Abbotabad, Naran, Kaghan: First Time Travelling: Guidance Needed

[syedaliimam]

AOA all people.

I am an enthusiast of PakWheel forum related to travel and tours. However, this is going to be my first post here.
I checked a lot of forums but some of the questions are still left unanswered.

We have a plan to visit Abbotabad, Naran, Kaghan in the mid of September 2018. We are going on our own car i.e. Honda City 2008 model. My parents(old age), me and my wife are travelling.

Day 1: Abbotabad
Day 2: Naran, Kaghan
Day 3: Naran, Kaghan
Day 4: Islamabad
Day 5: Lahore

My Questions:

• On google map there are two routes showing to Abbotabad. One is from Hassan Abdaal after reaching Burhan interchange. The other one is Hazara Expressway to N35 near to Abbotabad. Which one to take?

• We will leave Lahore early in the morning and in the noon we will be in Abbotabad Hotel DeManchi. We plan to visit Abbotabad city in the noon and spend a night at DeManchi.

• Next Day early, we will visit Naran and check in at Arcadian Riverside. We spend 2 days there. Will visit Saif Ul Malook.

• If we do not want to visit babusar top can we reach babusar pass via our own car? Where else do we able to visit in Naran and Kaghan on our own Car and which places?

• Is Lalazar worth a visit? What about river rafting?How to reach there as well.?

• Anything else you suggest?Much appreciated.

• Which route we should take while coming to Islamabad upon returning?

Thank you.

p.s: we are skipping shogran siri/paye etc.

[Baleno1300]

Instead of Naran, go to Shogran and Siri Paye.

[syedaliimam]

Can't take parents there.

[farhannk]

hi .. you can take hazara motor way route. as its express and it will lead you to haripur.. from there you can straight go to abottabad.. Manshera and naran.... you can go to babusar top easily in ur car..

you can take your parents as well. if they dont have any breathing issue.. as the oxygen level is less at top of babusar.. PTDC Naran is the place to stay .. very much clam and serene.. your parents wud surely enjoy there..

you can have the booking done easily.. .. I came back to karachi from naran road trip on 15th July.. my mom 73 ma sha allah was also with me.. and she stayed all the way fit and fine.. alhamdoillah.

[farhannk]

PTDC Naran

[farhannk]

[syedaliimam]

Thanks Farhan. Much appreciated.
Yes I will consider PTDC.

Where else do you visited in Naran?

[farhannk]

well we have been to naran before as well and have visited saifullah malook in our past trips.. so this time we did not go any where from naran .. had spend 2 nights at ptdc naran and came back to islamabad. I planned for Khunjrab but due to cold weather at naran I cancelled moving further up.

[shazia_sh_h]

Good plan ... you are asking about rafting with parents? Rafting is amazing activity but only for young and healthy persons. I suggest you must visit Shogran, it is good peaceful place, sri paye track is little difficult. Before Shogran spend some good time at Kewai. For Saif ul malook you have to hire Jeep.
And if you are a good driver than easily can visit upto Babusar top, in between you can spend good time at Lulusar lake. or 2 din guzarne ka pata bhi nahe chale ga

[syedaliimam]

Lol, actually not with parents.
I checked with one of the people, there might be less water for rafting in September. So it is 50/50 chance.

[shazia_sh_h]

We did in last August... it was an amazing experience. you must try.

[syedaliimam]

Sure. Thanks.

[umairzafar]

Lalazar is great place at least for me but you should not take your parents with you. The jeep ride will become uncomfortable for them.

River rafting is also a good activity which is around 30 min drive from Naran towards babusar top.

Just keep in mind Arcadian Riverside is located away from the main area

[syedaliimam]

Yes correct. Actually we are not taking our parents to any such place which includes jeep ride or a far away place. They will stay in hotel.

[syedaliimam]

Regarding PTDC. How is the service there? Like ambiance, food, washroom, warm water availability etc.

[farhannk]

warm water 24 hrs.. washrooms are clean.. there are different type of rooms and cottages.. I stayed in standard room.. clean washroom and excellent service...

[syedaliimam]

Thanks a lot.

[drnuman1]

Ali my suggestion is that don’t opt Hassan Abdal and hazara route, boring, hot , rushy and dusty rout you may instead via nathia Gali , stay there st least one night green,cool ,scenic and very much peaceful place, leave next day early morning toward abbotabad 1 hour drive > mansehra >Balakot stay kaghan one night and next day leave for naran

[bright.jupiter]

1. Hazara expressway is better.

2. Arcadian Riverside is no doubt a fine place, You can stop there for lunch on your route to Naran but staying there for two days is waste of time if your total plan consists of 5 days.
   stay at Naran, It will save your time if you are planning to visit Saif ul Malook, Lalazar (Worth visiting), and Babusar. However if you prefer perfectly calm place and absolutely no activity then Arcadian Riverside is the place to stay.
   As you are going off season, staying at PTDC is not a good idea as their rates remain same all year round. You can find very good hotel at very low rates during september. Even without staying there you can use their restaurant and can roam around. The food and service at PTDC restaurant is still the best in Naran.

As with the old parents confirm the time and availibility of hot water, as there is no gas, and they used to burn wood in a geyser. Also check for electricity timing before check in as some hotels dont run their generator all the time.

1. while coming back you can come from Balakot-Garhi habib ullah-Muzaffarabad- Bhurban. The climb is steep from Khohala to Bhurban and you can face traffic jam at Dewal sharif. Or you can go to Naran via this route or come back via expressway. I prefer coming back via Hazara expressway

[syedaliimam]

Thanks a lot.

Sure, I will take Hazara expressway.
Yes our activity will be somehow less as we always avoid crowdy places.
Thank you for the details.