Tourism in the Margalla Hills –

Part II
(Shaikh Muhammad Ali)

(Where do we go from here?)

“Not the least of the challenges of travel,

therefore; is learning how to import -- and
export -- dreams with tenderness”. –
George Santayana

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 1

Overview:

As I mentioned in Part – I of this article earlier, I thus set up again to visit the Margalla
Mountains for the second time in a fortnight on the 3rd of July 2010 to Pir Sohawa with
my happy go lucky family.

This time around we planned to go do a small barbeque at one of the picnic spots that
we have been going to @ Pir Sohawa for the last 8 or so odd years. Although we were
not accompanied by friends but our little fleet of five is more than enough company to
enjoy such fun filled escapades amongst ourselves. All we do is make the plan and hit
the road while picking up the peripherals for such quick picnics.

(Destination: Pir Sohawa)

Although it was a heart break to see that our favorite spot has been converted into a
make shift head quarter of the Rangers due to the off and on incidents of terrorism in
the Capital city and thus most of the picnic spot has been occupied but the rangers
were kind enough to allow us to have our little love affair with the flora and fauna of the
mountains slightly at a higher altitude, seeing that we were a family ant just a male
party.

Once at the post, we took our barbeque peripherals out and I ignited the fire in the
coals while the children went around discovering their whereabouts. Chicken with
‘Khubz’ (Arabic bread) was on the menu this time around.

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 2

 (Mamma and Adil bringing the chicken home to roost)

Adil, Mohsin and Ayesha frolicked in the nearby hills while I helped my wife to deep
roast the chicken.

(Ayesha, Mohsin and Adil with their usual mischief)

I tell you that this chicken tasted much better than what we get in the restaurants at
exorbitant rates. Raita (Yoghurt) and 7-up jelled too well with this well-done meal.

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 3

 (Mr. and Mrs. Shaikh after the sumptuous meal)

A little introduction:
Pir Sohawa is a village located in district Haripur of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province,
formerly called North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan. It is a few kilometers
further down from "Monal Restaurant" close to village Monal, which is an upland scenic
rural location, at an elevation of about 5,000ft, popular for recreational walk and
picnics in Islamabad.

Due to unknown reasons (may be due to fantasy of Pakistani people towards saintly (or
"Pir") figures, the name of village ‘Pir Sohawa’ replaced the name of ‘Monal village’.
Monal still exists on the slope towards Islamabad city. Unfortunately and mistakenly
Monal is called Pir Sohawa, which is a misconception.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pir_Sohawa)

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 4

The Monal Restaurant is located at "Monal" which itself is part of ICT (Islamabad Capital
Territory, not in Pir Sohawa located in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province), as commonly
misunderstood by most of the people. Monal Restaurant was completed in 2006. Its
spacious terraces provide a breathtaking view of Islamabad in clear daylight and a
stunningly beautiful show of the city lights at the bottom, after sunset. One can enjoy
the cool breeze and fragrance, especially during summer's hot days, of thick forest
present all around.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/1977099858_3bf5faa7d2.jpg)

This is a unique point where one can compare the urban and rural Pakistan simply by
turning the head from one side (looking at Islamabad) to other side (looking towards
rear lush green valley with villages, flowing streams and mountains beyond).

Monal Top attracts tourists in winter, as the elevation (+5,000ft) is sufficient for occasional
snowfall. It is a real popular place among the citizens of Islamabad, their guests as well
as the foreign visitors and tourists.

http://www.google.com.pk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.weblo.com/asset_images/large
/Village_at_Pir_Sohawa-P)

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 5

This place is connected to Islamabad by an all-weather black top road, on which are
located Daman-e-Koh, a fantastic forest-garden and a picnic point worth visiting. It is a
destination point for a hiking trip from the bottom of Margalla Hills climbing 3,000ft
almost vertically straight up from the village of Saidpur, Islamabad.

Historically, when there were no roads available, Monal top was a midway resting point
for travellers of Hazara areas (north of Islamabad), ascending and descending the rear
mountains and heading towards Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Back to the main story:

On the way back from Pir Sohawa, we noticed that new picnic spots have sprouted up
lately (thanks to the Capital Development Authority) which gives a fresh view of the
‘Saidpur Village’ from this mountain spot. While reaching such a spot, I stopped the car
and we decided to look around and take a walk at one of the tracks.

(US @ the Saidpur Viewpoint: Elevation 3,700 feet)

We travel, then, in search of both self and anonymity -- and, of course, in finding the
one we apprehend the other.

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 6

 (A lively pose at the track)

The track was leading towards the edge of the cliff and turned out that it was a 20
minutes’ walk to go and appreciate the ‘Saidpur Village’ view.

(A little rest on the ‘Saidpur View’ track)

After spending a little time walking on this track while appreciating the bounties of
nature, we turned around and descended; invigorated and rejuvenated. On the way
down, we yet stopped to take a few more pictures at some scenic spots.

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part Two Page 7

 (At the Barking Deer Peak: Elevation 2,350 feet)

(Famous four @ the City View point: Elevation 2,300 feet)

We thus decided to call it a day and slowly and gradually descended the steep curves
of the Margalla Mountains to reach home right in time for the Asr prayers. More to
come. Adieu!

Shaikh Muhammed Ali

„The Wandering Dervish‟
E-mail: mashaikh@hec.gov.pk
Cell: +00-92-321-5072996
nd
Thursday, 22 July 2010, 06:14 a.m. (PST)

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