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 The
Kaghan Valley is
located in Northern
Pakistan northeast
of Hazara, NWFP.
It's one of the
valleys that's
relatively easy to
reach from
Rawalpindi /
Islamabad.
The mountain
scenerey, the dales,
lakes, water-falls,
streams and glaciers
are the main reason
to come here. The
Valley extends for
155 km rising from
an elevation of
2,134 meters to its
highest point, the
Babusar Pass, at
4,145 meters.
Further north from
from Babusar Pass, a
jeep track leads to
Chilas, which is now
on Karakoram Highway
(the road that
connects Islamabad
to Xinjiang province
of China via Gilgit,
Hunza and Khunjerab
Pass). Before
Karakoram Highway
was opened in 1978,
the only road access
to Gilgit was
through Kaghan
Valley.
Naran is the best
base for treks and
walks in the valley.
There are some
options for
accommodation here
and some
restaurants. Naran
is best reached by
jeep from Balakot
some 200 km north of
RawalPindi /
Islamabad.
The best time to
visit Kaghan is in
summer months (May
to September). From
the middle of July
up to the end of
September, the road
beyond Naran,
snow-bound
throughout the
winter, is open
right up to Babusar
Pass. Movement may
be restricted during
the monsoon season
due to heavy rains
and landslides.
In summer it is
possible to continue
to Gilgit Valley -
one hell of a trip
with incredible
views - but roads
are not always in
tiptop condition so
it may involve some
hard work to get to
the other site of
the mountains.
Practical
Information
A Visit to Kaghan
Valley will leave
you enchanted by the
spectacular beauty
of its mountains,
glaciers and lush
greenery. Kaghan
Valley includes
Naran, Kaghan,
Shogran and its
surrounding areas.
The way to Kaghan
valley starts with
two hour drive to
Abbottabad. At
Abbottabad you can
refresh yourself
with a cup of tea
before driving to
Mansehra, Balakot
and onwards to
Kawai. Kawai onwards
is a steep climb to
the Shogran plateau
which offers a
splended view of a
fabulous array of
mountains, amid pine
trees and lush green
meadows.
Most of the tourists
especially come to
visit lake Saiful
Maluk lying 10,600
feet above sea level
with its natural
tranquillity in the
foot hills of
Himalayas. Saiful
Maluk is one of the
most beautiful lakes
of the world. To sit
beside the lake is
to be in the fairy
world. Camping at
Saiful Maluk is an
experience of life
time.
You can find nice
and comfortable
hotel accomodation
at Shogran and after
a day's rest
consider moving on
to Sri Paia. But be
prepared for the
extra bumpy ride.
You can also plan a
hiking trip to Sri
Paia from Shogran.
It will take around
two and half hour to
reach at peaks of
Sri Paia. (In local
language, Sri means
Lake, Paia means
Peak)
Once you reach Sri
Paia the discomfort
of the journey is
forgotten as you
find yourself
surrounded by a
spectacular view of
the Makra Hills and
the Malka Parbat
peak. Malka Parbat
in english means
"Queen of
Mountains".
The next stop
Khanian offers the
best Trout fish one
can taste in the
north. The dazzling
greens of Dana
Meadows and the
slippery glaciers at
tarmac, on the way
to Naran, are quite
an experience.
Malka Parbat, can be
best approached by
hiking or driving 10
KM from Naran to the
legendary Saiful
Maluk nesting in the
shadows of The Malka
Parbat. On a clear
day, you can behold
the majesty of the
Malka Parbat'speaks
reflected in the
lake's deep blue icy
waters. The road
from Mansehra to
Naran is excellenty
built. The workers
of Frontier Works
Organization are
always busy in
repairing the road
and clearing the way
of eroded mountains
to ensure smooth
flow of traffic.
Naran is one of most
popular tourist
spots of Pakistan at
distance of 160 KM
from Abbottabad.
Travelers from
Pakistan as well as
many foreign
countries rush in
summer to the lush
green valley
surrounded by snowy
mountains.
Foreign tourists
mostly stay at PTDC
motel while
Pakistani elites
prefer Pine Park
Hotel and the same
PTDC motel. There
are many budget
hotels in Naran's
main bazar and most
of people prefer to
stay there. Hotel
fares are very high
in good hotels
ranging between
Rs.2,000 ($34.5
appox) to Rs.8,000
($138 appox) per
night. Tents on rent
are also available
where you can stay
by paying as low as
Rs.150
 per night.
July and August see
more visitors as
compared to the
other months of
summer. Local people
do most of their
business to earn
livelihood for the
whole year in these
two to three months.
Their businesses
vary from teashops
to rent-a-jeep
service.
The most interesting
job is of the elder
people of the area
who narrate medival
story of Prince
Saiful Maluk in a
very catching way to
the visitors who
listen to them
intently. After
story is finished
they demand their
money for offering
this story telling
service.Tourists
never show misery to
those storytellers
after they
(tourists) are
entertained with the
story.
In my recent trip to
Kaghan valley I did
trekking, camping
and hiking in
various locations
like Shogran, Lake
Saif-ul-Maluk,
Lalazar, Lake Lulu
Pat Sar, Sri Paia,
and Dana Medows.
This trip was was
full of adventure
and I strongly
recommend every one
to visit Kaghan
Valley because its
simply a must see
Virgin Beauty.
Getting Around
Kaghan velley opens
its ways for
trevellers in a
number of
directions. Keeping
Azad Jammu and
Kashmir on your
right, and Karakoram
Highway on ur left,
the whole Kaghan
velley contains many
magnegicint
landscapes and
spots.
Shogran, a visitors
paradise in the
Kaghan velley offers
perhaps the best
lush green scenic
stay in the ares. A
further high, Siri
Pai is a real
magical place to
visit - a full day
trek.
Lalazar is among the
major attractions of
Kaghan velley. With
alpine forest,
carpetted meadows
and snowy peaks in
surroundings, a
wonderful place to
keep visitors' stay
for a couple of
days.
Lake Saif ul Maluk,
most visited part of
Kaghan velley,
always offers a new
color to commers.
Keeping shadows of
Malika Parbat the
highest peak in the
area, Lake Saif ul
Maluk is the most
famous lake in
Pakistan.
Babu Sar Top is a
traditional rout
joining the Kaghan
velley with Northern
Areas of Pakistan.
Saral and Dudibach
Sar Lakes in the
way, its among the
highest road passes
in Pakistan.
In addition to
mentioned above
attractions of
Kaghan velley there
are many other
possible hikes and
treks for physically
fit and adventure
tourists. Including
Aanso (Tear) Lake,
Noori Nar Gali Pass
and Sharan, tourist
can travel in the
dimensions of Kaghan
Velley. |
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