Kaghan valley Travel Guide
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. Picture Gallery
A local kid cry when see us as an a view near siri paya - abbottabad Aansoo Lake alians enter to his Heaven. It was on way back to Naran from Lake Saiful- Malook
Ali Hasan rolls down on Jeep Track :) Ansoo lake..... Beautiful scene near Kawai, Kaghan photo by: Hassan - USA (1998) Valley
Breath taking beautiful Sri - Shogran, Dear Saif-ul-Malook Kaghan (Sri = Lake) Fairy Lake Saif al Malook
Green Mountains on way back to Glacier on the way to saif ul malook Naran from Lake Saiful-Malook Hand Made Wooden Bridge in Naran high above Lake Saiful Malik
Jheel Saiful Malook Jheel Saiful Malook
Jheel Saiful Malook Kaghan valley Khagan Valley
Lake Dodepatsar in Kaghan valley away from Naran: Khagan Valley Khagan Valley photo by: Kashif Moin
Lake Doodi pat sar Lake Lulusar Baisal, Pakistan Lake Saif ul Malook
Lake Saiful Maluk (Kaghan Valley) Lake Saiful-Malook Lake Saifumaluk
Getting Around
Kaghan valley opens its ways for travelers in a number of directions. Keeping Azad Jammu and Kashmir on your right, and Karakoram Highway on ur left, the whole Kaghan valley contains many magnificent landscapes and spots. Shogran, a visitors paradise in the Kaghan valley offers perhaps the best lush green scenic stay in the areas. A further high, Siri Pai is a real magical place to visit - a full day trek.
Lalazar is among the major attractions of Kaghan valley. With alpine forest, carpeted 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 valley, always offers a new color to comers. 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 valley 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 valley 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.