KHANPUR DAM, REAL SUMMER/HOLIDAY FAMILY ADVENTURE NEAR ISLAMABAD
You want to visit Khanpur Dam amid Eid holidays. Do you have idea how far it is from Islamabad? Isn’t it silly to go out any recreational place at Eid/holiday. Every odd is out,’ the Gents of the family at main dinner at second day of Eid argued scared of traffic jam and hassle of odd crowd on roads and at parks anywhere.‘Then why can’t we be among anyone? Those are not aliens or not flying in cars that are on roads to entertain their families,’ ladies of house were not ready to listen at any negation. After all its Eid and they also wanted to have some relief out of their houses. The kids also insisted their fathers and uncles to give them chance to spend their Eidi somewhere on swings.
KHANPUR DAM AT HARO RIVER
'Khanpur dam is just 40 km far from Islamabad at Haro river in
Haripur, KPK. It’ll take at about 1 hour drive in car via G.T. road,’ Usama Bhai scrolled on mobile to show some leniency.
‘1 hour only if we left early to avoid heavy traffic on road otherwise it’ll be longer,’ Uncle Rahim said thoughtfully.
‘What we’ll do at dam. Is there any place to play with water or just we’ll have to gaze at water from far in scorching heat like Rawal dam,’ this time Zakir called upon as representative of all kids.
‘There are lot of stay at places right at dam where anyone can enjoy water slides, swimming and jet skiing, diving and much more,’ Usama again peeped on mobile.
‘Then ok. We’ll leave exact at 8a.m tomorrow so all of you go to bed early,’ Uncle Rahim said the final words in consent
‘Yeah…,’ the kids shouted.
Very next day, it was Rahim who was calling and shouting
everyone to get out in time. After finishing the breakfast and packing of
sandwiches three families left at three cars hardly about 9:30 am on third day
of Eid and got by Kashmir highway in 10 minutes from zero point. The sun was out
with its bright and blazing face but it was significant Eid pleasure that
everyone was delighted and was ready to beat sun’s any foolish challenge. Kids were peeping
outside windows.
After leaving behind the lush green Margalla hills and entering the famous Grand trunk road, in district of Rawalpindi, the leading car just turned off to road at desolated place after 45 minutes.
After leaving behind the lush green Margalla hills and entering the famous Grand trunk road, in district of Rawalpindi, the leading car just turned off to road at desolated place after 45 minutes.
‘What…why…where is dam..?’ the kids at following cars got
upset of observing the leading car approaching to at opposite side.
The traffic was still low on that link road as of many people were sleeping or planning of outing in evening. The kids got restless.
The traffic was still low on that link road as of many people were sleeping or planning of outing in evening. The kids got restless.
1.“BHAMALA BUDDHIST COMPLEX” Texila,NEAR KHANPUR DAM
‘Didn’t we going to dam?’he asked his father.
‘I don’t have an idea, what your uncle have in mind?’ his father was just chasing the leading car.
‘A visit at the famous archeologist place at BHAMALA near Taxila is extra bonus while going to Khanpur Dam and how could I miss it,’ Usama parked the car and explained to all coming out of their cars.
They all entered the complex with excitement but Aunt Shaheen was out of joy as History has been her favorite subject.
They saw sculptures, heads and stupas dating back to second to fifth AD had been discovered at the place and are preserved there. The ruins of famous Gandhara civilization were also part of museum. Noor api had lot of selfies with stupas and Zakir scared his youngest sisters of roaming souls there. After about one and half hour they were leaving the museum when many families were turning up there with picnic baskets to feast at lawns of complex.
‘Did people of Gandhara civilization were aware of taste of biryani,’ Zakir
thought while passing by the family with picnic basket.
Their journey to khanpur dam started again. It was about 12
now and traffic was mounting at every minute. Many cars joined them on G.T.
road coming from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum and Lahore joined them.
‘Yeah, we’re entering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Punjab,’ Dad
exclaimed with joy and alerted the kids.
‘Welcome to Khyberpkhtunkhaw,’ the sign boards were chershing them. After 20 minutes drive, the dark blue water of Khanpur dam amid mysteriously silent mountains showed up its visage. The road was now tightly packed with cars lugging the families from Abbotabad and Manshera also joined them.
