We had decided to refrain from taking Chillas-Babusar-Naran route while going to Lahore from Skardu. The main reason behind this decision was the luggage we were carrying with us.
We left Skardu at 4: 00 am. The target was Besham. As we crossed the Kachora check-post, there was a roadblock due to a landslide. We had to wait for five hours and at last FWO guys succeeded in opening the road. It was a bright sunny day as I always check weather forecast before planning a journey. We moved on and found Skardu road in very bad shape. It was 5: 00 pm when we reached Gilgit for a night stay. Gilgit was very hot that day. We rented a family suite in Park Hotel for Rs 3500.
Next morning the sun was again shining brightly. We left Gilgit at 9: 00 am and reached Chillas at 12: 00 pm. The road from Gilgit to Raikot bridge was excellent except at a few places due to landslides. I stopped my car at police check-post at the entrance of Chillas-Babusar-Naran road. After a very brief discussion we decided to cross Babusar Top.
It was 12: 04 pm, when I put my car on the road going towards Babusar Top. The road was excellent as it was newly carpeted except at one place. There were a number of landslides but the road had been cleared. As we were moving on, a piece of cloud came from nowhere and it stared raining. It was really very scary as our Alto car was fully loaded with luggage and we were five people (me, my wife, my son and two daughters). The only hope was the blue sky in front of me and the Sun that was still shining brightly. The rain stopped after 10 minutes and I took my words back about the Accuweather.com.
The drive was smooth, the road was excellent. Security forces were patrolling the route. However, as we reached near the top, my Alto said ?SORRY, I can?t do this?. All the passengers got off and my son helped me and my Alto in climbing that steep rise. He had to place a stone five times behind one of the wheels. At last we crossed that 15 to 20 feet part of the carpeted road and after taking two or three turns, we were on the Babusar Top.
It was 2: 15 pm. We took a lot of photographs and moved on. After few meters the carpeted road vanished and gravel road started. After 6 or 7 kilometers the carpeted road reappeared. There were many glaciers on the road. At some places, the road could be a challenge if it was a rainy day. A little before Lulusar Lake, the road was a little bad. However, we faced no problem.
We were happy as we were again moving on a carpeted road. There was greenery everywhere. But soon we met another challenge. Yes, the water streams of Kaghan Valley. At one place the flow of water was really scary. Again all the passengers got off. This time the problem was not for the Alto alone. The water stream was a challenge for the kids too. Exactly at that moment a truck appeared. I signaled it to stop and my wife and my children boarded the truck and crossed the stream. Now was the turn of my Alto. Slowly and carefully, I crossed the stream. We moved on and stopped at a lot of places to take photographs. We had to cross a lot of water streams but they were not challenging at all except one at Batakundi. However, I crossed the Batakundi water stream with all the passengers in the car.
We reached Naran at around 5:30 pm. Naran took us by surprise as it was full of life. After taking some photographs, we moved on. Just before Iftari, we reached Mahandri and rented a room in Fairyland Hotel for night stay. We were the only guests in the hotel.
Next morning, we left hotel at 5: 00 am and reached Lahore safe and sound at 2: 00 pm.
