Trip: Lahore to Skardu
Stopover: District Jehlum
Place: Pind Dadan Khan
Location: Khwera Salt Mines, Pakistan
Coordinates: 32.647,73.006
Entrance Fee: The entry ticket (PKR 400 per person)
Accessibility Friendly: No, the parking area is a little far from the actual mine entrance and is not properly paved.
Category: Salt Mines
Famous for: World’s second largest active salt mine.
Shared Album: Khewra Salt Mines
Route: Although the route from Grand Trunk (GT) road is scenic, it takes almost 2 hours more to get to the salt mines. The fast route is by using motor way. It is also very important to mention that the extension (a path of 22 kms from motor way exit to salt mines) is not built properly and can easily cost you additional two hours to get to the mines.

Khwera salt mine is located in a remote village of Pind Dadan Khan, in Jehlum District. Located at the foothills of Himalayas, it is one of the six Himalayan Salt mine ranges, as well as the world’s second largest active salt mine.

A visitor center was established in 2008 to assist tourists and could be treated as the only official attachment to this location. The tickets per person costs PKR 400 (equivalent to 1.5 USD). The actual tunnel is 40 km deep, however the visitor area is established merely about 1.5 kms below the surface
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Although the tunnel (up until visitor area) is designed for natural air flow, but one can clearly feel the impact (therefore a visitor stay for more than 1.5 hours is not advised). The temperatures also remain cold (up to 18C) inside the mine. Almost 0.35 million tons of rock salt are extracted every year, out of which around 30 percent is processed, tested, and provided as edible salt.

The train ride only takes about 3-5 minutes to get to the visitor areas, but if you are willing to flex a muscle, be mindful that it will take at least 40 minutes to get to the visitor area.

Right from the entrance of the tunnel, the single electric wire train catches the visitor’s attention. Once inside the tunnel, one can clearly see saltwater pools that are illuminated with accent lights to add to its flare.

If you are travelling towards Islamabad, a half-day de-tour to Khwera Salt Mines is advised. In my opinion, it is one of the most happening places that I have visited.
Stay tuned for the next episode, where I will introduce some of my favorite places in Islamabad, Pakistan