Dadreli pass connects upper Swat with Ghizer and has an altitude of around 5000 meters. Pass is considered a non-technical pass generally however Rope and Crampons are recommended because of some cravesses. Pass can be attempted from both sides, it is generally done from the Swat side. One potential reason is the easier and cheaper availability of porters from this side. July and August are the best months to attempt this pass.
Trek starts from the Mahodand lake which is accessible from Kalam through a couple of hours jeep drive.
Porters can be arranged from either Kalam or from the Matiltan village on the way to Mahodand.
#Day1: Mahodand to Dowangar (4-5 hours)
The trek remains very gentle for the first day and runs in parallel to the river coming from Dadreli and Kachigani. There are many settlements along the way and locals are often seen fishing in the river. Dowangar is a small settlement of a few homes. This is the place where trek from Kachigani and Dadreli splits.
#Day2: Dowangar to Palanchi lake/Base Camp (8 to 10 hours)
This is the day when tree line is crossed and trek ascends a bit more steeply than the previous day. Mid way comes the lush green campsite of Jabba meadow which is tempting enough to camp. One can also make it the campsite for first day of the trek. There is a small lake at Palanchi.
#Note:(Jabba meadow is also the base camp of Spingulsar lake)
Campsite is further half an hour from there. Water is available however there is no shade.
#Day3: Palanchi to Dadreli Pass (6-7 hours)
As with every pass day, this is a tough day with high altitude pass to be crossed. In July, there will still be snow on both sides of pass. From top the next few hundred meters of descend remain snow covered throughout the year. Last few hundred meters ascend to the pass are very strenuous.
#Day4: Dadreli Base to Handrap Lake (8-10
hours)
Once the river level is achieved, the trek becomes very gentle and greenery doesn’t let you get bored or tired. Ambesh comes in around 3-4 hours from the base with a few settlements and forest. This place offers one of the most beautiful views of the trek apart from Handrap lake. This place from now onwards is known as the land of trouts and has some of the thickest trout population in Pakistan’s North with Handrap lake as the biggest sanctuary. At handrap lake, trouts of different sizes can be seen swimming inside the crystal lake water. They can be caught using spinners pretty easily. It is undoubtedly one of the best tasted fish and is very delicious even if cooked with salt without any spices.
#Day5: Handrap Lake to Phender Valley (6-7 hours)
This is the last day of trek and can take you back to the civilization. Handrap village can be reached from Handrap lake in around 3-4 hours. From there it takes further an 1-2 hours to touch the Gilgit/Chital road and then Phender valley and Phender lake. Phender valley is one of the most beautiful valley of Pakistan.
From here vans leave daily for Gilgit and Chitral very early in the morning.
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