A trip to Makhnial, Margalla Hills, Islamabad

(Coordinates: 33 82' 07" North, 73 13' 41" East)

(Shaikh Muhammad Ali)

3D Google Map of Makhnial: Elevation 4,554 Feet

Traveling it leaves you speechless, then

turns you into a storyteller. Ibn Battuta

A trip to Makhnial

Page 1

Overview:
Two fellow hikers i.e. Ahtesham Raja and Khawaja Zaheeruddin Sahib had been
asking me to visit the Makhnial village in the Margalla Hills for quite some time and
somehow I had not been able to make a plan. Finally on 9th February 2013; we
decided to visit this place.
I woke up at 5:30 p.m. and after offering my Fajr prayers, I woke up Adil and Mohsin
around 5:45 a.m. who said their Fajr prayers too. I then woke my wife up and she
prepared breakfast for us and packed kebab sandwiches for our trip. Sabeen (my
better half) and Ayesha (my little princess) did not plan to undertake this trip.
Since I was not familiar with the area, I asked Khawaja Sahib to accompany us for
this trip. We leave for the Islamabad Zoo parking @ 6:45 a.m. and reached there
around 7:00 a.m. Shortly Khawaja sahib arrived and we were out and about. We
enjoyed the drive and slowly reached Sangda (a village on the way) and then
Makhnial while enjoying the views around us.

(The author and his two sons at the Doll house in Sangda)
Since this was not a hiking trip, we drove leisurely and stopped by at many places to
enjoy the fallen snow and the scenery.

A trip to Makhnial

Page 2

(We are posing somewhere b/w Sangda & Makhnial)

This road is to a large extent, in decent shape; save a few rough patches. We go all
the way further where a road block greets us and thus we were forced to make a U
turn.

(Khawaja sahib posing with Adil & Mohsin)

On the way back, we stopped and climbed the Danna Firozpur peak starting at 8:50
a.m. while reaching the old PAF Radar site around 10:20 a.m.

A trip to Makhnial

Page 3

(Khawaja Sahib in a singing jolly mood)

Jhalla ki labda phire is the title of the song which Khawaja sahib is singing in the
picture above. I must confess that he is an interesting company on such trips and
always keeps us entertained with his stories, quips and anecdotes. One of our fellow
hikers from Multan i.e. Farrukh Azeem calls him Tiger Chachu aka Tiger Uncle.

(Adil & Mohsin sliding down a snowy slope)

There used to be a radar station here which was no more while there were only
remains of the station whereby debris of some broken dish antennas were scattered.

A trip to Makhnial

Page 4

(Snow clad Kashmir mountains at the back)

On clear days like this, it really is a sight to behold as the peaks are completely
covered in snow. From this peak, we could see the snowcapped Kashmir Mountains
in the distance beyond Murree hills. Being at an altitude close to 6,000 feet, we were
able to see some snow and the children got a chance to play in the snow. We had
our little picnic at the top and enjoyed some snacks and sandwiches and then came
down by 11:00 a.m.

(Picnic time on top of the nearby peak)

While we were driving down, we stopped at a road side dhabba for a hot cup of tea
prepared on wood & charcoal.
A trip to Makhnial

Page 5

(I am overseeing the tea being prepared)

This type of tea has a pleasant taste and we enjoyed each and every sip.

(Adil & Mohsin basking in the sun before the tea was served)
We drive down to Sangda on the way back, park our car at one of the safe locations
and walk up to the newly built Highland country club on the top of this hill.

A trip to Makhnial

Page 6

(The frontal view of the Highland country club in Sangda)

We stayed at the club for a while, walked around while enjoying the crisp cool
breeze of February and retreat by 12:00 p.m. reaching base camp by 1:00 p.m.

(Taking in the weather at the Highland country club)

On the way back, we stopped by for a while at Kuch Khas (a social club) to pick up
Ayeshas doll which she had left there last evening while we were visiting to watch a
Pakistan India match; which Pakistan lost miserably.

A trip to Makhnial

Page 7

We drove a total distance of only 70 kms. up and down. We first dropped Khawaja
Sahib at his house and returned home by 2:00 p.m. and enjoyed a sumptuous meal
and after having a warm shower had a siesta for the rest of the evening.

Shaikh Muhammed Ali

The Wandering Dervish

E-mail: dushkashaikh@gmail.com
Cell: +00-92-321-5072996
Saturday, 20th Rabi ul Thani, 1437 H
6th February 2016, 2:10 p.m. (PST)

A trip to Makhnial

Page 8