Monsoon rains draw crowds to Galiyat hill resorts

PESHAWAR: Monsoon showers and cool mountain weather brought a surge of visitors to Galiyat and adjoining hill stations, as tourists sought relief from the heat gripping Pakistan’s plains and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Following the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast of widespread rainfall under a western weather system until July 23, tourist activity picked up across Thandiyani, Nathiagali, Ayubia, Khanaspur, Harno and nearby valleys. Hotels, restaurants, roadside cafés and local markets remained busy as families, students, honeymooners and adventure seekers arrived in large numbers.

The rain transformed the pine-covered hills into misty, green landscapes, with clouds drifting across valleys and scenic viewpoints. Visitors gathered at lookouts as visibility shifted with passing mist, briefly closing in before opening onto views of the surrounding mountains.

Ehtisham Khan, a lecturer from Peshawar visiting the area with his family, said, “This weather makes you forget every worry. The cool breeze, monsoon rain and breathtaking scenery take you into a different world. Every time I visit Galiyat, I feel refreshed mentally and physically. No other place matches the serenity and natural beauty of Thandiyani and Nathiagali during the monsoon season.”

Tourism activity was especially visible in Thandiyani and Nathiagali, where rain-soaked meadows, pine forests and cooler temperatures offered a sharp contrast to the oppressive heat experienced in lower areas a day earlier. In some spots, drifting clouds also revealed distant views of Malka Parbat.

Seasonal boost for local businesses

The influx of visitors also revived commercial activity in the region, with eateries, shops and accommodation facilities seeing steady footfall through the day. The monsoon spell added to the seasonal appeal of Galiyat, long regarded as one of the country’s most popular summer destinations.