Madaklasht is a valley in Lower Chitral, about 40 km from Chitral town up the Shishikoh side valley, at around 2,581 metres. What sets it apart is its people: a community of a few thousand who, according to local tradition, arrived from Badakhshan in Afghanistan generations ago and still speak a Persian dialect, Madaklashti, distinct from the Khowar spoken through most of Chitral district. Surrounded by pine and deodar forest, with a glacier and a waterfall within reach, it is one of the more distinctive side trips in Lower Chitral, though not a well-known or easy one.
This guide covers the village's history and language, how to get there, and what there is to see.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Shishikoh side valley, Lower Chitral |
| From Chitral town | About 40 km |
| Elevation | About 2,581 m |
| Population | Around 4,000 |
| Language | Madaklashti, a Persian dialect close to Tajik and Dari |
| Road | Unpaved from Drosh; a jeep or high-clearance vehicle is needed |
| Draws | Forest, Andiveer Glacier, Kurdoodh waterfall, trekking routes onward |
A Persian-speaking community in the Hindu Kush
Most of Chitral district speaks Khowar, but Madaklasht is an exception. According to local oral tradition, several families arrived here generations ago from the Badakhshan region of Afghanistan, reportedly valued for their skill in making firearms, and settled in what became Madaklasht. Their descendants, now numbering close to 4,000, still speak Madaklashti, a Persian dialect close to the Tajik and Dari spoken in Afghan Badakhshan, kept alive in part by the valley's isolation and by relatively few marriages outside the community.
This makes Madaklasht a genuine linguistic and cultural outlier within Chitral, distinct from both the Khowar-speaking majority and the Kalasha of the better-known valleys further west.
Getting there
Madaklasht is reached via Drosh, on the main road between the Lowari tunnel and Chitral town, then up the Shishikoh valley on an unpaved road covering roughly 40 km from Chitral town in total. The road climbs steadily and is not suited to a low-clearance car; a jeep or a high-clearance vehicle, ideally with a driver who knows the route, is the sensible way to go.
It is a longer, rougher trip than most of the district's better-known side valleys, and there is no reliable public transport, so arrange a vehicle in Chitral town or Drosh before setting out. Our guide to Chitral road conditions covers the state of the main routes through the district.
What there is to see
Madaklasht sits under pine and deodar forest, unusually thick cover for this part of Chitral, and the valley holds the Andiveer Glacier and the Kurdoodh waterfall, along with the natural springs of Darbar Shahi. It is a quiet, largely undeveloped place: a government dispensary, a local micro-hydro power plant, and everyday village life rather than any tourist infrastructure.
For walkers and trekkers with the right experience and local guides, Madaklasht is also a starting point for longer routes deeper into the mountains, including a multi-day trek towards Goleen valley over the Madaklasht Pass, and further routes towards Laspur and towards Kumrat valley in Upper Dir over high passes. These are serious undertakings, not casual walks, and need proper planning and guiding.
Camping and staying
There is no hotel infrastructure to speak of in Madaklasht, so an overnight visit generally means camping, either in the forest around the village or further up towards the glacier and waterfall for those trekking on. Bring your own tent, food and supplies, since there is little to buy once you are off the main road, and confirm with a local guide or contact in Drosh where camping is appropriate before you go.
Is Madaklasht worth the trip?
For travellers with a genuine interest in Chitral's smaller communities and languages, or who want forest and glacier scenery away from the district's more visited valleys, yes, but go in with the right expectations: a long, rough drive, little in the way of facilities, and a village rather than a set of named attractions. If you have only a few days in Chitral, the Kalash valleys, Chitral town and its fort, or Garam Chashma are easier and more rewarding first choices; our list of places to visit in Chitral covers those options, and our trip planning guide can help decide how much time to give a side trip like this one.
Frequently asked questions
What language do people speak in Madaklasht?
Madaklashti, a Persian dialect close to Tajik and Dari, spoken by a community whose ancestors are said to have come from Badakhshan in Afghanistan generations ago.
How do you get to Madaklasht?
Via Drosh, then up the unpaved Shishikoh valley road for around 40 km from Chitral town. A jeep or high-clearance vehicle is needed, and there is no regular public transport.
Is there accommodation in Madaklasht?
No hotels to speak of. An overnight visit generally means camping, so bring your own tent and supplies.
What is there to see in Madaklasht?
Pine and deodar forest, the Andiveer Glacier, the Kurdoodh waterfall, and everyday village life. It is also a starting point for longer treks towards Goleen and Laspur valleys for properly equipped and guided trekkers.
Is Madaklasht suitable for a day trip?
It is possible from Chitral town, but the drive is long and rough in both directions, so an early start is essential if you plan to return the same day.
Is Chitral safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani tourists visit Chitral throughout the season, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city, which is the main road in through Dir and the Lowari Tunnel, and within 10 miles of the Afghan border. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current police advice before setting out.
