At the foot of the rocky peaks, greenish Swaik Lake known as Khandowa Lake (locally Neela Wahn) is located in Tehsil Kalar Kahar of district Chakwal in Punjab, at a distance of about 255 km from Lahore, Pakistan.
Swaik lake Kalar Kahar (Khandowa lake)
The beauty of Pakistan is not only due to its northern areas but every area is an example of its beauty. That is why the beauty of Pakistan attracts tourists and tourists are attracted towards Pakistan.
It was closed due to the corona pandemic for tourists but now it has opened again for tourists and visitors.
Mountains of Chakwal welcomes tourists
With the onset of winter, the glacial lakes on the mountaintops are covered with a white sheet of snow, and the tracks leading to them are closed like a road to the Red Zone. And then after at least five months, these lakes re-emerge and give access to the humans.
These five months are for these lakes and the fairies that land on them. In such a situation, when the lovers are going through the separation season, the area of Chakwal district of Pakistan, Kalar Kahar, and beautiful Soon Sakesar the valley of Khushab provide moments of connection to the lovers.
Why Kalar Kahar is famous?
This area is very rich in natural beauty like springs, lakes, and waterfalls that await trekkers and lovers. While the major lakes are Kalar Kahar Lake, Ochhali, Khubikhi, etc., there are also beautiful lakes surrounded by beautiful scenery and rocks.
Is Swaik Lake open?
In a very short time, Swaik lake (Khandowa) has become very popular among tourists and they often come to visit this Swaik lake from far and wide of the country.
By seeing its popularity locals and administrators here are working to boost facilities for tourists here. It remains accessible and open throughout the year and attracts visitors.
Swaik lake name
One of these lakes is also known as Swaik Lake, the original name of which is Khandowa Lake which is named after the village Khandowa before the lake. However, the locals still call it Neeli Dand due to its bluish-looking water in some times. It is known as the Kalar Kahar lake for tourists.
After taking complete guidance from a local friend, we started our journey from Rawalpindi Motorway towards Khandwa early in the morning as the day was getting shorter and the sun would soon go behind the mountains, so I set out with my young trekker team to go to beautiful, mesmerizing, and greenish Swaik lake.
Swaik lake distance from Lahore
Swaik lake is located 30 kilometers from Chakwal, and it can also be accessed through the Lahore-Islamabad motorway (M-2) on a drive of about 11 km by exiting through the Kalar Kahar interchange.
So Swaik lake distance from Lahore is about 255 km and one can reach here in three and a half hours approximately.
After descending from Kalar Kahar Interchange and traveling on Choa Saidan Shah Road for about six kilometers, a small road turns right which passes under the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway and takes you to the other side.
About a kilometer from here comes a small field which the locals have set aside for parking with their help. I hear that this parking lot looks like a Sunday market parking lot in summer where you can see a bulk of vehicles all around, but at the moment it was completely empty.
Swaik Lake distance from nearing cities
Kalar Kahar is a beautiful tourist destination, and easily accessible from the Kalar Kahar Motorway interchange between the city of Gardens Lahore and the beautiful capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad.
However, Swaik Lake from Lahore is about 260 km, and from Islamabad distance is about 140 km.
Beyond this parking area is a rocky mountain road on which the car does not go, but some people take the car.
It is not bravery but abuse of the car. From here you go on foot or park your car in the parking lot and rent a jeep and go ahead. Jeeps are easily available there for a fare of Rs.1500.
Since we had our own jeeps, we drove on this mountain road. The young trekker Abdullah was delighted, and he climbed on the roof of the jeep.
It was autumn, the sun was shining, and the weather was pleasant. About two and a half kilometers later came another parking lot.
There was a board for guidance which really paid the price for the guide because this route was divided into two parts from here and at the sign of this board we set out on the road to the west because no one was present in this desert whom to ask for the right way.
The road suddenly started to go downhill, after taking four or five turns and after traveling another two kilometers, the road ended in front of a coal mine.
Things to do at Swaik lake
Here we parked our jeeps and walked on a small track which was the only track to Khandowa Lake. It is the most scenic destination with a lot of things to do like hiking, swimming, cliff diving, and bathing in a waterfall.
