THANDYANI:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s mountain tourism is being reshaped by a convergence of seasonal revival and digital momentum, where visitors returning to snow-lined hills are not only experiencing nature but also broadcasting it, turning remote landscapes into widely shared narratives.

As winter loosens its grip on the hills of Thandyani, families once again fill pine-lined trails, children gathering around swings while tourists pause mid-hike to admire sweeping views of Mukeshpuri and Miranjani, often capturing and sharing them online.

From the valleys of Nathiagali to the forested stretches of Ayubia National Park, tourism activity has surged with the arrival of spring, bringing back horse rides, chairlifts, and colonial-era walking tracks that had briefly quietened during colder months.

“It’s a time of digital tourism,” said Faraz Fayaz from Nowshera, framing a selfie against snow-clad peaks, adding that even a short video can present the region’s tourism wealth to audiences across the world.

With every post shared, destinations such as Kumrat Valley, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Murree and Thandyani are gaining visibility, though the growing influx has also highlighted challenges, particularly rising accommodation costs in popular areas.

“There should be checks,” said Khayam Khan, a regular visitor, warning that high hotel charges in Nathiagali and Thandyani could push tourists towards relatively affordable destinations like Swat.

Despite these concerns, local economies across Galiyat are thriving, with photographers, guides and horse handlers lining the trails, turning scenic backdrops into sources of income during peak tourism periods.

To address affordability and infrastructure gaps, the provincial government has introduced interest-free loans for residents to build rental rooms, alongside low-cost camping pods in locations such as Sharan and Gabeen Jabba.

These eco-friendly pods offer basic comforts at lower prices, widening access to nature while easing pressure on hotels, particularly during peak seasons when visitor numbers swell significantly.

Technology is also shaping the tourism experience, with a tourist safety application enabling quick contact with tourist police, while improved roads and stronger security presence have boosted visitor confidence across key destinations.

Beyond Galiyat, the tourism map continues to expand, with Babusar Top and Chitral offering a blend of alpine landscapes, culture and relative isolation, attracting travellers seeking less crowded alternatives.

In Nathiagali and Ayubia, intermittent rains combined with bursts of sunshine have transformed the region into a spring spectacle, where clouds drift low across the Himalayan range and rainbows form over snow-dusted hills.

Tourists from across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have poured into these tourist destinations several districts, drawn by trout-filled streams, cool weather and the promise of a nature-filled retreat after months of winter.

Horse rides along the historic Ayubia–Nathiagali trail remain a defining experience, with riders carrying visitors through forested paths that evoke a sense of continuity with the area’s colonial-era past.

“Ayubia turns into a spring wonderland. We have never seen so many visitors at this time of year,” said horse rider Umar Khan, describing the rainfall and sunshine interplay as adding a magical quality to the journeys.

Visitors engage in a range of activities, from snow games and trout tasting to chairlift rides that glide over dense pine forests, offering views stretching towards Mukeshpuri Top and surrounding valleys.

“Riding on horses, chairlift and sharing photographs on social media make my visit to Ayubia memorable,” said Riazul Haq, a 63-year-old visitor from Nowshera, recalling repeated trips to the area.

The surge in tourism has also boosted demand for professional photography. “This spring has brought us joy,” said Zeeshan, a local photographer, noting increased demand for images featuring horses, lakes and snowy landscapes as families and groups document their visits.

Ayubia National Park continues to attract nature enthusiasts, with its diverse ecosystem of bird species, plant life and wildlife adding ecological depth to its appeal as a tourism destination.

Further north in Swat, recent rainfall has turned valleys such as Kalam and Mahudand Lake into vivid spring landscapes, where greenery emerges alongside lingering snow on distant peaks.

Families, adventurers and nature lovers have travelled from across the province and beyond, seeking an experience shaped by blooming flowers, drifting clouds and cool mountain air.

“Swat offers a blend of adventure, culture, and serenity unmatched elsewhere in the country,” said Farooq Khan, describing the region’s appeal as both visual and experiential.

Visitors in Malam Jabba describe the landscape as dreamlike, where snow-covered slopes meet fresh greenery, while others gather along the Swat River to enjoy freshly caught trout prepared over open flames.

As evening falls over Thandyani, the glow of phone screens competes with fading daylight, with tourists scrolling through images, uploading videos and tagging locations, often unaware of their role in reshaping tourism.

Across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s mountains, tourism is no longer limited to physical journeys alone; it is continuously documented and shared, transforming each visitor into a storyteller in an evolving digital landscape.