I am writing this to encourage and guide general people like me who have a love for travel but are looking for otherwise unavailable guidance.
Yes i drove to >>Naran on my Suzuki Mehran<<
Not impossible. You need to be confident on your ride. If you can easily drive it up to monal on margallah heights you can take it to Naran too. Be mindful of clear weather. Check your car for following:
1. Good tyres
2. Good brakes
3. Good Clutch Plate (people often over look it)
4. Ofcourse good gears (transmission and lever engagement) and engine
We started from Peshawar early morning via motorway till Hasanabdal. Thereon towards Abottabad. It was overcast, nice weather to drive. Mind it that the best time to go to Naran is generally early May to July. Mid August,i.e. post 14th August is the time when the number of tourists is reducing drastically and you find the roads empty.
You can find CNG till Mansehra. Petrol/ diesel is available even in Naran. You encounter first real steeps after Mansehra. From Abottabad to Balakot it took us about 2 hrs 45 mins. We took small stops on the way from Abottabad onwards. But you should plan a 30 mins stop in Balakot. Starting at about 01:45pm from balakot we reached Naran at about 04:50pm. Its a long and tyring drive from Balakot to Naran but road condition is excellent. Plus in clear weather generally road is clear of any land sliding etc. So you can match this timing in clear weather and generally towards off season.
Naran is of-course amazing. No need to worry about basic amenities and hotel rooms. We got a good room at 1500 per night, with hot water, wifi (average signal strength) and cable. So you can have everything in Naran. The mobile doesn't work in some parts between Kaghan and Naran. And ahead of Naran.
It would get really cold in the evening so must take along warm clothes specially for kids.
Body takes some adapting in the sudden temp-change.
New hotels on Naran by-pass our good and cheap. The ones in Naran bazar are good but expensive. Its a small place so doesn't matter if stay up on the by-pass road.
The only place we had planned was Saif ul Malook. We hired a jeep from Naran at about 2200 Rs. You can get it even in 1500 at this time with little effort.
Ride to Saifulmalook from Naran on local Jeep.
Road is steep and high. 'Rough' is an understatement. But it is generally safe as you 'd realize once you get to the lake. Its about 9-10 km steep up 1000meters approx but it takes about 30 mins.
There you find Saifulmalook "the jewel of Naran-kaghan"
Please take along your large shopping bags and do not litter. Instead bring back everything. Naran bazar is well monitored for prices. Generally you find packaged food of all good brands and in-dates. So no worries.
Also: you have easy paisa, easy load, Bank, ATM, petrol/ diesel pump all in Naran.
Hope this is helpful for few.
Regards