food took nearly an hour to arrive, but none of us minded because we spent the waiting time relaxing, enjoying the scenery, and talking with friends.After lunch, we visited the riverside. The crystal-clear water, peaceful atmosphere, and fresh mountain air made it one of the most relaxing moments of the trip. We dipped our hands and faces into the cold river, took lots of photos, laughed together, and simply enjoyed nature.By evening, we returned to the hotel, freshened up, and gathered for dinner.After dinner, Captain Zain created a poll with two options for the night: Movie Night or Bollywood Party Night. The majority voted for Movie Night. Four movies were suggested: * The Hangover Part II * Bhool Bhulaiyaa * Dil Chahta Hai * Johnny English The group chose Bhool Bhulaiyaa.Since I had my laptop with me, I connected it to the projector and speakers and helped set everything up. Gradually, everyone gathered in the dormitory, and we spent the night watching the movie together. It felt just like a family movie night, filled with laughter and enjoyment.The movie ended around 2:00 AM, and we finally went to bed after another unforgettable day.Before sleeping, Captain Zain reminded us about the next day’s schedule. After listening to the plan, we were excited because another adventure was waiting for us the following morning. My 5-Day Chitral Adventure with 3 Musafir – Part 4 (Final) The next morning, our wake-up call was slightly delayed after a group vote, giving everyone a little extra time to rest. We quickly got ready, had breakfast, and at around 10:40 AM, we left for our next destination, Birmogh Lasht.Once again, because of the road conditions, we traveled in the same local vans instead of our coaster bus. Although the distance was only around 16 kilometers, the roads were steep, narrow, and extremely challenging, so the journey took almost two hours.About fifteen minutes before reaching our destination, our van suddenly overheated. One of the other vans carrying part of our group had already arrived with Captain Zain, while Haider stayed with us. Instead of getting frustrated, we made the most of the unexpected delay. We admired the stunning mountain views, took pictures, joked around, and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings while the driver repaired the van.After about an hour, the van was fixed, and we safely continued to Birmogh Lasht. Looking back, it became another memorable adventure because unexpected moments are often what make trips special.When we finally arrived, everyone relaxed, danced, played music, took photos, and enjoyed the incredible scenery. The fresh mountain air and breathtaking landscape made it one of the most beautiful places we visited.After spending some time there, we headed towards Chitral Gol National Park.To reach it, we had to complete a challenging mountain trek. The trail was much more difficult than any of us had expected. Some participants turned back after only a short distance, while others stopped halfway. In the end, only six of us, along with Captain Zain and Haider, continued much farther.The trek was extremely demanding. There were no signboards, no distance markers, and almost no safety arrangements along the trail. After trekking a long distance, we realized there was still no clear indication of how much farther we needed to go. Since it was getting late and safety came first, we decided to turn back.Although we couldn’t reach the final point, none of us felt disappointed. The journey itself had been an adventure. We captured amazing photos, played music, laughed together, and enjoyed the breathtaking mountain views throughout the trek.When we returned, we met the local management and shared our feedback. We suggested placing signboards, improving safety measures, and creating small refreshment stalls for future visitors. They appreciated our suggestions and even recorded a short video in which we shared our experience. They sincerely thanked us for providing constructive feedback.Back at the parking area, we found that some members of our group who had returned earlier were upset. There was no food or drinking water available near the trekking point, and they wanted to go back to the hotel as soon as possible.Captain Zain calmly handled the situation and explained that adventures don’t always go according to plan, especially in remote mountain areas. A few of us also encouraged everyone to look at the positive side of the experience. Even though it had been physically exhausting, we had explored a place that very few tourists ever visit, and that alone made it unforgettable.Eventually, everyone relaxed, boarded the vans, and we returned to the hotel.After resting and freshening up, a few of us—including me, my friend, and Captain Zain—decided to go shopping because it was our last evening in Chitral. We bought gifts and souvenirs for our families and friends.Later, two participants from our group who served in the Army and Navy invited us to visit the Chitral Scouts Mess. Around six of us went there together. We explored the mess, had tea with biscuits, played snooker, and spent quality time together in a very welcoming environment.After returning to the hotel, we had dinner. Later that night, the entire group decided to visit the riverside. Sitting beside the flowing river under the night sky, talking with friends, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere became one of the calmest and most memorable moments of the entire trip.Around 1:00 AM, we returned to the hotel.That night was also special because it was our friend Samad’s birthday. We gathered together in the dormitory to celebrate. We laughed, talked, shared stories, and enjoyed each other’s company until almost 4:00 AM. Knowing it was our last night together made every moment feel even more valuable.After only a couple of hours of sleep, we woke up, packed our luggage, loaded everything onto the bus, had breakfast, and at 8:00 AM, we began our journey back home.The return journey was filled with mixed emotions. Everyone was happy because of the incredible memories we had made, but at the same time, none of us wanted the trip to end.When we reached Islamabad, we said goodbye to the participants who had joined us from there. It was emotional because, in just a few days, strangers had become close friends.We then continued towards Lahore. On the way, we stopped at Kallar Kahar to freshen up and enjoyed a meal at KFC before continuing our journey.A few hours later, we finally arrived in Lahore.One by one, everyone said their goodbyes, exchanged hugs, promised to stay in touch, and headed back to their homes.As for me, I returned home with hundreds of beautiful pictures, unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a heart full of gratitude.Thank You, 3 Musafir A huge thank you to 3 Musafir for organizing such a wonderful trip. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to travel with such amazing people. Throughout these five days, I never felt like I was traveling with strangers. Instead, it felt like I was spending time with one big family.Special thanks to our captains, Zain and Haider, for their outstanding leadership, patience, care, and dedication. They managed everything professionally and always made sure everyone felt comfortable, safe, and included.This trip gave me much more than beautiful destinations—it gave me lifelong memories, meaningful friendships, valuable life lessons, and moments that I will always cherish.If I had to rate this experience, it would be an easy 10/10.Thank you once again, 3 Musafir. I can’t wait to travel with you again on another unforgettable adventure.