‘Welcome to Khyberpkhtunkhaw,’ the sign boards were chershing them. After 20 minutes drive, the dark blue water of Khanpur dam amid mysteriously silent mountains showed up its visage. The road was now tightly packed with cars lugging the families from Abbotabad and Manshera also joined them.
‘Where to stop?’ dad called the Usama.
‘Wait! There is a proper stay area with all recreational facilities,’ usama replied.
2. FAMILY BOATING,KHANPUR DAM
After 5 minutes they stayed by the parking at Khanpur Dam. The
first safest thing was family boating which the mother's consent to avail. All of
them enjoyed long ride on boat and came at banks.
It was 3 pm now and sun was blazing too hot.They ate
sandwiches but every one was still boring of the end of long journey just by
looking at green blue water compelling them. So it was the time to challenge the
Mr. Sun now by cliff jumping. Dad bought life jackets and tubes from the shop
on minimal rent.
3. CLIFF DIVING,KHANPUR DAM
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| glimpse of cliff jumping at Khapur dam |
The families reached the exact place where the young ones were put on
the cliff to jump. Zakir was shivering and was reluctant to jump. All his excitement vanished but after bucking up of Usama, he jumped and he was the last one to come out of Khanpur lake then. Girls can also enjoy cliff diving at Khanpur dam at seperate place so Noor api dared to dive.
4. JET SKIING, KHANPUR DAM
The lake at Khanpur dam is big attraction for families for offering jet skiing to enthrall the adventure of outing and to twirl the water under its speedy jet boats.
Moms and reluctant of cliff diving dads went to enjoy jet skiing and had very exciting pleasure mixture of fear and adventre.
5. WATER SUPPLIER RESERVOIR TO ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI,KHANPUR DAM
'Khanpur dam is water reservoir which was constructed by 1983 to supply fresh water to residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Don't pollute it otherwise the same water will reach at your tap,' the swimmers were mocking at each other.
6. ZIPLINE ,MABDALI ISLAND,KHANPUR DAM
The fun was not ended when Usama called the young boys and man to join
him at Zipline towards famous Mabdali Island on Khanpur.
All were tired and off course hungry now.
Usama who didn’t want to miss the single fun bucked them up. They reach
at mabdali island, a place full of activities on khanpur dam. Usama showed them the way of nearest restaurant and went to adventure at Zipline.
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| Zipline over khanpur lake is an adveture |
‘It was little crowded today. Next time we’ll come at weekend
to enjoy at full,’ dad passed the place at last.
‘The Khanpur dam is spacious and there are multiple places to stay by for each age group and to have fun. About 40,000 to 50,000 visitors approach Khanpur dam from KPK
and Punjab at weekends and on public holidays,’ Api shared her information.
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| Family enjoying at Khanpur dam |
6. PARACHUTING,KHANPUR DAM
‘There is an adventure club on Khanpur Dam as well which provide the
adventure of parachute gliding above the lake,’ Zakir just saw a man high in sky and reminded one of his guide.
‘Do you want to go?’ dad asked.
‘No, not exactly. It’ll be terrified,’ Usama stepped back.
7. RAJAN KI MOSQUE, KHANPUR DAM
All of them started to giggle. The day was coming down. They offered prayer at 100 years old “Rajan ki Mosque” and ordered the food on one of busiest restaurant which was overloaded.After waiting of 1 hour at least the food was served on table. After while
Usama bhai joined them rubbing his hands.
‘Ah…zipline really have tested my muscles,’ he pressed his shoulders.
‘But it was more than fun and adventure. It was awesome. I’ll come here again only for zipline at next holiday,’ he started to eat.
‘And I’ll come for parachuting above the lake,’ all family
cackled on Zakir’s comment.
8. CAMPING,KHANPUR DAM
‘Don’t worry dude, we’ll have camping here in winter amid mysterious and
silent mountains struggling against snakes, wolves and wild Markhors and will pluck famous khanpuri red blood oranges from near orchards avoiding the dogs. I’ve
ordered a camp too,’ Usama Bhai spiced on Zakir’s sentiments while every other
was laughing to fire the fun.
The day was ended and dark wrapped the sky and blue water felt
relieved after days hustle bustle but it was Eid and everyone had right to have
amusing Eid which was gift from God, after bestowing after long and sacred month
of Ramzan. Water waves said farewell to all tourists by greeting them
HAPPY EID MUBARAK
COME BACK SOON AT KHANPUR DAM