Assalamualaikum

How are you my dear steem friends I hope everyone is fine. I am also good Alhamdulillah (by the grace of Almighty Allah).
I hope you all are doing well and enjoying life. Today I want to share my backpack travel plan with you. I live in Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and I planned a 3-day trip to Kalam Valley one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan.

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I kept my budget under $100 (around Rs. 28 000).
Since this was a budget trip I made sure to spend my money wisely. Here’s a detailed breakdown of where my money went during my 3-day trip to Kalam:

Early Morning Start

I start my journey early in the morning. I woke up at 6:30 AM washed my face and offere my Fajr prayer. The morning air was fresh and calm. My mother always tells me that a good breakfast gives you energy for the whole day so I followed her advice.

My breakfast included:

• 2 slices of brown bread
• 1 boiled egg
• 5 almonds
• 1 hot cup of tea
After breakfast I packed my bag wore comfortable clothes and joggers and got ready to leave. I was feeling xcited and a little nervous as well because it had been a long time since I travel alone.

1. Taxi Fare (Peshawar to Kalam and back) – Rs. 5 000

To reach Kalam from Peshawar I booked a shared taxi. This was cheaper than hiring a private car. I paid Rs. 2 500 for the one-way trip. The journey was long around 7–8 hours with beautiful views of hills rivers and villages. I also spent Rs. 2 500 for the return journey. So the total travel fare by taxi was Rs. 5 000.

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2. Guest House / Hotel Stay – Rs. 6 000

I stayed for 2 nights in a simple but clean guest house in Kalam. I chose a basic room with a warm bed and attached bathroom. Each night cost me around Rs. 3 000 so for two nights I paid Rs. 6 000. The staff was kind and the view from the window was amazing tall mountains and pine trees.

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3. Food and Tea Rs. 5 000

Food is very important during travel. I ate three meals a day and also had snacks or tea in between. Here’s a rough idea:
• Breakfast (paratha chai and egg) – Rs. 300/day
• Lunch (rice curry or chicken) – Rs. 700/day
• Dinner (roti daal or kebab) – Rs. 800/day
• Snacks/tea – Rs. 600 total over 3 days
In total I spent around Rs. 1 700/day on food which makes Rs. 5 000 for 3 days.

4. Jeep Ride to Mahodand Lake – Rs. 3,000

On the second day, I hired a jeep to visit Mahodand Lake, one of the most beautiful places near Kalam. The road was rocky and the only way to reach there is by 4x4 jeep. I shared the jeep with other travelers, and my part of the fare was Rs. 3,000. The trip was worth every rupee — the lake was magical

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5. Shopping & Local Snacks – Rs. 1 500

I bought a few local items as gifts a handmade woolen cap some dry fruits and a wooden keychain with my name carved on it. I also tried some local snacks like fried fish from the Swat River and traditional sweets. I spent around Rs. 1 500 on these small joys.

6. Emergency / Extra Expenses – Rs. 2 000

I kept Rs. 2 000 aside for any emergency or sudden need. For example I had to buy a mobile balance card and some warm socks because it got colder than I expected at night. It’s always good to keep some money for unexpected things.

What I Packed Only 5 Items

Since this is a backpack trip I could only carry five things so I picked carefully:

1. Water Bottle – clean drinking water is a must during travel
2. Power Bank – to charge my mobile for maps and pictures
3. Toiletries – toothbrush toothpaste soap and sanitizer
4. First Aid Kit – with band-aids painkillers and motion sickness tablets
5. Warm Clothes – Kalam gets cold especially at night so I packed a jacket
   I kept things simple and lightweight because carrying too much can make the journey difficult.

My Travel Challenge Idea

If I had to create a travel challenge I would call it:
“One Place. One Bag. One Goal.”
The idea is simple: visit one peaceful place carry only one backpack and set one goal to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. No internet no social media. Just the sound of birds water and the wind in the trees. It is good for the mind and heart.
This kind of trip is not just about visiting a new place. It is about taking a break from busy life breathing fresh air and finding peace inside. I really enjoyed imagining this trip and hope to do it in real life soon InshaAllah.Thank you for reading my travel plan.

Inviting Friends
I invite these amazing friends to join:
@raqueluchap77 @simonisai15 @hafsasaadat90