Tourism in the Margalla Hills –

Part I
(Shaikh Muhammad Ali)

(http://www.pakbuzzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/daman-e-koh-
view-point-islamabad.jpg)

“That is why the best trips, like the

best love affairs, never really end” –
George Santayana
Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 1
Overview:

We need sometimes to escape into open solitudes, into aimlessness, into the moral
holiday of running some pure hazard, in order to sharpen the edge of life, to taste
hardship, and to be compelled to work desperately for a moment at no matter what.

With the above in mind, I thus set up again to visit the Margalla Mountains actually
twice within a short span of two weeks once on the 26th of June 2010 to Daman-e-Koh
and the next time on the 3rd of July 2010 to Pir Sohawa with my fun loving family.

We did not visit the Daman-e-Koh for some time now and thus Adil (my older son) has
been after me to take him there. Since the weather has been hot lately thus we
decided to go there in the evening while the sun sets around 7:30 p.m. these days.

(From L-R: Adil, Ayesha, Sabeen & Mohsin)

Whenever we visit Daman-e-Koh, new developments take place. This is the best part of
living in Islamabad whereby developments do take place and rather fast especially in
tourist areas unlike other cities of Pakistan where development takes place at a snail’s
pace.

A new walking track has lately been carved out which gives a fresh view of the Rawal
Lake from this mountain spot. After reaching there, we got our snacks out and feasted
to our heart’s content on the junk food and had lots of water since the sun was still
following us around.

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 2

 (Mamma, Mohsin, myself and Ayesha)

This particular spot is just a 15 minute walk from the parking space and connects it with
the main site on the Daman-e-Koh view point.

(Adil, Ayesha, Mohsin and Mamma)

All good trips are, like love, about being carried out of yourself and deposited in the
midst of terror and wonder.

A little introduction:
Daman-e-Koh, about 3,000 ft. from sea level and almost a 1, 000 ft. higher than the city
of Islamabad, is a viewing point and hill top modern garden, popular among the
residents as well as the visitors to this capital town of the nation.1

1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 3

Geologically it is a spur, off shooting from main Margalla Hills, which are declared as
Margalla National Park. Daman-e-Koh in Urdu & Persian means: "in the lap of the
mountain"; wherein Daman is literally lower frontal part of the Kurta/Kameez (local
name for long shirts) which covers the groins thus making a lap while sitting and Koh in
Persian means mountain.2

(http://www.pieas.edu.pk/icape2008/CFD%20Conf/Daman-e-Koh.jpg)

This beautifully located viewpoint is in the north of Islamabad and resides at the foot of
and in the middle of the Margalla Hills. This extra-ordinary garden has two wings known
as the "north" and "south" viewpoints. A single but 'perfect' carpeted road leads to this
uniquely beautiful 'forest-garden'. Ample car parking is provided by the authorities as
the number of visitor keeps on growing with every passing day.3

The view point may be reached on foot, walking along various "jogging tracks" built and
maintained by city gardeners. A good number of nature loving and health-loving
people are found in the early hours of the day as well as in the afternoon.4

2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 4

 (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/2595162234_3933c62acd.jpg)

Daman-e-Koh is a midpoint for the tourists on their way to the higher view point Pir
Sohawa which is located at the top of Margalla Hills at an elevation of about 5,000 ft.
There is a plan to construct a chairlift from Daman-e-Koh to Pir Sohawa. It is speculated
that this plan would start materializing in the near future.5

Car parking facility is provided close to the Northern Spot where a cafe and some small
tuck shops cater the needs of guests. A restaurant is located on the Southern Spot
overlooking the city. The Southern Spot is the main attraction as it provides a panoramic
view of Islamabad. Telescopes are installed for keener observers. An artistically
designed board displaying basic information about Islamabad is installed for the
people coming from outside the city.6

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Map_of_Islamabad.JPG)

Kids do have their own places all around to play and enjoy their time. Some pet birds
like Turkeys roam about in the beds of roses and other seasonal flowers.7

5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 5

Capital Development Authority (CDA) has further developed the viewpoint by
upgrading the restaurant, widening the car-parking and providing other necessary
facilities. CDA has put in service electric-powered cars to facilitate the tourists,
especially the senior citizens, between Northern and Southern spots.8

An overview of Faisal Mosque and the newly constructed "Seventh Avenue" are a treat
to watch. During daylight and in full moon the Rawal Lake poses a nice glittering view in
southeast. A beautiful light & color show is ever-present during night as beholder
watches the low-lying capital down under the feet. 9

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Daman_e_Koh_Park.jpeg)

To take a glance of this planned city during day or night is enough reason to pay a visit
to this remarkably different and extra-ordinary national park. Whole of the city looks like
a "live-map" viewed from a distance. The place remains full of lively people till late after
midnight, especially in summer when cool fragrant breeze blows in the hills. 10

There are points in the bushes and trees where one can enjoy the silence of nature to
the fullest. The place is a heaven for bird watchers. More than 70 different native as well
as migrating birds are seen here during various parts of the year. Monkeys are a
common sight during winter. It is little risky trying to play or negotiate with or feed these
otherwise friendly creatures. Cheetahs are (frequently) reported as seen in these
foothills, mostly during winter. They are believed to descent from higher hills of Murree in
snowfall days. It is a wonderful place for the people who have some interest in flora and
fauna.11

8
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
9
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh
11
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daman-e-Koh

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 6

Back to the main story:

After spending a little time here and enjoying the cool breeze of the Margallas, we
called it a day and decided to return to the city on fire i.e. Islamabad not knowing that
we would be tempted to visit the Margallas again next week. Till then, Adieu!

Shaikh Muhammed Ali

‘The Wandering Dervish’
E-mail: mashaikh@hec.gov.pk
Cell: +00-92-321-5072996
Sunday, 17th July 2010, 07:34 p.m.

Tourism in the Margalla Hills – Part One Page 7