The Soon (Soan) Sakesar Valley Punjab

The Soon Sakesar (Wadi) valley or also spell Soan Sakesar (Wadi) valley is an ancient and beautiful valley of Pakistan which is famous all over the world for its scenic beauty. Nowshera is the capital of this valley and a sub-tehsil of Khushab district. Sakesar is the name of a healthy, hill place on top of mountain, it is also a top hill station in Punjab after Murree. It is the title of a vast mountain range with many valleys and small and large villages. This area is called "The Soon Sakesar (Wadi) Valley". The great Muslim conqueror Zahiruddin Babar passed through the Pothohar(Potohar) area. On the way the valley beauty attracted King Salamat, he encamped there with his army.

The natural beauty of this valley was the same as Babar also contributed to the beauty of this valley. Ordered the cultivation of gardens and gave historical words about this valley. Which is still a source of pride for the people of this area. Access to Wadi Soon is very easy. Public transport reaches Nowshera, the main city of Wadi Soon, in three hours from both Lahore and Rawalpindi.

If you have private transport, get off at Lahore Allah Interchange on the motorway coming from Lahore and travel 30 km to the south To the right of Katha village is Peel Chowk, 16 km beyond Katha hill. Tourists coming from Pindi Islamabad can get off at Kallar kahar Interchange and reach Peel Chowk after a journey of 35 km to the south. From where the straight road leads to Jaba village only 8 km away. Turn east from Jaba village the Soon valley has begun.

The weather here is very pleasant from March to October and this is the season when the pleasure of sightseeing and tourism is doubled in the Soon valley. It is very cold in winter. The temperature here drops below freezing point. Heat and rain make the cold worse. Great month for a walk in the Soon valley March, April, July, August and September. The rainy season in the valley is extremely enjoyable when the canals flowing from the mountains offer a beautiful view. Flowers and greens are refreshing and the cool breezes in summer make it feel like winter. The taste of rain is further enhanced when you are on the shores of a lake or on a hill from where the lush green fields spread across the length and breadth of the Soon valley offer a paradise.

The area of Soon valley has its charming valleys. has many hidden places, beautiful lakes, waterfall, water streams, temples, Darbar, Qila, historical places, and gardens and pleasant weather attract tourists. And every year a large number of tourists visit the Soon valley.

Kanhati(Kanhatti/Kenhatti) Garden famous for there are many springs and waterfalls. There are dense trees and viewpoints. Most of the day can be spent there sightseeing and cooking. Camping is also allowed.

There is a beautiful Khabikki lake/ Khabbaki Lake close to Naushehra city, an amazing place where a lot of migratory birds come here from freezing places in winter. This place is the best picnic place for the whole family in this area. places increase the beauty of the Soon valley. There are also boats to see beautiful lakes and small hotels to entertain visitors.

Uchhalli lake is spread over a very large area . It offers picturesque scenery and a view of the highest Sakaser mountain in the Salt Range. The lake attracts hundreds of migratory birds each year and is an ideal lake for the bird watchers.

Mahi Wala Dehra round-topped hill that is visible from most parts of the soon valley. From here one can see both the lakes of the soon valley and part of Pothohar on the northside. If you try to walk a little, then near Kafri/Kufri village, Chashma Daep Sharif stream is on a ten minute walk. Passing by it, further fountain is Jhal Majhali/bladder lake in Koradhi village. Even further, there is Wadi/valley Gosar where there are smooth plains which are very lush green. Here is a view of the third largest Jahlar lake of the soon valley from the southern hill. Jahlar Lake can be approach Koradhi Jahlar road near before Uchalli/Uchhalli lake in Sakesar road.

Visitors who like historical places also visit the historical Amb Shareef Shrine ( Shrine Sakhi Sultan Ibrhim) and Hindu Amb Sharif Temple also called Amb Temples located in Amb Shareef, famous for Buddhist Stupas 16 km far from Uchhali Sakesar road.

Another historical Tulajah fort and ancient city of Tulaja is near Kathwai on the Soon valley to Khushab road. You can even go there by car then a hike to reach top. There are traces of an old fort. It is also an ancient fort with about 250 houses made of beautiful stone. The way is a little difficult from Khura village, you can reach the fort in two hours by walking past Dhok Kasiri. Khura Bowli National Heritage (Well) Sher Shah Suri Khura village is called the heart of Soon valley and in terms of population it is also a large village of Soon valley. Which is still present here about five hundred years ago.

Fort Kot (Qila) Hardosodhi is near Kathwai. You can even go by car. There are traces of an old fort. Kot Qila and beyond there are some springs and a lake at Satra. This road passes through Jabi Dhokri and joins Mianwali Khushab Road.

Sodhi Jay wali is a famous village of Soon valley. It is famous for its water stream and waterfall. It's water color is a blue good attraction place. It's a two to three hour walk. There is an official Sodhi rest house in the famous village Sodhi Jay wali of Soon valley where there are various delicious fruit trees and a spring is passing nearby. Permission has to be sought from Deputy Commissioner Khushab.

There is a water stream and Sultan Mehndi waterfall (Chasma) near Khanqah Hazrat Sultan Mahdi on Sodhi Jay wali road before turn to Jabba Shah Fathe Ullah. which is a bit difficult to access but there is plenty of water here. You can reach here after a little trekking and you can spend a whole day in cooking and bathing here. It is a twenty to thirty minute walk. There are old trees and many other dense trees. There is a large grassy lawn and historical cave near Chilla Gah Sayyed Ab-ul-Hassan Shah Sawaee . There are two Ashnan Ghats built by Sikhs and also a Gurdwara.

Karrummi or Khadumi waterfall, the water flowing down here forms four separate beautiful waterfalls rare people see. The route is very difficult on the way you can see another waterfall near Chhambal Mandir and Khadumi waterfall one of the remote treks in the Soon valley, bike or jeep track and then hike. The best view on the way to the waterfall is the amazing towering hill and rocky trek from 600 m down to the waterfall on Chambalwala Nala.

There is a monastery Darbar Baba Hayat Al Meer (Sufi Saint Pir Jamal Shah) in a deep forest and hilly area near Kalial village which is quite high on beautiful surrounding views but cars and bikes can go there. Darbar is located at the second highest peak of Salt Range Punjab, peak was named after him as "Hayat-al-Meer".