It takes about 8 to 10 hours drive from Islamabad to Chitral, one can also reach Chitral by air from Peshawer Airport.
The more popular route by land is from Gilgit- taking 14 hours if all the jeeps on the 5-7 steps of the route are co-ordinated. This route is considered the safer and more scenic.
Another land route is from Peshawar. Jeeps leave Chirtal Mayoon 600 rs at 4am in Khyber Bazaar and take 14 hours; crossing over the beautiful Lowri pass. As of July 2009 the Lowri Pass has been reopened after the violence in Swat and Malakhand which spilt over onto the pass had been eliminated. Due to a heavy police and army presence, the route has become safe for tourists. It is said that the works on the Lowri tunnel will recommence by September resulting in an opening before years end- should no incident occur.
As regards the Kalash Valleys, jeeps are available in the morning and mid afternoon 8o rs or 1000 for 'special taxi' which run via Ayun. Roads to Valley are unmetalled and on one side of the jeep are Hindukush and on the other side is the river. A 200rs toll applies to enter the valleys. Most people only visit central valley Bambore at where there are many hotels & other amenities. Rumbur is less often visited but has a higher proportion of kalash and a greater historical significance to the kalash people but watch out for the converted Afghan-Kalash at the northern end of the valley who, while not dangerous, are unfriendly to foreigners and enemies to the kalash as the result of them squatting on kalash lands.