There was a dense forest in the valley below. From the first parking lot up to this coal mine, there is a path of more than four and a half kilometers which youngsters can walk in this season.
Best time to visit Swaik lake
But I would not suggest you trek on this mountain path in summer. Gentlemen coming in summer rent a jeep and come here, any emotional decision will force you to curse the moment when you decide to trek.
Swaik lake trek
There is an easy 15-minute walk past the coal mine which is exemplary of its own beauty. The trek through a dense forest and the chirping of birds will take you to another magical world before the lake.
It was a memorable journey with the children and family. The mother was also with us and was giving full support to the youngsters.
Swaik lake waterfall
Cliff diving at Swaik lake
Swaik lake is a beautiful destination from which one can enjoy cliff diving. As I said going a little upward of the lake will be more enjoyable with water splashing and you can enjoy cliff diving as well.
Standing about 100 feet above and seeing greenish water in your feet will force you to jump into it.
Swimming in Swaik lake
Along with all activities to do here, swimming at the feet of mountains covered with green bushes, in greenish, sometimes bluish water is a priority of every tourist.
By swimming, you can see tiny and colorful fishes at the bottom of the lake as well.
Swaik lake depth
Swaik lake is the dream place to swim in, and not very deep. It is about 6 feet deep on the shores of the lake and 25 to 35 feet deep in the middle where people usually dive from cliffs.
The immense beauty of Swaik Lake
Since it was not a visiting season at this time, we enjoyed ourselves a lot of shouting and jumping, as we were the only family to explore Swaike lake at that time.
Shortly after, the trek through the middle of the dense forest ended, and the sound of running water began to come.
The sound of waterfalls in the chirping of the birds made a beautiful scene. And there was a big vertical rock in front of me. I understood that our destination was near.
As soon as we took a turn, we saw a masterpiece of Allah's blessings to humans. A small deep green lake, and water falling like pearls from the rocks above, All praise to Almighty Allah.
This beautiful lake is in no way less beautiful than the seven-colored lake of Naltar. Its water also changes color with the sun, and sometimes it looks dark green and sometimes dark blue.
If it is not seven-colored, then it deserves to be called a two-colored lake.
There was complete silence on the lake, the young trekkers were getting very excited, the rest of the people also arrived and with the arrival of Mother our team was complete.
Seeing the unparalleled beauty, everyone's mouths remained open for about five minutes and then everyone praised the unparalleled beauty of this place.
I took the young men and went to the heights where the water was scattering like pearls and falling down into the Swaik Lake.
What a beautiful sight was. The water falling in the rays of the sun, the beautiful sound of waterfalls, the lake of green water at the feet, and the waterfall falling from the height were calling me.
I was moving forward, and the children were shouting and stopping me, but this beautiful scene made me deaf, and I reached the other end of the waterfall captivated by this boundless beauty of nature.
When I regained consciousness, I was completely soaked. My feet were sunk in the green moss up to my ankles.
The beautiful world created by my Lord was all around me. The world is so beautiful, so what would heaven be like?
The children were excited to see me and the young trekker Abdullah also came forward, but I guess he would get very cold after getting wet, so I forbade him to come forward, and then we went back to the lake.
Today we had our own world by the lake. This is the actual season of tourism in Son Valley and Kalar Kahar.
People do not know why they come here in summer, and then the human being who is affected by the immense rush and intense heat gets fed up instead of being enjoyed by this unparalleled beauty.
If you want to come here with your family and children, choose the bright winter sunshine and try to reach Swaik Lake before 11 o'clock.
In summer, it is better to take a bath at home and relax under a fan than to travel on rocky cliffs and then take a bath in the water.
Maintain environmental protection
Pay special attention to cleanliness. These landscapes and these beautiful valleys have been entrusted to us by the Lord of the Universe for the last seventy years.
Before that people paid for the right, to be honest, but looking at this place it looks like we are betraying the trust. Swaik Lake, Kalar Kahar in Chakwal is the most economical and easiest place in terms of its accessibility.
Swaik lake Pics
