Dear,
I really enjoyed my trip and it was rememberable days of my family. I was looking for a public transport but I found that private transport will be much comfortable and affordable as well.
My trip was like this:-
Day1 (Islamabad to Abbottabad) (4 hours journey): Reached Islamabad Airport, taken Metro Cab from Airport to Abbottabad (Metro Cab charged Rs. 4500 for a new XLI). I have booked Hotel Demanchi, as it was good hotel and they charged me Rs. 5000 for a double bed room with extra mattress.
My Recommendation: MetroCab and Hotel Demanchi
Day2: (Abbottabad to Naran tour) (4 hours journey): I have booked Daewoo Cab Abbottabad (Suzuki APV) for my tour for Naran, they charged me Rs. 9000 for Naran and they quoted Rs. 8000 for new XLI, but I preferred APV.
Reached Naran and my pre-booked hotel was "Rockwood Resort Naran". Hotel was very good but expensive and far from Naran Bazar, as I was travelling from Karachi, so I was dependent on Jeeps. Relaxed rest of the day at hotel, at night went to Naran Bazar and enjoyed the dinner.
My reccomendation: Daewoo Cab Abbottabad service and Hotel Demanchi Naran (as it seems on best location and surroundings)
Day3: Naran to Babusar Top return tour (4 hours journey each side): Again hired Daewoo Cab Abbottabad with same driver who dropped us Naran in Rs. 8000 (Suzuki APV). Perfect Tour but little hectic for kids, but superb atmosphere and great scenetic views, loved it.
My Recommendation: Please hire private car with AC, don't go for jeeps, as if weather is hot, it will be terrible for you. Daewoo Cab service is ideal for this tour, as jeeps fixed rate for naran to babusar top is Rs. 7000, so 8000 with AC for APV is much much better.
Day 4: Naran to Lake Saiful Malook return tour (2 hours journey each side):-
There are lot of families on the lake but reaching lake is like passing from hell. My wife didnt enjoyed it at all, as the path was terrible. However after reaching lake our views were changed. While returning I asked my wife to sit in front of jeep which was much better option. Jeep's official rate for Lake Saiful malook is Rs. 2500/- with 2 hours stay at lake.
Day 5: Relaxed at Naran.
Day 6: Naran to Shogran (2 hours): Again I hired Daewoo Cab, as they have opened new office in Naran, they arranged private XLI for me at cost of Rs. 5000 with AC. My pre-booked hotel was Arcadian Sprucewood Resort (Marvelous hotel, one of the best in town). Although they have another hotel Pine Park Resort, which owned by same company but little old, but their best part is that it is closed to market and they have a very big lawn, and kids can enjoy it.
Day 7: Shogran to Sripaye return tour (1.5 hours each side): Sripaye was again a fabulous space to visit, again the way is very pathetic like Lake Saiful Malook's path, but really enjoyed the tour. I don't exactly remember how much I paid but I think I have paid Rs. 3000/- for a jeep.
Day 8: Shogran to Murre tour (7-8 hours): Again hired Daewoo Cab service from Abbottabad on Suzuki APV, they send it from Abbottabad to Shogran. From Shogran to Murree they charged me Rs. 13000/-
Another cheap options would be:- From shogran, take private jeep or private car, they will charge you 2500-4000 for abbottabad Daewoo express station. From there you go to Rawalpindi on Daewoo bus (around Rs. 350 per pax ticket) and from Rawalpindi you go to murree on Daewoo Bus (around Rs. 350 per pax ticket), it would be lot more cheaper. However I neede comfortable journey, so I chose direct transport.
I had 5 nights stay in Murree, and enjoyed a lovely weather over there.
Regarding Murree hotels, I would suggest you find some better hotel for you as per your requirement, as I have travelled Murree more than dozen times, but no one sattissfied my need yet.
Hotel Faran, Hotel Jawa International, Hotel Move n Pick are all 2-3 star family hotels in Murree which seems good.
Hotel Shangrilla and Hotel Brightland and Hotel Lockwood are little upgraded.
One thing I would like to mention is that if you have less days tour than more affordable option is hiring a private XLI on daily rent, it may charge you 3000-4000 without fuel, it would be a very good option for you, but if you have longer tour like me than it will be more expensive.
If you need more information please let me know, I would be more than happy to assist you.
Thanks
Atif Munir